gdhunter
Well-known member
Two couples (the guys are birders, the spouses a bit less so but still interested). Original plans for a B&B in Macas fell through. The B&B proprietor is well-acquainted with the folks who managed Copalinga in Zamora before turning it over to the Jocotoco Foundation. Exotic Birding (http://www.exoticbirding.com/ecuador/bombuscaro/description.html) rates the adjacent Bombuscaro segment of Podocarpus NP as some of the best birding in the world.
Another option under consideration is El Septimo Paraiso (http://septimoparaiso.com/) near Mindo. A bit less expensive than Copalinga, with a 420-heactares cloud forest reserve. The two birders in the group spent five nights in Mindo in 2015 so we're not entirely unfamiliar with the region, but we know we barely scratched the surface.
We hope to stay again at Puembo Briding Garden for first nights in & last nights out. From Puembo, Mindo can be reached in half a day or less. Our Macas contact thinks it's best to schedule two days for the drive to Zamora.
So I'm reaching out to forum members who have experience with either or both lodges. Not just about the birding but also the level of comfort for spouses who will be less engaged in avian pursuits.
Also reached out to Sachatamia Lodge (http://www.sachatamia.com/about.html) near Mindo, set in a smaller preserve, but have thus far received to reply.
Timing of the trip would most likely be January or February.
Thanks.
Gary H
Another option under consideration is El Septimo Paraiso (http://septimoparaiso.com/) near Mindo. A bit less expensive than Copalinga, with a 420-heactares cloud forest reserve. The two birders in the group spent five nights in Mindo in 2015 so we're not entirely unfamiliar with the region, but we know we barely scratched the surface.
We hope to stay again at Puembo Briding Garden for first nights in & last nights out. From Puembo, Mindo can be reached in half a day or less. Our Macas contact thinks it's best to schedule two days for the drive to Zamora.
So I'm reaching out to forum members who have experience with either or both lodges. Not just about the birding but also the level of comfort for spouses who will be less engaged in avian pursuits.
Also reached out to Sachatamia Lodge (http://www.sachatamia.com/about.html) near Mindo, set in a smaller preserve, but have thus far received to reply.
Timing of the trip would most likely be January or February.
Thanks.
Gary H