DAY 1 CAJAS NATIONAL PARK & TAMARINDO
Certainly this is one of the best trips to observe birdlife in the area. In the morning we will visit the mountain rainforest area and paramos of the Cajas National Park, with a range of altitudes from 3200 m to 4000 m. In this area we will look for the most representative altitude bird species. After lunch, continue towards the lower lands area close to the village of Tamarindo at 260 m above sea level. Here we will visit the famous cacao beans and banana plantations, as we continue bird watching for other species. Overnight in Manta Real. GUALACEO–LIMON ROUTE SLT004
The Gualaceo-Limon Route (90 Km) begins at 3.500 m and ends in the other side of the eastern Andean range at 1.220 m providing different ecosystems: paramo, bush covered paramo, mountain forest and pre-mountain humid forest. Here we would find Masked Mountain Tanager, Chestnut-bellied Cotinga, Emerald Toucanet, etc.
THE YUNGUILLA VALLEY SLT 003
After (85 Km) the route takes us into an inter-Andean valley which marks a transition to the coastal plain, with different climatic zones and ecosystems: the western Andean foothills, the subtropical valley and the desert like zone. It is also the doorway to the Tumbesian region. Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Stripped Owl, the endemic Tumbesian Pacific Elania and the Pale-headed Brush-Finch, were rediscovered in 1998 and it are quite common in the area. Also Yunguilla is known as the best place for rest in the Azuay area thanks to the nice weather conditions and the different facilities we find there.
LLAVIUCO SLT 002
At only 20 min (17 km) away from Cuenca, is the lower part of the Cajas National Park: the Llaviuco area. It possesses a highly interesting mixture of habitats for bird-watching: well preserved mountain forests, paramos, lakes and pastures. The Mountain Toucan, Andean Guan, Masked Trogon, Turquoise Jay, various colorful Tanagers and 12 species of Hummingbirds and aquatic birds are among the highlights.
BIRD-WATCHING IN CUENCA’S SURROUNDINGS SLT 001
Private, Any Day, Full Day
Cuenca is strategically located near important ecosystems with an interesting diversity of birds:
The most popular area for bird watching close to Cuenca is undoubtedly the very well known CAJAS NATIONAL PARK (35 Km), it hosts some 150 upper Andean species; the most notable is the Violet-throated Metaltail, a humming bird which is practically endemic to this protected area.
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