Cloud Forest Tour
Nestled in the lush foothills of the Andes, the Maquipucuna Cloud Forest Reserve offers an unforgettable journey into one of Earth’s most biodiverse ecosystems. This carefully crafted 4-day, 3-night tour invites nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers, and adventure seekers to immerse themselves in the pristine beauty of the cloud forest, where mist-cloaked trees, exotic wildlife, and serene landscapes create a truly magical atmosphere.
At Maquipucuna Lodge , sustainability meets comfort. As a conservation-oriented eco-lodge, it provides a unique opportunity to experience the wonders of the cloud forest while supporting local environmental preservation efforts. The tour includes guided hikes along scenic trails, visits to hummingbird feeders, night excursions to spot nocturnal creatures, and moments of quiet reflection amidst nature’s symphony.
This itinerary is designed to offer a balanced blend of exploration, education, and relaxation. Whether you’re marveling at rare orchids, listening to the calls of howler monkeys, or simply breathing in the fresh mountain air, your time in the cloud forest will leave you with lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
Welcome to an adventure that connects you with nature, culture, and conservation.
Itinerary
Day 1:
Enjoy the changing scenery from dry landscapes to the stunning and lush virgin cloud forests of Maquipucuna. Along the way, the first pristine forests you will encounter are the protected highlands of the Maquipucuna Reserve.
You will witness a classic example of a “rain shadow” effect created by theAndes on the moist air masses coming from the Pacific: desert on the eastern slope of the mountains and lush wet forests on the Pacific slopes.
The journey takes about 2 hours from Quito.
Check-in at Maquipucuna Lodge, receive a welcome briefing, equip yourself with rubber boots, and prepare for an introductory hike on one of our several trails.
If you arrive early! Before lunch, we will take a short guided walk to learn about some of Maquipucuna’s medicinal and useful plants. Do you have a cut on your finger? There’s a natural plant similar to Neosporin for that. Interested in a natural insect repellent? Or preventing baldness? It’s all here. Also, discover where novel plant names, such as mother-in-law’s tongue, come from. The medicinal properties of Maquipucuna’s plants are endlessly fascinating. You will run out of time before you run out of plants, and those are just some of the ones we already know about.
1:00 PM: Lunch with delicious local, organic, and fresh products.
2:30 PM: We will start with a short 1 hour and 30-minute hike, where we will showcase part of the cloud forest. We will observe birds such as the Striped Manakin, Choco Toucan, Emerald Antbird, Guayaquil Woodpecker, several species of raptors, mammals, and especially explain the vegetation and medicinal plants we find within the forest. This trail can be considered a journey through the progression of forest regeneration, from secondary to primary forest.
6:30 PM: Dinner.
8:30 PM: Optionally, a guided night walk after dinner where we will encounter the fantastic world of nocturnal life, observing insects, amphibians, and if we are lucky, reptiles and even nocturnal birds.
Day 2:
6:00 AM: Wake up with the bird concert and get ready for an early start.
After enjoying a cup of our own freshly brewed coffee at 6:15 AM, we have the first bird-watching walk from 6:30 to 8:30 AM to enjoy the sounds and start making our bird species list found during the stay in the cloud forest.
8:30 AM: Breakfast with organic coffee and fresh fruits from the area.
10:30 AM: Wetland walk. The wetland trail takes approximately two and a half hours. It is a normal trail and does not require special physical condition, making it very easy to walk. During the walk, we will explore typical wetland plants and those found near the river, as we will border the river in certain parts. We will also find a swamp where we can learn about the ecological life of this environment.
1:00 PM: Lunch.
2:30 PM: In the afternoon, we will visit the waterfall, where we will learn about the formation of lime and the presence of natural salt in certain areas of the forest. Then we will return to the ecolodge to rest.
6:30 PM: Dinner.
8:30 PM: Optionally, we will have the night walk.
Day 3:
6:00 AM: We will explore a different area during bird-watching, looking for various species to add to our observation list.
8:30 AM: Breakfast.
10:00 AM: I suggest taking the River Trail, where we will find a forest with primary trees. During this walk, we will learn about species such as the Caracha Coco and others that inhabit the forest.
1:30 PM: Lunch.
4:30 PM: Free Time
6:30 PM: Dinner.
8:30 PM: Optionally, we will have the night walk.
Day 4:
6:00 AM: We will explore the area near the lodge, where we will increase
our bird list, this time searching in a different habitat.
8:30 AM: Breakfast.
10:00 AM: We will take the tranquil trail where we can see beautiful
landscapes of the cloud forest, a walk of about 2 hours.
1:30 PM: Lunch.
You’ll then begin your return journey back.
- Entrance fee to the protected reserve
- Lodging
- All meals (starting with lunch on arrival day and ending with lunch on departure day)
- Guided hikes and walks with local naturalist guides (up to 3 activities per day).
- During bear season, the package includes a bear watching excursion every day.
- Transportation
- Travel insurance
- Taxes
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tips
- Add-on tours
- Private guides
- Chocolate massages.
Prices are Per Person – 2026
Tours
Included
- Entrance fee to the protected reserve
- Lodging
- All meals (starting with lunch on arrival day and ending with lunch on departure day)
- Guided hikes and walks with local naturalist guides (up to 3 activities per day).
- During bear season, the package includes a bear watching excursion every day.
- Cachillacta Suites: 2 suites, each with a king bed and one twin bed, accommodating up to 4 guests. Each suite has a private balcony with views of the Umachaca River.
- Ayllu Family Cabin: 1 cabin with 2 bedrooms (1 queen bed and 2 twin beds or bunk beds), accommodating up to 6 guests. It features a balcony with hammocks and a kitchenette.
- Tulipe Rooms: 4 rooms with private bathrooms, suitable for 2-3 adults or 1-2 children, with queen and twin beds.
- Umachaca Rooms: 4 rooms with twin beds or bunk beds, accommodating 2-4 adults, with en-suite bathrooms.
Maquipucuna Lodge - Cloudforest Tours
Birding Tour
3 Days – 2 Nights
3 Days – 2 Nights
This immersive birding tour gives you the chance to encounter some of the region’s most iconic species—from vibrant toucans and dazzling tanagers to glittering hummingbirds. Keep your eyes peeled for rare sightings such as the striking plate-billed mountain-toucan and the brilliantly colored scarlet-bellied mountain-tanager . With experienced local guides, early
Cloud Forest Tour
4 Days – 3 Nights
4 Days – 3 Nights
This itinerary is designed to offer a balanced blend of exploration, education, and relaxation. Whether you’re marveling at rare orchids, listening to the calls of howler monkeys, or simply breathing in the fresh mountain air, your time in the cloud forest will leave you with lasting memories and a deeper
