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San Isidro Lodge

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San Isidro Lodge is a small family-friendly lodge enveloped in cloud forest in the Andes of Ecuador, with opportunities for wild-life spotting. 

San Isidro Lodge is nestled in the valley of the river Quijos, one of the westernmost headwaters of the Amazon, just two hours’ drive from Quito Airport. It sits at an elevation of 2,050m above sea level in a hilly zone still mostly blanketed by humid cloud forest. The property was originally founded as a cattle farm and was later converted into a birding lodge dedicated to the conservation and preservation of the montane forest environment. Although the lodge has undergone many upgrades since its initial opening, meaning it is now far more comfortable than an average birding lodge, conservation is still at the heart of everything that happens there.

Wildlife is prolific in the vicinity of the lodge and whilst no sightings can ever be guaranteed, guests may spot mammals such as tapirs, monkeys, ant-eaters and even spectacled bears. Bird watching remains the main attraction here though, with 20 walking trails into the forest (created by the local community) providing superb opportunities for spotting a variety of species. There are also plenty of other facilities and activities at the lodge including an outdoor thermal pool, board games, cooking lessons and painting.

The rooms are spread between a number of cabanas throughout the grounds and whilst they vary in size, shape and design, all have private bathrooms and Wi-Fi and most have a private balcony and large windows with views out over the tightly forested, crinkly hills beyond. The restaurant, which serves Ecuadorian dishes using locally sourced ingredients, also has stunning views and is frequently visited by hummingbirds. Included excursions (birdwatching, hiking and canoeing) are all offered on a shared basis – with other hotel guests – using a local (Spanish speaking) guide, so hiring an additional English-speaking guide is usually recommended (must be pre-booked).

Bartolome, Galápagos

What our clients say

  • Highlight?: The Napo Lodge experience.   It exceeded our expectations and we were very lucky to have dry weather.

    HB, Todmorden Aug 2018
  • It was all brilliant, we expected the Galapagos to be the highlight, but all the other trips were as good in different ways. All the Ecuadorians encountered at hotels, restaurants,…

    AH, Eastleigh Sep 2011
  • Ecuador was a fantastic adventure: welcoming friendly people, beautiful landscapes and amazing wildlife. To fit in two cities, the Andes, the Amazon, the cloud forest and the Galapagos Islands into…

    GE, Glasgow Jun 2012
  • Ecuador Highlights: Seeing hummingbirds & humpback whales, summiting the Pasochoa peak with Kristian, Quilotoa Volcano Lake, Quito cable car ride, the Las Cajas Park walks with Wilson. 

    PJR Aug 2011
  • Two parts: Seeing cotopaxi and the surrounding area for the first time, and stepping off the boat onto floreana and having to avoid sea lions and iguana, magical.

    HT, Conwy Nov 2014
  • Everyone was very concious of preserving water and not littering - it seems part of everyday life in Ecuador

    KK, Belfast Dec 2010
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Our Expert's Opinion

Kathryn
Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Expert

Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.

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Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Heloise
    Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert

    Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

  • Chris
    Chris Rendell-Dunn - Travel Expert

    Anglo-Peruvian Chris grew up in Lima and spent much of his adult life in between London and Cusco as a tour leader, before settling permanently in our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours sales team.

  • Finn Clennett
    Finn Clennett - Travel Expert

  • Lina
    Lina Fuller - Travel Expert

    Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.

  • Mary
    Mary Anne Nelson - Travel Expert

    Born in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, Mary’s insider knowledge and dry sense of humour make her a highly valued member of the Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tour sales team.

  • Sallly
    Sally Dodge - Travel Expert

    A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.

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