The cloud forests of Ecuador are some of the most highly diverse and magical places on the planet. The name tends to give away only a partial description of what you will encounter once you reach the heights of the cloud forest, normally 2000 meters above sea level.

Found in the western foothills of the Andes mountain range facing the Pacific Ocean up and down Ecuador, the cloud forest is home to a unique phenomenon where the high peaks of the Andes prevent incoming clouds to pass over the range, thus creating an abundance of precipitation in the areas just before these high mountain tops.

What does this mean for the areas on the edges of these mountains? Water, water and more water. During the rainy season from May to November, visitors awake to lovely dewy mornings and are able to hike, ride and explore the diverse terrain of the area. Almost without fail the afternoon will arrive with a pleasant downfall and the unforgettable musty smell of the living, breathing forest.

Santa Lucia, just 80km Northwest of Quito will awe and inspire with 394 species of birds, 45 species of mammals including Puma and Spectacled Bear and an astonishing variety of tropical plants such as Orchids, Bromeliads and Epiphytes.

A trip to Santa Lucia is easily coordinated with the their staff via email or telephone. This and much more information can be found at by contacting Santa Lucia directly.