OCELOTS IN THE MIST... IN ECUADOR'S CLOUD FOREST

Lying on the middle slopes of the Andes, between the lowland rainforests and the high Andean peaks, is another of Ecuador's very special ecosystems: the cloud forest. This green, lush land of mists and orchids, fast-flowing mountain streams and fluttering butterflies, is home to an incredibly diverse array of wildlife, and particularly to bird and butterfly species.

In fact, it's a little-known fact that the cloud forest runs the famous Amazon jungle pretty close in terms of diversity, and if you're an orchid-fancier, birder or lepidopterist then this really is the place for you! In contrast to the flatlands of the Amazon basin, the varied terrain in the Cloud Forest makes it much easier to spot birds and butterflies, and easier to get those all-important photos...

As well as birds and butterflies, the cloud forest also offers opportunities to see larger mammals such as ocelots, monkeys, bears, sloths and deer, plus innumerable lizards and amphibians. Many of the species are endemic to specific areas within the cloud forest, where they have evolved to suit specific ecological niches. Today, many of these areas are protected in National Parks like the Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve.

Aside from the nature and wildlife on offer, the geography of the cloud forest makes it a great place to enjoy some adventure activities on your holiday in Ecuador, such as whitewater rafting and kayaking on the swift rivers or trekking through the forest.

Best of all, is that once you have arrived in Quito, all this is really just on your doorstep. A few hours drive down from the high Andes around Quito takes you well into the Cloud Forest, where we work with a large variety of community-owned and sustainably-run lodges deep in the forest itself, so you can visit for just a couple of days, or stay longer and enjoy all the delights of the cloud forest!

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