Spent 2 days at this amazing lodge. Wished I had more time! The entire experience - the food, the observation deck, the rooms, the guided walks - was beyond anything I could have imagined! And I haven’t even mentioned the incredible number of birds we saw …. 120 species in 2 days! But, without a doubt, the highlight of the trip was our guide, Dr. Jorge Cruz! His knowledge and enthusiasm is something to behold. I highly recommend this birdwatching tour for both the birding enthusiast and the casual observer.
I came to Tandayapa after 3 days at the San Jorge Quito lodge. They both have the same excellent service and amenities. Tandayapa was so incredibly beautiful, it was like I was in a glass enclosed tree house. I could sit up on the top veranda all day watching the birds. It is probably the most relaxing and peaceful 2 days I have ever had. Jorge the owner is so full of knowledge and is a fabulous host. The food was excellent, the views amazing and the variety of birds I saw was mind boggling. I can’t recommend this lodge enough, especially if you want peace and relaxation and lots of incredible bird watching!
My two friends and I spent two nights at the Tandayapa Lodge. The rooms were spacious, clean, and had stunning views of the adjacent valley. By the end of the first day we'd seen, at the feeders on or near the balcony, Toucan and Red-headed Barbets (both of which were high on my desiderata list) Violet-tailed Sylph and several other species of hummingbird, and numerous tanagers. There was also a pair of Lyre-Tailed Nightjars roosting on one of the roofs. We spent the first couple of hours of the first morning at the moth blind near the lodge, where we had plenty of action from normally shy forest species. Most of the rest of the day we spent searching for forest birds on the well-maintained trail system with George Cruz and Wilson, one of his well-trained local guides. It was a bit of a workout for seventy-year-olds, but we managed well. Highlights included two species of trogon and a clear view of a roosting Crested Owl. We saw 78 species that day.…
No hesitation at all in rating Tandayapa 5 stars. I have rated the Magic Birding Circle in a separate post and of their properties, Tandayapa was by far our favourite. The lodge itself is very well done - a great viewing deck / restaurant. The trees surrounding the viewing areas are often at canopy level meaning you get great views of the birds such as a nice variety of tanagers, some toucanets and other species. Of course the hummingbirds are regular visitors. The trails are well maintained and give a good option to go off walking in a safe environment. And finally, our room itself had splendid views and was very comfortable. We would have definitely stayed a little longer than the two days with lots to do around the valley itself also. I absolutely recommend this lodge either to stay independently or as part of a tour.…
San Jorge Tandayapa Ecolodge is a luxurious ecolodge set in the cloud forest. Booking is easy through an excellently run efficient USA-based office. Information including what to expect, what closing to bring etc. is comprehensive and A vast variety of humming birds and other bird species is seen. Feeders (nectar, fruit and insect) enable close encounters ideal for photographic and behavioural studies. Rooms are spacious, tastefully decorated, clean with good en-suite bathrooms. Food, accenting local fruits ad vegetables, is abundant, delicious, and beautifully presented by friendly staff. Guides are knowledgeable, keen and personable. Expert photographic assistance is forthcoming to maximize ones efforts to get good photos. Many species are see from the comfort of the lodge balconies but well-groomed safe walking trails abound for the more adventuresome yielding additional species or birds, butterflies, moths, other insects and a few animals. Highly recommended for all guests - especially for more elderly visitors and those physically unable to bound up and down more taxing bush trails. Here, you will get a close look at many bird species giving excellent photographic opportunities from the breakfast table or while sipping an evening cocktail! Staff are experienced, polite, friendly and rapidly resolve any problems that guests may encounter.…
We saw so many colorful hummingbirds, loved it!! The rooms were nice and clean. I recommend! Food was also very good and the view was amazing! You should bring mosquito protection tho. Nothing more to add.
We could have spent all of our time on the deck at Tandayapa observing the birds at the feeders. The overlook into the rain forest below is fantastic with unexpected visits from hawks, kites and flocks of Russet-backed Oropendolas.
A wonderful place to stay. Over 100 life birds and great meals. The view from the deck is amazing and during meals you have to frequently put down your fork to take a picture. It is fun to eat meals with hummingbirds all around.
We enjoyed 3 memorable days at the superb lodge. The staff were welcoming and treated us like family. We enjoyed delicious meals, full catering with four course meals both lunch and dinner, sitting on the terrace outside surrounded by the cloud forest scenery and colorful birds. The endless variety of colorful birds is enough to justify the trip. Even those family members who are less enthusiastic about birds were in awe (photos by my husband, more on instagram @etiennekrugoiseaux) one day we hiked up the mountain ridge in the hope of seeing the spectacled bear, however, sightings are rare and we did not see the bear (although we saw a meter long earthworm which was a first). We also did a night walk to see the frogs and visited the local village. After such a peaceful and rich experience immersed in nature arriving back in Quito was a bit of a culture shock with its hustle and bustle.…
Somehow we'd never made it to the San Jorge Tandayapa, and we're very glad that we finally did. We were picked up promptly in Ecuador for the 2-hour drive to the lodge, where we were greeted kindly and professionally. Our bags were taken right to our rooms, and all we had to do for the rest of our stay was enjoy ourselves. We spent about half our time birding the lodge grounds, the other half on guided trips ably led by Miguel. And eat—we definitely had to eat. The food was well prepared and in extremely generous portions, so much so, in fact, that for our last meal we requested only soup; we were that sated, contentedly sated, after a week of fine food. At times I might have preferred blander options. Our room was spacious, clean, and comfortable, with big windows looking out into the vegetation. Hot water was entirely reliable for showers and handwashing in the large en suite bathroom. The light bulbs in both rooms were quite dim, but we got used to that quickly. Having visited the cloud forest before, we expected rain most afternoons, but only once did we have a shower, and then we simply sought shelter in the dining space qnd watched feeders. Otherwise we had absolutely perfect weather, sunny mornings followed by clouds in the afternoon evening, the views varying with the sky cover from fine to outstanding. All the arrangements worked out perfectly, and we couldn't have been happier in our time there. Thank you!…
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