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MalenaN Says: My first day of hiking I wanted to do a long hike and my guide Jorge suggested that we do the Tower Hike. It is a hike to an old bird watching tower. In the beginning the trail follows a ridge and it is surrounded by green and lush vegetation, but also some pastureland. Then...
MalenaN Says: I and my guide Jorge started the hike after breakfast, around 8.30. We followed a steep path down from Santa Lucia, and passed banana plantations, a coffee field and lush primary forest. When we reached the Umachaca River we turned right and followed the trail which is an...
Hike to see the Cock-of-the Rock
MalenaN Says: To see, and hear, the Andean Cock-of-the Rock birds during their mating ritual (lek) you must leave Santa Lucia very early in the morning (at some seasons there is an afternoon lek too, but there is usually less birds then). I, and my guide Jorge, left Santa Lucia at 4.20 in...
Hike to the waterfalls and river
MalenaN Says: Very early in the morning on my 4th day at Santa Lucia I had done the hike to see the Cock-of-the -Rock birds, but after breakfast I was ready for another hike and wanted to see the waterfalls and take a swim in the river. So I and my guide set off after finishing breakfast....
MalenaN Says: Close to Santa Lucia Eco Lodge there is a self-guided trail which takes about 40-60 minutes to walk. It is a nice walk through lush green primary and secondary forest. At one point there is an Orchid Garden. Unfortunately it was not the right season for many orchids to be in...
MalenaN Says: On my last day at Santa Lucia I had done both the cock-of-the -rock hike and the hike to the waterfalls before lunch. After resting the whole afternoon I decided to take another walk before it got dark and as I hadn’t been to the sugarcane field, and that is a short hike,...
MattTB Says: There is a woman's co-operative that you can visit. They make various things from the forest produce, such as key rings and necklaces. There is some beautiful stuff available to buy! You can get some really authentic things and also feel good that you are supporting the...
MattTB Says: At the bottom of the valley near the reception is a river, you will pass this on your way to the lodge and your way back. The number of different types of butterfly is amazing! They are either flying around or on the river banks. We saw a massive blue butterfly with wings...
Trek to the birding tower - see the canopy!
MattTB Says: This is a very strenuous trek of about 6 hours just about continuously uphill! It takes you to the very edge of the Santa Lucia reserve from an altitude of around 1800 up to 2800 meters. But it is entirely worth the effort!As you go higher in altitute you notice complete...
Trek to the lek of the Cock of the Rock
MattTB Says: You have to leave the lodge at 4 am, it's dark, but great! You walk for two hours down, then up steep inclines. Arriving at the lek at 6 am. The lek is where the spectacularly coloured Cock of the Rock male performs it's mating ritual at exactly 6 am each morning!I saw about...
MattTB Says: Most if not all plants and trees in the forest have a use! Oh how much is to be learnt from local peoples knowledge of the trees! Could there be a cure for cancer or aids here? Whatever secrets lie here should not be destroyed!The Dragon's Blood Tree was my favourite! Pretty...
MattTB Says: There is an incredible amount of bird life at Santa Lucia. You will hear all kinds of birds everywhere you go! Seeing them is another story! The forest is thick and makes birdwatching challenging! But with binoculars and a bit of patience it pays off! I saw numerous species...
MattTB Says: The Forest comes alive at night! Mammals move about, owls screech!I left the lodge with my guide at 4am and we trecked with flash lights through the jungle... Something big was moving in the thick of the trees right next to us... we shone our lights , but couldn't see it.......
Santa Lucia Lodge: Great Wholesome food!
MattTB Says: Well, this is the only place to eat up here, but I'm not complaining!!! Every day the local chef cooks 3 meals for you, extremely tasty and very large portions! The locals eat nearly half a chicken and a plate of rice for breakfast! But they are hard grafters! Always with a...
MattTB Says: Obviously stuck on top of a mountain in the cloud forest with out electricity there are no night clubs to pop out to!Generally people go to bed early as they get up early the next day! Night time can be fun with everyone playing card games, locals, tourists and volunteers...
From Quito to Nanegal and Santa Lucia, and back
MalenaN Says: From La Marin in Quito I took the Metrobus ($0.25) to Ofelia. Ofelia is the end station of the Metrobus in north Quito and to go there took 35-40 minutes. At Ofelia I bought a ticket for the bus to Nanegal and it was $1.60 (August 2011). I had to wait a while for the bus,...
MattTB Says: I must warn you that hiking in Santa Lucia is very strenuous! High altitude, steep paths and humidity tire you out quickly! Be prepared for the 2 hour hike from the reception to the lodge!
MattTB Says: Normal luggage and a small back pack to carry your things during forest hikes. Rubber boots are provided by the lodge - you will need these if you hike anywhere! Too muddy for walking shoes, but you will need to take these to get up to the lodge in the first place.Take...
MattTB Says: The community has a small football pitch near the lodge. We played a 3 a side game mixing tourists, local and volunteers! It was great fun and what a place to play!
MattTB Says: Generally from my experience the weather is hot and sunny in the morning with clear skies. Then after mid day the cloud starts to engulf the lodge and the forest.... it remains hot/warm, but visibility goes down. It may also rain in the afternoon/night, but this is usually a...
Plan a Nanegal vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Nanegal locals
I must warn you that hiking in Santa Lucia is very strenuous! High altitude, steep paths and humidity tire you out quickly! Be prepared for the 2 hour hike from...
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Santa Lucia in the cloud forest
I've got some interesting experiences in Nanegal. I'd love to share with you the 8 tips I've written, the 119 photos uploaded, and 10 travelogues I've created.
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Santa Lucia - Cloud Forest Reserve
Well, this was my main reason for visiting Ecuador... originally I had wanted to visit the rain forest, but in the end I settled on visiting the cloud forest as I felt I could help support the local...
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