Maplandia map of Tandayapa
Useful map by Bellavista
The San Jorge places are at interesting locations, like one near Quito that should be near Yanacocha (judging from Day 2 on this page and from the map on this page), one at Tandayapa (very new), and one at Milpe (I think we saw that one, right in the reserve). Too bad Ian does not recommend San Jorge at Tandayapa, wonder about the others.
We have to think of electricity in case we want to stay at some lodge for more than 1 day.
At or near the Nono-Mindo road.
Verdecocha, close to Nono and Yanacocha, no reviews but here is somebody's trip report
Tandayapa,
reviews 6 very good
Bellavista,
reviews 30 above average
Pululahua Hostel, near Mitad del Mundo, north of the highway, in a crater;
reviews 9 excellent
and especially recommended by Angel Paz
San Jorge near Quito, see the map on their web page for locations of SJ lodges,
reviews 13 good
San Jorge at Tandayapa, very new, no reviews,
however, some of the reviewers of the previous lodge also comment on this one
Allpalluta, close to Bellavista, a bit more towards Mindo, near Santa Rosa, unknown to tripadvisor
North of Mindo, direction Nanegalito
Las Gralarias, between Mindo and Nanegalito, no reviews, but mentioned in a tripadvisor forum as a good place for really serious birders,
see also Las Gralarias Foundation, more info below
Mindo Loma, near Las Gralarias, close to the highway
Maquipucuna, very interesting, same slope as Bellavista, reserve is 10x as large, seriously eco guys,
reviews 1 excellent
Santa Lucía, sympathetic, not quite in our area though,
see this map
Urcu Puyujunda, probably too far out, a bit past Nanegalito
At or near Mindo
Casa divina, reviews
31 very good
El Monte, near Mindo but difficult to guess how near; looks seriously eco-minded,
reviews 25 very good, our pick
in Lonely Planet Ecuador
Hosteria Septimo Paraiso, conference center, pool and jacuzzi not very necessary for me...;
reviews 13 mixed
Mindo garden, offers a map, generally good website;
reviews 2 mixed
Mindo Cloud Forest Eco Bird Lodge
Sachatamia, reviews
3 good
Birdwatcher's house, reviews
1 excelllent, can of course be the owner himself;
the Finca looks interesting
Mariposas de Mindo, specializes in butterflies
Tripadvisor forum on Mindo lodges
West of Mindo
Mirador Rio Blanco, at (San Miguel de) Los Bancos
San Jorge de Milpe, reviews
5 above average
Las Gralarias. it is a biological research station and a conservation project with a hospitality component, looks excellent. Near the big road, halfway between Mindo and Nanegalito. A place for 'real birders', but I think we can survive that. Also said to be a frog heaven.
Las Gralarias Foundation (LGF) with a regular newsletter
Mindo Bird Tours, a tour operator, also the owner of the LG reserve and founder of LGF
A description by the owner
Map of trails at the reserve
Trip report
Trip report
Trip report, also a day at Yanacocha and the old Nono-Mindo road, Milpe, and Paz
Trip report Part 1, elaborate (pdf), note this person just rented his own car at Quito
Part 2 of previous link
Verdecocha. Near Yanacocha.
Bellavista. The reviews on tripadvisor are mostly positive but there are a few bad ones. They advertise with their own, better, Cock of the Rocks lek.
Maquipucuna. Somewhat near Bellavista, however the entrance is a more north. Not clear how far north but well beyond Nanegalito. Probably not the best starting point for tours, but probably quite a tour in itself.
Very enticing list of birds you're likely to see including Torrent Duck, Crested Eagle, Crested Quetzal, Plate billed mountain toucan, Scaled fruiteater.
Casa Divina, Mindo. Looks very nice.
El Monte, Mindo. Looks romantic and wonderful but no electricity for cameras and laptops.
Conclusion: doubtful.
Mirador Rio Blanco, Los Bancos. Not easy to find information on this place. We had lunch there in 2009, it was good and the owner was nice. New cabins near the river may be wonderful.
Here is a very positive comment on the place.
Nice to be close to Milpe. Trip to Rio Silanche is less interesting to me, it's a different ecosystem.
Conclusion: Maybe.
