Maquipucuna cloud forest lodge, Ecuador

Planet and people

The Maquipucuna Foundation was founded in 1988 as a nonprofit organisation dedicated to the conservation of the Ecuador's biodiversity and the sustainable use of natural resourses. The foundation promotes the participation of local communities in its programs, and 90% of what the traveler pays us goes to the foundation.

Objectives and activities include: Establishment and management of private and governmental nature reserves, scientific, social and archaological research to achieve ecological restoration and cultural preservation, implementiation of ecotourism programs for generating local economic opportunities, environmental education and training of rural communities to promote sustainable use of natural resources, development of community-based resource management programs, and promotion of inter-institutional cooperation.

Accommodation is provided in a small but modern lodge built in accordance with its natural surroundings. The open-air design allows intimate contact with nature and the sounds of the rushing Umachaca River. The lodge is staffed with guides and staff almost entirely from the local communities.

Meals are prepared using local ingredients including fresh vegetables grown in the organic garden. Organic waste is fed to pigs or composted for use on the farm and inorganic waste is taken to Quito for treatment.

The reserve also has a research station with facilities which may accommodate up to 18 researchers. Maquipucuna shelters 4% of bird species on the planet and is considered by scientists to be a "global priority zone" for bird life conservation.

We are also now supporting the UK registered chairty Amantani. As this charity is very much in keeping with our ethos of small scale, targetted help which is educational & sustainabale. HuchuyYachaq is the other main Peruvian charity we support by paying a for a full time teacher. A % of all our income goes to support those projects.