Yanacocha Reserve
Yanacocha Reserve
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
31 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
6
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Shakenbakin28
Sacramento, CA16 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
We hired a car for a half day and loved our visit! Definitely follow the directions on the website as google tried to be too smart and took us to a dead end. There were nice facilities at the start and the hike is very flat overall. We saw the swordbilled Hummingbirds and lots of others. Also ran into an Antpitta and on the drive out we saw a Condor flying (beautiful over the mountains and clouds). It may take a little extra effort but we’ll worth it. I think to get to the hummingbirds and spend some time you’ll need about 4-5 hours here but could do a full day if you do some side trails. We got there when they opened at 7am and wish we had more time. We only saw a few workers and a school group otherwise had the place mostly to ourselves on a Thursday. Also it’s cold in the morning but warmed up for us - though we were there in summer.
Written April 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denisse L
El Paso, TX58 contributions
Mar 2017
One of the most beautiful place that I have been. If you are looking for a nice trip that involve nature but you are no so good this is the place. No far from Quito, roads in good shape so easily accesible. Many colibries to watch and amazing views.
Written July 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
duerr2016
Quito, Ecuador25 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
This is a reserve high above Quito with lots of hummingbirds visiting the many feeders. Awesome views if it is not too cloudy and a nice level trail along woods on the mountainside. A small cafe with a view has breakfast and lunch. A visit is a great way to spend some time enjoying nature
Written August 8, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judith D
Berkeley, CA574 contributions
Jan 2015 • Friends
I went to Ecuador for the first time in January/February 2015. The day after arriving in Quito, my group of eight went to this reserve. We walked down the trail and saw a wonderful array of birds, including a few of the country's amazing hummingbirds: Tyrian Metaltail, Sapphire-vented Puffleg (with little puffs of feathers on its legs), Great Saphirewing, and the wonderful Sword-billed Hummingbird whose bill is as long as its body. The elevation is high, and the clouds pressed down on the ridges. We had some stunning views going and coming. The reserve is a fairly easy drive from Quito and well worth a visit. There are covered picnic tables near the parking area, as well as a restroom.
Written October 17, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marcotoscano2014
Quito, Ecuador15 contributions
Sep 2014 • Friends
Don´t know where to go, and have a spare day before going back home, visit Yanacocha reserve just 45 minutes North West from the city of Quito. Walk the trail for 45 minutes and admire some of the most amazing colection of hight altitude humming birds. Bundle up though....
Written October 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BertiePonsonbySmythe
Reading, UK177 contributions
Aug 2020 • Solo
I was recommended this place by a friend and was so pleased to take up his recommendation. You can go online to arrange entry and when I went it was less than US$10 but you need transportation. Arrive early as it gives you the place in pristine condition before everyone else tramples through. Although it was a cold start, I was quickly rewarded with various birds, some of which I could not photograph. The walk along the main path is easy enough (bearing in mind you are at 3000m) and the main feeding area for hummingbirds a great place to warm up in the morning sun and enjoy a spectacular show! As others have said, the place is alive with various species of hummingbird as well as other birds - just be mindful of a few biting insects too! The feeder station is essentially half way and you can choose various routes from there but a word to the wise. Do not attempt the snipe trail unless you are both physically fit and relatively acclimatised to altitude because it is extremely steep in places (both up and down). You will, in any case, still get to enjoy the spectacular views across cloud shrouded forests from the main route. There are bird guides but take a photo as they are not present throughout the park. This was simply a spectacular appointment with nature and is highly recommended.
Written August 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarracenia
Norman, OK1,720 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
Visited this preserve near Quito with a tour organized by Nature Tours. Thus is a good company to keep in mind if you are interested in nature oriented tours. Our multilingual guide was excellent. Fue to the traffic in Quito it takes about an hour to get to the reserve. They are open from 7-3:30. Locals pay $3 and foreigners pay $15. The reserve is part of a group of private reserves throughout the country run by the Jocotoco foundation. It is best to get there early since the afternoons can be cloudy, cold and windy. There are bathrooms near the entrance as well as hummingbird feeders,then the trail continues for about 1.5 mikes to another area with hummingbird feeder. As you walk the trail you can admire the beautiful flowers, great views, birds and interesting vegetation. Keep in mind that the reserve is at about 11500 feet and so are the trails. I would recommend to try to become acclimated to high elevations before coming here to avoid altitude sickness. There is a small restaurant with pretty good food (you may want to preorder your lunch at the entrance). Near the restaurant there is s small but good interpretive center but unfortunately everything is in Spanish. There are posters depicting the more common birds you are likely to see in the areas with feeders. There are other trails that get you into the forest (main trail is wide and more exposed), but you have to allow time to take those trails. A tour is probably a good way to visit this preserve, they pick you up at you hotel and fro you off and you get a guided tour as well as lunch. The hummingbird feeders attract many species of hummingbirds and there are areas near the feeders that have water and fruits for other birds. If you go take a hat, sunglasses, windbreaker or light jacket, suntan lotion and good walking shoes. Dress in layers as it can be cold then hot and then cold again. If you really want to appreciate the birds it ya best to bring binoculars. This is a well-run place that is helping to preserve a habitat that is rapidly disappearing. A worthwhile place to visit.
