NOW OPEN, Wildsumaco Lodge
at Wildsumaco Wildlife Sanctuary
Without any doubt, I think Wildsumaco is the best birding lodge I've stayed at in Ecuador...PH Wow! is this place great or what? JA Someone finally got it right.. the lodge is gorgeous - setting & infrastructure & food & lighting - I can read in my room! CV. Great place for good old fashion neotropical birding! PS. My 9th trip to Ecuador since 1975.
This is the most outstanding destination yet! - birds, best trails, best accommodation, best hosts. FJA Excellent, well-planned, well-run-wonderfully-hosted operation. Don't leave Ecuador without visiting. MM The place is so comfortable, so friendly, the trails superb, and the birds staggeringly wonderful! FW. The best showers in Ecuador! PVL. Finally a lodge in this altitude belt of eastern Ecuador - and what a lodge! I'll be back. KE. What a marvelous and ambitious set of goals, from restoration to preservation and research. BH. Wow!
Wildsumaco Lodge was built with you, a birder and outdoor enthusiast, in mind. We know that at the end of a day on the trails, you want plenty of good food, a quiet, comfortable room, a private bathroom with a hot shower, outlets to recharge your electronics, and space to spread out your books and birding gear. You'll find this and more at Wildsumaco Lodge.
At day's end, you can take a hot shower and head over to the dining area, relax on the deck or in the sitting room and bar. If the weather turns rainy or cool, our fireplace will warm you. The perfect place for groups to review their bird lists, our dining room, sitting area and bar are well lit and comfortable.
We feature home-style cooking from around the world, and 3 meals a day are included in our rates. Soft drinks, wine, beer, and bar drinks are available.
Set on a ridge in the Andes' Eastern Foothills, Wildsumaco Lodge has panoramic views reaching across the Rio Pucuno Valley and to the Andes beyond. On clear days the distant snow-covered heights of El Altar, Tungurahua, and Antisana Volcanoes glow white against the blue sky. North of the lodge is Sumaco National Park, and often the volcano Sumaco can be seen peeking through the clouds and mist surrounding its heights.
From other parts of our reserve you can look out south and east to Napo Galeras National Park, and let your eyes and imagination wander to the far-off Amazonian lowlands spreading out beyond. Wildsumaco Lodge is located at a comfortable elevation of about 1400m (4600 feet), and our forest reserve ranges from 1200 to 1500m (3900 to 4900 feet).
Due to its location on the Equator, the steep Andean Foothills, and the close proximity of the Amazon, the Sumaco area holds one of the richest avifaunas in the world. A wonderful mix of cloudforest species, foothill specilties, and typically Amazonian birds share Wildsumaco's lush subtropical rainforest with a myriad of other animals. Many of the birds here are rare, endangered, or very difficult to see elsewhere.
From Wildsumaco's trails you might see Gray-tailed Piha, Blue-rumped Manakin, and Chestnut-crowned Gnateater. Short-tailed Antthrush and Wing-banded Wren often sing, while more uncommon species like Gray-throated Leaftosser and Plain-backed Antpittas are seen occasionally, and more often heard. The very rare Yellow-throated Spadebill has territories along several of out trails, and at any time the endangered Military Macaw or rare Spot-winged Parrotlet might fly by, or Black Hawk-Eagle soar overhead.
The road passing through our reserve offers great road birding, and this is one of many areas from which to see flocks. Possibilities here include Wire-crested Thorntail, Yellow-breasted Antwren, and Coppery-chested Jacamar. Several colorful species of tanager may be accompanied by Ecuadorian Tyrannulet, the recently described Foothill Elaenia, and sometimes Scarlet-breasted Fruiteater joins in. Andean Laniisoma was seen by a lucky group of birders the last week in June, from the road!
In season up to 20 migrant species from North America are with us, including the threatened Cerulean Warbler. At night Great Potoo, Band-bellied Owl, Rufescent Screech-Owl and Foothill Screech-Owl often call from near by.
