Travel to the community of La Delicia in Nanegal for your first encounter with the tropical cloud forest. According to your flight schedule, you will be picked up at Mariscal Sucre International Airport or at any hotel in or near Quito. If weather conditions are favorable, we may find one or two hairstreaks among the typical high Andean butterflies, including various Leptophobia mountain-whites, Pedaliodes mountain-satyrs, and several skippers, possibly including some attractive Dalla skipperlings. In the afternoon, we will arrive at La Delicia Lodge.

Overnithg at Butterfly and Bird Julio Tours – Ecolodge.

Nanegal Area

Nanegal is a well-known cloud and tropical forest region on the northwestern slope of the Andes, just a couple of hours from Quito. Its easy accessibility makes it a popular destination for nature lovers of all kinds. In addition to the many butterfly species found here, the area is also home to nearly 130 species of hummingbirds.

At the La Delicia Ecolodge restaurant, the hummingbird observation platform offers excellent opportunities to watch a wide variety of species visiting the feeders at close range. This location is a paradise for butterfly photographers as well as birdwatching enthusiasts. It is particularly good for clearwing butterflies (Ithomiini)

and supports an interesting diversity of Adelpha species and metalmarks at lower elevations.

Overnight at Butterfly and Bird Julio Tours – Ecolodge

Butterfly photo Tours  at Cloud Forest

With its unique location in the cloud forest, Santa Lucía Cloud Forest Reserve has long been a hotspot for both birds and butterflies. The lodge sits at approximately 1,950 meters (6,400 ft), while the reserve itself ranges from 1,300 to 2,500 meters in elevation. About 80% of the area is covered by pristine montane cloud rainforest, and an extensive trail system provides access to forest habitats across all elevations.

After breakfast, we will begin a new exploration focused on butterfly photography in the cloud forest surrounding the community of Santa Lucía. Here we hope to find several remarkable species, including the delicate and spectacular glasswing butterflies of the genus Cithaerias.

Overnight at Santa Lucia Ecolodge

Santa Lucía Cloud Forest Area

The Santa Lucía Cloud Forest Reserve is one of the best-preserved private reserves in northwestern Pichincha and part of the Chocó Andino, one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. In the morning, we enjoy the beautiful views of the surrounding cloud forest. After breakfast, we continue photographing butterflies along one of the reserve’s scenic trails. We then return for lunch at the lodge or enjoy a delicious boxed lunch in the field.

At 4:00 PM, we depart for Quito, with transfer to Mariscal Sucre International Airport or to any hotel in the city. Arrival at most hotels in Quito is expected at approximately 6:00 PM.