Western Slopes to the Pacific Coast - Adventure Guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - page 247

Upstairs are five adjacent triple rooms with balconies and private
baths. The upper level consists of a circular dorm-style room, with a
shared bath and hot water. There are also separate cabin-style ac-
commodations with multiple rooms that can be rented out to larger
groups or as individual rooms. Delicious meals are cooked using or-
ganically grown vegetables. Camping facilities are available at a
lower price, and several miles of trails provide ample opportunity to
explore the surrounding forest. The lodge is near theMindo-Nambillo
Forest Reserve.
Reservations can be made through tour operators in Quito or direct.
Call for the best directions to the lodge, as the best route depends on
road conditions at the time. Driving on the Puerto-Quito Highway
north of the city, pastMitad del Mundo and toward the coast, turn left
at the bridge -Km32 - just before the small town of Nanegalito. Head
up the gravel road to Tandayapa and drive on through the village un-
til you see the signs at the top of the ridge. Alternately, take the old
road to Mindo via Tandayapa. $$$-$$$$.
The visitor's center at El PahumaOrchidReserve offers a wonder-
ful retreat near Quito (see Eco-Travel page 40).
TinalandiaHotel is at Casilla 8, Santo Domingo de los Colorados,
2-2449-028, fax [phone], www.tinalandia.net, tinaland@ramy.
com. Heading west on the road to Santo Domingo a few miles before
the city, turn left at the stone sign for Tinalandia - the stone is on the
right side of the road. This accommodation is one of the oldest reputa-
ble ecolodges in Ecuador. The lodge abuts the Río Toachi and an an-
cient nine-hole golf course and pocket of forest that is known for its
birding opportunities. Situated at around 2,000 feet above sea level,
the comfortable accommodations are near several hundred acres of
relatively undisturbed premontane wet forest. The original owner of
the modern facility, Tina Garzon, transformed the grounds to accom-
modate nature lovers when she first arrived many years ago. Her son
now operates the hotel and has continued to upgrade the facilities
and promote local research and environmental education. Activities
include hiking, horseback riding, swimming, rafting (through a local
outfitter) and less-than-world-class golf, with world-class birding on
the side.
Cabins and private rooms are spread across the grounds and all in-
clude electricity, private baths, and hot showers. The staff is friendly
and helpful, offering a real extended-family atmosphere. Many
guests, especially birders, return often to enjoy the solace and the