Cloud Forest in Ecuador

  Ecuador

• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Mindo

Description:
Cloud Forest Eco-Lodge

Urcu Puyujunda is quechua name that means 'urcu' = forest, 'puyujunda' = cloud. This beautiful place is administered by Ecuadorian couple graduated in Eco ' tourism. Urcu Puyujunda is an Ecological Lodge designed to conserve Cloud Forest near Quito, the capital of Ecuador, to bring the tourists a closing feel to the spectacular forest and for that way to keep the place a sustainable method. The area has short and long trails where you will find a native forest, rivers, waterfalls, rare and unique mega diversity. Your experience of this wilderness will create memories that will last a lifetime. Urcu Puyujunda is a part of the Choco Andean mountain range with one of the world's richest biodiversity of birds (more than 350 species), unexplored wilderness. Urcu Puyujunda is at an elevation of between 1760 to 1800 m.a.s.l. The area corresponds to Humid Forest Monatane 'Lower (Holdrige). The average annual precipitation ranges between 1000 and 2500 mm per year. The temperature varies between 12 ½C and 23 ½C (53 ½F and 72 ½F). Others aim objectives are: working in conservation projects, teaching English to the children and artisan group of Las Tolas village (close to the Lodge) by volunteer programs, to reforest the area, to tell facilities and organize eco-tours to institutions and students who are interested in conserving natural and archaeological resources.

Accommodation:
Our beautiful and clean camp has six cabins, a restaurant and a reading room. The cabins are in the middle of the forest and constructed of traditional materials typical of the region, with the purpose of maintaining a balance of the environment. Each cabin is equipped with a private bathroom, a balcony to watch the birds and accommodation by simple, double and triple beds for our visitors' comfort. There are no mosquitoes. The restaurant offers a variety of typical Ecuadorian and International dishes, and we are proud of our excellent chef. The bar and reading room, in their rustic environment, invite the guests to relax and enjoy the sounds of nature.

Archaeological Site:
The Yumbos culture was thriving here from the 13th to 16th Centuries. The Yumbos had a trading network which reached from the Sierra to the Coast. You can also find archeological ruins of the Yumbos culture in Tulipe town (near Urcu Puyujunda), called the 'Incas' Pools'.

Attractions
Urcu Puyujunda has many attractions which include:

* Fishing area
* Mirador beautiful vistas where you can see for miles
* Recreation area, the tourist will enjoy their own picnic and BBQ
* Handicraft place
* Cloud Forest
* Flora and fauna
* Self-guided trails
* Rivers and waterfalls
* Organic farm

Activities:
For entertainment and relaxation, we have:
* Hiking trails
* Horseback riding
* Bird watching
* Fishing
* Biking
* Camping
* Bbq and picnic
* Milking cows
* Visiting organic farm
* National ball (traditional sport that the farmers play on Saturday)
* Visiting artisans group of town

Flora:
The slopes of the Andes are dressed with a wonderful dense ecosystem: the Cloud Forest. This ecosystem, also called "Andean eyebrow" due to its generous vegetation, is one of the most diverse in the world. However, since it's not flat but on a slope, the sunrays are able to penetrate deeper inside the forest, thus giving place to exuberant and unique life forms. There are many endemic species that belongs to Cloud Forest such as: Epiphytes as heliconia, orchids, bromeliads, and moss. Variety of ferns, liquenes, Palms, Dragon's Blood, Cinnamon tree, Arrayan, Matache, Guayabillo, Palche Jigua, Aguacatillo, Walnut, Alders, Cedar, Guarumo, Linden, herbaceous plants: chilca, manzano, guaba, blackberry, cherry, among others.

Fauna:
The Eco-lodge has one of the world's richest biodiversity of birds and considered one of the world's top five biodiversity hotspots. For that reason Urcu Puyujunda Cloud Forest Eco-lodge is the best destination to people who likes the nature, adventure and unique species. The representative species of Fauna are:
Armadillo, deer, sahino pork, cuy de monte, skunk, squirrel, guatusa, guanta, tigrillo, lion, reptiles: snakes, variety of birds such as sparrow hawk, hummingbirds, cock of the rock, varied of insects, butterflies and spiders, amphibians: different species of frogs; crustaceans: crab, snails; etc.

