Birding in Ecuador

August 2007

Rick Austin & Peter Martin

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Eco-Lodge Reviews

We stayed at the lodges listed below. Unless otherwise stated, they share these attributes:

  • Remote locations in the cloud forest or jungle
  • Bird feeders to draw hummingbirds and fruit eaters
  • Extensive trails on the lodge property and nearby
  • Convenient access to nearby birding sites
  • Clean and comfortable accommodations
  • Breakfasts and excellent 3-course fixed-menu lunches and dinners included
  • Box lunches available at no extra charge
  • Limited selection of beer, wine and liquor for sale
  • Laundry service available
  • Considerable walk from arrival point to lodge
  • Friendly, easy-going, helpful and punctual staff
  • English-speaking manager; Spanish-speaking staff
  • Highly recommended by us
Tandayapa Bird Lodge. Patio feeders attract huge numbers of very tame hummers from dawn to dusk. On-site hide for bird viewing. Trails are often steep. Will arrange local guides. 4-course meals with good range of Ecuadorian dishes. 6km uphill dirt road hike to the Bellavista lodge, passing by Tony and Barbara Nunnery's place, and continuing for 2km to the Research Station road.
San Jorge de Milpe Reserve. New lodge with spectacular views, large rooms and an open-air dining room. Meals include traditional Ecuadorian dishes. Convenient access to birding at Milpe Sanctuary, Rio Silanche and Mindo.
Hosteria San Jorge Eco-Lodge (Quito). 20 minutes from Quito, this lodge was originally a hacienda-style farm. Beautiful old buildings with traditional furnishings. Parking lot is close to lodge, but some rooms are a fair distance uphill. Fabulous surroundings for a break from the more remote lodges.
Sacha Lodge. Located in the Amazon jungle. Access involves a short flight from Quito to Coca, a 50-mile powered canoe ride down the Rio Napo, a mile-long hike on a boardwalk through the jungle, and a canoe ride across a small lake. Sacha is the largest of these lodges, and most of the staff speak enough English to get by. The guided hikes, canoe trips and canopy walk offer sightings of many birds, monkeys and other wild life. Meals are served all-you-can-eat buffet style and offer a good choice of dishes (but with less emphasis on Ecuadorian fare). Well-stocked bar.
Guango Lodge. A small lodge at 2700m in the Eastern Andes. Active feeders with tame hummers. Trails are easier than average. Parking lot is close to lodge. Convenient access to the Papallacta Pass area.
Cabaņas San Isidro. A mid-size lodge on a large reserve, near the eastern Andes town of Baeza. Active hummer feeders, and excellent birding along the adjacent dirt road. Home of the "mystery owl". Gourmet meals make creative use of local ingredients. Parking lot is close to lodge.