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Ecuador Cloud Forest

Birding in Ecuador Cloud Forest

Observe hundreds of species of multi-colored birds. The cloud forest canopy is a world-class birding hub for toucans, hummingbirds, and endemic tanagers.

Right Now (Jul)
Peak Season
The absolute best time to go.
12-Month Calendar
PeakGoodOkaySkip
Best months at a glance
January
Good
February
Good
March
Good
April
Okay
May
Okay
June
Peak
July
Peak
August
Peak
September
Peak
October
Peak
November
Good
December
Good
Conditions

Weather & Conditions

MonthHigh / LowRain DaysConditions
Jan70.5° / 63.9°F20Good
Feb71° / 64.6°F19Good
Mar71.9° / 64.9°F22Good
Apr72.6° / 65.3°F21Okay
May72.5° / 65.3°F18Okay
Jun71.3° / 64.5°F15Peak
Jul71.1° / 64.1°F10Peak
Aug70.8° / 63.8°F9Peak
Sep70.9° / 63.6°F11Peak
Oct71.4° / 64°F16Peak
Nov71.2° / 63.8°F15Good
Dec70.8° / 64.2°F18Good
Locations

Where to Go

Airport
Quito Airport (UIO)

The high-altitude Andean aviation hub serving as the sole gateway.

Natural Feature
Mashpi Reserve Boundary

A 3,000-acre private biodiversity reserve protecting primary forest.

Cable Car
Dragonfly Canopy Gondola

An open-air cable car gliding slowly over the jungle canopy for 2km.

Natural Feature
Copal Waterfall

A scenic waterfall dropping into a clear swimming pool flanked by copal trees.

Natural Feature
Hummingbird Garden

A clearing with feeders attracting dozens of species of hummingbirds daily.

Practical Intel

Know Before You Go

01
Pack high-traction boots for slick clay trails

The volcanic clay soil of the cloud forest is continuously humid and slick. Normal sneakers do not offer enough traction; wear high-quality, waterproof hiking boots with deep tread to prevent slips on muddy forest tracks.

02
Prepare for wet-weather photography

The high humidity and constant mist can cause camera condensation and lens fogging. Keep cameras inside water-resistant cases when not shooting, and pack plenty of silica gel packets and lens cloths.

03
Acclimatize in Quito before traveling

The road to the cloud forest starts in high-altitude Quito (9,350 feet) before descending to the reserves (around 3,100 feet). Spend 24 hours in Quito to acclimatize to the thin air before starting active hikes.

Where to Stay

Wildist-vetted hotels for Ecuador Cloud Forest coming soon.

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