The Ecuadorian Cloudforest

Just a few hours from Quito, Ecuador's cloudforest offers a unique encounter with nature, especially for bird lovers. Like the Amazon rainforests, cloudforests support incredibly diverse numbers of plants and animals, from monkeys to hummingbirds, but uniquely they are sustained by the thick fog banks that roll in off the ocean. Cloaking the steep slopes of the Andes, the vegetation is swathed in mist, making it a mystical place. This fascinating ecosystem harbours orchids and mosses, frogs and butterflies and for a birder, this region has to be a prime destination - a very high number of Ecuador's 1600 species of birds are found in the cloudforests, for example the Tanager-Finch, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock and Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan.

Stay at one of the forest lodges, which provide basic but reasonably comfortable facilities. Your stay includes accommodation, all meals and return land transfers from Quito.

 

Maquipucuna Reserve - 3 days/2 nights
The Western Lowlands are part of the Choco region, a unique area of cloud forest with the highest concentration of bird species in the world. The Maquipucuna Reserve is located here and has more than 370 species of birds, 1200 species of plants and 45 species of mammals.

 

 

Guango Lodge - 3 days/2 nights
Located 2½ hours east of Quito, high up in the Andes near Papallacta at 2700m, lies this new lodge surrounded by humid temperate cloudforest. This area is very rich in flora & fauna and is very rewarding for keen birdwatchers. It has 6 double rooms with private facilities and verandahs overlooking the forest. Expert guides can be hired locally at an additional cost.