Western Slopes to the Pacific Coast - Adventure Guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - page 239

Bellavista , one of the highest cloud forest reserves on the western
slopes, is set atop a magnificent ridge that overlooks a breathtaking
expanse of steeply ridged and often misty forest. From the lodge,
nearly a dozen trails provide self-guided and locally guided access
into the steep hillsides that make up the reserve. Catch a dawn or
dusk hike and you will be amply rewarded, sighting many of the 320
bird species known to live here. And back at the ranch, the views are
spectacular when the clouds lift.
Maquipucuna Reserve is even larger than Bellavista and includes
a broader elevation range, from 9,156 feet at its high point down to
3,924 feet above sea level. As one would expect, there is even more
species diversity and change in ecological life zones here. In fact,
Maquipucuna and its adjacent protected lands are home to the en-
dangered spectacled bear, in addition to offering miles of self- and
locally-guided trails. Upon pre-arranged arrival, you can obtain self-
guide maps to the reserve, catering not only to butterfly-chasing chil-
dren and those wanting a relaxing stroll, but also to the avid hiker
looking for a good workout.
Adjacent to Maquipucuna is the Mindo-Nambillo Protected For-
est , the largest of the reserves in this area. Unlike Maquipucuna,
however, it is a patchwork of private land and government-held par-
cels, with the village of Mindo as gateway. MindoNambillo is more of
a lodge-based destination. Trails lead into Mindo-Nambillo from the
nearby village of Mindo, but if you intend to really explore the wilder-
ness, it's best to hire a guide. In the reserve and on the trails, birds
(like the brilliant cock-of-the-rock) and butterflies steal the show, al-
though howler monkeys also call this area home and can be heard - if
not seen - at dawn. Bosque Protector Mindo-Nambillo, which pro-
tects over 49,000 acres of forest, is one of the best examples of an in-
tact contiguous ecosystem along Ecuador's western slopes. The
region is renowned for birding opportunities.
See Eco-Travel , page 240-42, for directions and details on these re-
serves, as well as the Where to Stay section for a description of the ac-
commodations. Other reserves provide opportunities for the hiker,
birder, and general nature enthusiast, but they cater more toward
environmental education, science and research. They are described
in full in the Eco-Travel section, below.