We arrive in Quito Saturday evening and stay at the comfortable Hotel Sebastian, the capital city of Ecuador. We'll spend the next 2 nights at Guango Lodge on the east slope of the Andes. We then continue downslope to Cabanas San Isidro before returning to Hotel Sebastian in Quito. From there we proceed down the west slope for 2 nights at Bellavista Lodge above the Tandayapa Valley. We'll then spend the following 2 nights at Septimo Paraiso Lodge in the Mindo Valley before returning to Quito for a final overnight stay back at Hotel Sebastian.
HOTEL SEBASTIAN
Hotel Sebastian is an elegant hotel located in the heart of New Town in Quito just 15 minutes from the airport and 10 minutes from Colonial Quito. It offers a warm and cozy atmosphere where guests can relax and enjoy their stay. The Bar Cafe offers informal dining while the Mistral Restaurant on the premises offers exquisite Ecuadorian and international cuisine. Rooms are nicely decorated, roomy, and full of light. They feature queen or twin beds, cable TV, and private bath with hot water showers. TOP
GUANGO LODGE
Guango Lodge is a relatively new lodge developed by the owners of Cabanas San Isidro. It is located near the town of Papallacta at an elevation of about 9000 ft. on the east slope of the Andes. The food is very good and unique. On cloudy (and rainy) days and at night, it can get cold, so it's a good idea to bring warm clothing and rain gear. Verandas offer very nice views. The dining room area features a sitting room with a fire place where visitors can sit and relax. Hummingbird feeders attract a variety of higher elevation species typical of the high Andes.ý
The rooms are very charming and feature the original and typical arquitecture of the area. The walls are made out of stone while round roofs are made of wood. All rooms have hot water showers. TOPý
CABANAS SAN ISIDRO
Cabanas San Isidro is the best birding lodge on the east slope of the Andes. The hacienda-style ranch was purchased over 31 years ago by a family concerned with preserving the region, and the property has remained uncultivated and forested as a result. The accommodations are extremely comfortable and feature a very pleasant and relaxing lounge that overlooks the cloud forest canopy and surrounding hills. An additional living room area is a wonderful place to socialize after each day of birding. Excellent Ecuadorian and international cuisine is served in the dining room accompanied by warm, friendly hospitality.
Rooms are well appointed and in immaculate condition. Windows look out onto the gardens surrounding the lodge. They feature hardwood floors and comfortable double beds with private bathrooms and hot showers. TOP
BELLAVISTA CLOUD FOREST LODGE
Bellavista Cloud Forest is a private nature reserve and lodge located in the Tandayapa Pass between the Mindo Valley and Tandayapa Valley on the western slope of the Andes. The lodge is a 4-story geodesic dome that affords guests a view of the forest canopy from above as well as a 360-degree view of the surrounding mountain peaks. Both Ecuadorian and international cuisine are offered, featuring vegetarian meals, chicken, and trout.
Each double room in the dome features private baths and private balconies overlooking the forest. Additional rooms are located in a 2-story private cabin in the forest about 5 minutes by car from the main dome. TOP
HOSTERIA SEPTIMO PARAISO
Hosteria Septimo Paraiso is conveniently near the village of Mindo on the western slope of the Andes in Ecuador. The area is renowned internationally for the bird diversity in nearby forest reserves. The grounds include a private forested 340 hectare nature reserve that is available for exclusive use by its guests. The lodge is environmentally oriented and very comfortable, with paneled walls and polished wood floors. It offers a relaxing atmosphere and fine home-cooked cuisine in a dining area on the ground floor.. The resort has a warm spring water swimming pool and jacuzzi for guests wishing to relax after a day out birding.
Rooms are spacious and comfortable. They feature double or twin beds, views of the nearby forest and gardens, private bath, and hot water showers. Some rooms are in the main lodge while others are in private cabins located not far from the lodge via covered walkways. TOP
