Pick-up from your hotel at 5:30 am. This trip will take you through a great scenery in the Ecuadorian Andes. Leave Quito early in the morning for a one-hour drive east toward Hacienda Antisanilla – Chakana Reserve, a 7,000-acre conservation area managed by the Jocotoco Foundation to protect the most important population of Andean Condors in Ecuador. In the company of a specialized guide, you’ll explore this reserve in search of both the majestic Andean Condor and the elusive Spectacled Bear, the only bear species in South America. From a privileged lookout, you may observe condors gliding at eye level and bears foraging among the Andean vegetation. The altitudinal range covered is from 10,000 to 12,000 ft asl. You’ll spend the day surrounded by breathtaking highland scenery, watching condors (should be easy!) and other beautiful birds like the Ecuadorian Hillstar feeding on the Chuquiraga, “the flower of the Andes.”

After exploring the Chakana Reserve, you’ll continue to Antisana National Park, where you’ll have the opportunity to admire Ecuador’s fourth-highest peak, crowned by the largest ice cap in the country. This area stands out for its vast, unspoiled landscapes and the tranquility of being surrounded by nature, away from crowded tourist sites. You’ll then visit the beautiful “La Mica” Lagoon, a serene highland lake reflecting the grandeur of the surrounding volcanoes. With the help of a good spotting scope, your guide will reveal some of the most emblematic wildlife of this important reserve. Along with condors and bears, you may also spot Andean foxes, white-tailed deer, and other high-altitude species inhabiting these dramatic páramo ecosystems. After a rewarding morning, you’ll head to Tambo Condor for lunch. Besides its delicious food, the restaurant offers a privileged view of the condor cliffs and excellent chances to observe several species of hummingbirds right from the terrace.