San Isidro Lodge: A Gateway to the Cloud Forest
Location & Activities
Cabañas San Isidro Lodge and Cloud Forest Reserve is just two hours from Quito’s airport, nestled between two national parks at 2,000m altitude. Located in the Quijos Valley, a headwater of the Amazon. Guests can enjoy cuisine, cooking classes, forest trails, mammal watching, birding, and archaeology.
History & Conservation
Founded over 50 years ago by Quito native Simon Bustamante, the lodge remains largely untouched by farming. Today, his daughter Carmen and her husband Mitch Lysinger run it and lead the Napo Andean Forest Foundation, dedicated to protecting additional forest land. The Foundation works with World Parks and Fundación Jocotoco to conserve the area.
Accommodation & Amenities
San Isidro features 13 en-suite rooms with private verandas, coffee makers, and hummingbird feeders. Guests can relax in extensive gardens, the cozy main house, or the Mirador lounge. Amenities include Wi-Fi, a pool table, a TV room, book exchange, and laundry service.
Birding & Wildlife
San Isidro has well-maintained forest trails and boasts 330 bird species, including highland tinamou, Inca jay, and smoky bush-tyrant. Its hummingbird garden hosts 18 resident or seasonal species, from violetears to coronets. Other wildlife includes night monkeys, kinkajous, spectacled bears, wild cats, and black agoutis.
San Isidro is the perfect retreat for nature lovers and birdwatchers alike.
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