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UK: 01473 890499Rating: Modest
Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge is in a private reserve in the Tandayapa Valley, two hours drive from Quito. This is an excellent location if you are interested in natural history and eco-adventure.
Accommodation is in several different buildings, offering a wide choice of sizes and styles of room. A four-storey geodesic dome with panoramic views contains the dining hall and 5 double rooms. Most have private bathrooms but some have shared facilities. Some are located a little way from the main lodge area offering more secluded accommodation, ideal for hneymooners or families.
Food at the lodge is hearty and wholesome and vegetarian dishes are always available. Trout and chicken are regularly served, as well as beef, pork and seafood. Specific dietary requirements can be catered for.
The lodge is in montane or cloud forest, frequently bathed in cloud and is a humid, but not a hot, place. There are gnarled moss-clad trees with branches laden with orchids, bromeliads and other epiphytes. Within the reserve there are over 330 recorded species of birds, which reflects the fact that Bellavista and the surrounding region of northwestern Ecuador is a true biodiversity hotspot. Mammals present include the endangered Spectacled Bear (rarely seen, but protected by the Reserve), and Andean Coati.
Birding and natural history are the principal activities and specialist birding guides can be arranged. A cock-of-the-rock lek is located nearby in Tandayapa and a special early-morning visit can be arranged here at an additional cost. There is a self-guided trail for those wanting to explore on their own, and hiking is also a good way to spot the wildlife. Horseriding is offered, from short rides around the lodge to full day rides.
Open: All year.
Location: The accommodation is located in Bellavista Cloud Forest, a 700 hectare private reserve near Mindo. It is less than a 2 hour drive from Quito.
Rooms: There is a variety of accommodation including the 4-storey geodesic dome, the bamboo house, the half-timbered trailhead house and the secluded San Luis house. These different accommodations offer single, double/twin, triple and family rooms with balconies and private bathrooms with hot water. The dome has 5 rooms, each with a private balcony as well as a dorm room with 10 beds. The trailhead house has spacious verandas with hammocks and chairs. It has 2 double rooms in the ground floor and can accommodate a family if 6 on the upper floor. Nearby is the bamboo house. It has 3 rooms and can accommodate a small group or family. The San Luis house is a couple of miles from the centre of the lodge and ideal for those wanting more privacy.
Activities: Guided nature hikes, self-guided walks and bird watching walks. There are over 10kms of walking trails at Bellavista, leading to villages, waterfalls and look out points. These walks and treks are of varying duration and level of difficulty. The lodge can also arrange a range of half and full day excursions concentrating on birdlife, natural history and activity and adventure.
Facilities: There is a dining room where generous meals are served.
Dining: Meals are taken at individual tables in the restaurant.
Children: Can be accommodated, but many of the trails and activties are not suitable for younger children.
Communication:There is limited mobile phone signal in the area around Bellavista and no internet access.
Lodge
Vessel
Camp
Hotel
National Park
Historic site
Place of Interest
UNESCO heritage site 
Galapagos Islands, cloudforest, Andean scenery - 12 exciting days you'll never forget!
Bellavista helps with forest regeneration and protects 700 hectares of land. It also educates local people as regards conservation. Smart voyager certified through Rainforest Alliance.
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0"Sensational. One night we were out in the sticks (the Casa San Luis) which isn\\\'t a problem for my son and I but we were too far away from the dining room etc. Walking was not a problem for us, but 3 kms to have diner is too far especially in torrential rain. Richard the owner fixed is up the next night and all was well. Richard was enthusiastic about everything and the place was so very wonderful and our eyes feasted on the views the bird life and to see the Olinguito was beyond ones wildest dreams. It certainly was a truly lovely and exhilarating experience."
Tribes Travel, The Old Dairy, Wood Farm, Ipswich Road, Otley, Suffolk, IP6 9JW. Office hours: Mon - Fri: 9am to 5.30pm Telephone: 01473 890499
