Maquipucuna Reserve: A Beacon of Light in the Chocó-Andino Bioregion
Maquipucuna Reserve is a rainforest reserve located in the Chocó-Andino bioregion of Ecuador. The reserve has been dedicated to conservation for over three decades, and it is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life, including endangered species such as the Andean bear.
I had the opportunity to visit Maquipucuna Reserve a few years ago, and I was absolutely blown away by its beauty and diversity. The reserve is home to over 400 species of birds, 60 species of mammals, and 2,000 species of plants. I was able to see a wide variety of wildlife during my visit, including toucans, hummingbirds, monkeys, sloths, and even a jaguar!
In addition to its stunning natural beauty, Maquipucuna Reserve is also a great place to learn about conservation. The reserve offers a variety of educational programs, including guided hikes, birdwatching tours, and night walks. I learned a lot about the importance of conservation during my visit, and I left feeling inspired to do my part to protect the environment.
If you are looking for a truly unique and unforgettable travel experience, I highly recommend visiting Maquipucuna Reserve. It is a truly special place, and I know you will not be disappointed.
Here are some of the things I loved about Maquipucuna Reserve:
The stunning natural beauty The diversity of wildlife The educational programs The friendly and knowledgeable staff The peaceful and relaxing atmosphere If you are planning a visit to Maquipucuna Reserve, here are a few tips:
Go during the dry season ( June-September ) to avoid the rain. Bring binoculars and a camera to get a closer look at the wildlife. Wear comfortable shoes for hiking. Be prepared for the altitude. Maquipucuna is located at an altitude of 2,500 meters, so you may experience some altitude sickness. I would love to go back to Maquipucuna Reserve someday. It is a truly special place, and I know I would have an even better experience the next...
Read moreMy friend and I stayed here in November and absolutely loved it. My friend is in their 70's and I'm in my 30's. I loved the bear treks, but my friend a harder time keeping up. If hiking isn't your thing don't let that stop you from going. There are plenty of self guided trails for you to enjoy at your own pace. The lodge is magical. Hummingbirds galore and you get to enjoy watching them while you eat the delicious food prepared by the lodge. The dining area and all of the lodge, accept your room, is open air. It is fantastic.
Mauricio and all of the trail guides were amazing. I was able to see the spectacled bear three different times. Along with toucans, a Quetzal and so much more. They were always pointing out things a long the way.
Lori is an amazing host and also took us on a really fun night hike to find bioluminescence. Again, magical! She made sure all our needs were accommodated. Liking making sure we had fresh laundry before we headed to Quito. Thank you so much for being so warm and welcoming. We truly loved our stay.
I'd like to give a final thank you to Angel. He was our transportation to and from Quito. We couldn't have had a better driver for the two hour trip. He helped me with my terrible Spanish and made it fun:)
If you love nature, good food and good people this is a place you shouldn't miss. I hope I get the chance to...
Read moreDon’t hesitate to book a stay here. We stayed for a couple of nights and would happily stay a month! Everything is incredible. Isobel could not have been more welcoming, kind and helpful. All of the guides and staff we encountered were excellent. We arrived at 10AM and were fortunate enough to go straight into our first tour. We loved each hike we did, especially the night hikes with Isobel and Andreas. We saw so many different cool creatures but our highlights were four species of toucan, a kinkajou, Andean cock-of-the-rock and some awesome fireflies. The lodge itself is beautiful with many trails. We loved swimming in the river. A particular shout out to Andreas for jumping in the river with the kids—that was a highlight for them. The lodge is set in the middle of the cloud forest and feels like a magical treehouse. We loved the two hammocks for our room and the swings are also fun. Every meal is delicious, healthy and filling. Everyone was super attentive with drinks and offering more food. We cannot speak highly enough of this wonderful place and would...
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