Private Condor Tour from Quito: Antisana Reserve Wildlife

Watch Andean condors ride the thermals above Isco canyon.

A private wildlife tour from Quito to Antisana Ecological Reserve with a bilingual naturalist guide, hotel pickup, and entry to both Tambo Condor and the reserve included. You start at a panoramic overlook of Isco canyon to spot Andean condors and other high-altitude birds, then explore the páramo ecosystem on a safari-style search for endemic species before lunch and a stop at hummingbird feeders. The tour runs 6 to 8 hours and suits families with children from age 5.

Step-by-step itinerary

Condor spotting and nature exploration

• Buy supplies in Pintag town
• View Isco canyon and spot condors
• Explore Páramo ecosystem safari
• Enjoy lunch and visit hummingbird feeders

The Experience

Pintag, a small town at the base of Antisana, is where the day begins—a stop to gather supplies before heading into the reserve. From there you drive to the Isco canyon overlook, where the landscape opens into a massive gorge and the thermals that lift Andean condors into view. Spotting depends on the day and the birds' movements, but the canyon itself is the draw: the scale of the Andes at this elevation changes how the landscape reads.

Once inside the reserve, the tour shifts to a safari-style search through the páramo—the high-altitude grassland ecosystem where endemic species live nowhere else. A bilingual naturalist guide leads the exploration, explaining what the landscape supports and what to watch for. Lunch happens in the reserve, then the route finishes at hummingbird feeders, where you can watch the birds up close before the drive back to your hotel.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, as are both park admissions. The guide speaks English and Spanish. Children from age 5 can join, though the altitude and terrain mean a moderate level of fitness helps—the tour covers 6 to 8 hours on foot and in the vehicle combined.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Quito.
• entry to Tambo Condor and Antisana Ecological Reserve.
• bilingual naturalist guide for the full day.
• lunch in the reserve.
• access to hummingbird feeders.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Mirlo Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you are based in Quito and want to see Andean condors and high-altitude wildlife without arranging transport, park permits, or a guide yourself—the private format means the pace and timing fit your schedule, and the bilingual guide handles both the logistics and the explanation of what you are seeing.

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Top questions

What is the Andean condor and where do I see it on this tour?

The Andean condor is one of the world's largest flying birds, with a wingspan over nine feet, and it rides the thermal currents above the Isco canyon where this tour starts. The overlook gives you a vantage point to watch for them in flight, though sightings depend on weather and the birds' daily movements. Other high-altitude bird species are visible throughout the day as well.

What is the páramo and why does the tour spend time there?

The páramo is a high-altitude grassland ecosystem unique to the Andes, and Antisana reserve protects one of the largest intact stretches of it. The tour explores it on a safari-style search because it is home to endemic species found nowhere else on earth—plants and animals adapted only to this specific elevation and climate.

How long is the drive from Quito to Antisana, and what is the physical demand?

The tour runs 6 to 8 hours total, including the drive, time at the overlook, exploration of the reserve, and the hummingbird feeders. You need a moderate level of fitness because the altitude is significant and you spend time on foot in the páramo; the operator does not recommend the tour for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy.

Is lunch included, and what else should I bring?

Lunch is provided in the reserve as part of the tour. Bring water, sun protection, and layers—the altitude means temperature swings between sun and shade, and weather can change quickly in the mountains.

Can children go on this tour?

Children from age 5 are welcome. The moderate fitness level required and the altitude mean younger children should be comfortable with several hours in a vehicle and on foot; the guide can adjust the pace and explain what you are seeing in both English and Spanish.