Description of the area:
The Santa Lucía lodge is quite close to Quito, only 80 km (50 miles) away; it is the center of a spectacular forest, far from the urban routine, a special place for people who want to enjoy complete tranquility, in harmony with nature.
The site is unforgettable for nature-lovers and ideal for bird-watchers due to the great variety of birds including rare, threatened, and endemic species such as the white-faced nunbird (Hapaloptila castanea), plate-billed mountain toucan (Andigena laminirostris), giant (Gralleria gigantea) and moustached antpittas (Gralleria alleni), Andean cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruviana), etc. For botany enthusiasts there are thousands of plant species to discover, some medicinal, others food sources, not to mention the singular beauty of orchids and bromeliads. There are 45 species of mammals recorded for the area some lucky visitors have spotted pumas, spectacled bears, and more; another peculiarity are the waterfalls and panoramic views of the cloud forests. Those who enjoy hiking can walk for 6-8 hours downhill in the Andes to the sub-tropical area, appreciating the gradual change in species richness along the way.
The zone full of pre-Inca archeological remnants that date back 500 years B.C.; trails, ceremonial areas, forts, and other features denote an interesting ancestral culture.
Available activities:
Adventure, sports
Bird watching
Eco / nature / wildlife
Educational, research, volunteering
Tours
Visits to conservation projects
Walking / hiking
How to get there:
Nearest local/international airport: Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito.
You must be willing to walk when you visit Santa Lucía. The trip from Quito to the Santa Lucía lodge takes 2 hours in car and 2 hours of walking uphill in the forest. There are mules to carry the baggage or ride, if the visitor wishes. The Ecolodge can be reached year-round.
Making a difference:
The campesinos of Santa Lucía decided 11 years ago to conserve their 730 hectares (1804 acres) of cloud forest, of which 80% are virgin forest and remaining 20% have been used for traditional farming. At the beginning of 2001, in order to make conservation sustainable, the organization finished building a lodge for ecotourists with space for 20 people; the same year they began a project to restore the cloud forest that has now reforested 20 hectares (49 acres).
In 2002, a wildlife monitoring project was begun, to keep track of sightings in the forest; training was also provided to local para-biologists. To date, 396 bird species have been recorded.
Tourism in Santa Lucía ensures the conservation of hundreds of springs that feed the crystalline Umachaca River and it has also created jobs for the people of the area, environmental education in the local school with 200 children, training workshops on reforestation for residents, and other activities that guarantee the current and future health of the environment so that, as the people say, “the children of our children may have the same opportunity that we now have.”
Contact:
Francisco Molina
Administrator
Cooperativa Santa Lucía
No. 17-07-9414 Quito, Ecuador
Tel/fax: +593-2/2-157-242