Mindo, Ecuador Lodges and guides?

[marc_felber1]

<p>Would anyone know of any good lodges or hostels in or around mindo that are good for birding that would not break the bank. Also, would anyone know of any good birds guides to use as well. </p>

[rawrainforest]

<p><img src="http://www.brucefarnsworth.com/#a=0&at=0&mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&s=0&p=1" alt="" />The Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge and Reserve is a very affordable option. Their trails can take you far from the lodge and really enjoy the forest. They are very nice people who employ Quito university biology students who know their birds as guides, so it's a good organization to support. They can pick you up in Quito as well, and offer a variety of additional locations and tours at very reasonable rates. I have a photography tour next summer which will begin at Bellavista before we spend five days in Yasuní National Park, hosted by the lowland Quichua community of Añangu. <br /> All the best,<br /> Bruce<br /> http://www.bellavistacloudforest.com/english/index.php<br /> http://www.rawrainforest.com</p>

[rawrainforest]

<p>Just an afterthought Marc...if you are referring to a field guide, your best field guide is The Birds of Ecuador, Vol. 2 by Ridgely, Greenfield and Gill. Buy it before you leave and get a cover/ziploc bag for it. Take care, Bruce</p>

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[marc_felber1]

<p>Hey Bruce, I once went on a tour with a group of guides and the bellavista guides were asking my guides lots of questions they should know. I just for a guide that charges more reasonable rates and a fairly priced lodge. The truth about Bellavista lodge the guy is from England and is known to be firing employees every month from my experience from people in eucador have told me. Just looking for a guide to take me from Mindo to see this reserve at Bellavista. </p>

[greg s]

<p>We stayed at Mindo Gardens, but there weren't a lot of birds in the immediate area (perhaps just unlucky). From Mindo Gardens we hired a guide take us to a 'Cock Of The Rock' lek... was well worth it and we did see some cool birds hiking to/from vehicle to lek.<br>

I'll get back with you regarding some other tips, but I would recommend at least 1 overnight at Bella Vista. The trails are excellent, and your chances of seeing the Plate-Billed Mountain Toucan are very good. Also, they have excellent alpine hummers. -g-</p>

[marc_felber1]

<p>Hey Greg, I was on a day visit to Bella Vista, saw four of the Plate billed mountain toucan up close, but I rather explore more of the Mindo area in Sept. I might consider exploring more of Bella Vista on the way to Mindo to see the torquise Jay and Grass green Tanger, those are the only birds I missed up close. Had no luck at the Lek, was to dark and raining, but the guide I had said to come back in the fall.</p>

[greg s]

<p> "torquise Jay and Grass green Tanger"<br>

Hi Marc, The jays are a sure bet at BL at first light... they come to eat the moths from the previous evening. Have seen GGT's there as well, though they tend to hang around in thick vegetation. Last time we were there we met a couple who had just opened an eco-resort in Mindo. Perhaps that is the one showing up in the google search.<br>

Tandayapa Lodge can be good for hummers and a few other species. Yes, I can understand wanting to explore Mindo more. I think there are more places to stay now. Last trip we went to see he sword-bill hummingbirds at a reserve NW of Quito. They really are there... you have to go ALL the way to the end of the trail, and it can be foggy. :) -g-</p>

[marc_felber1]

<p>What is BL? I seen all types of prices ranges from $400 with guide for four days to $920. It seem the guides are much cheaper out of mindo, then the ones in the Bella Vista area for some reason or another. </p>

[tracey_kidston]

<p>Marc,<br>

I was in Mindo a couple of years ago and stayed at El Monte <a href="http://www.ecuadorcloudforest.com">www.ecuadorcloudforest.com</a> it is run by really great people who are dedicated to conservation. Beautiful place, lots of birds.<br>

If you want a local excellent bird guide contact Rolando Garcia 085 807-004 he is a local rancher that guides and also has a cock of the rock lek on his property with a small blind to photograph the birds displaying. You will have arrive into the blind before sunrise and struggle with getting enough light to take pictures (NO FLASH ALLOWED) but it was the highlight of my trip. You can go to my website and see my images <a href="http://www.traceykidstonphotography.com">www.traceykidstonphotography.com</a><br>

Good luck!</p>

[greg s]

<p>oops, my bad... BL was supposed to be BV for Bella Vista.</p>

[marc_felber1]

<p>Hey Tracey, <br>

I stayed at this place also, but it was raining when I went to see the cock of the rock. I think is the same place on a farm where you hike up a hill for 25 minutes where you can also see other birds on this farm. I had a guide Julie who is one of the best women guides in Mindo. </p>