Location:
If you are planning a trip to Ecuador, decide and head for the Cloud Forest Eco-lodge Urcu Puyujunda. This adventure begins with a wonderful trip of 90km, about two hours from Quito to Eco-lodge, located northwest of Pichincha by the Nanegalito ' Mindo road in the town of Las Tolas. It is bordered by two rivers, the Amarillo and the Zamora. These are tributaries of the Patchijal, the largest river in the area. During the trip you can observe the dense vegetation and fauna of Cloud Forest, as well as typical farms and attractive landscapes.

What to bring:
- rubber boots   
- rain coat
- bathing suit, towel
- sandals
- clothes (T-shirts, shorts, pants, socks, sweaters, comfortable shoes)   
- flash light   
- backpack   
- sundown   
- personal necessities

Highlights: Program in Mindo

* Cloud Forest Eco- Lodge

This adventure begins with a wonderful trip of 90km, about two hours from Quito to Urcu Puyujunda (Cloud Forest), located northwest of Pichincha by the Nanegalito ' Mindo road in the town of Las Tolas. It is bordered by two rivers, the Amarillo and the Zamora. These are tributaries of the Patchijal, the largest river in the area. During the trip you can observe the dense vegetation and fauna of Cloud Forest, as well as cattle, agricultural farms and attractive landscapes. Your experience of this wilderness will create memories that will last a lifetime. Urcu Puyujunda is a part of the Choco Andean mountain range. The area has one of the world's richest biodiversity of birds. In addition, there are natural and archeological remains all over this territory.

The Yumbos culture was thriving here from the 13th to 16th Centuries. The Yumbos had a trading network which reached from the Sierra to the Coast. You can also find archeological ruins of the Yumbos culture in Tulipe town (near the lodge), called the ' Incas's Pools.' Urcu Puyujunda is at an elevation of between 1760 to 1800 m.a.s.l. The area corresponds to Humid Forest Monatane 'Lower. (Holdrige) The average annual precipitation ranges between 1000 and 2500 mm per year. The temperature varies between 12 ½ C and 23 ½C (53 ½F and 72 ½F).

Accommodation:
Our new and clean camp has six cabins, a restaurant and a reading room. The cabins are in the middle of the forest and constructed of traditional materials typical of the region, with the purpose of maintaining a balance of the environment. Each cabin is equipped with a private bathroom for our visitors' comfort. Each cabin can accommodate up to 6 visitors. There are no mosquitoes. The restaurant offers a variety of typical Ecuadorian and international dishes, and we are proud of our excellent chef. The bar and reading room, in their rustic environment, invite the tourists to relax and enjoy the sounds of nature.

Itinerary 1 day trip: $ 35
- Departure from Quito at 8:30 a.m.
- As we drive, you can watch the great and beautiful landscapes from the road of the Cloud Forest. You will like it.
- Hiking to the El Palmito waterfall and from the trails you can watch the primary forest and fauna characteristic of the Cloud Forest, also you can go swimming.
- Return to the Lodge.
- Lunch at Urcu Puyujunda
- A visit to archaeological pre-incasico site in Tulipe town.
- Return to Quito at 5:00 p.m.

Itinerary 2 days/1 night (1st option): $ 69
Day 1:
- Departure from Quito at 9:00 a.m.
- As we drive, you can watch the great and beautiful landscapes from the road of the Cloud Forest. You will like it.
- Lunch at Urcu Puyujunda
- The visitors will take their corresponding cabins.
- Hiking to the El Palmito waterfall and from the trails you can watch the primary forest and fauna characteristic of the Cloud Forest, also you can go swimming.
- Return to the Lodge.
- Dinner with a welcome cocktail.
- Campfire

Day 2:
- Cow milking at 6:00 a.m.
- Birdwatching at 6:30 am
- Breakfast.
- Visiting to the mirador, you will be struck by the beauty of the area.
- Lunch
- A visit to archaeological pre-incasico site in Tulipe town.
- Return to Quito at 4:00 pm

Itinerary 2 days/1 night (2nd option): $ 69
Day 1:
- Departure from Quito at 9:00 a.m.
- Stoping in Mitad del Mundo and enter to the museum (not included entrance to Museum).
- As we drive, you can watch the great and beautiful landscapes from the road of the Cloud Forest. You will like it.
- Box lunch at Urcu Puyujunda
- The visitors will take their corresponding cabins.
- Hiking to the El Palmito waterfall and from the trails you can watch the primary forest and fauna characteristic of the Cloud Forest, also you can go swimming.
- Return to the Lodge.
- Dinner with a welcome cocktail.
- Campfire

