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WEST OF QUITO
Cloud Forests, Birding, Trekking, Biking & Zip-lines
Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve;
Located in the top of the famed Tandayapa Valley, this 700 hectares (nearly 1,800 acres) private reserve is magical. The forest has an almost whimsical quality, being home to a multitude of hummingbirds, in addition to the largest diversity of epiphytes; the trees are festooned with a veritable profusion of bromeliads, orchids, mosses and more. A staggering number of bird species are found here; the area won the highest 24 hour bird count in 2006, 2007, and 2008 (including the Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the Americas). An extensive network of trails fan out from the lodge; some are fairly easy, while others may be more challenging.
Also in the Tandayapa Valley you will visit the private Alambi Reserve. Located on the banks of the Rio Alambi, the reserve enjoys a pleasant year-round climate, with gardens planted with fruit trees such as lemons, mandarins, banana, papaya, avocado and guayaba. These trees attract colorful mixed flocks of tanagers as well as toucans and motmots from the forest, plus 15 species of hummingbirds visiting their feeders daily!
Nestled snugly into the cloud forest, the Lodge at Bellavista will be your home base for adventure. Built in a rustic forest style, the lodge is a series of buildings, including a 3-story, thatch roofed, geodesic dome, situated to take the best advantage of the setting and spectacular views. Accommodations include private bathrooms and hot showers.
There are several ways to visit Bellavista, and options available, depending on your interests…
Natural History Tour (1-day):
Departing Quito at 6:30am you will be transferred directly to the Bellavista Lodge – a drive of less than 2 hours via the direct road. Once at the lodge you will enjoy a hearty breakfast and meet the local guides. A variety of guided nature walks are possible, from easy to difficult, sure to open the doors to the wonders of this fantastical forest. Hummingbirds are so plentiful, and remarkably tame, that you will likely grow used to the sounds of being “buzzed!” Following lunch and a visit to the Alambi Preserve transfer back to Quito in the late afternoon.
Natural History Tour (2-days):
Enjoy more time at Bellavista and the surrounding area, including the opportunity to be in the reserve at sunset and sunrise! So much is possible here, whether you choose to relax and enjoy the views and birds from the elevated decks, or go on further guided nature hikes on the trail network (many trails may be explored independently, while guided hikes are also offered morning and afternoon). Overnight at the Lodge at Bellavista. 8:30am departure from Quito the first morning.
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Longer stays are also possible at Bellavista – there is enough to keep one busy for several days without a problem!
Birding Tour (1-day):
For either serious birders, or just bird fanciers, this tour is highly recommended! Following an early morning (5:30am) pickup by your Bellavista birding guide you will be atop the Andes (11,500 feet) as the dawn breaks. Depending on conditions you might visit the Yanacocha Reserve prior to starting down the old Nono-Mindo Road. The old cobbled road will traverse terraced fields, take in scenic vistas, and pass small villages while descending through 3 distinct vegetation zones, until reaching the Tandayapa Valley at 5,000 feet. As you would expect in a small area with such diversity, the birding is spectacular. A hint of what you might see includes Tanager Finches and Giant Antpittas (both with a very limited range), Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Buff-breasted Mountain Tanager, Metallic-green Tanager, Masked Trogon, Turquoise Jay, Great Thrush, Cinnamon Flycatcher, Torrent Duck, Toucan Barbet, Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, and Red-billed Parrot. Following a late lunch at Bellavista you will have time to briefly explore the tropical forests of the surrounding reserve. The reserve is known for its diverse hummingbird species. Also visit the Alambi Preserve on your way back to Quito (returning along the “fast road” the trip can be made in just under 2 hours). Travel is via private transportation, although you should expect to walk a good deal.
Birding Tour (2-days):
A one day visit to the area only scratches the surface of what is possible here (over 340 species have been counted in the Tandayapa Valley area). As with any area, the more time you spend, the more you will see – and nowhere is this more evident than out in nature. Enjoy more time in the 5,000 to 7,000 elevation ranges, with extensive guided forest walks in the Bellavista Reserve and surrounding areas. The forest is also at its liveliest both early in the morning and late in the afternoon, making your extended visit all the more rewarding. Don’t forget to listen and look for nightbirds from the decks and grounds as well. Overnight at the Lodge at Bellavista.
