Guango Lodge – Ecuador

About

Guango Lodge is located near the paramo and hot springs of Papallacta, Ecuador, in the middle of forest-covered mountains. It is the #1 lodge in Papallacta. It is a sustainable lodge and employs the local people to work there and also be bird guides for bird photography. Guango Lodge joined with Cabanas San Isidro Lodge in taking training courses in conservation to help the local area. The training guide has also helped both lodges produce some of the best guides in the area. Both lodges also help the community by donating electronics to schools. The lodge offers 7 double rooms and one single room. Though they are small, they are comfortable, and many visitors are not coming for a luxury hotel experience – they are coming for the birds! The lodge is a major hot spot for bird photography. It boasts the chance to see at least 14 hummingbirds within an hour. There are even feeders available near each room to attract hummingbirds for some great bird photography. Guango lodge has beautiful orchid gardens that attract unique and colorful birds as well. As of 2009, there were at least 135 confirmed species at the lodge, with a few additional rarities that come and go. As of this year, there are likely many, many more. One of the key birds to see here is the Long-tailed Sylph. Some other highlighted birds here are the White-necked Jacobin, White-booted Racket-tail, Pale-mandibled Aracari, and the Andean Tit-spinetail. Owen traveled to Guango Lodge in September 2012.

Birds found here