Day 2:
- Cow milking at 6:00 a.m
- Birdwatching at 6:30 am.
- Breakfast.
- Visiting to the mirador, you will be struck by the beauty of the area.
- Lunch
- A visit to archaeological pre-incasico site in Tulipe town.
- Return to Quito at 4:00 pm

Itinerary 2 days/1 night (3rd option): $ 75
Day 1:
- Departure from Quito at 7:00 a.m.
- As we drive, you can watch the great and beautiful landscapes from the road of the Cloud Forest. You will like it.
- Upon arrival at Urcu Puyujunda you take the breakfast
- The visitors will take their corresponding cabins.
- You will hike to the Patchijal river, the biggest in the area, and from the trails you can watch the primary forest and fauna characteristic of the Cloud Forest, also you can go swimming.
- Box lunch
- Fishing
- Return to the Lodge.
- Dinner with a welcome cocktail.
- Campfire

Day 2:
- Cow milking at 6:00 a.m
- Birdwatching at 6:30 am
- Breakfast.
- Visiting to the mirador, you will be struck by the beauty of the area.
- Lunch
- A visit to archaeological pre-incasico site in Tulipe town.
- Return to Quito at 4:00 p.m.

Itinerary 3 days/2 night: $ 99
Day 1:
- Departure from Quito at 9: 00 a.m.
- Stopping at Mitad del Mundo and Calacali,
- As we drive, you can watch the great and beautiful landscapes from the road of the Cloud Forest. You will like it.
- Box Lunch
- A visit to archaeological pre-incasico site in Tulipe town.
- Upon arrival at Urcu Puyujunda the visitors will take their corresponding cabins.
- You will hike to El Palmito waterfall, watching its habitat, you can take a bath.
- Return to the lodge.
- Dinner with a welcome cocktail.
- Campfire

Day 2:
- Birdwatching at 6: 30 a.m.
- Breakfast.
- You will hike to El Manantial waterfall, and from the trails you can watch the primary forest and fauna characteristic of the Cloud Forest, also you can go swimming.
- Return to the lodge.
- Lunch
- Visiting to the mirador, you will be struck by the beauty of the area.
- Dinner.

Day 3:
- Cow milking at 6:00 a.m.
- Breakfast.
- Return to Quito at 12:00 p.m.

Itinerary 4 days/3 nights: $ 129                                 
Day 1:
- Departure from Quito at 9:00 a.m.
- Stopping at Mitad del Mundo and Calacali.
- As we drive, you can watch the great and beautiful landscapes from the road of the Cloud Forest. You will like it.
- Upon arrival at Urcu Puyujunda the visitors will take their corresponding cabins.
- Lunch.
- You will hike to Amarillo river and El Mono waterfall, watching its habitat, you can go swimming.
- Return to the lodge.
- You will hike to El Palmito waterfall, watching its biodiversity, you can go swimming.
- Return to the lodge
- Dinner with a welcome cocktail.
- Campfire.

Day 2:
- Breakfast.
- You will hike to the Patchijal river, the biggest in the area, and from the trails you can watch the primary forest and fauna characteristic of the Cloud Forest, also you can go swimming.
- Box lunch.
- Fishing
- Return to the lodge.
- Dinner.

Day 3:
- Birdwatching at 6:30 am
- Breakfast.
- You will hike to El Manantial waterfall, and from the trails you can watch the primary forest and fauna characteristic of the Cloud Forest, also you can go swimming.
- Return to the lodge
- Lunch.
- Visiting to the mirador, you will be struck by the beauty of the area.
- Dinner

Day 4:
- Cow milking at 6:00 a.m.
- Breakfast.
- Visiting artisan group of the town.
- A visit to archaeological pre-incasico site in Tulipe town.
- Return to Quito at 1:00 p.m.

Cost in US$: Please see above.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Resume

Eco Volunteer UP Foundation's Mission Statement: Eco Volunteer UP Foundation is a non-profit organization which is recognized legally by Ecuadorian Government. The volunteer programs give support through volunteers to the many worthy programs, such as vulnerable orphanages, institutes for children with disabilities, street children, and local indigenous communities. The volunteer programs are located in and around Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Program locations include the cloud forest and its communities close to Quito, the Ecuadorian Amazon, the Galapagos Islands, and other important places around Ecuador. We offer volunteers real immersion in the various Ecuadorian ecosystems, and real opportunities for learning and sharing the Ecuadorian cultures, costumes and traditions.