We've had 26 species of hummingbird visit Wildsumaco's feeders to date, including sought-after birds as Ecuadorian Piedtail, Napo Sabrewing, Black-throated Brilliant, White-tailed Hillstar, Wire-crested Thorntail and Gould's Jewelfront.
Non-birding companions and other nature lovers enjoy relaxing and absorbing the fabulous views from the lodge area, or hiking our trails to experience the natural beauty and the immense variety of the area's flora and fauna. We have some amazing butterflies, and photography is a delight.
Multiflash photographers will be very happy with our hummingbird feeders. We've been told that the settings are very convenient for multi-flash hummingbird setups - "among the best I've seen in Ecuador" writes one delighted photographer.
Mammals are usually more difficult to see than birds, but Napo (formerly Black-mantle) Tamarin is often seen in the trees of our reserve, White-fronted Capuchin monkey has been seen a few times, and White-bellied Spider Monkey is a new addition to our list.
Other large animals that have been seen here include two-toed sloth, Amazon dwarf squirrel, black agouti, tayra, collared peccary, kinkajou, greater grison, spectacled bear, puma and margay. See photos in the "Who We Are" section of this website, others on the Rio Pucuno Foundation website, above. A complete mammal list is at the end of the Wildsumaco Bird List.
Because forest conservation is the driving force behind Wildsumaco, we turn over most of the profit from the lodge itself, as well as all profits from our bar and gift shop, to the non-profit Rio Pucuno Foundation to help buy and preserve additional forest. Visitors have the satisfaction of knowing that their stay with us will help preserve the rainforest in a very real way.
We believe that you'll have a wonderful experience at Wildsumaco, and that you'll thoroughly enjoy your stay with us. Wildsumaco Lodge is the perfect destination for anyone seeking great birds and the tranquility of the rainforest in Ecuador's Eastern Foothills.
When planning to bird Ecuador, plan to bird Wildsumaco!
Visiting Wildsumaco Lodge
Wildsumaco Lodge is happy to accommodate either individuals or private groups, or tour groups. If you'd care to engage the services of either a local or professional bird guide during your stay at Wildsumaco, please inquire when you make your reservations.
We can also advise you about transportation options to Wildsumaco, including transfers from Amazonian lodges debarking in Coca or meeting you in Coca from Quito flights, and the short 2-hour drive from there to the lodge.
Day visitors are welcome to use the Wildsumaco Wildlife Sanctuary trails, gardens and sites of interest after checking in at the lodge for a pass. A day-use fee will be charged. No meals are available with this pass; we can only provide meals for people staying at Wildsumaco. Please contact us for additional information.
Many of our guests will visit Wildsumaco with a tour company, visiting a number of birding sites and staying at several other lodges on their way to our location. These companies will provide you with a package that includes transportation and a guide familiar with Wildsumaco's birds.
Because Wildsumaco Lodge is still quite new, not all tour operators know of us yet. If we aren't mentioned in your favorite tour company's East Slope itinerary or Amazonian lowlands jungle tour, or as an optional add-on, do yourself and them a favor and insist that Wildsumaco be added to your trip!
Rates and Reservations
Rates and Reservations: reservations@wildsumaco.com
2010-2011 Wildsumaco Lodge Rates
1 person, double occupancy, $99 plus 22% government & service tax = $120.78
1 person, single occupancy, $110, plus government & service tax = $134.20
All rates are per night, and include 3 meals per day plus full use of our trails and facilities.
Please note that all of our rooms are designed for 2 people; we do not have triples or family-style accommodations.
On request a local guide may be available show you our trails and some of the birds' territories. Many of our birds are skulkers, as difficult to see as some of the Amazonian species, and you might want to use playback if you come without a guide. Services of a professional birding guide may be available, but are not included in our rates. If interested, please inquire when you make your reservation.
Day Use Fee: $20 per person per day; contact us for additional information. Day use passes are for the use of the Wildsumaco trail system only, and no meals are included or available at the lodge for people other than guests.
For transfers to or from the lodge, or to Coca, please contact us.
**U.S. citizens traveling to Ecuador should note that to enter the country, their passports must be valid for 6 months beyond the date of their ticketed return. Citizens of other countries should check with an Ecuadorian consulate or online for entry requirements.
