Santa Lucia Lodge

Overview

Setting

Santa Lucía is a community owned cloud forest reserve and a truly inspirational example of community eco-tourism at its best. The lodge is 100% owned and run by the local community and they will give you a very warm welcome. The lodge has recently built some new very comfortable accommodation (with great views of the forest), and its location on the top of a hill means it has fantastic vistas across the forest…..with a 500 meter climb up the hill it also means we recommend this lodge only for those who are in reasonably good physical condition.

Santa Lucía Cloud forest Reserve is home to an extraordinary diversity of birds with more than 394 species recorded, many of which are endemic to the area such as the Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, the Toucan Barbet, the Beautiful Jay, the Long-wattled Umbrella Bird, the Giant Antpitta and the Moustached Antpitta

Located in the southern part of the Choco Bioregion in north-western Ecuador, recognised as one of the areas of highest biodiversity in the world. Over 80% of Santa Lucía's cloud forest is still in its primary virgin state. The reserve itself contains over 1800 acres of montane cloud forest.

As well as having over 394 species of birds, they also have 45 species of mammals including pumas and the endangered Spectacled Bear; and thousands of tropical plants, native to the region, including an amazing variety of orchids, bromeliads, and other epiphytes.

Making a Difference
In 1976, following a land reform act in Ecuador, a group of local landless campesino (countryside) families bought the land which is now Santa Lucía Reserve. Originally they worked to farm the land, clearing parts of the forest, but then in the 1990’s the community started to look at different ways of making a living from the land, and identified ecotourism which would allow them to protect rather than clear the forest and in 1999 they began to build the lodge and trails with the help from volunteers and other organisations including Rainforest Concern UK and Quest Overseas. It is a mark of Santa Lucía's success that the local community respect the limits of our reserve and there is no hunting or clear-felling in our forest. In addition, through their reforestation programme, with support from volunteers they have planted native trees in twenty hectares of degraded land in the reserve.

In an area of scarce paid employment, they provide jobs and a modest income for our members as well as other local people. Training ensures that local people work at all levels in the organisation and Santa Lucía is truly a community-owned and community-run organisation. They strive to extend benefits to the wider community e.g. through their working practices, environmental education and our volunteer programme. Truly Santa Lucía offers a model, both locally and internationally, of what can be achieved in terms of conservation, sustainable employment and community development by a community-owned organisation.

If you would like any more information or to chat over the details of the trip we would be delighted to help. Telephone 01482 872 716 for more information or email us today.

Facilities

Facilities

The Eco lodge provides a peaceful mountain retreat from the hurry and noise of modern life. The lodge can be reached only on foot, via a hike of approximately 2 hours from the nearest village. The approach to Santa Lucía involves a climb of over 500 meters, so visitors should be in reasonably good physical condition. Backpacks and other heavy bags are brought up by mule back, so that visitors can enjoy the views and birding opportunities along the way. Due to its altitude and position, Santa Lucía enjoys a panoramic view of the surrounding hills and the valleys below, including the nearby villages of Marianitas and Nanegal.

The Lodge is in the heart of the cloud forest on a mountain peak at 1900 metres. Beautifully crafted cabanas with amazing views over the forest have private bathrooms and sleep between two and five people. The lodge sleeps twenty two people in a mix of double and dorm rooms. Bathrooms are shared and in addition to flush toilets the lodge has compost toilets to minimise contamination. The hot showers have particularly spectacular views over the forest. Solar panels provide limited electricity in the lodge only.

Meals combine traditional Ecuadorian and international recipes and where possible they use organic produce from our garden. Guests are always welcome to lend a hand in the garden and kitchen. They are happy to accommodate vegetarian and other special diets.

If you would like any more information or to chat over the details of the trip we would be delighted to help. Telephone 01482 872 716 for more information or email us today.

Birding

Santa Lucia Lodge (Western Andes)

Elevation Private forest reserve ranges 1400 meters to 2600 meters. Lodge itself is at 1900 meters.

Many rare birds can be seen and heard, such as White-faced Nunbird, Giant Antpitta, Moustached Antpitta, Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Wattled Guan, Beautiful Jay, Long-wattled Umbrella Bird, Dark-backed Wood-Quail, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Black-and -Chestnut Eagle and Powerful Woodpecker. In fact the nunbirds can sometimes be seen sitting in the trees by the lodge and the Plate-billed Mountain-Toucans are frequently found feeding in fruiting trees close by.

Some of these birds, including the Dark-backed Wood-Quail, Giant and Moustached Antpittas and the Long-wattled Umbrella Bird, are in danger of becoming extinct.

At the feeders you will see many endemic species of hummingbirds including Empress Brilliant, Brown Inca, Violet-tailed Sylph and Booted Racket-tail. While hiking the trails, look out for many different species of cotingas, parrots, guans, woodpeckers, antthrushes and hawks just to name a few. Over fifty species of tanagers have been observed in huge mixed flocks, among them the rare and beautiful Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager, Black-chinned Mountain -Tanager and the stunning Grass-green Tanager. At higher elevations, the now endangered Beautiful Jay is present. Also on the reserve are several leks including those of the Club-winged Manakin, Golden-winged Manakin, and a very large and active Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek which is a definite must-see.

There are seven species of antpitta residing in Santa Lucía. They are a challenge to find, but with the help of our local guides and some patience, most birders will have good luck. It was only recently that the rare Giant and Moustached antpittas were discovered.

If you would like any more information or to chat over the details of the trip we would be delighted to help. Telephone 01482 872 716 for more information or email us today.