Churute Mangroves and Birdwatching Tour Guayaquil
Description
Just 1.5 hours from Guayaquil, the Churute Ecological Reserve offers a complete immersion into a unique natural environment. On this 6-hour tour, you’ll explore a 55,000-hectare forest, home to fascinating species such as howler monkeys, pink spoonbill herons, ospreys, kingfishers, pelicans, and many other exotic birds. Enjoy a relaxing canoe ride through the serene Churute Estuary, observing wildlife in its natural habitat, either with binoculars or by the naked eye. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to savor delicious Ecuadorian cuisine and learn about local traditions related to agriculture and fishing. Live a memorable experience during your visit to Guayaquil.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Embark on an adventure just 1.5 hours from Guayaquil and discover the natural beauty of the Churute Ecological Reserve. Begin your experience with a visit to a local farming and fishing community, where you will taste tropical fruits, learn about local crops, and discover the traditions that shape life in this region. Continue with a two-hour hike through the reserve’s tropical dry forest in search of howler monkeys while learning about the area’s biodiversity. Churute is also an excellent destination for birdwatching, offering opportunities to spot kingfishers, roseate spoonbills, ibis, cormorants, herons, and many other native bird species. Then, enjoy a 2 hour canoe ride through the Churute Estuary, navigating peaceful mangrove channels while observing wildlife and listening to the sounds of nature. Complete your experience with Ecuadorian cuisine and discover why Churute is a top wildlife destination near Guayaquil.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(11)
A unique and unforgettable experience, being so close to nature in all its splendor, the sound of the birds, exploring the mangrove, and discovering impressive places. I would like to thank the people who accompanied us, who were always very kind and fun; they made this trip worthwhile. I recommend it 100%.
This was one amazing experience. We were lucky in that we had a very experience guide who did a great job detailing the history of the characteristics of this wonderful habitat. He was able to point us to a wide variety of birds and offer details about their behaviors, migratory patterns, diets and mating rituals. We see more birds than I can remember names. Yamil made sure that we saw crocodiles up close and personal, in addition to iguanas, howler monkeys and White-Fronted Capuchin Monkeys. We were also treated to some exotic tropical fruit and encountered several gorgeous wild flowers on the trails. Yamil proved to be very warm and hospitable. He has extensive knowledge, not just restricted to Ecuadorian flora and fauna but also of the broader world. He is well traveled so he comes with essential insight. This is a must do tour if in Ecuador. I give Yamil 100%. This was a wonderful experience in every sense of the word.
Thank you so much for this wonderful and detailed review! It truly means a lot to know that this private nature tour was such a memorable experience for you. I’m very happy that you enjoyed learning about the habitat, wildlife, and birdlife, and that you were able to observe so many species in their natural environment. Ecuador is incredibly rich in biodiversity, and sharing information about birds, reptiles, mammals, and native flora is one of the things I enjoy most as a guide. It was a pleasure guiding you through this experience, from spotting birds and wildlife to enjoying tropical fruits and walking among beautiful wild flowers. Creating a warm, personalized, and educational experience is always my goal. Thank you for your kind words and recommendation. It would be a pleasure to welcome you again for another day trip or nature experience in Ecuador.
Great! Relaxed and informative Simón and our driver Keiko were lovely and made the day most enjoyable I highly recommend this tour
We had a great experience with Simon! He was very fluent, friendly and knowledgeable. We saw lots of birds and heard howler monkeys. The lunch was delicious! I would recommend if you have a day to spend in Guayaquil. Even though the tour said half day, we left at 9:00am and didn’t return until 5:00pm. It wasn’t a problem for us as we had the whole day, but it was definitely more than a half day!
Yamill and Simon gave my cousin and me the most fabulous tour! We contracted for the mangroves boat ride, which was wonderful -- they are both extremely knowledgeable about all birds and plants in the area -- and in addition, they treated us to a delicious lunch with local foods, and also stopped at a fruit stand to let us sample the products, and stopped by a nursery so we could explore the many plants available, very exotic for us. They answered all our questions and were extremely friendly and accommodating, even giving us bug spray and mosquito netting for our faces. They have my highest recommendation.
From pickup to drop off, it was a great experience. My guides, Simon and Yamille, made sure I had a wonderful tour and their experience shows. The boat ride through the mangroves offered a variety of birds and a few crocodiles. The boat driver slowed when there were many birds of interest, allowing for many great pictures and binocular viewing. Simon was very knowledgeable about the multitude of birds. After the mangroves, we hiked a bit in the dry forest. It was full of mosquitos so bug spray is essential. It was worth the effort as we spotted a family of monkeys. I was fortunate enough to see momma, juvenile, and baby howler monkeys. There are giant palms and 450 year old trees in the forest. We took a long time in the forest so I was unable to stop for dinner at the planned restaurant. Yamille graciously opened his home to host me for a typical Ecuadorian dinner in his lovely home. It was a pleasure spending the day with them and I highly recommend this experience to see the wildlife of Guayaquil.
We had the best time on this tour with our expert guide Simon Penafiel. You could really tell this guy loved what he was doing. We observed a number of birds on our way to the Estero. We ate empanadas and different types of fruit along the way as well. The Estero was fabulous. We saw several birds and observed how fisherman made their living trapping crabs. The Ecological Park was also great but hot. We tracked a group of Howler Monkeys and took some great pics. Simon pointed out several medicinal trees and plants along the way as well. A great trip!
We were able to see howler monkeys and crabs entering the mangrove. The canoe ride along the Churute River was spectacular! Lots of birds to see and photograph! And lastly, the food was delicious and fresh! Highly recommended! Especially our guide Simón!
Our experience with Simon and Orlando was fantastic!! I highly recommend for anyone who wants a true adventure! I saw bright green parrots high in the trees, a pair of Howler monkeys (first for me!!) and the number of spectacular water birds on the river were mind blowing🥳
Yamil and Daniel were a delight: Daniel being the most knowledgeable of bird senseis and monkey calls, and Yamil intentionally putting in top-notch care to make sure we had the most personalized trip as we wished on our terms. Absolutely would book with these guys again!
