Zuroloma Bird Watching Photography Tour from Quito Private Guide

Sword-billed hummingbirds and cloud forest in a single morning from Quito

A private bird watching and photography tour from Quito to Zuroloma Reserve, a high-altitude Andean cloud forest an hour northwest of the city. Your certified bilingual guide leads you through trails to spot species like the Chestnut-napped Antpitta and Sapphire-vented Puffleg, with lunch and all transport included. Your visit supports local conservation efforts that protect the forest from agricultural conversion.

Step-by-step itinerary

Zuroloma Reserve birdwatching tour

• Pick up from Quito accommodation
• Drive one hour to Zuroloma Reserve
• Explore cloud forest and birdwatch
• Enjoy lunch at the reserve
• Return drive to Quito
• Drop off at accommodation

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Quito hotel or the airport at 6:00 am, giving your guide time to brief you on what lies ahead before the drive northwest along the Hummingbird Route. Zuroloma Reserve sits in a high Andean montane forest: an ecosystem with its own climate, topography and species found nowhere else. The reserve's particular conditions make it one of the few places where you'll reliably encounter otherwise elusive birds: the Chestnut-napped Antpitta, Rufous Antpitta, the Sword-billed hummingbird (the only hummingbird that can fly backwards and forwards), Sapphire-vented Puffleg, and Blue-capped Tanager among many others. Your guide knows where these species tend to appear and will position you for both viewing and photography.

You'll walk trails with irregular terrain through the evergreen cloud forest, with views of snow-capped volcanoes visible across the landscape. The terrain is manageable. A small amount of walking is involved, though longer hiking trails are available if you want them. Lunch happens at the reserve with a soft drink included. After eating and a final look at the forest, you head back to Quito, arriving at your accommodation by mid-afternoon. Your visit directly supports the local people who run this conservation initiative, providing them with sustainable income that resists pressure for agricultural conversion and habitat loss.

A certified, bilingual naturalist guide leads the entire day, so you get expert identification and the ecology behind what you're seeing. Private transportation means the pace and stops are yours alone: no group schedule, no waiting for others to finish photographing. If you're prone to altitude sickness, the reserve sits high enough that you should let the operator know when booking so they can advise you.

What’s included

• Entrance fees to Zuroloma Reserve.
• lunch with a soft drink.
• private transportation from Quito.
• certified, bilingual naturalist and birding guide for the full day.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in the Quito area.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (5 to 90 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

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 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips

Is this one for you?Book the standard 6:00 am departure if you want a full day in the forest and time to photograph in good light. The early 5:30 am option gets you to the reserve sooner and extends your birding window before the afternoon clouds roll in. Private guiding means the pace is yours. You can spend as long as you want on a single bird or move quickly through different zones depending on what you're seeing and what you want to photograph.

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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 at Zuroloma Reserve?

Zuroloma is known for species that are hard to find elsewhere, including the Chestnut-napped Antpitta, Rufous Antpitta, Sword-billed hummingbird, Sapphire-vented Puffleg, and Blue-capped Tanager. Your guide positions you where these birds are most likely to appear, though sightings depend on the day and season.

How much walking is involved on this tour?

A small amount of walking along trails with irregular terrain is part of the day. The standard route is manageable for most fitness levels, and longer hiking trails are available if you want a more strenuous option. Just let the operator know when you book.

Does the tour leave Quito early, and can I arrange an earlier pickup?

Standard pickup is 6:00 am from your hotel or the airport area. An early pickup option at 5:30 am is available if you want to reach the reserve sooner and maximize your time there.

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

Entrance fees, lunch with a soft drink, private transportation, your certified bilingual guide, and hotel pickup and drop-off are all included. Bring binoculars, a camera or telephoto lens if you photograph, weather-appropriate clothing for the cloud forest, and sturdy walking shoes. Vegetarian meals are available if you request them when booking.

Is Zuroloma Reserve accessible if I'm not an experienced hiker?

Yes. The reserve is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health due to the altitude and terrain. The walking is light, and your guide can adjust the pace and route to match your comfort.

How does my visit support conservation at Zuroloma?

Zuroloma is run as a conservation initiative by local people who depend on tourism for sustainable income. Your visit directly supports their effort to resist agricultural conversion and other forms of habitat degradation that threaten the cloud forest ecosystem.