Cloud Forest, Ecuador

Cloud Forest

An hour and a half north of Quito stands a moss and vine draped, mist shrouded, primeval cloud forest. Spilling over with lush vegetation, find epiphytes, bryophytes, mosses and lichens clinging to the trunks and branches of the trees.

Hummingbird, Mindo, Ecuador
Cloud Forest, Ecuador

Amongst this web of flora from the forest floor to the canopy, including thousands of varieties of orchid, there is a rich variety of insects, reptiles, mammals and birds. Due to the mountainous terrain, views through the trees can be beautiful over the canopy top.

Cycle through the Cloud Lodge on Mashpi Lodge’s sky bike, or riding the 2 km gondola, through and over the cloud forest canopy affords you a bird’s eye view of this biodiverse wonderland, over waterfalls and treetops alongside toucans and hummingbirds.

Experiences

Tell us what you love doing and we’ll curate a journey that’s perfect for you.

Need Inspiration?
Browse our Ecuador holiday ideas.

Our Ecuador experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Mashpi Lodge £££££

  • Ecuador
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Seamlessly blending lush jungle with an urban comfort, Mashpi Lodge is an exclusive Cloud Forest hideaway situated on a scenic plateau that overlooks distant forested mountains and up-close untamed foliage. A stunningly contemporary piece of architectural design, the lodge offers 22 rooms that aim to immerse guests in the striking landscape through the use of sweeping floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows.

View Property

Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge £££££

  • Ecuador
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Set within nearly 2000-acres of private reserve in Ecuador’s cloud forest, Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge is a base for adventure and exploration. Offering a unique stay above the forest canopy, the lodge is comprised of a selection of accommodation options from camping and mountain-view rooms to forest-view bamboo houses and geodesic domes.

View Property

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Paul Bird

From quaint Andean villages and colourful markets to staggering volcanic landscapes and the Amazon Rainforest, Paul has explored the length and breadth of Ecuador.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

John Faithfull

John rode the railways of Ecuador on the carriage roof before it was outlawed, but still recommends a jaunt along the Devil’s Nose – an engineering marvel that can still be enjoyed from inside a carriage.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Roxy Dukes

My specialist areas are the Americas and polar regions, where I’ve formed lasting connections with both the land and its people. Known for bringing these wild places to life, I design immersive programmes that go beyond the ordinary, helping my clients to connect with nature in a deep and meaningful way.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Contact Us

Start planning your trip


Send us an enquiry

Complete our enquiry form and start your next journey.

Review Contact Form

Name(Required)

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

Are you ready to Discover Extraordinary?


More about Steppes