Zuroloma Photo and Bird Watching Private Tour
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 11 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Zuroloma Photo and Bird Watching Private Tour worth booking?
Zuroloma Photo and Bird Watching Private Tour is a 8-hour experience in Quito, Ecuador, from $145 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 11 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 64 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (11)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $145 per person
Zurloma is located within a high andean montane forest- an ecosystem unlike any other in the world. In the company of your specialized guide, you’ll experience a unique habitat with very particular biodiversity, climate
What you get
- Entrance fees
- Lunch with soft drink
- Private transportation
- Certified, bilingual naturalist & birding guide
- All activities
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
About this experience
Zurloma is located within a high andean montane forest- an ecosystem unlike any other in the world. In the company of your specialized guide, you’ll experience a unique habitat with very particular biodiversity, climate and topographic conditions as you become immersed in this ideal location for an extraordinary ecological experience; an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers and photographers! Your visit supports a sustainable alternative income for the local people who run this conservation initiative, a very valuable effort that resists the pressure for agricultural conversion and other ways of habitat degradation.
What's included
Included
- Entrance fees
- Lunch with soft drink
- Private transportation
- Certified, bilingual naturalist & birding guide
- All activities
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Not included
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Quito
Pick up from your accommodation in Quito or the airport area at 6:00 am. Your private guide will give you a briefing of the wonderful day you have ahead and ask any question you have, before you start your way towards Zuroloma Reserve
5 minutes here
An hour's drive brings you to Zuroloma Reserve, located northwest of Quito, along the famous Hummingbird Route. Explore the reserve and its sorroundings: amazing views of the evergreen lush Andean cloud forest and snow-capped volcanoes as far as the eye can see; and rainbows of sparkling hummingbirds that will catch all your attention. Enjoy the privilege of admiring and photographing otherwise elusive species that are frequently encountered in the reserve, such as Chestnut-napped Antpitta, Rufous Antpitta, the incomparable Sword-billed hummingbird, Sapphire vented Puffleg, Blue-capped Tanager and many others! Enjoy lunch at the reserve. Support local development and conservation with your visit by contributing to an initiative to resist the pressures of agriculture conversion and other forms of habitat degradation.
300 minutes here · Admission included
Quito
After lunch and a last glance at the wonderful cloud forest, you'll start you way bak to Quito. The tour ends with a drop-off at you accommodation.
5 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Options you can book
Early pickup 5:30am
Early start: Arrive at the reserve at sunrise to make the most of the early bird activity. Pick up at 5:30am Pickup included
Zuroloma Photo and Birding Private Tour
Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- A small amount of walking is involved along trails with irregular terrain although if participants require longer hiking trails are available.
- Copy of passport of one of the group members is required for billing purposes (local tax exemption)
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Let us know if you are prone to altitude sickness
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 11 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Physical effort
2 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Traveler reviews
11 verified traveler reviews for Zuroloma Photo and Bird Watching Private Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
10/10
Santiago was an excellent guide. We saw 60+ species of birds throughout the day and he was able to identify and explain them all. Such a great experience.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your amazing review! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a great experience and enjoyed seeing more than 60 bird species during the day. Ecuador’s incredible biodiversity makes every outing special, and it’s wonderful to know the experience was both exciting and informative for you. We truly appreciate your kind words about Santiago as well. Sharing knowledge about the birds, ecosystems, and wildlife of the region is something we are very passionate about. Thank you again for your trust in us, and we hope to welcome you back for more birding and wildlife adventures in Ecuador and South America in the future!
via Tripadvisor
This was a wonderful...
This was a wonderful excursion. Zuro Loma Reserve was a fantastic place to view and photograph birds that I had never seen before, especially hummingbirds. The guide, Santiago, was extremely knowledgeable about both birds and photography, and helped me get some great pictures.
via Viator
Santiago worked hard to...
Santiago worked hard to find us a number of good birds and to ensure we had a great experience in Zuroloma.
via Viator
Knowledgeable Guide and lots of birds
Santiago was a wonderful guide who knows where all the birds are! He was very knowledgeable about the birds and his country! The meal he arranged at the reserve was delicious and Ecuadorian! I would highly recommend this tour to anyone!
via Viator
An excellent day trip within easy reach of Quito
We chose the Zuroloma Reserve private day trip as it fit perfectly with our schedule and offered a relaxed itinerary focused on observing and photographing some of the local birds with the added benefit of introducing us to the lush forest above Quito. This turned out to be an excellent choice of locations, offering stunning views and abundant bird species - all of which were new to us. Neotropical Nature and Birding proved to be a great find. They responded promptly to our inquiries and provided thorough information. Our guide, Santiago Salazar, was extremely knowledgeable and very personable, making the day particularly enjoyable. We were so pleased with our initial Neotropical tour that we scheduled a 2nd tour with them and explored the Antisana Ecological Reserve area, and upon our return to the states we immediately began researching an extended trip with Neotropical Nature and Birding. That’s about the highest endorsement I can offer for this operator.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 5+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $145 to $440
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips, who run 3 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 65.7.
See everything Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips runsWhy this scores 64
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Zuroloma Photo and Bird Watching Private Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Quito.
How much does Zuroloma Photo and Bird Watching Private Tour cost?
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Prices start at $145 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Quito usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Zuroloma Photo and Bird Watching Private Tour take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Quito is not rushed.
Is Zuroloma Photo and Bird Watching Private Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 11 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Quito, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Zuroloma Photo and Bird Watching Private Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Zuroloma Photo and Bird Watching Private Tour suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 5. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 8-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Zuroloma Photo and Bird Watching Private Tour?
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Around 4 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Quito can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Quito and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Zuroloma Photo and Bird Watching Private Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Quito within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Quito?
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On Outty we rank every Quito experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cotopaxi tour from Quito -horseback ride and hike-NO TOURISTY way, Baños Full Day Tour from Quito Including Entrances and Activities, Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Quito?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Quito?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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