Written August 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jgoodhart
Patterson, NY28 contributions
Jun 2018
We traveled here with a guide from EcoTraveler Ecuador (highly recommend them) to see the hummingbirds of the cloud forest. It's a mostly level walk and we saw a ton of birds! We really enjoyed it!
Written July 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LuvtoSafari
Los Angeles, CA783 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
This reserve is privately owned by a NGO and located at 10,500 ft altitude. It is cold (55F), so dress warmly.
The view is amazing from the top of the world. The park is about 90 mins from Quito. We hired a guide/driver to take us on the hike.
We got there at 8am and hiked along the main road/trail which is wide and flat (the Govt water department also uses the road to make repairs). There are small trails (steep uphill and downhill) that you can access and well marked.
We went there to see the hummingbirds, so we hiked directly to the end of the main trail where they keep hummingbirds feeders and put out bananas for other birds. It's about 1 hr at a brisk pace.
While we were there, the flowers we're blooming, so the hummingbirds activity was on the light side. But we were lucky enough to see the sword beak and the puff leg hummingbirds, the reason we were there, so it was worth it.
There are feeders by the front entrance also, we saw more there as well.
We enjoyed an nice hike and scenery was lovely.
The view is amazing from the top of the world. The park is about 90 mins from Quito. We hired a guide/driver to take us on the hike.
We got there at 8am and hiked along the main road/trail which is wide and flat (the Govt water department also uses the road to make repairs). There are small trails (steep uphill and downhill) that you can access and well marked.
We went there to see the hummingbirds, so we hiked directly to the end of the main trail where they keep hummingbirds feeders and put out bananas for other birds. It's about 1 hr at a brisk pace.
While we were there, the flowers we're blooming, so the hummingbirds activity was on the light side. But we were lucky enough to see the sword beak and the puff leg hummingbirds, the reason we were there, so it was worth it.
There are feeders by the front entrance also, we saw more there as well.
We enjoyed an nice hike and scenery was lovely.
Written June 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hopsing129
New Palestine15 contributions
Mar 2017 • Solo
Great location for some hard to find hummingbirds but more. The Reserve has many hummingbird and banana feeders to attract great birds. They have a cafeteria with great coffee and snacks. The trail to additional feeders is long but easy to walk with more birds along the way. Entrance fee but worth it.
Written March 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We will be in Quito on May 3. How do we arrange a tour to visit the hummingbirds
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Claim your listingYanacocha Reserve - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Yanacocha Reserve
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Yanacocha Reserve:
- Private Excursion to Yanacocha Reserve- Bird Watch (From $143.20)
- Ecuador Nature Travel 15d/14n (From $4,916.93)
- Ecuador Nature Travel and Galapagos 18d/17n (From $6,236.93)
- Nature and Birding Experience in Yanachocha Reserve (From $175.00)
- Full-Day Private Guided Sightseeing Tour of Yanacocha Reserve (From $247.00)
- Hotels near Yanacocha Reserve:
- (0.01 mi) Latinos Brothers House
- (0.09 mi) Community Hostel
- (0.13 mi) Kinde House
- (0.15 mi) Old Town Quito Suites
- (0.15 mi) Casa El Eden
- Restaurants near Yanacocha Reserve:
- (0.01 mi) Las corvinas de Gloria
- (0.01 mi) Las Corvinas de Don Jimmy
- (0.02 mi) La Trinchera - Tacos, beer & Burritos
- (0.10 mi) Bandido Brewing
- (0.12 mi) Theatrum
Yanacocha Reserve Information
Excellent Reviews | 24 |
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Very Good Reviews | 6 |
Yanacocha Reserve Photos | 62 |