Bellavista Custom Birding Tours to other areas…
The Bellavista birding guides are also available for day trips to many other birding areas in Ecuador, including, Yanacocha, Papallacta Pass, Pasochoa and Cotopaxi. These freelance guides all specialize in birding in Ecuador. Equipped with a box lunch, binoculars, field guides and a wealth of information they are ready to show you the avian highlights of their country.
Birding the Old Nono-Mindo Road with NEBLINA FOREST (2-days):
NEBLINA FOREST is the pre-eminent birding company in Ecuador. All of their tours include both an expert level birding guide, and a separate driver, to afford you the most flexibility. This is a 2-day trip taking in the best birding areas within easy reach of Quito. We will traverse some of the old roads and out-of-the-way places enroute to the towns of Nono and Mindo. The altitude changes so dramatically (from over 10,000 feet to 5,000 feet) that we will pass through three types of forest in just a few hours: subtropical forest, páramo, and cloud forest. Dinner and overnight at Septimo Paraiso Lodge or similar. Very early (5am) departure the next morning for the Mindo Natural Reserve and our chance to see the famous Cock-of-the-Rock and many other birds including toucans, hummingbirds, mountain tanagers and raptors. Return to Quito in the afternoon.
Arashá Tropical Forest Resort & Spa:
More than just Ecuador’s top resort and spa, Arashá is a chance to experience and learn about the rich environment of the Andean tropical rain forests. The lodge is located on the western face of the Andes, less than 2 hours from Quito. Guided activities at the resort include daytime and nocturnal walks through the primary and secondary forests of Macallares, birding from a tower blind, and hiking to several lagoons and waterfalls. There are also hands-on workshops on making your own chocolate from cacao seeds, jewelry making from local products, tropical flower arranging, and yoga, in addition to wellness seminars on medicinal plants. If you’d rather slow the pace down you can relax mid-forest on the white sand beach of the Rio Negrito, or soak in the spring fed resort pool or Jacuzzis. Accommodations are in ecologically sensitive luxury bungalows, and meals are exquisitely prepared using the freshest ingredients. A wide range of spa services is available, with one treatment per person included with your visit. Either two or three-day stays are available.
Downhill Mountain Biking
Ecuador is a mountainous country, to say the least, with plenty of opportunities for downhill road biking (one doesn’t want to ride uphill much at these altitudes!). While several great rides are possible, including Cotopaxi and Antisana, our favorite is the Pichincha to Nono route. All bike tours are fully guided and supported, and will use top quality mountain bikes and safety equipment, and include a picnic lunch. In all cases you should be in good physical condition to participate due to the altitude, remote areas visited, rugged terrain, and potential hazards, which could be encountered.
The Pichincha to Nono route has an early morning departure from Quito (by jeep) up the old road on Pichincha volcano. We start pedaling on the highest point of the road, over 10,000 feet, with an exhilarating downhill descent through an incredible landscape of highlands, patches of cloud forest and old haciendas and farming country. The route will be a combination of quiet blacktop roads, old cobblestone roads, and short sections of dirt road. We will likely encounter very few cars, although the area is popular with birding groups. At the end our jeep will be waiting with a picnic lunch and to take you back to the city.
Trekking up Mt. Pichincha:
Early morning (5am) departure from Quito by 4-wheel drive. After about 2 hours we reach the small lot by the hiker's refuge. From here we begin hiking to the crater rim (1 hour roughly), at an altitude of 15,650'. Weather permitting you will be greeted with wonderful views of the crater, and back down the mountain and over Quito. After descending to the jeep we will continue down the southern flank of the mountain to the picturesque valley of Lloa, where we will stop for a picnic lunch. From here we will continue back to Quito for a mid-afternoon arrival.
While no special climbing equipment is necessary, it is advised to wear hiking boots and dress in warm layers (including jacket, hat and gloves). Early morning temperatures at the summit can be below freezing. The excursion should only be attempted after having been in Quito (or at altitude) for at least a day – participants should also be in good physical condition.
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