CABAÑAS TAMIAJU
Unplug and birdwatch in Ecuador’s Eastern Andes
A Family-Owned Hideout for Nature Nerds
Tons of birds, so green, and no one asking you to join a Zoom meeting, but if you have one anyway we (somehow) have fibre optic. Cabañas Tamiaju sits on the edge of Ecuador’s spectacular cloud forest, tucked between mountain peaks and nature reserves. We’re not a big resort. Just comfy cabins, local charm, and access to one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.
We’ve got:
A few hectares of forest right out the door, and a few more pretty close by
Hundreds of bird species (including the celebrity ones/ not including your nemesis bird)
Local food, hot showers, and cozy beds
Good vibes, great bean water
Birds, Boots & Cloud Forest Routes
We live here, we know people, we have the connections, why not leave the planning to us? Cabanas Tamiaju offers guided tours and multi-day adventures take you beyond the cabins and into the heart of the Ecuadorian Andes. Whether you’re here for the birds, the landscapes, the camera roll, or just to breathe again, we’ve got a trip for that.
Explore a few of our packages below, or get in touch to build something custom. We’ll take care of the logistics. You just bring your sense of adventure and curiosity.
Birding Weekend
3 days
Spot dozens of species with a local guide. Early mornings, private trails, and a front-row seat to Eastern Ecuador’s feathered celebrities.
Cloud Forest Explorer
5 days
Hike, birdwatch, and unplug in the Eastern Andes. Includes transport, stays at Cabañas Tamiaju, and visits to sites all over the Quijos Valley.
Choose Your Own Adventure
Flexible itinerary
Got something special in mind? We’ll help design a trip around your dates, interests, and hiking stamina (or lack thereof).
Photo intermission
Things to do (besides nap in a hammock)
Tamiaju Birds
You want birds? We’ve got birds. We’ve got the LBJs, the big flashy show-offs, and everything in between. The only thing you’ll need to do is find them. If that turns out to be a challenge, don’t worry, we’ve got some friends who know a call or two. Or just sit at the platform and wait for the birds to come to you..
Not Tamiaju Birds
Once your Cabañas Tamiaju checklist is nice and warm, we’ve got a whole list of nearby hotspots to explore. The beauty of being in the middle of the Andes is… you’re in the middle of the Andes. From páramo to lowland jungle, you can bird across habitats in just a few hours. Your eBird checklist won’t know what hit it.
Not Birds
We get it. Sometimes you need a break between lifers. Lucky for you, there’s plenty to do around Cabañas Tamiaju. Soak in hot springs, explore limestone caves, make some cheese with us, or hit up a chocolate workshop (in the name of science, of course). Feeling brave? Try a chonta curo — tastier than it looks.
More than a cabin in the woods: Why we built Cabañas Tamiaju
Cabañas Tamiaju is more than a place to rest, it’s part of a growing conservation effort to protect Ecuador’s cloud forests and support the people who live here. We believe that tourism can be one of the tools used to achieve this goal. We aim to create meaningful, sustainable income for locals. We’re proud to employ a small, dedicated team, and when you stay with us you support livelihoods built on an intact, living forest.
Cabañas Tamiaju is also part of a bigger vision. Toni and Eladio are both active contributors to Fundación Sembrando Esperanza, registered as Reforest Ecuador in the U.S. The organization has planted over 30,000 native trees since 2014, established a 180 hectare forest reserve in the Choco Andino, restored wildlife habitat, and built lasting partnerships with farmers, local families, and leaders. This work goes beyond reforestation: it’s about growing a movement where ecosystems and communities flourish together.