Private tour in Quito Santiago S

Zuroloma photography experience

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Hours icon 8 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-3 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
Start time
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 8 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-3 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Santiago S.

5.0

Guide rating

37

Reviews

Tours delivered

20 hrs

Avg. response time

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.

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

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

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.

What's included
Other
Private Guide
Private Transportation
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. -Entrance fees
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location

Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide:

  • You can request a different meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout process.
Other details
Tour categories
Bird Watching
Classes And Workshops
Nature Wildlife And Safaris
Photography
Tour reference number
881762
Languages
Spanish
English
Portuguese
Activity level
Minimal
Accessibility
Kid Friendly

Frequently asked questions

Who is this private tour in Quito best suited for?

This private tour in Quito is perfect for photography enthusiasts and nature lovers who want to explore the Andean cloud forest. It's also ideal for those interested in bird watching, as the Zuroloma Reserve offers exceptional opportunities to photograph elusive bird species, including hummingbirds. Families with children will find it suitable due to its kid-friendly nature.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in Quito be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

What languages is this tour offered in?

What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?

Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 8 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-3 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
Start time
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 8 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-3 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
Start time
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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