- Clear sustainable travel policy
- Social / Environmental Impact
- Tourism Dispersal
- Behavioral Awareness Education
Venture into the soul of Ecuador’s cloud forest and experience the magic that awaits! Hike in a private reserve, photograph hummingbirds and amazing landscapes, explore our village’s colonial streets, and fall in love with our artisan cuisine.
This is an authentic experience that immerses you in our local culture, nature, and gastronomy. Your trip will contribute to the development of the communities we visit in an organized and responsible way. We will explore the village of Nono, learn about the living history of Ecuador, and meet with a local group of women who weave. Come experience the special cloud forest in a sustainable way!
Highlights:
- Soak in superb views of the Andes while surrounded by great nature
- Hike in a private cloud forest reserve at 3,400 meters
- Observe up to five species of hummingbirds
- Enjoy a gastronomic experience with a private chef
- Visit a coffee farm and taste coffee grown at a high altitude
- Support our group of local embroiderers visiting their workshop
- Spend relaxing nights at the beautiful Villa Doris country lodge
Our adventure takes us to the Yanacocha Reserve at 3,400 meters above sea level to explore a forest bathed by clouds. We will also visit a family-owned coffee farm for a good cup of coffee, and then head to either an archeological museum or the Solar Museum at the Equator. Along the way, we’ll be eating local, fresh, and tasteful cuisine thanks to our personal chef! One very special part of this trip is when we meet a small group of women who, while weaving their dreams for a better future, embroider beautiful pieces of art. On this trip – seeing our nature, eating our food, and meeting our communities – you become a part of our history!
What is special about Ecuador’s cloud forest?
Ecuador’s cloud forest is impressive for several reasons, including its unique biodiversity, stunning landscapes, and ecological significance. It is a truly remarkable ecosystem that is worth preserving for generations to come.
- Biodiversity: This is a safe paradise for birds and mammals. The cloud forest is home to an incredible array of plant and animal species, many of which are endemic (found nowhere else in the world). The cloud forest’s unique climate, with frequent fog and mist, supports a wide variety of plant life, including epiphytes (plants that grow on other plants) and orchids. The forest is also home to a number of rare and endangered animals, such as the spectacled bear, the Andean cock-of-the-rock bird, and the mountain tapir. We will likely see up to five types of hummingbirds on this trip! We will also visit a small family project, the Zuro Loma birding reserve, for a closer encounter with hummers.
- Landscape: The cloud forest is characterized by dramatic mountain landscapes, deep valleys, and rushing rivers. The forest is often shrouded in mist and fog, creating an otherworldly atmosphere that is both eerie and beautiful.
- Ecological significance: The cloud forest plays an important role in regulating the climate and supporting the ecosystems of the surrounding areas. The forest acts as a sponge, absorbing moisture and releasing it slowly over time, which helps to regulate water levels in rivers and streams. The cloud forest also plays a critical role in storing carbon, helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Related Trips:
[8 days] Immersive Amazon Adventure in Ecuador
[8 days] Diving with Scientists in the Galapagos
[14 days] Self Driving Experience in the Equator Land
Seasonal Notes:
Ecuador enjoys spring-like weather all year round. Most days we enjoy sunny mornings and cooler afternoons with temperatures around 12°C-18°C ( 55°F-64°F). The best time to visit Ecuador’s cloud forest is, in general, during the dry season, which runs from June to August.
During the dry season, you can expect sunny and warm days with less chance of rain, which makes it easier to explore the forest and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife spotting. The dry season is also the best time to see many of the cloud forest’s endemic bird species, including the colorful Andean cock-of-the-rock and the elusive plate-billed mountain toucan.
However, if you’re interested in seeing the cloud forest’s stunning waterfalls at their fullest, you may want to visit during the wet season, which runs from December to May. April usually has quite a bit of rain. During this time, the forest is lush and green, and the waterfalls are at their most spectacular. However, keep in mind that the wet season can bring heavy rainfall and mudslides, which may make some trails and roads inaccessible.
Some regions of Ecuador, such as the Amazon rainforest and the cloud forest, can experience rain throughout the year, so it’s important to be prepared for wet weather if you’re planning to visit these areas.
📋 Itinerary
This itinerary is customizable. Contact Yugen Earthside for more information.
Day 01: Quito [Ecuador] (arrival day)
Transfer from Quito airport or hotel to Nono Village.
Visit the town and Sisa Quinde project.
Day 02: Hike through the cloud forest in the lush, evergreen nature reserve.
Gastronomic experience in the evening.
Day 03: Coffee farm visit + either an archeological site or the Solar Museum at the Equator
Day 04: Transfer back to Quito airport or hotel (departure day)
🌱 Sustainability
About the company
We were the first tour company that saw Nono as an incredible tourist destination. We invested in this village to be able to offer guests the most comfortable and coziest lodge in our area. We understood that alone we could not achieve anything, so we trained our staff to reach a 5* rating on social media for the quality of our services. We opened our own restaurant where you will experience a gastronomic feast for your senses. With love and patience, we helped the women of our community with an embroidery project so they can weave their dreams for a better future in our beloved Nono.
