Milpe Bird Sanctuary
Milpe Bird Sanctuary
5
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Duration: 2-3 hours
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5.0
8 reviews
Excellent
6
Very good
2
Average
0
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Terrible
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Meredith J
Brookline, MA38 contributions
Feb 2020
We went here with our guide and we started at Silanche in the morning and spent many hours there, then had lunch and stopped at Milpe on the way back to Mindo. We visited for a short time in the afternoon and our guide wanted us to see the clubbed-winged manakin, and we saw two and had great views and watched them for a good amount of time. It was incredibly entertaining. Milpe is one of the hotspots and you can see lists on e-bird of what species are there. We had the same guide for 3 days and he knew what we had already seen, which is why I don't think we spent as much time here. If you were going only to Milpe and not to Silanche first, you may likely spend more time here and see more species. My sense is that Silanche is larger and we saw a LOT there. I put 1-2 hours below but you could really spend more time here I think if you came earlier in the day and had a guide helping o find birds for you to see.
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adam P
London, UK104 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
I’m amazed that there are only 4 reviews of this wonderful sanctuary. Out visit was one of the highlights of our time in Ecuador. We spent 6 hours here, saw many wonderful species and some notable firsts: Black-Mandibled and Choco Toucan, Guayaquil Woodpecker and a Pauraque! We had a Black Agouti and most astonishingly, as we took one of the trails, a couple of White-fronted Capuchin! There are good trails and further good birding as you walk outside the reserve. The staff also served us coffee too! If I could rate this place 6* I would.
Written 4 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hal72
Olympia, WA651 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
The first wonderful spot here is the feeders, for both hummingbirds and banana eaters. Lots to see, and they are close. The trails are pretty good, well maintained with (again) lots to see. I would emphasize using the services of a guide. There were many species we picked up because Jairo heard them and knew where to then concentrate our looking. This was the best day of the trip, species-wise, with more than 70. After walking various trails we walked down the road. Different habitats and, again, many new birds. We spent most of a day here. Well worth the price of admission. At least when were there, though, they only took cash.
Written 17 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cynthia K
Manila, Philippines308 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
The cost to enter is US$12.00 per person. There is a gift shop for souvenirs and restroom at the entrance. Some birds seen were the red-headed barbet, bananaquit, green thorntail, guayaquil woodpecker, black mandibled toucan--these seen in spite of the rain the night before. After birding at the reserve, one can drive up along the road and see more birds.
Written 16 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janine & Andy
South Island, New Zealand116 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
The cost was $12 per person and I think this was reasonable.
Our guide Julia Patiño suggested we come here from our lodge at Sachatamia which was not too far away.
The trails are in a good condition and there were not many people on them. There were a few people at the entrance where the hummingbird feeders were, taking pictures of the gorgeous hummingbirds there.
With Julia's good guiding skills we were able to see a club-winged manakin lek which was very interesting.
We did enjoy our few hours on the trails at Milpe and saw quite a few interesting birds so glad we went.
Our guide Julia Patiño suggested we come here from our lodge at Sachatamia which was not too far away.
The trails are in a good condition and there were not many people on them. There were a few people at the entrance where the hummingbird feeders were, taking pictures of the gorgeous hummingbirds there.
With Julia's good guiding skills we were able to see a club-winged manakin lek which was very interesting.
We did enjoy our few hours on the trails at Milpe and saw quite a few interesting birds so glad we went.
Written 13 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gary H
Lufkin, TX97 contributions
Nov 2015 • Friends
Well-maintained & (for the most part) easily negotiated trails lead visitors (especially birders) through an Andean foothills rainforest typical of the Chocó region of northwestern Ecuador and southwestern Colombia. Among birders it may be best known for its manakins (including Club-winged and Golden-winged), but the birding is considerably more varied than that. Tanagers seemed especially abundant & conspicuous during our visit, and we encountered no fewer than three mixed-species flocks during a period of about four hours. Chocó endemics are especially prized among visiting birders, and we saw a nice sampling.
You can buy a nice illustrated checklist, t-shirts and other memorabilia at the gift shop, along with refreshments. During November 2015 the entry fee was $12 per person.
You can buy a nice illustrated checklist, t-shirts and other memorabilia at the gift shop, along with refreshments. During November 2015 the entry fee was $12 per person.
Written 8 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarracenia
Norman, OK1,688 contributions
July 2019
We visited this sanctuary in July during our 12-day birding trip in Ecuador. The office has some interesting books and souvenirs, admission is reasonable. The administrator was very friendly and answered all our questions. She also helped us with some of the bird identification. There are hummingbird feeders and fruit stations as well. Both can be enjoyed from the small restaurant on the premises. We actually had a snack while watching and photographing the birds. The fruits attract many beautiful birds like toucans and aracaris as well as many tanagers. The hummingbirds were also very active and more than one species was present. A resident Agouti came by to eat some of the fallen fruit.
We took one trail that was very nice. A bit steep in places but it was dry so not too hard to do. The trail is a great place to enjoy the exuberant vegetation which includes orchids, palms and other interesting plants. On the trail we also saw Tillandsias flowering, butterflies and an unusual frog.
If you are able to you can visit this place at night to look for owls near the birding area. You just have to tell them you are doing this so they let you in.
Milpe also has 4 rooms for rent and meals can be prepared with advanced notice for a fee.
Very happy with this place which turned out to be one of the better and enjoyable birding locations we visited during our trip to both the east and west side. I would definitely return.
We took one trail that was very nice. A bit steep in places but it was dry so not too hard to do. The trail is a great place to enjoy the exuberant vegetation which includes orchids, palms and other interesting plants. On the trail we also saw Tillandsias flowering, butterflies and an unusual frog.
If you are able to you can visit this place at night to look for owls near the birding area. You just have to tell them you are doing this so they let you in.
Milpe also has 4 rooms for rent and meals can be prepared with advanced notice for a fee.
Very happy with this place which turned out to be one of the better and enjoyable birding locations we visited during our trip to both the east and west side. I would definitely return.
Written 10 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gerhard7
Norwich, UK288 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
We paid $22 p.p for a 3 day pass that allows you entry to the 3 other Mind Cloud Forest Foundation Reserves too.
Beware, some trails are very steep and muddy, but there are flatter ones too. They will give you a trail map at reception and any advice you may need on exploring the area or finding certain bird species.
Entrance is well marked, located down a unpaved road just before Bancos. (coming from Mindo)
Beware, some trails are very steep and muddy, but there are flatter ones too. They will give you a trail map at reception and any advice you may need on exploring the area or finding certain bird species.
Entrance is well marked, located down a unpaved road just before Bancos. (coming from Mindo)
Written 17 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, I can find no contact info or hours of operation except an email address that has not responded. Do you know the hours of operation or recall how early in the day you arrived?
Thanks,
Stephen
Written 15 January 2019
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