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El Monte Lodge

Customer Ratings
This is a Satisfaction Rating based on our own customer feedback

  • 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, and there's a natural swimming pool fed by the river which flows past the lodge’s six thatched two-storey cabins.

These follow a traditional indigenous design and look very much at home within the spectacular surrounding cloud-forest, alive with the movement and song of the area's abundant bird population. The main lodge is powered by solar panels while there is only modest  electricity in the guestrooms; candles, after dark, add to the magical sense of escape from the modern world. There's a bar, lounge and games area within the giant, open-sided cedar wood main lodge, cosily kitted out with sofas, hammocks and two open fire pits. This is also the setting for set meals (no red meat) prepared using produce from the lodge's own garden.

Bartolome, Galápagos

What our clients say

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

    KS Southampton
  • "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
  • 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
  • Lovely place to finish our holiday. If only we had another day there!

    TC, St Albans
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Our Expert's Opinion

Even the arrival here is dramatic, being pulled across the river by rope and pulleys on a swing (don't worry there's more than enough room for you and your luggage). Once there the grounds offer a unique insite into the unique eco system of the cloud forest with plenty of trails to explore and discover.

Jamie Swan
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..

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Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

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  • 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.

  • Millie
    Millie Davies - Travel Expert

    Having caught the travel bug as a child, Millie has travelled all over Latin America before making her home in Buenos Aires for 3 years.

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    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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Sophie
    Sophie Barber - Travel Expert

    Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.

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