Tourism dispersal
This trip takes travelers off the beaten path and avoids tourist "hot spots".
Jobs
This trip creates jobs for people who, in our village, have no other working possibilities. Through our tours, we help the development of small enterprises that belong to town people.
- We have included a visit to Zuro Loma which is a small reserve where a local family is devoting all their efforts to providing a beautiful experience for our clients while enjoying the colorful birds of their garden.
- We meet the women of our embroidery project so that travelers can see how the work is done and what the income from weaving means for their families.
We do not interfere in the families' lives and traditions, we respect the environment and cultural heritage.
For clients interested in a birdwatching experience, we only hire native birders, as well as for clients who use our destination and Villa Doris for acclimatization before volcano climbing, all our guides are native from Nono. That way we support the economy of their families.
Food
Our food is sourced locally as much as possible. We serve vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. All the money collected from the embroidery products we sell goes directly to the women of the Sisa Quinde project.
Environmental practices
This trip respects nature leaving no trace after our visit. We have reduced plastic usage by sending box lunches in appropriate boxes and all waste goes back to Villa Doris.
There are no domestic flights involved in this trip.
Animals (hummingbirds, squirrels, and opossums) are respected in our sanctuary garden and they are fed every single day to assure they have a safe place to come, stay and reproduce.
There is no 'green transportation' available yet in our destination, so we encourage clients to walk from Villa Doris back and forth to our restaurant in town.
We buy locally as much as possible and use biodegradable soaps, shampoos, recycled paper towels, etc. from a source in Quito.
Accommodation
We will be staying at a Country Lodge or guest house in the village. Most of the accommodations are small and locally run. They serve local/organic food, They use eco-friendly cleaning products and energy-saving lights. They also use water flow reducers.
We prefer to offer 2 and 3-night stays at Villa Doris, which is our own local lodge. If groups go bigger we use another local hacienda in the area.
At our Villa we offer the best of Ecuadorian hospitality so you are not just a room number, you are part of us. We devote our time to making you feel special and talking to you about our customs, traditions, medicinal plants, etc.
- Adhere to Strict Environmental Standards
- Conserve Ecosystems/Preserve Biodiversity
- Use Environmentally Friendly Products
- No Animal-Harming Tourism
- No In-Destination Flights
- Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurants
- Local/Organic Restaurants
- Focused on Minimizing Waste
- Local/Organic Food Served
- Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
- Energy-Saving Lights
- Use Water Flow Reducers
- Provide Local Employment
- Fair Wages / Fair Trade
- Ensures Good Working Conditions
- Supports Local Businesses
- Tours Benefit Local Community
📌 Location
Use the Google map to orient yourself about where in the world this trip is. The location indicates the starting point for this trip.
A specific route map is included in the downloadable detailed itinerary.
🏷️ Pricing
Prices exclude flights to/from the destination.
See the full list of price inclusions and exclusions in the downloadable detailed itinerary.
ℹ️ Other Info
If you're ready to book this trip or have any questions, contact us!
To book a program a 25% deposit is needed. Full payment is due 1 month prior to arrival.
The deposit is refundable if the trip is canceled more than 1 month prior to arrival.
This trip has a variable start date, so you can plan a departure date that suits you.
Be sure you have traveler's insurance.
Covid Precautions
Please be fully vaccinated and boosted before traveling. You may also need proof of a negative Covid test before arrival to the country. Keep a mask and hand sanitizer with you at all times.
We have been certified with the Safe Travels stamp from the WTTC and we follow all regulations instructed by the Ministry of Tourism in our country. All our suppliers and office staff have been vaccinated at least twice.
Q: What does the Physical Rating of "Easy" mean for this trip?
A: Travelers will walk or hike at their own pace and the length of activities depends on the travelers.
Q: What are the accommodations like?
A: You will stay in Villa Doris in Parroquia de Nono, an eco-friendly bed and breakfast lodge nestled amongst the cloud forest.
Q: How far is Parroquia de Nono from Quito?
A: Parroquia de Nono is located in the province of Pichincha in Ecuador, and it is approximately 16 miles northwest of the city of Quito. The driving time between Quito and Nono is typically around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic and road conditions.
Q: When is the best time to do this tour?
A: Any month is perfect considering Ecuador is privileged with spring-like weather all year round. See Seasonal Notes for more details.
Q: Can I add this tour to an experience in Galapagos?
A: Yes! We can run this tour either prior to or post a tour to the Galapagos Islands.
Q: Is this trip recommended for solo travelers, women, LGBTQ+, and POC travelers?
We are running this tour in the area with the highest biodiversity on Earth, which is also a Biosphere. Tourism is limited in our area so we will not find crowds of tourists where we go. People are respectful to visitors and our village is very tiny and people are friendly and kind. At Villa Doris, our country lodge, our guests are part of our family, all treated with respect and kindness.