Maquipucuna Lodge 3D

Our shuttle will pick you up from main hotels in Quito between 7 and 7:30 am. We take the highway north of Quito, passing the Equator Monument and Latitude 0, and then we climb over the pass and from here on, it's downhill. Enjoy the changing views from dry landscapes to stunning virgin lush cloudforests of Maquipucuna. Experience the classic example of a "rain shadow"effect created by the Andes on the moist air masses coming from the Pacific. The drive lasts about 2 hours from Quito. Check-in to Maquipucuna Lodge, receive the welcome talk and get fitted with rubber boots and prepare yourself for an introduction trek on one of our various trails.

Before lunch: We will take a guided short walk to learn about some of Maquipucuna's forest medicinal and useful plants. Do you have a cut on your finger? There is a natural Neosporin-like plant for that. Interested in a natural bug repellent? Or, in preventing baldness? It’s all here. Also, find out where novel plants, such as the lengua de la suegra (tongue of mother-in-law), get their names. The medicinal properties of Maquipucuna plants are endlessly fascinating. You will run out of time before you run out of plants, and those are only some of the ones we are already aware of.

After lunch: We will walk through part of the Palmito, River and Main trails in search of Spectacled bears or their traces. A moderate hike through Secondary and some Primary Forest. The most incredible birding and wildlife can be expected along this hike Emblematic birds such as the Lanceolated Monklet, the Choco Toucan, the Esmeraldas Antbird, the Guayaquil Woodpecker, various species of raptors, and the occasional Cock-of-the-rock are possible to see along this trail. This trail can be thought of as a journey through the progression of forest regeneration. Secondary Forest is a forest that is in the process of regeneration due to the deforestation of the past. Primary Forest is forest that has not been harvested. One of the tree species characteristic of a regeneration forest is a tree from the Lauraceae family, known locally as Pacche. When in season, these trees carry in abundance a mini avocado type of fruit. This is the fruit responsible for attracting unusually high numbers of bears yearly. One can see several individuals feeding on the top of the Pacche trees as close as 15 minutes away from the lodge. A local guide is essential during Spectacled Bear season.

Wake up to the calls of a concert of birds and get ready for an early start. After enjoying a cup of our own freshly brewed coffee, we have the first birding hike from 6:30 - 8:30 am to enjoy the sounds and sights of dawn in the forest – which is when most birds are active and calling.
Before lunch: We will take the Humedal trail learning further about plants and watching birds as we progress into the the pre-Inca trail used by the Yumbos. As a reward, we will reach the Yumbo waterfall or swimmming hole where you will have the opportunity to take a swim.
After lunch: Visit the coffee orchard, the orchid garden and the organic garden. Then, at the coffee house learn what it takes to process great coffee.

Wake up at 5, enjoy a cup of our own freshly brewed coffee to attend the mating ritual of the cock-of-the rock (Visit to the Lek will be offered in August 2017). The hike to the lek takes 45 min, so we must leave by 5:15 to get on time for this spectacular natural show which starts promptly at 6 am and lasts about 1 hr. Then we go back to the lodge and on the way, we birdwatch further arriving for breakfast at around 8 am.
Before lunch: you may chose to explore additional more demanding trails, a break by the waterfall for a refreshing dip and check check out before taking lunch at the Lodge, or alternatively you can book to partake in activities outside Maquipucuna.
Leave for Quito after lunch.