Maquipucuna

The Umachaca River runs below the dining room terrace, where eight species of hummingbird feed throughout the day. Maquipucuna Reserve & Ecolodge sits at 1,280 metres in cloud forest within the Chocó Andino Biosphere Reserve, two hours north of Quito. Nine cabins and two houses occupy the grounds, each supplied with spring water and en-suite bathrooms. A campsite is also available. The dining room serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner prepared by the lodge chefs. Coffee comes from trees cultivated on-site in a demonstration orchard.

Thirty kilometres of trails cross the reserve through secondary and primary forest. Guides lead morning birding walks from six thirty, with torrent ducks visible from the entrance bridge and species such as the lanceolated monklet, Choco toucan, Esmeraldas antbird, and golden-headed quetzal recorded along the trails. Cornell's Global Bird Day logged 184 species here on foot from the lodge. During Pacche tree fruiting season — typically four to ten weeks between July and February — Andean spectacled bears climb to feed on the small avocado-like fruit, often within fifteen minutes' walk of the lodge. Guided night hikes depart after dark to track frogs, bats, and red brocket deer. Day hikes follow a pre-Inca Yumbo trail to waterfalls and natural swimming pools. The orchid garden and butterfly garden sit near the lodge. Rubber boots are provided.