We arrive in Quito Saturday evening and stay at the comfortable Hotel Sebastian, the capital city of Ecuador. We'll spend the next 3 nights at Hosteria Septimo Paraiso in the Mindo Valley of the western Andes. We then return to Quito for an overnight stay back at Hotel Sebastian before heading to the east slope of the Andes. There we'll spend one night at the Guango Lodge near the village of Papallacta. Then we descend to lower elevation where we'll stay at famed Cabanas San Isidro for 3 nights before returning to Quito. Following another night at Hotel Sebastian, we'll fly to Coca and be transported to Napo Wildlife Center for 3 nights before returning to Quito for our final night 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
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
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
NAPO WILDLIFE CENTER
Napo Wildlife Center is located about 3 hours by boat down the Napo River from Coca in northeastern Ecuador. It is situated in a private reserve adjacent to Yasuni National Park. The lodge consists of 1 luxury cabanas, a large dining hall, a library, and a well-stocked bar. Rainforest birding is as close as the balcony.
Cabanas are large and each features a queen-sized bed and a twin-sized bed. Each has a private bath with hot-water showers and a private porch with a view of the lake. Electricity is on 24 hours/day, ceiling fans and screens provide plenty of ventilation while keeping bugs out of the rooms. TOP
