Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge and Regional Nature Tours

• Galapagos Cruises
• Galapagos Tours -  Single Hotel-based
• Galapagos Tours -  Island Hopping
• Amazon Lodges and  Cruises
• Cloud Forest Lodges
• weekly regular mainland tours
• Best of Ecuador and Galapagos Tour
• Suggested  Tours
• Multisport Tours
• Walking Tours​
• Northern Ecuador Bicycle Tour
• Self-drive Tours
• Pacific Coast Cruise

The 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 2,000 acre reserve hasdeeply forested mountains which descend into gorges sprinkled with cascading waterfalls and crystalline streams.

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Only two hours from Quito, Bellavista is an ideal place for comfortable 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.

They offer  guests a unique stay above the forest canopy! Some prefer their new Superior rooms while others prefer the  Mirador Suite, the unusual Bamboo House, the half-timbered Trailhead House , the 4-story, thatch-roofed geodesic dome,  or the House in the Woods.

• Rooms offer views towards daybreak and the Pichincha Volcano, or deep into the Tandayapa Valley .. often with a chance to watch the mist rise from the deep valleys below. Relax in your room and lose yourself in the deep green of the forest around you.
• 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. 
• The 4 new superior rooms are large, with vast views towards the Pichincha Volcano and beds that are fully 2 meters (6'6" long).
• The Bamboo House has 3 rooms, including the upstairs rooms with 4 beds and access to a 2 story balcony with a true bird´s eye view of the Tandayapa Valley! 
• The Trailhead or German House has two floors and is decorated in the Bellavista style. It can accommodate a family of 6 on the second floor and has 1 twin and 1 double room on the first floor. Pichincha view and Tandayapa Suite offer 2 further options for couples, twins or small families. 
• and if you like quirky accommodation, tree-house style, the Geodesic dome offer pie-shaped rooms with private bath and 2 storys with shared bath for a true experience of 360 degree views. 

Superior room

The lodging offers all the comforts of home: hot showers, comfortable beds, friendly staff, plenty of relaxation, and delicious food.

That makes a total of 18 rooms with private bath, and 10 beds in shared accommodation, so families and larger groups can be accommodated in comfort.  They also offer a research station/hostel, where student groups are accommodated in simple bunk bed accommodation in a different area of the 2000 acre reserve.

The kitchen staff provides the finest in Ecuadorian and international cuisine (local trout is a specialty, also meat-based dishes, vegetarian options, good salads. Allergies, etc. are catered for) and refreshments (wine, beer, juices and colas). In early 2017, they will offer a completely new resaurant area with sweeping views towards Pichincha!

Staff speaks English, Spanish, French, and German.

• The Bellavista Reserve is composed of of 700 hectares (2000 acres) of subtropical 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. This forest contains a high level of epiphyte (plants that grow on other plants) diversity, and within this enchanting green kingdom a profusion of life awaits discovery:  trees are festooned with hanging gardens of Bromeliads, Orchids and Mosses, 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 Foundation for the Conservation of Northwest Ecuador,  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, Plushcap,  Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Toucan Barbet and White-faced Nunbird are all found here.
• Birders and nature lovers alike thrill to the sight of brightly colored tanagers , and everybody loves to simply sit in front of the Trogon's Lounge and admire the multitude of hummingbirds hovering around the feeders.  Even the names are amazing - Violet-tailed Sylph, Booted Rackettail, and Andean Emerald.
• Bellavista's resident mammals include the endangered Andean Spectacled Bear, (rarely seen but protected by the reserve), as well as the puma, Jaguarundi, Kinkajoo and Andean coati, as well as the sleek tayra (Giant Weasel) that often visits in the mornings!

An Olinguito has started to visit the lodge regularly and very visibly every evening. This highly attractive animal is the first new mammal discovered by science in the Americas  in the past 35 years, so to have such high probability of seeing this animal at close quarters at Bellavista is truly something special! An overnight stay is required.

