Recently Viewed
Chakana Reserve: Unique Andean Wildlife
5.0
26 Ratings
Quito
Experience the unique Andean wildlife of Chakana Reserve in Ecuador. Spot condors, Ecuadorian Hillstar, and bears. Support conservation and capture unforgettable moments in stunning landscapes.
Experience the unique Andean wildlife of Chakana Reserve in Ecuador. Spot condors, Ecuadorian Hillstar, and bears. Support conservation and capture unforgettable moments in stunning landscapes.
Duration:
10 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Reserva Chakana- Hacienda Antisanilla - Pick-up from your hotel at 6:00 am. This trip will take you through a great scenery in the Ecuadorian Andes. Visit Hacienda Antisanilla
- Chakana Reserve, a 7,000-acre conservation land to safeguard Ecuador’s most important population of Andean Condors. The altitudinal range covered is from 10.000 to 12.000…
- Reserva Chakana- Hacienda Antisanilla - Pick-up from your hotel at 6:00 am. This trip will take you through a great scenery in the Ecuadorian Andes. Visit Hacienda Antisanilla
- Chakana Reserve, a 7,000-acre conservation land to safeguard Ecuador’s most important population of Andean Condors. The altitudinal range covered is from 10.000 to 12.000 ft asl . We’ll spend the entire day in the area, watching for Andean condors (should be easy!) and other beautiful birds like the Ecuadorian Hillstar feeding on unique flowers of the Chuquiraga shrub, we even have to keep our eyes open for Spectacled Bears. The paramo is rich in important food sources for the bears’ mostly herbivorous diet; The Andean Bear’s main food source in the area is a type of ground paramo bromeliad Puya sp. which is pretty abundant in this ecosystem and has a sweet juice heart. The area has a road system and trails of varying difficulty, allowing you to cover big extensions of territory in a short period of time.
- Tambo Condor - After exploring the reserve you’ll have a well deserved break and lunch at Tambocondor where you can also observe different species of hummingbirds like the Giant Hummingbird, Shining Sunbeam, Black-tailed Trainbearer and other species at the surrounding native flora and feeders. You’ll return to your hotel in Quito in the afternoon.
What's Included
- Enjoy the convenience of private transportation.
- Gain access with included entrance fees.
- Explore with an expert specialized naturalist guide.
- Savor a delicious included lunch.
- Enjoy the convenience of private transportation.
- Gain access with included entrance fees.
- Explore with an expert specialized naturalist guide.
- Savor a delicious included lunch.
What's Not Included
- Tips
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tips
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
Additional Information
● Antisana and Chakana reserve hosts the largest Andean Condor population in Ecuador.
● Search for the emblematic Spectacled Bear in its natural habitat.
● Observe different species of hummingbirds including the outstanding Ecuadorian Hillstar.
● Visit Chakana reserve and access to the best lookout to the Condor’s nesting and roosting sites. Watch them…
● Antisana and Chakana reserve hosts the largest Andean Condor population in Ecuador.
● Search for the emblematic Spectacled Bear in its natural habitat.
● Observe different species of hummingbirds including the outstanding Ecuadorian Hillstar.
● Visit Chakana reserve and access to the best lookout to the Condor’s nesting and roosting sites. Watch them flying at eye level and admire their greatness.
● Support local development and conservation by visiting one of Jocotoco Foundation’s Reserve,and Tambo Condor Reserve
● Enjoy the day at your own pace in the company of an experienced, specialized guide
● Take unforgettable shots of magnificent landscapes and fauna.
