Tandayapa Bird Lodge

Overview

Description

Tandayapa is an Andean cloud forest lodge designed for nature lovers. Everything about the place has this in mind, be it the deck with hummingbird feeders, the outdoor jacuzzi, the many setups for hummingbird photography, or the butterfly feeding area.

This is a place where the staff don’t frown if you need a 4:00 am breakfast. A place where your passion for wildlife and photography is shared by the other guests and staff. A place where you can walk in and see four telescopes, five pairs of binoculars, and a mass of camera gear sitting around, because we’re all relaxed and know that this is "our" place.

Yes, it’s a place where you can see 15 to 20 hummers in a day, a dozen other species passing by the dining room windows over breakfast, and over one hundred species from our balcony alone. Now throw in the canopy deck, the large forest floor feeding hide, our extensive trail system, and easy access to plenty of other nearby sites, and you have the ultimate nature and relaxation-based destination.

Whether you come for the hummingbirds, nature photography, serious birding, botany, or just to relax for a few days, you will find this is the place for experiencing the fantastic Chocó bioregion.

Rooms

Tandayapa has a main building with 12 bedrooms, a large main room, and a spacious balcony nestled within the cloud forest. Most of the rooms are designed so that there is no need to hike between where you sleep and eat. For those looking for more secluded surroundings, there are 3 rooms further away from the main building, where you are truly immersed in the forest.

Twin and double rooms have one double bed, a double bed and a single, or two single beds. The family room has a double bed and a bunk bed. The triple room has three single beds or one double bed and one single bed.

Making a Difference

At Tandayapa Bird Lodge, we are keen to protect the environment and have defined sustainability policies that keep us in line with our mission and vision, which is to improve the management of renewable and nonrenewable resources:

• We are planting trees and reforesting our green areas with native species, ensuring that our ecosystem isn't affected by the introduction of non-native species.
• We work with the Mindo Cloud Forest Foundation on conservation programs.
• We sort the wastes generated at the hotel, separating paper, plastics, organic waste, glass, and metal. Plastic containers are sent to recycling companies in Quito.
• We encourage clients to refill their water bottles in order to reduce consumption of plastic containers.
• We use biodegradable cleaning products and toiletries.
• We have policies for saving water and electricity.
• We invite tourist companies from nearby towns to visit our facilities.
• We encourage tourists to visit local businesses to generate more income in the community.
• The people who work at our lodge are from the local area.

Rates

$101 – $150

Rates are in US dollars and include three meals a day and all taxes:

• Single room (1 person): $126 per night
• Twin or double room (2 people): $213 per night
• Triple room (3 people): $306 per night
• Family room (2 adults & 1 child up to 8 years old): $250 per night

If you are interested in a package that includes guiding and transport, please visit the link below. Keep in mind: bird guides are in high demand, so if you want a professional bird guide, please book well in advance of your trip. Volunteer guides are often available to do morning and afternoon bird walks near the lodge as well.

For information about rates, please visit:

• tandayapabirdlodge.com/reservations/ (available in English).

Getting There

Nearest international airport: Quito (UIO)

Additional Information

Date This Information Was Provided

May 2012.

Photos courtesy of Tandayapa Bird Lodge, Ecuador, for SustainableTrip.org.