Ecuador: Cabanas San Isidro Short Tour

This compact journey showcases Ecuador’s remarkable elevational range and rich montane ecosystems along the northeastern Andean slope. Centered in the mid-elevation subtropical zone, our route includes visits to three higher-altitude areas—Antisana National Park, Guango Lodge, and Papallacta Pass. From our comfortable base at Cabañas San Isidro, we’ll explore an exceptional variety of habitats that support a stunning array of Neotropical birdlife.

Ecuador, long celebrated as one of the world’s great birding destinations, offers extraordinary biodiversity within a small footprint. On this special departure, we’ll seek a dazzling range of species that capture the spirit of the Neotropics—potentially up to 30–40 hummingbirds and more than 30 tanagers. We’ll also keep watch for Mountain Tapir and Spectacled Bear. Designed for birding enthusiasts, photographers, and anyone eager for the joy of tropical discovery, this itinerary delivers an immersive experience in less time than VENT’s longer tours.

Our adventure begins east of Quito at Hostería San José de Puembo. From there, we ascend to Antisana National Park (3,800 m) at the base of the majestic Antisana Volcano to look for Andean Condor, Andean Ibis, Giant Hummingbird, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Shining Sunbeam, and Great Sapphirewing among other high-elevation species. Crossing the Eastern Cordillera, we descend to Guango Lodge (2,500 m) for lunch and birding in a temperate-zone setting known for Torrent Duck, Tourmaline Sunangel, Long-tailed Sylph, Sword-billed Hummingbird, and Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan. Continuing downslope to “La Brisa” (1,800 m), we’ll have the chance to add more than a dozen new hummingbird species before arriving at Cabañas San Isidro for our evening checklist and dinner—and possibly a glimpse of San Isidro’s Mystery Owl.

Set amid lush forest and mountain scenery, Cabañas San Isidro offers comfortable, well-appointed cabins, excellent cuisine, and easy access to exceptional birding. We’ll take full advantage of its open-air deck and forest-edge trails, as well as half-day excursions to nearby hotspots. Highlights may include Lyre-tailed Nightjar, Andean Potoo, Black-and-chestnut Eagle, Golden-headed and Crested quetzals, Masked Trogon, Andean Motmot, Southern Emerald-Toucanet, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, and the magnificent Andean Cock-of-the-rock.

Expect very good accommodations, varied habitats, and outstanding opportunities for photography and observation—from open grasslands and highland lakes to montane forests and feeders. The tour involves two longer drives between main sites, with birding stops along the way, and walking on uneven terrain at varied altitudes (generally up to 3,500 m, with one visit above 4,300 m). Temperatures range from cold in the páramo zone to cool or mild at lower elevations, with midday downtime most days for rest and review.

Montane and subtropical forest, temperate cloud forest, páramo grasslands, and high-Andean wetlands. This tour explores a remarkable cross-section of habitats along Ecuador’s northeastern Andean slope—from the windswept elevations of Antisana National Park to the lush mid-elevation forests surrounding Cabañas San Isidro. Birders will experience rich biodiversity and striking contrasts in elevation, vegetation, and climate throughout the journey.