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Private tour in Quito Santiago S
Zuroloma photography experience
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8 hours
1
Tour date
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8 hours
1
Santiago S.
5.0
Guide rating
37
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18 hrs
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My name is Santiago, and I was born and raised in Quito, Ecuador. I am a licensed national tour guide with over 22 years of experience in ecotourism, birding, wildlife photography, and natural history interpretation. My passion for nature began early, and it eventually led me to begin my guiding career at the Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve in northwestern Ecuador, where I served as the resident guide and gained my first experience in responsible tourism. Since then, I have guided tours across a variety of ecosystems throughout South America, including the Galápagos Islands, Amazon Rainforest, Andean highlands, and coastal regions of Ecuador. Beyond Ecuador, I also work as a wildlife photography guide in Brazil (Pantanal and the Atlantic Forest), Patagonia (both Chile and Argentina), Colombia, and Peru, where I lead tours focused on capturing iconic species such as jaguars, pumas and other rare wildlife in their natural habitats. I’m the co-founder of Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips, a company dedicated to promoting responsible travel as a means to support conservation and community-based tourism. Through our tours, we aim to share the magic of nature while contributing directly to local initiatives in environmental education, sustainable development, and habitat preservation. In addition to guiding, I’ve participated in scientific research and conservation projects throughout Ecuador, including bird banding and nest monitoring programs in the Chocó bioregion and Galápagos. I’ve also worked as a resident naturalist and cultural interpreter in several Amazonian lodges and have led photography and birding tours throughout the country and the continent. Join me for an unforgettable journey through the breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity of Ecuador and beyond. Whether you're a birder, photographer, or nature lover, I’ll help you connect deeply with the natural world and make memories that will last a lifetime. Licensed national tour guide (Ecuador) First aid response certified Capacity building in sustainable tourism and professional tour operations – Ministry of Tourism and IDB
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Santiago S.
Jewels of the Andean cloud forest
Overview of your Quito tour
Venture with me into an unparalleled photo journey in the Andean Western Slopes. Zuroloma Reserve is located along the famous Hummingbird Route in the old Nono-Mindo Road. This high andean montane forest is an environment unlike any other in the world: amazing views of the ever green lush Andean Cloud Forest, and snow capped volcanoes as far as the eye can see. Rainbows of sparkling Hummingbirds will catch all your attention, you'll even be able to feed them from your hand!!! a true world renowned place that might provide the best bird photography opportunities for some elusive species. Our visit will support 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. Join forces with me in this adventure and enjoy the natural beauty of an extremely important zone for the planet, one of the last hotspots of biodiversity, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Your Quito tour itinerary
-Pick up from your hotel at 6:00 am -Head out towards Zuroloma (1. 5 hours drive) enjoying scenic views -Morning at Zuroloma Reserve visiting different areas of the reserve targeting different unique species -Visit the hummingbird garden that features a wide variety of flowering plants and also feeders, all of which attract a dizzying diversity of hummingbirds, you'll be able to hold flowers and feeders to have multiple hummingbird species feeding from your hand!!. - Lunch or box lunch at the reserve -Return to Quito in the afternoon -Drop off in your hotel around 3 pm
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Transport details
Type: Private Transportation
Private SUV vehicle For groups larger than 3 passengers, a customized tour can be arranged that includes transportation in a mini van plus driver.
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8 hours
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8 hours
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