Papallacta Pass is the main route across the Andes Mountains from Quito to the eastern slope on the road leading toward Baeza and Tena. In the higher elevations the habitat is high elevation scrub, grassland, Polylepis Forest, and paramo above the timberline. Certainly one of the major attractions at these high altitudes is the sought-after Andean Condor. Down the eastern slope is the village of Papallacta, where the owners of Cabinas San Isidro have recently established the Guango Lodge. Around the lodge are a variety of habitats, including gardens with hummingbird feeders, cloud forest, chusquea bamboo, and a fast flowing river. These areas offer wonderful opportunities for seeing a good variety of high elevation birds.
