Tour begins at the comfortable Hotel Sebastian in Quito, capital city of Ecuador. We spend the next night at Tandayapa Bird Lodge before continuing on toBellavista Lodge above the Mindo Valley for 2 nights. We then return to Quito and the Hotel Sebastian for 1 transitional night before driving over Papallacta Pass in the eastern Andes. Following our drive up Papallacta Pass, we spend 2 nights at lovely Guango Lodge in the eastern Andes before returning to a last night back in Quito.
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.
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
