El Monte

A unique lodge, centrally located in the lush tropical Mindo Cloud Forest just a couple of hours drive from Quito. With sustainable tourism at its heart, El Monte uses a range of measures to protect the forest with low-impact tourism. Simple and elegant in its styling, all materials are locally sourced and the handful of attractive cabanas are dotted along the riverside. Local naturalist guides help you learn about the history and culture of the area, and also point out the seemingly endless list of birds, medicinal plants and exotic orchids. Golden-headed Quetzal, Pale-Mandibled Aracari and Choco Toucan can be seen regularly from El Monte. A Spanish speaking guide is included, but we can arrange for an English guide or for translation. Not for the faint-heated, you arrive in the remote lodge by tarabita or a hand pulled cable car to take you deep into the Mindo-Nambillo protected reserve.