Tour begins at the comfortable Hotel Sebastian in Quito, capital city of Ecuador. We spend our first night in the Tandayapa Valley at Tandayapa Bird Lodge before continuing downslope to the Mirador Rio Blanco for a 2-night stay. From there we drive back upslope for a 2-night stay at the Bellavista Reserve before returning to Quito for a transitional night back at the Hotel Sebastian. From there we head to the eastern Andes for one night at Guango Lodge before continuing downslope to famed Cabanas San Isidro. Following a 2 night stay there, we continue downslope to Wild Sumaco Lodge. We then spend 1 night at the resort hotel Termes de Papallacta in the highlands before returning to Hotel Sebastian in Quito for the last night of our tour.
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
TANDAYAPA BIRD LODGE
Tandayapa Bird Lodge claims to be the only hotel in the world designed by birders, owned by birders, and run by birders for birders. It was built in a pasture at the top of a steep driveway in the Tandayapa Valley. Plantings since the lodge was built in 1999 have converted much of the pasture back into forest. The lodge owns the best remnant tract of forest remaining in the Tandayapa Valley. It operates several hummingbird feeders around the veranda which attract 18-25 species of hummingbirds. It is probably the best place in the world to see hummingbirds, and for that reason it is visited by bird photo groups as well as birders. Trails above the lodge and around the ravine below the lodge offer spectacular birding. The lodge itself is quite comfortable and consists of a main dining area and 12 bedrooms with spacious balconies. A separate building below the main building has several additional rooms. All rooms feature hot water, electricity, and private bathroom. Most rooms have 2 double beds and a private balcony.
MIRADOR RIO BLANCO
Mirador Rio Blanco has long been known to birders as a pleasant place to have lunch, enjoy a beautiful vista, and watch hummingbirds and other birds coming to feeders outside the glassed windows. However, it has recently changed ownership, and the new owner has constructed 8 new cabanas perched on stilts above the bluff and accessed by a set of walkways. The lodge is conveniently located near both Rio Silanche and Milpe Bird Sanctuaries, and with the new ownership it offers suitable accommodations for visiting birds. The meals in the restaurant are excellent, and the cabanas feature comfortable beds, hot water showers, and beautiful vistas of the valley below. Each set of 4 cabanas surround a central guest area where groups can gather to socialize in evenings. The rooms are set well back from the road, unlike the original rooms at the lodge, and hence are quiet during the evenings and nights. 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
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. TOP
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
WILD SUMACO
Wild Sumaco Lodge is a new lodge built by birders for birders. It is located on the Sumaco Road, a side road off the lower Loreto Road not far south from the turnoff to Archidona. The lodge is located in the subtropical zone and is built in a private forest reserve. It has become well known among birders for some of the otherwise hard to see species that can be found on the property. The lodge features a guest area where visitors can relax at the end of the day and a dining room that serves good food. Wine, beer, and mixed drinks are served at the lodge. Rooms offer comfortable accommodations with two twin beds, private bath, and hotwater showers. TOP
HOTEL TERMES DE PAPALLACTA
Hotel Termes de Papallacta is a resort hotel located at the famed hotsprings outside the village of Papallacta. It is a popular weekend destination of Ecuadorians from Quito and is also conveniently located to birding locales on the upper eastern slope of the Andes. The hotel restaurant features excellent Ecuadorian and international cuisine.
The 32 rooms are situated in 13 one- and two-story cabins around the hotsprings area. Each room is heated and features a fireplace, a nice amenity at 9000 ft. in the Andes. Rooms have queen or twin beds, private bath, and hot-water showers. TOP
