Best hotels in The Cloud Forest

In the magical-sounding Chocó-Andean Cloud Forest, Mashpi Lodge sits 3,117-feet above sea level, providing a sanctuary in the heart of the jungle. Not a single tree was removed during its construction and this verve for conservation is evident throughout. However, Mashpi Lodge is no rustic treehouse and the walls of glass and steel and minimalist interiors are sleek and stylish. Excitingly, the Mashpi Reserve is a bastion of discovery, with a number of new frog and orchid species spotted in recent years - and you'll get to learn all about this incredible biodiversity and the new discoveries on forest walks with the in-house naturalist.

With its roofs of bamboo and thatch, open-air lounges and lush, green surrounds, El Monte is every inch the eco-lodge. Your arrival by tarabita (a hand-pulled cable car) is as scenic as they come, not to mention that you'll be traversing the Mindo-Nambillo Reserve, known for its magnificent birds; you'll find everything from the Choco toucan to the bright orange Cock-of-the-rock and you haven't even reached the lodge! Hidden away from the world, the peace and quiet at El Monte is superlative, with plenty of places to curl up and relax or hear stories from local Mindo guides. But there's a good dose of adventure too, from tubing down the Rio Mindo to horseback rides through the forest.

What began as 57 hectares of land has blossomed into a 700-hectare reserve that protects the wildlife of Ecuador's Cloud Forest. In fact, this area has become one of the most fruitful birding spots around, and plate-billed mountain toucan, startling potoo and iridescent hummingbirds are all on the list of special sightings. But back to the lodge. Almost entirely built from polished wood, Bellavista blends almost completely into its surrounds and every room frames the view perfectly. Wake with the proverbial larks to catch the sunrise as the mist departs Tandayapa Valley, leaving behind an emerald landscape to explore - and you'll want to do plenty of that!

The Tandayapa Bird Lodge is located in the Andean Cloudforest and it is a lodge designed for nature lovers. Within the heart of the best Ecuador birding areas, Tandayapa Bird Lodge will make your bird watching and photography experience an unforgettable one!