The Maquipucuna Reserve is at the heart of the Ecuadorian cloud forest only 50 miles from Quito. The Reserve has around 15,000 acres of primary and secondary forest and is located within the Choco Andean Bioregion.
Climate and wildlife
The reserve incorporates habitats ranging from 4,000 to 9,000 feet above sea level. There at least three different zones can be found: pre-montane humid forest, low-montane humid forest and montane humid forest. Average annual temperature varies between 50º and 90º Fahrenheit and rainfall ranges between 1,500 to 3,000 mm per year, mainly December until April
Cloud forests are so named because their certain relative altitude allows them to catch - and create - clouds that humidify the forest. Constant moisture provides excellent conditions to epiphytes and many other plant species. Cloud forest is also an important source of fresh water and helps to prevent erosion.
Maquipicuna is home to a great variety of species, many of them endangered and/or endemic. There are around 2,000 plant species, more than 349 bird species and more than 50 species of mammals. Residents include toucanets, spectacled bears, armadillos and it houses an active Cock-of-the-Rock Lek.
Maquipicuna Foundation
The Maquipicuna Foundation was established in 1988 as a nonprofit local organization, with the vision of working on biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of natural resources in Ecuador. The Foundation encourages and promotes the participation of local communities in its programs.
The Thomas H. Davis Ecotourism Centre is located in the reserve close to the Umacacha river. It is staffed by friendly people from the local communities, under the management of the Maquipucuna Foundation. It offers a complete service, utilizing the best of local and international recipes and ingredients.
There is also a Research Station that provides basic laboratories and accommodation for 20 scientists, naturalists and volunteers and a Camping area for those who are looking for a deeper contact with nature.
Activities
Your guides will tailor your activities according to what you would like to do. Options include hiking, swimming in rivers and waterfall and mountain biking. Alternatively, there are archaeological site visits to Yumbo (pre-Inca) ruins and trails and bird watching. If you prefer, you can visit sustainable development projects, talk to researchers – or just relax in the hammocks.
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