Ecuador > Cloud Forest
Where rainforests meet mountains, a type of ecosystem known as 'cloud forests' prevail. Swathed in cool mists that form as humid air rises from the lowlands and chills, the trees are shorter than in a rainforest but are smothered in greater numbers of epiphytes - plants that grow on plants. So rich is the profusion of plant life that cloud forest can seem more lush than rainforest.
The cloud forests of western slopes of the Ecuadorean Andes contain some of the best and easiest bird watching in the world. The Choco Endemic Bird area (EBA), considered one of the world's richest biogeographic areas is just two hours drive from the capital Quito.
3 Days - Cloud forest with expert birding guide
For this itinerary you will be accompanied throughout by one of the top Ecuadorean birding guides who will help bring alive this beautiful and fragile subtropical forest.
Day 1 Depart from Quito early in the morning driving across the Andes and down towards the cloud forest, arriving before lunch at Sachatamia Lodge your home for the next three days. Over 30 dazzling species of humming birds visit the area around Sachatamia Lodge.
Day 2 Rising at dawn to visit a nearby Cock-of-the-Rock lek where the males dance and flaunt their stunning scarlet plumage. After breakfast a chance to explore the lush verdant cloud forest of the Choco Endemic Bird Area (EBA), which is considered one of the world's richest biogeographic areas. According to BirdLife International this area "supports the largest number of restricted-range birds of any EBA in the Americas". Particular highlights include the Club Winged Manakin, Choco Tucan and Pale-mandibled Aracari. After lunch a visit to the Chocó patch of Pedro Vicente Maldonado, home to many sought-after and highly localised endemics which are extremely hard to find without local knowledge.
Day 3 Another chance to visit the Cock-of-the-Rock lek before breakfast and explore the forest around the lodge. Return to Quito after lunch, arriving back in your hotel in Quito by late afternoon.
3-day cloud forest extension from £342 per person.
The price is based on two people sharing and includes private transport and the services of one of Ecuador's leading naturalists for two days as well as all meals and lodging in the cloud forest.
5 Days - Cloud forest with expert birding guide
For this itinerary you will be accompanied throughout by one of the top Ecuadorean birding guides who will help bring alive this beautiful and fragile subtropical forest.
Day 1 Depart from Quito on the spectacular Nono-Mindo road, considered to be one of the best birding sights in South America. After travelling along the base of Volcan Pichincha we pass through near-paramo habitat, before travelling down to temperate and subtropical forest where we may encounter such species as Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Toucan Barbet, Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker and many more. Picnic lunch. During the afternoon we arrive at Bellavista Lodge, nestled in the canopy of the cloud forest and quite literally buzzing with hummingbirds.
Day 2 Exploring the cloud forest around Bellavista which is home to a wealth of bird species or for those who wish to relax you can lie back in one of the hammocks around the lodge and watch up to 12 species of humming birds on the feeders around the lodge. After lunch set off for Sachatamia Lodge our home for the next three days. Over 30 dazzling species of humming birds visit the area around Sachatamia Lodge
Day 3 Before breakfast we will walk to the nearby Cock-of-the-Rock lek where the males dance and flaunt their stunning scarlet plumage.
Day 4 Another chance to see the Cock-of-the-Rock lek before breakfast. The today we will devote some time to the Chocó patch of Pedro Vicente Maldonado, home to many sought-after and highly localised endemics which are extremely hard to find without local knowledge.
Day 5 A last chance to explore the beautiful forest around the lodge. Return to Quito after lunch, arriving late afternoon.
5-day cloud forest extension from £591 per person.
The price is based on two people sharing and includes private transport and the services of one of Ecuador's leading naturalists for five days as well as all meals and lodging in the cloud forest.
3 Days - Cloud forest
Ideal for those who just want to relax and soak up the sights and sounds of the cloud forest.
Day 1 Depart from Quito early in the morning driving across the Andes and down towards the cloud forest, arriving before lunch at Sachatamia Lodge your home for the next three days. Over 30 dazzling species of hummingbirds visit the area around Sachatamia Lodge.
Day 2 Free to relax and watch the spectacular hummingbird show around the lodge and explore the lush verdant cloud forest of the Choco Endemic Bird Area (EBA), which is considered one of the world's richest biogeographic areas.
Day 3 For those who wish to there is the chance for a pre-breakfast visit to a Cock-of-the-Rock lek. The rest of the morning free to explore the forest around the lodge. Return to Quito after lunch, arriving back in your hotel in Quito by late afternoon.
3-day cloud forest extension from £208 per person.
(without guide)
The price is based on two people sharing and includes all meals and lodging in the cloud forest and private transport from your hotel in Quito to Sachatamia and back again.
