Ecuador Forest of Clouds is an area of privately owned land in Ecuador. The entire area consists of approximately 700 hectares of extremely rare Montane Cloud Forest (only 3% of all forests in the world are categorised as Cloud Forests) at risk of illegal deforestation and degradation. It is our aim to protect the area and the endemic species within from the drivers of deforestation and degradation, including illegal logging for timber and conversion of forests into farm land, by creating a ecologically sympathetic Eco-Lodge in the heart of the rainforest which can fund our conservation ambitions.
Located in the province of Pichincha, approximately 3.5 kilometres from the town of Mindo and 28 kilometres from the capital city of Quito, Ecuador Forest of Clouds is easily accessible by a global customer base.
The climate is characterised by a dry season that begins in the month of June and a rainy season that starts in November or December. The average temperature in the nearest village, Chiriboga (at the height of 1500 meters), is 19⁰ C with only small fluctuations during the year.
Several rivers drain over a relatively short distance from the western mountains to the Pacific Ocean, including the Cinto, Saloya, Blanco and the Esmeraldas.
Using funds from investment (initially) and the profits from the company, Ecuador Forest of Clouds Eco-Lodge/Eco-Village will employ local people to maintain the lodge and site, therefore distributing funds into the local economy and also educating people about the importance of conservation. Ecuador Forest of Clouds will utilise local knowledge, skills and crafts throughout the project lifespan.
The Cloud Forest is extremely rare and biodiverse, home to many threatened, vulnerable, endangered and critically endangered endemic species. Ecuador Forest of Clouds lies within an area classified as a Biodiversity Hotspot by Conservation International. It is also within the centre of a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) outlined by the Alliance for Zero Extinction. Key Biodiversity Areas help to identify and designate areas of international importance in terms of biodiversity conservation using globally standardised criteria. In addition Ecuador Forest of Clouds lies within an Endemic Bird Area (EBA). This is an area of land identified by BirdLife International as being important for habitat-based bird conservation because it contains the habitats of restricted-range bird species, which are thereby endemic to them.
With this in mind we will highlight these areas to Eco-Tourists by advertising and implementing a conservation aspect to customers stay. This will include nature walks (day and night), Hummingbird feeding stations, a sky tower observation deck above the tree canopy and a percentage of the profits will fund the ongoing conservation of the remaining land/habitat.
Other activities that we could provide would appeal to an Adventure Tourism market; river rafting; historical trekking along the historical "Yumbos" trail; panning for gold; camping in the rainforest etc.
With profits released from the Eco-Lodge/Eco-Village we will also be able to fund academic research into the project area to discover more about the forest, climate and the endemic species that reside within it.
Within the locality there are several similar successful projects in various stages of operation, proving that Eco/Adventure Tourism is a growing and popular market.
Ecuador has seen an influx and increase of tourism over the past few years. This can be attributed to the lower cost of flights, the power of internet marketing, social media, media coverage of global warming and conservation issues.
Tourism in Ecuador can be attributed to several factors; vacation; work; study; international travel; among others. However, increasingly, visitors to a country will attempt to see/experience as much of the country's culture, landscape and history as possible. Ecuador Forest of Cloud's proximity to the capital city and the international airport makes it an ideal location to appeal to tourists wanting a multi-centred/country vacation. The international airport in Quito, Mariscal Sucre International Airport, is the busiest airport in Ecuador and one of the busiest airports in South America. It is located in the Tababela parish, about 18 kilometres (11 mi) east of Quito and serves with an average of over 220 weekly flights.
The world is becoming a smaller place, leaving the more discerning traveller eager to experience previously inaccessible natural wonders combined with the height of luxury. The Ecuadorian Cloud Forest is one of these natural wonders and we aim to provide the luxury experience.
Located in the province of Pichincha, approximately 3.5 kilometres from the town of Mindo and 28 kilometres from the capital city of Quito, Ecuador Forest of Clouds is easily accessible by a global customer base.
The climate is characterised by a dry season that begins in the month of June and a rainy season that starts in November or December. The average temperature in the nearest village, Chiriboga (at the height of 1500 meters), is 19⁰ C with only small fluctuations during the year.
Several rivers drain over a relatively short distance from the western mountains to the Pacific Ocean, including the Cinto, Saloya, Blanco and the Esmeraldas.
Using funds from investment (initially) and the profits from the company, Ecuador Forest of Clouds Eco-Lodge/Eco-Village will employ local people to maintain the lodge and site, therefore distributing funds into the local economy and also educating people about the importance of conservation. Ecuador Forest of Clouds will utilise local knowledge, skills and crafts throughout the project lifespan.
The Cloud Forest is extremely rare and biodiverse, home to many threatened, vulnerable, endangered and critically endangered endemic species. Ecuador Forest of Clouds lies within an area classified as a Biodiversity Hotspot by Conservation International. It is also within the centre of a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) outlined by the Alliance for Zero Extinction. Key Biodiversity Areas help to identify and designate areas of international importance in terms of biodiversity conservation using globally standardised criteria. In addition Ecuador Forest of Clouds lies within an Endemic Bird Area (EBA). This is an area of land identified by BirdLife International as being important for habitat-based bird conservation because it contains the habitats of restricted-range bird species, which are thereby endemic to them.
With this in mind we will highlight these areas to Eco-Tourists by advertising and implementing a conservation aspect to customers stay. This will include nature walks (day and night), Hummingbird feeding stations, a sky tower observation deck above the tree canopy and a percentage of the profits will fund the ongoing conservation of the remaining land/habitat.
Other activities that we could provide would appeal to an Adventure Tourism market; river rafting; historical trekking along the historical "Yumbos" trail; panning for gold; camping in the rainforest etc.
With profits released from the Eco-Lodge/Eco-Village we will also be able to fund academic research into the project area to discover more about the forest, climate and the endemic species that reside within it.
Within the locality there are several similar successful projects in various stages of operation, proving that Eco/Adventure Tourism is a growing and popular market.
Ecuador has seen an influx and increase of tourism over the past few years. This can be attributed to the lower cost of flights, the power of internet marketing, social media, media coverage of global warming and conservation issues.
Tourism in Ecuador can be attributed to several factors; vacation; work; study; international travel; among others. However, increasingly, visitors to a country will attempt to see/experience as much of the country's culture, landscape and history as possible. Ecuador Forest of Cloud's proximity to the capital city and the international airport makes it an ideal location to appeal to tourists wanting a multi-centred/country vacation. The international airport in Quito, Mariscal Sucre International Airport, is the busiest airport in Ecuador and one of the busiest airports in South America. It is located in the Tababela parish, about 18 kilometres (11 mi) east of Quito and serves with an average of over 220 weekly flights.
The world is becoming a smaller place, leaving the more discerning traveller eager to experience previously inaccessible natural wonders combined with the height of luxury. The Ecuadorian Cloud Forest is one of these natural wonders and we aim to provide the luxury experience.