City: Pichincha Province
Top Things to do in Pichincha Province
What to do and see in Pichincha Province, Ecuador: The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas
Pichincha (Spanish pronunciation: [piˈtʃintʃa]) is a province of Ecuador located in the northern sierra region; its capital and largest city is Quito. It is bordered by Imbabura and Esmeraldas to the north, Cotopaxi and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas to the south, Napo and Sucumbíos to the east, and Esmeraldas and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas to the west.
Restaurants in Pichincha Province
1. Illiniza Ecological Reserve
2. Rancho Suamox
3. Las Tangaras Reserve (Reserva las Tangaras)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 61 reviews
A lodge with full meal service in spectacular cloud forest near Mindo, Ecuador, Reserva las Tangaras is home to more than 300 bird species including Choco endemics: Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Club-winged Manakin, and Choco Toucan. Rare amphibians and reptiles, 25+ species of hummingbird, spectacled bear, and endangered capuchin monkeys reside here. We invite "ecologically minded" visitors - birdwatchers, photographers, and students of wildlife conservation. We provide guided visits to an Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek, with up to 18 cocks displaying at sunrise and night walks to see tropical frogs. A network of trails, camping areas, and river and waterfall swimming holes are easily reached from the reserve lodge. We offer a beautiful and comfortable lodge with a large private or communal sleeping loft, hot showers, flush toilet, library, and delicious homemade meals. Join us at the Reserve for an incredible experience living in, learning about, and exploring the cloud forest.
Reviewed By asier2p
My partner and myself stayed for few days at las tangaras reserve in November 2019. We camped with our tent in the roofed hut (November can be quite rainy) and alternate our food with the meals they offer at the reserve. We highly recommend this place: from the main building we could watch many bird species, and we loved to stay at the terrace just watching the hummingbirds while they were feeding. The visit to the cock of the rock lek it's a MUST. Just amazing. At the time we were there, the managers Ayla and Guillermo helped us a lot: provided us with a lot of information and tips about the birds and birdwatching, and we learnt a lot with them. We spent few nights checking bird guides and asking them questions about the birds we had just seen during the day... It was great to share the experience with them.
4. Rio Bravo Reserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By TABTrips
This place is not widely advertised and thus much less crowded (thankfully) which allows the natural beauty and tranquility of the area to shine! It is private property and Juan is exceptionally friendly and full of information. My wife and I spent a weekend in Mindo and this was by far the most captivating and memorable experience during our visit!
5. Pacha Quindi Nature Refuge
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 96 reviews
World Famous Hummingbird Garden. Nature Refuge and Habitat Restoration Project.
Reviewed By Gemela2
Pacha Quindi leaves you wanting for adequate adjectives to describe your experience there. There is no place like it - not only in Ecuador, but in the entire world. Truly - this is the spot where you can see more species of hummingbirds than any other place in the world. This is a gem for both birders and non-birders alike. I have known Tony and Barbara for over 20 years - and their dedication and admirable hard work has turned what had become a cow pasture back into a thriving habitat for the native species of birds, mammals and plants. They have reforested what once appeared barren - and now their piece of the cloud forest is second to none for birding and just enjoying nature. Their knowledge is unsurpassed, and their humility is refreshing. For those who aren't avid birders, or can't/don't want to put in a lot of effort - you will be amazed at what you can see just sitting on their back porch. And if you want to put in a little more effort - walk their trails or stay in the cabin they have for visitors - you will not be disappointed! Tony is a sought after bird guide, although he won't tell you so. He can distinguish hummingbird species by the sound of their wings. Barbara's knowledge is fantastic as well. She is soft-spoken and a wonderful artist. Ask to see some of her work. Tony and Barbara are gracious and welcoming. This is the place you can't afford to miss in Ecuador - especially if you are coming for the birding. If your time is short - make sure to come here. You will see more in a couple of hours at Pacha Quindi than you will in an entire day somewhere else. The birding is incredible - and only surpassed by your hosts - who will make sure your time there is one you will never forget. Don't miss Pacha Quindi - it's a once in a lifetime experience.
6. La Escondida Farm
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
La Escondida provides a variety of activities. Guests can horseback ride, mountain bike or hike as well; beginners, intermediate and advance riders are all very welcome We offer rides from 1 to 12 days by unique trails with stoning views, rides around active volcanoes, Paramos, cloud forest and coastal area. Each day will bring you new experiences and opportunities to learn more about Ecuador,
Reviewed By Excursion590610
My sister and I spent a truly amazing day riding in Cotopaxi nat park. Fernando picked us up from our hotel in Quito at 8 in the morning. It took a little more than an hour to get to Cotopaxi. On the way we stopped a couple of times at scenic places. Once arriving at the national park, another guide (who's name I unfortunately have forgotten, sorry about that) was already saddling the horses. We got warm ponchos and long leather chaps, and Fernando even lent his hat and gloves to my sister! The horses were good, the weather was great. We (we=my sis & I, Fernando and the other guy) rode for a couple of hours in most beautiful landscapes, crossed rivers, saw wild horses, had lunch at a beautiful pond at the side of the snowcapped volcano, and then rode back to the parks gate for another 1,5 hours. Everything was just perfect! We were back at the hotel around four a clock.
7. Milpe Bird Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By 412meredithj
We went here with our guide and we started at Silanche in the morning and spent many hours there, then had lunch and stopped at Milpe on the way back to Mindo. We visited for a short time in the afternoon and our guide wanted us to see the clubbed-winged manakin, and we saw two and had great views and watched them for a good amount of time. It was incredibly entertaining. Milpe is one of the hotspots and you can see lists on e-bird of what species are there. We had the same guide for 3 days and he knew what we had already seen, which is why I don't think we spent as much time here. If you were going only to Milpe and not to Silanche first, you may likely spend more time here and see more species. My sense is that Silanche is larger and we saw a LOT there. I put 1-2 hours below but you could really spend more time here I think if you came earlier in the day and had a guide helping o find birds for you to see.
8. Rio Silanche Bird Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By 412meredithj
We had a fantastic experience here with our guide. It is a beautiful drive in past and through fields and farmland (coca and palm). We started here early in the morning and stated with the tower. Since we are beginners, having a guide was important and he could point things out to us and also knew what we would see there. We were in good company with some local birders who told us Silanche is a favorite location amount local birders. We saw a toucan right off as soon as we got to the top and then saw a HUGE number other species. We then took walks through a few different areas and saw even more. I made the mistake of taking a bathroom break (restroom at base of tower) and missed seeing the rufus mot-mot- meaning, so many birds you can't even go to the bathroom or you'll miss something. On the way out, our guide saw something out the window and stopped the car. We got out and spent maybe 20-30 minutes just birding on the road where we saw another bunch of species that we had not seen previously. It was amazing. You can check e-bird for Silanche and see the list of birds that are seen here.
9. Fundacion de Conservacion Jocotoco
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
