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El Monte Lodge

  • El Monte Lodge
  • El Monte Lodge
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Rustic, eco-friendly lodge in a remote nature reserve, with an emphasis on simple and sustainable living combined with comfort and attractive contemporary style.

The rustic, eco-friendly El Monte Lodge is set on the Río Mindo within a lush private nature reserve. It places an emphasis on its simple and sustainable living, and has a distinct air of remoteness – even reaching the property is an adventure, entailing a memorable river crossing via a wooden swing operated by ropes and pulleys.

Once within the grounds, an idyllic scene unfolds: the main lodge with its dramatic pitched roof is surrounded by lustrous, mist-shrouded greenery, dissected by the river which flows past the lodge’s six thatched cabins.

These follow a traditional indigenous design and look very much at home within the surrounding cloud-forest, alive with the movement and song of the area’s abundant bird population. The lodge is powered by solar panels and hydroelectricity. There’s a bar, lounge and games area within the giant, open-sided cedar wood main lodge, cosily kitted out with sofas and two open fire pits. This is also the only area to get Wi-Fi and the setting for set menu meals (no red meat), prepared using produce from the lodge’s own garden

Bartolome, Galápagos

What our clients say

  • "The owners of El Monte were most welcoming. The lodge was run on the most positive ecological lines and the simple cooking delicious.”

    JH, Chester Nov 2013
  • Wonderful place and setting. An extra night would have been better....As it was, we saw little of El Monte as we had to leave at 5am next day. This was…

    MP, Hemel Hempstead Nov 2016
  • Lovely place to finish our holiday. If only we had another day there!

    TC, St Albans Oct 2016
  • Wonderful retreat in such peaceful surroundings. Food is superb and hosts very genuine, friendly people committed to their business.

    KS Southampton Jan 2015
  • Accessed by a rope-drawn seat across a river, El Monte is a fabulous eco-lodge set in lovely grounds. The owner, Tom, is extremely helpful and great company. The food is…

    JB, Newcastle Apr 2019
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Our Expert's Opinion

Jamie
Jamie Swan - Product & Marketing

Jamie backpacked across Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and Brazil before joining us; he has a degree in politics and is also a keen sportsman..

Papagaio

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Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Ben
    Ben Line - Travel Expert

    Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.

  • 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.

  • JLA
    Julia Golden - Travel Expert

    Julia’s passion for Latin America was sparked during an unforgettable year-long journey that began in Brazil and continued all the way to Mexico. Along the way, she experienced the continent in many different ways, from vibrant cities and remote villages to breathtaking landscapes and hidden natural wonders. Exploring such a diverse range of destinations gave her a deep appreciation for the region’s cultures, people and scenery, and inspired her love of creating memorable travel experiences for others.

  • Finn Clennett
    Finn Clennett - Travel Expert

  • Hannah
    Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert

    Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.

  • Hannah
    Hannah Donaldson - Travel Expert

    Having spent part of her childhood in Colombia and worked in Brazil and Costa Rica, Hannah's ties to Latin America run deep. Hannah is a much valued Travel Expert in our Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tours sales team.

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