​Andean Spectacled Bear signs are frequently seen on the trails, and occasionally somebody sees one of these wonderful and harmless animals up close.  Just to know such a fascinating and rare (sadly endangered) species moves through the reserve is fantastic! As they very recently downloaded the photos on one of the camera traps, they found photographs of a large bear (likely a male)  breaking down a heart of palm tree, and eating the freshly-forming leaves  .. and less than 10 minutes walk on an easy trail from the Lodge! Bellavista is part of the recently- declared "Corredor del Oso (Corridor of the Spectacled Bear, which is working to protect bears and conserve their habitat in the Quito Metropolitan District.

​Whether you want to catch sight of the of epiphytes on an easy trail near the lodge bushwack with machetes through the Valley of Mist, hike upstream to the Hidden Falls, or just relax in a hammock in the whirring company of fearless hummingbirds, Bellavista is a great place to commune with nature -- and yourself. Their bilingual guides are knowledgeable in tropical ecology and are familiar with the forest's elusive inhabitants (birds, mammals, lizards, and more). Let us know what discovery experience you are craving and their guides will custom-tailor your days' adventures. (Rubber boots are provided.)

"Bellavista is FANTASTIC. I was thinking of it as a bookend to my trip, not expecting too much. Truly wonderful how they've set up everything there. Richard is amazing (didn't meet Gloria). 
 All in all, I've highly recommended you already to all my friends!! Thanks again"  Cara 

"We had a wonderful time at Bellavista Lodge.  All of the transfers went smoothly, the lodge was very comfortable, the staff was friendly and helpful, and, with the help of our expert guide, Juan Carlos Crespo, we enjoyed some excellent birding during our four-day Birding Bonanza.  We were surprised at how few other birders were there, so we are trying to spread the word in our local birding community. Thanks very much for your help in making the booking and other arrangements, and for answering all of our questions.  You made it all easy for us." Rachel and Joseph 

                                       2 Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Leaving Quito at 6:30am, we descend a scenic mountain road with forested mountains and beautiful views. Reaching the turn to Bellavista, you climb to the top of the mountain, again with fabulous views, where Bellavista lodge is perched. Settle into your room, enjoy our special breakfast and see the hummingbirds at such close quarters. Then you are invited to join the first hike into the forest. Rooms will be available during the morning.
After a tasty lunch, you can take a guided hike with a Bellavista naturalist, or explore on your own. A guided hike will acquaint you with the exuberant vegetation (orchids, bromeliads, ferns, trees, etc) of the cloud forest, its bird life, and the fascinating adaptations to life in this special environment. The evening is relaxed,  but it is the time for the chance to see the delightful Olinguito! We also recommend you take time to admire the incredible variety of moths or you can also look for night birds such as the Common Potoo!!

​Day 2 - an early morning bird hike in the serene morning light is well worthwhile. At 8 AM, a special Bellavista breakfast is served. Afterwards, perhaps explore on your own, or go with a guide to a waterfall! Every hike reveals something new.
Lunch is served at 1 pm, and afterwards you choose whether you want to take a short hike or just relax while enjoying the flight and activity of the hummingbirds.
Transfer back to Quito, expecting to arrive between 5 PM and 5:30 PM​

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                    3 Day Itinerary

Day 1: 6:30 AM departure from your hotel in Quito, to arrive in time for breakfast. Then enjoy a naturalist guided hike. Lunch, then later enjoy a forest hike – discover the ecology of this mysterious forest - and/or bird watching. Dinner. Then it is the best  time for the chance to see the delightful Olinguito.  We also recommend you take time to admire the incredible variety of moths or you can also look for night birds such as the Common Potoo!!

Day 2: Early morning bird hike before Breakfast. Then hike to a waterfall hidden in the forest, or walk the Self-guided Trail. Lunch, then in the afternoon are further options for easy hikes or true adventure, alone or with a guide! Dinner

Day 3: Early morning bird hike, then Breakfast. 

​Optional- there are more than 20 optional day excursions you can do. Recommended to see on longer stays at Bellavista: Cock-of-the-rock, butterfly farm, chocolate factory, canopy zipline and much more - the choice is yours. 
Lunch, then free afternoon till 3 PM departure.  Arrive at your Quito hotel between 5 and 5:30 PM

NOTE THAT THIS 3 DAY PACKAGE CAN EASILY BE EXTENDED AN EXTRA DAY OR MORE! 