● For the best chances for condor sightings and pictures, chose the early start at 5:00 am
Location
Reserva Chakana- Hacienda Antisanilla
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(26 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Johnoy8309eb
Jun 1, 2025
Best guide in Ecuador - Was the best tour I have Been on Santago Is a professional. He knows so much information all the animals to history of the country. I would defiantly recommend trying to leave early in the morning to try and see the condors take off. The whole day was just perfect. Can't wait for the next tour I do with Santago.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Grahamhp2544ak
May 5, 2025
Chakana Reserve and Papallacta/Guango Day Trips, April 25 - I booked two day tours from Quito and visited the Chakana Reserve followed by Papallacta and Guango Lodge. Both guides, Dario and Sebastian, were excellent company and very knowledgeable. We managed to have excellent views of the species that we had targeted, so both trips were very successful. I would highly recommend these trips to anyone considering them.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sassytxn
Apr 4, 2025
Unbelievable view of condors - Chakana Reserve was amazing! Santiago was the best guide. He made sure we saw everything we wanted and so much more. Seeing the Andean Condors was one of our main goals for our trip to Ecuador and they didn’t disappoint. So amazing to see them soaring right in front of us. The Ecuadorian Hillstar hummingbirds were so beautiful. And to top it off, the views were amazing! We can’t wait to return.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Scottbx6593ui
Feb 24, 2025
Chakana tour -Andean Bears - The owner was very helpful from the beginning and answered my questions. She helped me find a trio tailored to my interests. I went with Santiago to see the condors and the Andean Bear. Santiago was an expert on the subject and explained his previous research on Andean Bears. We were able to spot Condors, Andean Bears, owls, foxes, and the giant hummingbird on the trip. The cost was above average but worth the extra amount for the quality of the experience. We stopped to have a delicious lunch.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Getaway28656141367
Nov 25, 2024
Ecuador Paradise for birders - I hired a private guide (English speaking) and we spent all day birding in Chakana and Antisana (6am to 5pm). Saw condors (only 135 left), black faced Ibis, carunculated Caracara ( all threatened), great Egret ( out of range), many species of hummingbirds and a score of other birds, along with a white face bear!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kevin272
Mar 13, 2024
A Dream Day with Condors and Hillstars - I just had the unforgettable experience of exploring Chakana Reserve with Santiago Zambrano, from Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips. My goal was to photograph Andean Condor, preferably the 'classic' eye-level flight shot, and the Ecuadorian Hillstar, hopefully a clear shot of this special species feeding on Chuquiraga flowers. I had faint hopes of seeing Spectacled Bear, but knew it was a long shot.
Everything about this trip, including the advice to go to Chakana in the first place, was exemplary. Gabriela, who managed the logistics, was prompt, friendly and thorough from start to finish. Santiago was a perfect guide: knowledgeable, flexible and helpful ( The air at 3,800 m is thin, and I'm not. Santiago was so supportive in getting a geezer with bad knees and heavy cameras into just the right spot).
This was a truly memorable experience, and I've been photographing wildlife since 1978. The Condors were awe-inspiring, the Hillstar is an absolute beauty and a very accommodating poser. There were plenty of other stunning birds too, like the Carunculated Caracaras and Andean Gulls, common at this location. We ended the day with a Crimson-mantled Woodpecker..a pretty good bonus bird. As a personal encounter with wild nature, this was simply the best. Recommended for anyone who loves wild places and creatures.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Guide52690908870
Jan 31, 2024
Who Could Ask for More? - We had an amazing day with Santiago! We saw everything we came to see: Andean condors, Ecuadorian hillstars and, when we had almost given up hope, we saw a spectacled bear! But there was so much more! Santiago knew exactly where to find amazing bird species that we never knew existed. We had a million questions about everything from the ecosystems, the creatures and the people that call them home, to the food and Santiago answered all of them. His love for and knowledge of his natural surroundings shone through every response and we were very appreciative!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Angelicas517
Dec 22, 2023
High altitude experience - Magnificent experience, led by Santiago Salazar from @Neotropicalecuador.com, who guided us with passion and great knowledge about the area, the condors and their behavior.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Skippinwork
Oct 11, 2023
Hillstars, Condors, and Giant Hummingbirds! - Santiago is a great guide, and we had a fabulous trip with him to see the Hillstars, Condors, and the Giant Hummingbird. Even though the bears had moved on in search of other food by the time we were there, he still looked for them. We got some great photographs of all the birds. It was a relaxing and fun day with Santiago. I would definitely go with him again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
916mizukin
Oct 9, 2023
Highly recommended if you want to see condors up close! - I wanted to see condors in Colca Canyon in Peru, but for various reasons I gave up, so I joined a tour to see condors in Ecuador.
I was picked up at 5am and went to the cliffs where the condors perch, and saw many condors taking off, landing on the cliffs to perch, and flying overhead. I was also given binoculars to borrow, and I was impressed by how big they looked through them.
I highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see condors!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
More activities from this operator