What to Bring
Answers to questions often asked:
The US dollar is the currency used in Ecuador, common credit cards generally accepted, and US currency in denominations larger than $50 is difficult to cash anywhere in the country. ATM machines accepting most bank cards are found in larger cities, never in the remote areas where the birds are. Plan accordingly, as even on a prepaid tour you'll occasionally want to buy drinks, souvenirs, batteries, things you've run out of, lost or forgotten. Tips to lodge staff are always greatly appreciated.
Electric power in Ecuador is 110 volts, 60 Hz, and all guest rooms at Wildsumaco Lodge have outlets for recharging batteries and other electronics.
The climate at Wildsumaco is usually quite moderate, fine for T-shirts during the day, and it cools off a bit at night to about 18 degrees Celsius (64 F). Although it can rain at any time, our wettest seasons tend to be December through February, and May through July.
To Bring:
- Binoculars and a spotting scope, if you have one
- Camera
- Flashlight for night birding
- Light day pack
- Sunscreen and insect repellent
- T-shirts and a long-sleeved shirt
- Jeans or other cotton pants are comfortable, as well as quick-drying nylon ones
- Sweater, jacket or fleece for night birding
- Light jacket, water resistant, or poncho
- Hiking boots or sturdy shoes
- Sandals
- Hat and umbrella
- Personal toiletries
Although few of our trails require them, we can provide rubber boots in many popular sizes for rainy days.
Now you can travel with Wildsumaco!
Want to bird the Andes' eastern slope? After many requests, Wildsumaco now offers an East Slope Birdwatching Tour! Journey from Quito to the heights of Papallacta, then visit all the important birding locations and elevations in eastern Ecuador on your way to Wildsumaco Lodge. This comfortably priced 8-day tour may be taken with or without a professional bird guide.
Join us for our Gran Sumaco Hiking Tour. This is as wild as it gets, with chances on large mammals and loads of seldom-seen, rare birds. A Wildsumaco special, only for people who are physically very fit and who don't mind basic accommodations and sleeping bags.
These tours can be arranged at your convenience. Please contact us for additional details and prices of either tour.
Volunteering
Under the auspices of Rio Pucuno Foundation, we are looking for volunteers to help us with 2 exciting projects: First, ultimately to benefit of the people in our nearest community, Pacto Sumaco, we are developing plans for building a pilot greenhouse. Later, larger-scale community greenhouses will be built.
Second, in conjunction with Francis Marion University, we plan to build a research station to help further understanding of the flora and fauna of the area, as well as to train students in many aspects of tropical biology.
The exact starting dates of these projects are still uncertain, but we hope to get underway as soon as possible. Volunteers for this work will be asked to donate 4-6 hours per day, and should have some experience in building or construction. If you are interested in participating in either of these endeavors, please contact us.
Under our general supervision, volunteers will work quite independently on these projects. Some knowledge of Spanish is extremely useful.
The area is quite hilly and at an elevation of about 1400m (4600 feet) so volunteers should be in at least average physical condition.
Volunteers stay in our basic but functional staff quarters containing bunk beds, a cooking and dining area, and a shared, cold-water bath house. Three meals a day, cooked to local dietary preferences, are included in the $20/day fee we charge volunteers. If you have special physical or dietary requirements, please let us know when you contact us, as we may or may not be able to accommodate them. Private quarters are not guaranteed.
To make the experience a meaningful one for all concerned, we ask volunteers to stay with us for a minimum of 2 weeks. Due to space limitations, we cannot accept more than 3 volunteers at a time.
We're also looking for an artist who's wiling to help us create some T-shirt designs. All profits from these will go to Rio Pucuno Foundation to help buy and preserve forest, and your name will go around the world with our T-shirts!
Contact us with any questions about our volunteer program, or to sign up for it.
Please visit Rio Pucuno Foundation's website, www.riopucunofoundation.org if you'd like to help our forest conservation or other efforts, but don't wish to volunteer.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU in WILDSUMACO!!! |
