Termas de Papallacta

Overview

Location

Setting: 3,300 meters (10,824 feet) above sea level.

Setting

Nestled in a high Andean valley, 67 km (40 miles) east of Quito, Termas de Papallacta offers fantastic birding in the Rancho del Canon or the Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve, spectacular scenery, comfortable cabins and thermal baths. At 3,300 meters (10,824 feet) above sea level, it is probably the highest most of you will stay during your time in Ecuador. Its altitude and location in humid upper-montain rainforest makes it usually cool and wet, which is beautifully contrasted by the steaming hot thermal baths at the end of a days exploring or bird watching.

The Rancho del Cañón, which belongs to Papallacta, is a protected area extending 625 acres (250 hectares) located at the entrance of the Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve, a 400,000 hectare (1 million acre) reserve managed by the Ministry of the Environment, one of the most biodiverse in Ecuador. Trekking along the range of self guided, or native guided footpaths is an exciting way to appreciate and learn about the local flora and fauna including more than 160 bird species including Condors, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Rufus-Bellied Seedsnipe, Golden-breasted and Glowing Pufflegs, White-bellied and Gorgeted Woodstars and Mountain Avocetbill.

On a clear day visitors can enjoy some spectacular views of glacier landscape, including the now extinct volcano Antisana (5704 mts - 19800 ft.)

Insider Information
The route from Quito to reach Papallacta is the same as that taken by the Spanish conquistador Francisco de Orellana in 1542 as he crossed the Andes on his way to discover the Amazon basin and River.

• Roger Ahlman - Many-spotted Hummingbird.
• D. Moore – Golden Tailed Sapphire

If you would like any more information or to chat over the details of the trip we would be delighted to help. Telephone 01482 872 716 for more information or email us today.

Facilities

Rooms

32 rooms, each with heating and a private bathroom. Amongst these are 13 one and two storey cabins, located 100 meters from the main hotel, these are warm and cosy with a fireplace and living room. The cabins are located next to the thermal pools for the exclusive use of hotel guests.

Food & drink

The restaurant offers good Ecuadorean and international cuisine using ingredients from their organic kitchen garden. Trout is particularly recommended and is a speciality from the area.

Thermal Springs
The hydrothermal value of the hot springs here is a result of Papallacta's location between two volcanoes, the Cayambe Volcano and Antisana Volcano. Temperature at the pools ranges between 36°C and 40°C (97°F to 104°F). The hydrotherapy area consists of five hot thermal pools and one cold pool, with a Thermoludic Area which offers a range of hydro massages using either water jets or air bubbles. Also on offer for those who feel like a pamper are a variety of massages and face and body treatments.

If you would like any more information or to chat over the details of the trip we would be delighted to help. Telephone 01482 872 716 for more information or email us today.

Birding

Termas de Papallacta

The Papallacta Pass provides a great experience of high Andean birding –the high pass brings you above the treeline – here you can search for high-elevation species such as Ecuadorian Hillstar, Blue-mantled Thornbill, Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Bar-winged and Stout-billed Cinclodes and Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant. On the eastern side of the pass there are some intact areas of of Polylepis woodland (a genus of trees and shrubs restricted to the high Andes of South America, which frequently grows above the natural tree line, and is especially remarkable for being the woody plan occurring at the highest elevations worldwide). Here the chance to see Giant Conebill and Black-backed Bush-Tanager while scanning the skies for Andean Condor.

Andean Condor
The Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus) is a species of South American bird in the New World vulture family Cathartidae and is the only member of the genus Vultur.

Andean Condor is the the record holder of having the largest wing area of all birds, and is the second in terms of wing span (after Wandering Albatross). Even though the Andean Condor is not a very attractive bird, its flight has an unrepeatable fullness and elegance. These large birds live live near the Western coast of South America.

The Andean Condor reaches a body length of 130 cm and a wingspan of up to 320 cm, while the total body mass is around 12 kilograms, also making it the heaviest predatory bird on Earth. A sitting bird would reach an average sized man’s chest. What distinguishes Condors from vultures is that the female is usually smaller in size than the male, while for vultures it’s the other way round. Mature bird’s plumage is black, with a ruff of white hair around the neck and white feathers on the wings. Head and neck are bare and dark red to black, while the beak is rather short and round.

Whilst there is a chance you may see a Condor in the Papallacta area, you will eed luck on your side! Ask us for more information on a special spot in Ecuador where you are virtually guaranteed to see wild Andean Condors tel: 01482 872 716 or email us on info@thinkbirding.com

If you would like any more information or to chat over the details of the trip we would be delighted to help. Telephone 01482 872 716 for more information or email us today.