Routes to Discover the Nature of the Metropolitan District
Few cities in the world allow you to see hummingbirds in the Andean mountains and hear toucans in the cloud forest, all in one day.
Quito, located in the heart of the Andes and surrounded by one of the areas with the highest biodiversity on the planet, is one of those places. This region is part of the Andean Chocó, known for its great variety of plants and animals.
Quito is a natural refuge with more than 550 registered bird species, many of them unique or endangered. From high-altitude páramos to tropical forests in the northwest, the city and its surroundings offer different ideal habitats for birdwatching, or avitourism as it is called here. These routes are perfect for those who enjoy outdoor activities and nature and adventure tourism.
Next, we invite you to discover the most famous routes for birdwatching within the Metropolitan District of Quito—a journey that combines adventure, environmental care, and natural beauty. Don’t forget to visit some of the highly-rated farms in the area that offer unique experiences for birdwatching.
1. Yanacocha Reserve: the home of hummingbirds
Located on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano, just 45 minutes from downtown Quito, the Yanacocha Reserve is an easy-to-visit and very interesting place for those who enjoy birdwatching and ecotourism.
Managed by the Jocotoco Foundation, this reserve protects more than 950 hectares of Andean forest and paramo, where important species such as the Black-breasted Puffleg (Eriocnemis nigrivestis), one of the most endangered birds in the world and a symbol of conservation in Ecuador, live.
The well-marked natural trails, surrounded by abundant vegetation, allow you to see up to 40 species of hummingbirds in a single walk. Among the most sought after are the Andean Star, the Long-tailed Hummingbird, and the Collared Inca. In addition, these paths offer good opportunities to photograph birds and enjoy the landscape.
The reserve also has natural viewpoints from where you can see other birds such as tanagers, doves, toucanets, and high-flying raptors. The climate is cool and the silence is only broken by the buzzing of small wings that seem to shine in the light of the paramo.
Yanacocha is undoubtedly a sanctuary for hummingbirds near Quito. Its proximity to places like Nono and the Mitad del Mundo in Calacalí makes it an ideal destination for excursions from Quito.
2. Maquipucuna Reserve: the cloud forest in its maximum expression
Located a little more than an hour and a half north of Quito, in the Nanegal valley, is the Maquipucuna Reserve. This cloud forest of more than 6,000 hectares, located in the Chocó Andino region, is one of the most important places for bird conservation in South America.
More than 400 species have been found here, including the Gallito de la Peña (Rupicola peruvianus), whose courtship dance is one of the most impressive natural spectacles in the Andes.
Maquipucuna is also home to species such as the Golden Quetzal, the Andean Toucan, the Blue-crowned Motmot, and the Spectacled Owl. In certain months of the year, the reserve also receives occasional visits from the Andean bear, making it a special place for those who love wildlife and outdoor activities.
The rural and ecological accommodations within the reserve allow for a complete experience: waking up to the sound of birds, walking along mist-covered trails, and seeing how the jungle moves to the rhythm of water and wind.
Maquipucuna is a natural treasure where every step brings a new melody of wings.
3. Verdecocha Reserve: high-altitude biodiversity
About 30 kilometers from the center of Quito, in the parish of Nono, is the Verdecocha Reserve, a protected area that is part of the Andean Bear Corridor and the Chocó Andino Biosphere Reserve.
With an altitude between 2,800 and 3,600 meters, it offers a unique transition between montane forest and high Andean páramo, creating an ideal home for many species of birds.
Visitors can see famous birds such as the Umbrella Bird (Cephalopterus penduliger), the Gray-breasted Toucanet, the Giant Woodcreeper, and various species of owls and hawks.
Verdecocha is perfect for those seeking a peaceful experience close to nature. Its moss-covered trails lead to a landscape that seems frozen in time and offer stunning views.
The local guides, experts in birdwatching, offer personalized tours for photographers and specialized enthusiasts.
In addition, Verdecocha provides easy access to other nearby reserves such as Yanacocha and Pahuma, forming an ideal itinerary for three intense days of observing Andean birds.
It is recommended to look for accommodations near Quito that are focused on birdwatching to further enjoy this unique experience.
4. Pahuma Orchid Reserve: between waterfalls and hummingbirds
Located on the route from Nono to Mindo, the Pahuma Orchid Reserve combines two natural wonders: birds and orchids.
With more than 600 types of plants that grow on top of each other and a terrain with many waterfalls, Pahuma offers a unique experience that includes ecotourism in nearby coffee farms.
Here you can see more than 250 species of birds, such as the Multicolored Tanager, the Resplendent Quetzal, the Golden-backed Woodpecker, and various hummingbirds, as well as butterflies that fill the landscape with their bright colors.
The most popular walk is the trail to the Hidden Waterfall, where the sound of water blends with the songs of the humid forest and the aroma of freshly picked coffee.
The visitor center has viewpoints for observation and an organic café where feeders attract many hummingbirds, offering a close and impressive photographic experience for nature lovers.
Pahuma shows that the beauty of the cloud forest lies in the details, in the colors, and in the small movements of tiny life, inviting visitors to explore its trails and discover its great variety of life.
5. Yanahurco Reserve and the Southern Páramos
In the southern part of the Metropolitan District, the Lloa and Atacazo mountains hold a special place for nature lovers: the Yanahurco páramos.
These cold ecosystems, located at over 3,500 meters above sea level, offer a unique experience: here silence is profound and the landscape stretches towards the sky.
Between golden grasslands and frozen lagoons, you can see animals adapted to the cold climate, such as the Carunculated Caracara, the Páramo Plover, the Giant Hummingbird, and the Ecuadorian Canastero. There are also animals native to the area, such as the eared deer and the Andean condor, which often flies over the slopes of Pichincha.
The Andean Condor, a symbol of the country and one of the largest flying birds in the world, is common in this area.
In Lloa, there are community farms that offer guided walks, horseback riding, and activities to conserve nature. These rural tourism experiences in Ecuador allow you to enjoy natural beauty while supporting local communities.
6. Northwest: Tulipe, Pacto, and Mashpi
The northwest of Quito is an area where the Andes meet the tropical rainforest of Chocó, one of the areas with the highest diversity of plants and animals in the world.
Here are parishes like Pacto, Gualea, Nanegal, and Tulipe, where humid forests are home to hundreds of species of tropical birds.
The Andean Chocó region is also included, which includes the Cloud Forest of Intag, famous for its variety of plants and animals, in addition to offering outdoor activities such as kayaking and cycling.
El Mashpi Lodge, located within a private reserve of the same name, is considered one of the best places in the world for birdwatching.
More than 400 species have been found in these forests, including the Chocó Toucan, the Umbrellabird, the Golden-thighed Tanager, and the Blue-crowned Manakin.
The area also has community projects in Pacto and Gualea, where local guides take visitors to see birds, butterflies, and mammals.
If you want to discover these natural wonders, look for tours from Quito that will take you to explore the diversity of the northwestern region.
Every morning, the sounds of the forest create a natural melody that reminds us that Quito is a city between two worlds.
