Explore Ecuador's Tandayapa Valley on this 3-day cloud forest tour, less than two hours from Quito on the western slopes of the Andes and in one of the country's richest birding regions. You stay high in the cloud forest canopy, within Ecuador's first private protected area and part of the Chocó-Andino UNESCO Biosphere. Guided and self-guided hikes lead you along a network of trails to waterfalls, through gardens of hanging epiphytes, and past feeders where hummingbirds are all but guaranteed. An expert guide sets the pace, from gentle walks to longer climbs, and helps you pick out tanager flocks, the plate-billed mountain toucan, and, after dark, the elusive Olinguito. Dedicated birdwatchers can extend the tour into a longer journey, adding a Cock-of-the-Rock lek, hard-to-find antpittas, and more of the region's signature species.

Highlights

Visit the geodesic dome for a 360-degree view of the cloud forest
Learn about the fascinating birdlife and complex vegetation of the cloud forest
Relax at Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge

Activities

Wildlife Viewing

Places Visited

Ecuador
South America
Andes Mountains
Mindo
Quito
Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve

Activity Level: Relaxed

Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.

Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Quito | Transfer to Bellavista

Accommodation
1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Early in the morning, your driver collects you from your Quito hotel for the climb into the highlands. The route follows the Calacalí-La Independencia highway, passing through a patchwork of landscapes and ecosystems that shift with the altitude. Before long, you reach the Paseo del Quinde eco-route, a quiet secondary road that winds up to Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge at the top of the Tandayapa Valley. Your guides greet you on arrival, show you to your room, and serve breakfast.

After a short briefing, you set out on your first cloud forest hike, with your guide picking the best trails for the group, the weather, and the conditions, before you return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you head out again on a different trail, getting a feel for the ecology of this misty forest. That evening, over dinner and your first night at the lodge, you might spot the small, elusive Olinguito if you keep your eyes open.

Please note: your guide chooses each day's trails and hikes based on the group, the weather, and trail conditions, so the day-by-day here is a sample of how the trip generally flows, and the exact order may vary. The trip can be extended into a longer multi-day journey for dedicated birdwatchers.

Day 2: Bellavista Cloud Forest

Accommodation
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Wake up early and join an optional birdwatching walk, or, if birding is not your thing, simply lie back and listen to the forest come alive. After breakfast, more guided walks lead you deeper into the lush cloud forest around the lodge. Relax in the lounge between outings, and be sure to ask your guide about the day excursions on offer beyond the reserve.

In the afternoon, you can head out on the self-guided trails with a map, join your guide for an included hike, or settle in by the feeders, where eight to ten hummingbird species dart in and out while you trade stories with other travelers.

After dinner, you settle in for a second night at the lodge.

Day 3: Cloud Forest Waterfalls | Return to Quito

1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

Set out early on your last day for one final birdwatching walk, if you are up for it, focused entirely on the birds around the reserve, followed by a special lodge breakfast. You then meet your guide to plan one last hike, perhaps following the adventurous Yumbo/Immersion Trail to the forest's waterfalls.

In the afternoon, after lunch, relax or browse the souvenirs before your driver takes you back down to Quito, where you arrive at your hotel by late afternoon. From here, choose to extend your trip or depart for home. Talk to your Trip Planner to extend your trip.

Accommodations