Private Tour
Half Day Tour Churute Mangroves and Bird Watching from Guayaquil
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Reserva Ecologica Manglares Churute
Embark on a 6-hour tour from Guayaquil to discover the magic of the Churute Reserve. Explore its 55,000-hectare forest, home to howler monkeys, exotic birds, amphibians, reptiles, and diverse plants. Enjoy a relaxing canoe ride through the Churute Estuary, spotting wildlife and listening to bird songs. Also, taste delicious Ecuadorian cuisine and connect with local traditions by interacting with people dedicated to agriculture and fishing. A transformative experience just 1.5 hours from Guayaquil.
What‘s Included
Private transportation
CANOE TO NAVIGATE
Bottled water
Lunch
Snacks
Air-conditioned vehicle
Coffee and/or Tea
Local naturalist guide
Tips
Pickup points
Tryp By Wyndham Guayaquil Airport
Av Joaquin Orrantia Guayaquil Ecuador
Wyndham Garden Guayaquil
Av Juan Tanca Marengo y Abel Romero Castillo, Plaza Del Sol Guayaquil Ecuador
Sheraton Guayaquil Hotel
Avenida Joaquin Jose Orrantia Gonzalez Guayaquil Ecuador
Grand Hotel Guayaquil, Ascend Hotel Collection
Boyaca 1615, y Clemente Ballen Guayaquil Ecuador
Wyndham Guayaquil Puerto Santa Ana
Calle Numa Pompilio Llona S/n Guayaquil Ecuador
Jose Joaquin de Olmedo Intl Airport
Guayaquil Ecuador
Hostal Villa 97
Ciudadela Simon Bolivar, Manzana 1 Villa 97 Guayaquil Ecuador
Hilton Colon Guayaquil
Ave. Francisco De Orellana Mz. 111 Guayaquil Ecuador
Options
Anticipada/Early bird
Nature & Culture Private Tour : Private tour with an expert guide in nature and local traditions.
Canoe & Jungle Walk: Canoe ride through the Ulpiano estuary and walk along the El Aullador trail.
Duration: 7 hours
Local Lunch : Traditional Food Tasting
Enjoy a tasting of typical Ecuadorian dishes prepared with local ingredient
Wildlife & Birdwatching: Herons, osprey, cormorants, kingfishers, storks, monkeys; possible crocodiles; bilingual guide
Pickup included
Last minute Price
Nature & Culture Private Tour: Private tour with an expert guide in nature and local traditions.
Canoe Ride & Forest Hike : Canoe ride through the Ulpiano estuary and walk along the El Aullador trail.
Duration: 8 hours
Traditional Ecuadorian lunch : Traditional Ecuadorian lunch included depending on package.
Churute Ecological Reserve: Guayaquil → Mangroves & Ulpiano estuary → Pancho Diablo Hill → El Aullador trail.
Private AC Vehicle: Transport from Guayaquil.
Wildlife & Birdwatching: Herons, osprey, cormorants, kingfishers, storks, monkeys; possible crocodiles; bilingual guide.
Pickup included
Reviews
11 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
One memorable tour!
NMShillingford,,Dec 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This 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.
Wonderful
fnqldau,,Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great! Relaxed and informative Simón and our driver Keiko were lovely and made the day most enjoyable I highly recommend this tour
Great way to spend a day in Guayaquil!
Mike B,,May 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We 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!
A great day in the mangroves and beyond
ginaa885,,Jan 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Yamill 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.
Baby Monkeys and an Adventure on the Water
Andrea A,,Nov 24, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00From 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.
The best of the best.
John R,,Feb 2, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00We 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!
Mangroves, crabs, birds and monkeys!
madecepeda,,Nov 12, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We 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!
Adventure of the century!!
Jane S,,Feb 13, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our 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🥳
Two Great Guys
rachelz531,,Nov 19, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Yamil 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!
Excellent tour by the best tour guide ever
Susanne D,,Aug 4, 2021
- Review from Viator
5.00The best part of the tour was our amazing tour guide - Simon. He is incredibly knowledgeable, fun, and took time to teach us not only about the tour- but about Ecuador more broadly. We saw an incredible amount of birds, howler monkeys, and even crocodiles! Being with an experienced local guide truly made it magical. Simon speaks impeccable English and Spanish which would make the experience excellent for many. We were lucky enough to have him with just the two of us.
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