Birdwatching Tour in Cajas National Park from Cuenca

Watch endemic hummingbirds and mountain toucans across Cajas' high grasslands and cloud forests

A full-day birdwatching tour from Cuenca into Cajas National Park, 45 minutes away, with a bilingual guide leading you through two distinct elevations to spot over 20 bird species including the endemic Violet Throated Metaltail. Hotel pickup, box lunch, binoculars and a printed bird list are included. The tour suits moderate fitness levels and requires a minimum age of 12.

Step-by-step itinerary

Birdwatching in El Cajas National Park

• Pick up from Cuenca hotel
• Travel to middle part of park (3800m)
• Birdwatching in moorland and forest
• Lunch break
• Visit Llaviuco Valley (3200m)
• Birdwatching in valley
• Return to Cuenca hotel

The experience

The park sits at two different elevations, each with its own bird community. You start in the middle section around 3,800 meters (12,800 feet) in the high grassland and polylepis forest, where the guide points out species like the Tufted Tit Tyrant, Variable Hawk, Stout Billed Cinclodes and the Violet Throated Metaltail: the endemic hummingbird that draws birders to Cajas. After lunch, you move down to Llaviuco Valley at 3,200 meters (10,500 feet), where the cloudier forest opens up sightings of the Gray Breasted Mountain Toucan, Turquoise Jay, Masked Trogon and Shining Sunbeam.

The guide carries binoculars for you (request them when you book) and hands you a printed bird list so you can track what you've seen. Hotel pickup happens in the morning and drop-off returns you to Cuenca at the end of the day. The eight-hour tour includes a box lunch. Vegetarian options are available if you request one at booking. You'll need a valid passport and moderate fitness: the elevation and walking between viewing spots require steady legs, though the pace is set by the group's ability to spot and photograph rather than by speed.

Choose between a private tour with just your group or a shared group departure. Both include the same guide, route, lunch and binoculars. The private option lets you set the pace and stops, while the group tour connects you with other birders and may reveal sightings you'd have missed alone.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cuenca.
• private transportation to and from the park.
• a bilingual birdwatching guide.
• binoculars for use during the tour.
• a box lunch with vegetarian option available.
• and a printed bird list of the area.

Options for this experience

2 options

Group tourGuide in English or Spanish · 06:30Shared option for those happy to join other birdwatchers. Pickup is included.

Private tourGuide in English or Spanish · 06:30Private option for those who want to do this activity to suit their own needs. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:30

AgesAdult (19 to 80 years) · Under 19: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Polylepis Tours

Is this one for you?Private tours suit birders who want to linger at productive spots and set their own pace, while group departures work well for solo travelers or those who enjoy the camaraderie and shared sightings of other enthusiasts. Both require moderate fitness and comfort at high altitude. The 45-minute drive from Cuenca means you're in the park by mid-morning.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What birds can I actually expect to see on this tour?

The Violet Throated Metaltail, the endemic hummingbird of Cajas, is the signature sighting, along with the Gray Breasted Mountain Toucan, Turquoise Jay, Masked Trogon, Shining Sunbeam and over 15 other highland species across the two elevations. A printed bird list helps you track sightings during the day.

How much walking and climbing is involved?

The tour covers two elevations (3,800 meters in the high grassland and 3,200 meters in Llaviuco Valley) with walking between viewing spots. Moderate fitness is required. The pace is set by bird activity and group ability rather than distance, but you should be comfortable at high altitude and on uneven terrain.

Is the tour private or shared with other people?

You choose at checkout: a private tour keeps your group separate with its own guide and pace, while a group tour connects you with other birders on the same departure. Both include the same bilingual guide, lunch, binoculars and bird list.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

Hotel pickup, private transportation to the park, a bilingual birdwatching guide, binoculars, a box lunch and a printed bird list are all included. Bring a valid passport, layers for high-altitude weather, sturdy walking shoes and a camera or binoculars of your own if you prefer.

How long is the full tour, and when does it start?

The tour runs eight hours from hotel pickup to drop-off in Cuenca. The guide collects you in the morning and returns you by late afternoon. Exact pickup time is confirmed when you book.