This now-famous antpitta reserve near Mindo is considered a must visit place and a highlight of the Northwestern Route.
Here, the former local farmer Angel Paz and his brother Rodrigo have switched their activities to birding and conservation. They are pioneers in the neotropics in hand-feeding several elusive species like, Dark-backed Woodquail, Moustached, Giant, Yellow-breasted, Chestnut- crowned and Ochre-breasted Antpittas with amazing and nearly miraculously success. These birds respond relatively easily to their voice, giving us a great chance to see these otherwise evasive birds.
They have gained substantial fame for developing this technique of conditioning extremely rare Antpittas and other rare birds to come out onto the trail.

The Alambi Reserve is a family project for the conservation of the cloud forest in the famous Tandayapa Valley. Located in the Andean Choco ecosystem between 1450 and 2200 meters above sea level, with an area of more than 120 hectares of which more than 90% is of primary forest, its role is essential for the protection of species of high importance, including some endemic species.