Privacy Policy

Ecuador Tours and Travel

Bellavista Lodge

The British-run Bellavista Reserve is located in the spectacular cloud forests of northwestern Ecuador, on the edge of the Choco bio-region, one of the most biodiverse areas in the world.The expanding 700 hectare (2,000 acres) reserve is characterized by sharply angled and deeply forested mountains which descend into gorges sprinkled with cascading waterfalls and crystalline streams. We are concentrating our efforts to have a minimal impact on this pristine environment in the hope to truly practice sustainable tourism.

Only two hours from Quito, Bellavista is an ideal place for adventure and relaxation. It's a great option for those traveling to the Galapagos and don't have time for a trip to the Amazon. But above all, Bellavista is a wonderful place for discovering the cloud forest and its magical diversity of bird and plant life. And perhaps most importantly, you can walk the trails in peace at your own pace without bumping into crowds of other people.

We offer our guests a unique stay above the forest canopy! Some prefer our 4-storey , thatch-roofed geodesic dome, while others prefer our unusual Bamboo House, the half-timbered Trailhead House , or our House in the Woods.

In this lofty dome paradise you can lie in bed and watch the sun rise over Bellavista or watch the mist lift from the deep valleys below. The 360 degree view from the dome allows you to gaze upon the rugged peaks of Pichincha and Cotacachi in the distance. You can also sit out on your private balcony and observe the activity at your own hummingbird feeder. Our Dome offers all the comforts of home: hot showers, comfortable beds, friendly staff, plenty of relaxation, and delicious food. Our kitchen staff provides the finest in Ecuadorian and international cuisine (largely vegetarian, trout also a specialty) and refreshments. Full board and individual meals are provided. The dome offers 5 double rooms with private baths and balconies. Then on the top two floors, there is dormitory-style accommodation with a shared bath and large balcony. On the ground floor is our library and bar.

The Bamboo House close to the dome, which offers a further 3 rooms - one with 4 beds upstairs and access to a 2 storey balcony with an extra bed and a true bird´s eye view of the Tandayapa Valley! Downstairs there are two rooms, each with private bath and and also a nice big balcony. Designed for small groups or families, people are finding this to be a wonderful alternative!!

And again, if you want to be alone in your forest cabin, we have a 2 storey house with a bathroom on each floor, offering complete seclusion, truly your own mountain forest hideaway!

The "Trailhead House" Is our newest construction made of brick and wood designed to fit into the forest and the surrounding landscape. We have included spacious balconies each with chairs and hammocks, where our guests can rest while watching the hummingbirds come and go. The house has two floors and is decorated in our very own Bellavista style. It can accommodate a family of 6 on the second floor and has a couple of very cosy double rooms on the first floor."

That makes a total of 16 rooms with private bath, and 12 beds in shared accommodation, so families and larger groups can be accommodated in comfort.

Staff speaks English, Spanish, French, and German.

The Bellavista Reserve is composed of pre-montane cloud forest. The elevation ranges between 1400 and 2600 meters above sea level, with an average mean temperature of 14-22 degrees celsius. Bellavista's forest contains a high level of epiphyte (plants that grow on other plants) diversity, so trees are festooned with hanging gardens of guest plants. Because of the steep slopes, light penetrating the forest floor allows a veritable jungle to grow. Within this enchanting green kingdom a profusion of life awaits your discovery, including botanical treasures such as bromeliads and orchids, as well as the fascinating families of Gesneraceae and Melastomataceae. Since Bellavista is located on the equator, flowers are in bloom year round.

Bellavista Reserve is affiliated with the Fundacion Siempre Bosque Forever Forest Foundation, a conservation organization being set up for the preservation of cloud forests in the Western Andes of Ecuador (as well as other regions), for educational, scientific, and recreational purposes. The Reserve's goal is to educate the public about the significance of biodiversity in tropical cloud forests and the ever increasing importance of protecting these unique ecosystems.

Within this magical place of mist and mystery, Bellavista and the Tandayapa Valley boasts 320 recorded species of birds...and the list continues to grow! The Tanager-finch, Giant Antpitta, Swallow-tailed Nightjar, Plush-capped Finch, Beautiful Jay, and White-faced Nunbird are all found here. Birders and nature lovers alike thrill to the sight of brightly colored tanagers and the Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, and everybody loves to simply sit in our four-story dome and admire the multitude of hummingbirds hovering around our feeders. Bellavista's resident mammals include the endangered Spectacled Bear, (rarely seen but protected by the reserve), as well as the puma, Andean coati and tayra, to name a few.

Whether you want to bushwack with machetes through the Valley of Mist, hike upstream to the Hidden Falls, catch sight of the of epiphytes, or just relax in a hammock in the whirring company of fearless hummingbirds, Bellavista is a great place to commune with nature -- and yourself. Our guides are knowledgeable in tropical ecology and are familiar with the forest's elusive inhabitants and trails. Let us know what adventure you are craving and our guides will custom-tailor your days' adventures. (Rubber boots are provided.)

We are now offering horseback riding around Bellavista on quiet and friendly horses, which will also have a gallop if desired. Small extra cost. For those who want a longer horse riding experience, we offer horse rides originating in Pululahua Crater near the Equator Monument and ending up in Bellavista (or viceversa).

2012 Package Prices: including accommodation, round trip transportation, guide service and meals. Tax and Service are included. Note: Specialist birding guide, or individually exclusive guide service, costs extra). Add $50 for English-speaking transfer person.

ALTERNATIVE TRAVEL OPTIONS

Day Trips to Bellavista are at the following costs. Note these prices include round trip transport from Quito, shared naturalist guide, breakfast, lunch and taxes. :

Prices 2012:1 person: US$120, 2 pax: US$99 / person, 3 to 4: US$91 / person, 5 or more: US$79 / person

These prices are subject to be changed anytime and without any previous notice according to the economic conditions in the country and/or the world.

Please add US$1 Municipal tax per room per night.