2021 Package Prices: including accommodation, round trip transportation from Quito, guide service for 3 hikes a day 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. Add $84 for pickup or dropoff at Quito airport for 1-3 people.

2 days/1 night	standard room	superior room
1 person	US$365	US$426
2 or more	US$315 each	US$355 each
children 12 & under	US$177 each	US$201 each
single supp. for 2+	US$43 each	US$48 each

3 days/ 2 nights	standard room	superior room
1 person	US$474	US$530
2 or more	US$431 each	US$493 each
children 12 & under	US$243 each	US$274 each
single supp. for 2+	US$43 each	US$48 each

Extra nights are $151 / $158 per adult,  and $75 / 79 PER child (SINGLE OR DOUBLE). 
Please add US$1.50 Municipal tax per room per night.

Extended Packages
​for More Birding

    Optional Day Tours at Extra Cost

• Hummingbird Garden 1 - Beautiful hummingbird and tanager garden on the banks of the Alambi River. The variety of birds is frankly incredible! Sometimes you can see quetzals…
•  Hummingbird Garden 2 - This particular garden is well-known for its photography options, often offering good close-ups of 2 species of toucan.
•  Hummingbird Garden 3 - The startlingly beautiful Velvet-purple Coronet is often seen here!
•  MINDO VALLEY - Mindo and region (that includes Bellavista of course!) is the most famous site in Ecuador for bird watching. A lower elevation means different species to enjoy. The small town is well set-up for nature activities in general—and if you have a taste for adventure, learning about chocolate, etc., a day spent here is well worthwhile.
  
•  El Quetzal Chocolate Factory - Chocolate, from the bean to the final delicious product... discover the whole process here at this well-known chocolate factory.
•  Orchid Farm - The dedication with which this small but highly productive orchid garden has been created by the owners is exemplary.
•  Butterfly Farm - Learn about the life-cycle of these beautiful animals. Colorful butterflies fly around you, and the most amazingly camouflaged pupae are on display.
•  Tubing tour -  Sit in these “boats” created of three or four large inflated inner tubes… you float down the rushing river and ride up and over the rocks without danger
•  Canopy Zipline Tour - Flying over the canopy of the cloud forest, trees far below. Safe but exhilarating!
•  Cock-of-the-Rock Lek -  The experience of the bright red-coloured Cock-of-the -Rock males prancing on the branches screeching their individual beauty to the elusive females, is something you should not miss…
•  Antpittas Reserve - The owner of this piece of forest has succeeded in getting these normally elusive forest birds to come very close... various species can be seen.
•  Milpe Reserve -  Feeders at this lower elevation reserve bring in Rufous Motmot, various species of toucan and more avian surprises such as Club-winged Manakin
•  Silanche Reserve - Speciality birds include Choco Trogon and Bi-coloured Antbird
  
• Umbrella Bird Lek - Imagine a bird whose male displays a long feathered beard … 
•  Amagusa Garden - Great for Moss-backed Tanager, Glistening-green Tanager, and Choco Vireo
•  Santa Rosa Garden - A photographer´s Paradise... bright tanagers including Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager and others – some seen with their reflection in small natural pools.
•  Tulipe Museum - The indigenous pre-Incan Yumbo culture created pools, which would have been filled with water to reflect the constellations and make decisions for crops and festivities. An informative on-site museum makes this a very interesting excursion.
•  Yanacocha Reserve - High elevation birding includes the Sword-billed Hummingbird, Sapphire-vented Puffleg, White-throated Screech-Owl.
•  Oilbird Cave - Quite a spectacle, these birds use large caves over water as their roost
•  Coffee Farm - Learn the process for this universal beverage. Shade-grown organic coffee in harmony with the forest.
•  Panela Operation (Sugar Cane) Piles of sugar cane are crushed, and the juice boiled in large vats to create thick raw brown sugar called “panela”
•  Antisana Reserve - A majestic volcano, and the best place in Ecuador to see the Andean Condor soaring overhead or at its cliff-top nesting sites. Spectacled Bear sometimes seen too!
•  Zuroloma - A new reserve well- known for special high altitude species: Buff- tailed Mountain-Tanager, Chestnut- naped Antpitta and even the rare Black- breasted Puffleg if we are really lucky!