Name: El Refugio Cloud Forest Lodge
Address: Via Intag km 53 , EC100450 Plaza Gutiérrez, Ecuador, Cotacachi, Cotacachi, Cotacachi, EC100450, Ecuador
Rating: 10

24-hour reception

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Mariscal Sucre International Airport

El Refugio Cloud Forest Lodge

A belated review to say this place is magical! The river flowing through the property, the birds, Doña Lupita's incredible food, the lodging - everything is wonderful here. I've actually stayed here several times, from 2013 until this year - every time I visit Ecuador I make sure to visit El Refugio de Intag. It's a true oasis with so many thoughtful touches - locally-made furniture and textiles really add to the charm of the rooms as well.

I had read about the biodiversity of the Intag cloud forest and the years of resistance and hard work from its community to protect it. I was so thankful to be able to come here with my family and experience this very special place. Sandy was so helpful in answering my questions to arrange our stay. we had wonderful guided walks from Don Oswaldo to spot birds, such as the cock of the rock, the plate billed mountain toucan and  other birds. We are not true birders, but loved coming here for the natural beauty. We had the place to ourselves, and Doña Lupe family and cooked delicious homemade meals. We hired a private driver, Jorge from Tours Xpress and transfers, to drive us to and from this magical place on a very windy but beautiful drive. I was so glad to come here instead of a more touristy area, as we were able to enjoy the easy tranquil pace of life in this rural area, where everyone seems to know each other and help each other.  Gracias a todos !

I loved it here. It's a beautiful, relaxing place to stay in the cloud forest. I was on vacation with a friend and we stayed for four nights. The food was delicious, the rooms cute and very comfortable, and everyone who works there was kind and generous. 

We were amazed, the facility is beautifully located and very clean. We were looked after very friendly and the food was very good. For bird lovers it is a paradise. 
For the journey one should take some time: The term "cloud forest" should not be underestimated!

We stayed 2 nights at the El Refugio de Intag and had a great time. Oswaldo took us on a tour showing birds in a Reserve. Lupe cooked us authentic meals from scratch. Both were very friendly. The ultimate Intag experience!

Beautiful grounds and amazing birds. The best part of the stay are the hosts Osvaldo and Lupe. Lupe’s cooking was absolutely amazing. Their garden fresh produce was some of the best I’ve ever eaten and include fresh squeezed juice every morning.

El Refugio is a wonderful retreat for anyone wanting to experience the cloud forest firsthand.  Peter and his guide, Oswaldo, have encyclopedic knowledge of the area and its flora and fauna.  We took several tours with them to view birds and insects, and saw species that we never would have noticed on our own.  The rooms are comfortable, and the common living area is very inviting.  Lupe’s meals are outstanding.  If you just want to read or kick back and absorb the ambiance of the cloud forest, there is a lovely screened porch down by the river furnished with incredibly comfortable swinging chairs.
This was our second trip to El Refugio, and we look forward to returning in the future.

Our travel group booked all the rooms for our 4 day/3 night visit.  Lovely, comfortable, quiet, clean rooms, bed, and good sized bathroom.  Well outfitted with all we needed, including sufficient electrical outlets.  The decor includes local furniture, artifacts and practical items, such as the agave floor mats that are dyed and woven by locals.  We shared a comfortable sitting room with our friends.  The setting is quiet next to a rushing creek.  The lodge has windows on 3 sides to view the birds that come to eat the pieces of fruit hanging from a suspended branch.  The breakfasts in the lodge were delicious, bountiful, and diverse, including platters of local fruits, juices, delicious coffee (grown and roasted by El Refugio), granola and cereal, yogurt, cold and hot milk, scrambled eggs, plus a bonus such as french toast, pancakes, or yucca muffins.  Our group also arranged for 3 dinners—equally delicious, bountiful, and full of variety.  We even had a home-baked and decorated layer cake for one person in our party celebrating her birthday.  El Refugio lives up to its name in peace, hospitality, comfort, and natural beauty.  We look forward to returning.  

This is not a ordinary lodge. If you happen to meet Peter, the owner, he will introduce you to the magnificent surroundings of this hidden place. Peter can tell you very much about the trees and plants of Ecuador and practically everything about birds in Ecuador and all over the world.
You can sit in the living room, where you find not some old, worn out novels, but the best (and expensive) books on birds, insects and culture of Ecudor.
You can go out alone the tracks around the odge or go with the family who is leading the lodge all over the year by car to distant places. 
Or you sit in the living room, where you find not some old, worn out novels, but the best (and expensive) books on birds, insects and culture of Ecudor. The living room is full with handicraft from Ecuador, everything choosen with taste . So are the rooms. They are luxurious not in the way of golden water taps, but in an ecological way, built from responsible material, from wood and cotton. Everything is well thought over and made for the comfort of the visitor.
The meals are delicious and tasty. This is not a budget accomodation, but it's more than worth the price.

Peter (the owner) went out of his way to make us feel welcome in this peaceful cloud forest refuge.  We so enjoyed his knowledge and sharing of the natural history of the area and his passion for wanting to keep it preserved. Our room was comfortable, clean and quiet. Lupe's cooking was the best we had in all of Ecuador. 

Cotacachi

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Magical Forest Retreat & Wildlife

Beautiful cloud Forest and taste of rural life in Ecuador

Perfect birding getaway

Peaceful, hospitable refuge

A friends' place in nature's paradise

Beautiful place and wonderful accommodations and meals!

This is a true gem, hidden in the cloudforest of the Andes ! If you're searching for a real escape from the crowd then look no further. Peter is the most gracious host and has created this haven for active visitors who share his deep love of the bird life and natural world that surrounds El Refugio de Intag: Our hike to spot the elusive Andean cock-of-the-rock will remain with us forever.

Total escape !

The owner of this property - Peter - has protected a corner of the cloud forest, preserving it for future generations to enjoy.  Driving a few miles down the road will reveal how truly special this is as most of the surrounding forest has been clear cut for agriculture.  On the property, you can see an amazing variety of birds, and Peter has created a handy "frequent visitors" guidebook to help you identify any individual that stops at the banana feeders visible from the main lodge.  If you are lucky, Peter himself will take you on a birdwatching tour, but if not, he will arrange a guide.  The property is expansive with beautiful trails that crisscross a river and lead you up a mountain. The lodgings themselves are cozy but rustic - the bedding is a bit old and musty, but clean.  If you're looking for a place that is off the beaten path and if you are a lover of nature, this is an amazing adventure.  It will surely be one of the highlights of your trip.

Amazing property in an untouched corner of the world

El Refugio de Intag Cloud Forest is amazing! From the beautiful and peaceful setting, the gracious owner and staff, fantastic food and gorgeous rooms I was in travelers heaven. If you will be anywhere near the Intag Valley/Otavalo during your trip to Ecuador, don't miss staying at El Refugio! I loved my entire stay!

Best Stay in Ecuador - true nature immersion!

Book here - don't even hesitate!  The most unique and enjoyable of the places we stayed in Ecuador.  Sandy was helpful with our booking and offered exact directions by bus from Otavalo.  Peter was there to greet us when we got off the bus.  The setup is ideal with one main building for meals where our room was also located (with a balcony). Very comfortable and tastefully decorated. The food was delicious ans healthy (I'm vegetarian).  We walked the property with Peter, who's passion for the area is evident.  We went bird watching with Oswaldo, saw the cocks-of-the-rock with Peter and walked up to the school to see the moths at night.  Wish we could have stayed longer and hope to be back one day.  Great bird watching and hospitality!

El Refugio Cloud Forest Lodge

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