The cloud forest is a quite different environment from the in the Amazon.  Temperatures are much more comfortable reaching about 18^oC during the day.  The trees are shorter and bearded in mosses, bromeliads and orchids.  There is a great variety of hummingbirds in these forests and the plant life is much more varied at eye level than lowland rainforest.   You also have the benefit of spectacular views of mountains cloaked in forest.

The area we focus on is the Pacific-facing slopes of the Western Andes in areas in and around Rainforest Concern’s Awacachi Corridor.  This area is part of the Tropical Andes – the most biologically diverse part of the planet.  We can arrange private day trips to these areas from Quito which, depending upon where you want to go and what you want to do, will cost between £70 - £110 per person using our expert guides and private transport.  You might want to consider longer than this staying at one of the country’s excellent haciendas and / or a cloud forest lodge.  Below is an example 3 day trip which combines the best of Ecuador’s Andes and the Cloud Forests.  It incorporates a private horseback ride in the Cotopaxi National Park beneath the world’s highest active volcano, an overnight stay at an Andean hacienda, before joining a small guided group visit to the cloud forest.

Day 1

You will be collected from your hotel in the morning and driven to the western Pacific facing cloud forests of north western Ecuador.

Here you will join others to explore some of Latin America’s most spectacular cloud forests sitting between Mindo and the southern end of Rainforest Concern’s Choco-Andean Rainforest Corridor.  The birdlife in this area is extremely diverse with hummingbirds providing some of the most easily viewed life.
(L,D)

Day 2

Further guided trekking in the cloud forests.

In the afternoon we will send a driver for a private transfer up into the Andes to a hacienda situated within the Cotopaxi National Park and in the heart of the Avenue of the Volcanoes.
(B,L,D)

Day 3

After breakfast you will go horse riding close to the volcanic peak of Ruminahui whose peak lies below the snow-capped Cotopaxi.  Cotopaxi is the highest active volcano in the world.

Private transfer back to Quito. (B,L)

Price £395 per person sharing. Single supplement £135 Price includes 1 night accommodation in cloud forest lodge 1 night accommodation in Andean hacienda All transfers Join in small group visit to cloud forests Private horseback ride in the Andes Meals as specified Price excludes Cotopaxi National Park entry fee ($10**) Activities not specified Insurance Drinks Tips **correct at time of writing

Photographs kindly provided by Rainforest Concern, Luis Hernandez, Ralph Pannell, Marcelo Meneses, FUNEDESIN