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Antisana National Park

Napo  >  Ecuador

The Antisana biological reserve is the perfect place to discover the Paramo ecosystem and high-altitude Andean endemic species.

Geplaatst* door Jeremy Jaegers
Meest recente update 14 mei 2026

Beschrijving

Many high altitude species can easily be observed in Antisana National Park and its vicinity. It's a vast open landscape of high altitude grasslands crossed by steep river gorges. There is also a large lake further into the reserve, allowing for a large diversity of species.

The normal way to visit the area is to drive through by car and stop on the roadside where you are able to to observe birds in promising areas. The first stop is the Antisana observatory, facing a steep cliff where Andean Condor can sometimes be found, it is surrounded by bushes that are very attractive to many hummingbird species.

Further along you can stop next to a bridge and walk along a gorge where the flowering bush Chuquiraga grows, this is the sole food source of the endemic Ecuadorian Hillstar.

Next is a vast landscape of open plains browsed by many species such as Carunculated Caracara, Variable Hawk, Andean Ibis (the only place in Ecuador where it's known to breed), Andean Gull, Andean Lapwing, Plumbeous Sierra-Finch and Stout-billed Cinclodes.

Finally, you can park at La Mica to walk along the large lake, where numerous waterfowl can be observed (from a distance) such as Andean Duck, Slate-colored Coot (White-billed), Andean Teal and Yellow-billed Pintail.

On the way back, you can even stop at Tambo Condor, a restaurant with a garden planted with hummingbird-friendly plants and feeders, which allows for a large diversity of species to be seen.

Details

Toegang

There is one single road that leads to Antisana National Park, which in some areas isn't in a very good state. Since it is over 90 minutes away from Quito, a car is recommended. In most of it there are no designated parking spots, you just have to stop on the side of the road where it won't block the traffic, except at the very end, near La Mica, which has a relatively large parking area. There are some footpaths but for most of the way you have to stick to the road (there isn't much traffic).

Terrein en leefgebied

Grasland/weide , Verspreide bomen en struiken , Hoogvlakte , Berg , Meer

Omstandigheden

Vlak , Rotsachtig , Open landschap

Rondlopende wandeling mogelijk?

Nee

Telescoop meenemen?

Kan handig zijn

Wanneer hier vogels kijken?

Het hele jaar

Route

Onverharde weg

Zwaarte wandeling

Gemakkelijk

Toegankelijk via

Auto

Vogelkijkhut aanwezig?

Ja

Extra info

Motorcycles and pets (even on a leash) are not allowed inside the reserve, you will be stopped at the entrance gateway.

This area is between 3500 and 4000 metres of altitude, so take that into account if visiting, if you're not used to it, just walking around can be really exhausting.

Links

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