Trips

Lodging for Umbrellabird Site

February 11, 2012 by Renato 4 Comments

The closest site to Quito to reliably see the Umbrellabird is Recinto 23 de Junio covered by Corey here and also written by me: here and here.  Now the humble Ajila family has made a great effort and built a brand new small cabaña where you can stay the night before.

I stayed there with six other birders and it was very clean and comfortable.  The food was also very good; I encourage anyone to visit this wonderful place and demand from you tour operator to see the Umbrellabird at 23 de Junio and
to stay with Luis Ajila.

I honestly believe that such effort has to be rewarded with your stay.   Their rate is $40 per person and includes lodging, dinner and breakfast.  Also includes a guide to see the Umbrellabird and a few other great birds that Luis will find you until noon.

This place is the grand prize for my conservation efforts to convince people like Luis Ajila that there is
a reason to conserve the forest and that a way of life can be achieved through sustainable eco-birding-tourism.

Here are a couple of shots of the place:

Lunch Room

Bedroom

For more information visit the Cabañas Umbrellabird Lodge.

Written by Renato
Renato was born in Quito, Ecuador and quickly flew to the USA to learn all about engineering and climbing company ladders. After getting his engineering degree from the University of Minnesota he worked in the Standard-American-Rat-Race-Company for fifteen years. After climbing the ladder to where he could no longer see the ground, he decided to jump off the ladder and migrate south like all normal birds do. To his surprise home did not look like it did when he left as a young fledgling; the towns were bigger, most of his friends had nests of their own, and the countryside was changed. Shocked by all the change he searched for a new life and a new wife. He stumbled across a vivacious young chick who would accompany him inside a volcanic crater to set up a love nest. So, after eight years of nesting inside the crater a new love for nature and birds has sprung a career in environmental conservation and birding tours. Finally this bird has come home to roost!