PAID CONTENT FOR EL SÉPTIMO PARAÍSO
El Séptimo Paraíso MINDO, ECUADOR
There’s a moment at El Séptimo Paraíso, just before sunrise, when the cloud forest begins to wake. The air is cool and fresh, the first light breaks over the Andean ridge, and from the terrace, the canopy stretches into the distance in countless shades of green. Just two metres away, a violet-tailed sylph — one of the world’s most spectacular hummingbirds — hovers at a feeder, leaving you completely captivated. This is El Séptimo Paraíso in Mindo, Ecuador and nothing quite prepares you for the experience. Perched on a private ridge above the village,
the lodge has been welcoming travellers for more than two decades. Ecuador’s western cloud forest is home to an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, and the lodge sits at the heart of it, surrounded by a private reserve of more than 630 acres. The lodge and cabins blend effortlessly
into the hillside and valley, as though they’ve always belonged there. Built from local timber, incorporating upcycled materials and designed to open to the surrounding forest, they offer something increasingly rare: complete tranquillity.
There’s no traffic or bustle, only the sounds of the forest — the bell-like call of an antpitta, the distant tapping of a woodpecker or the call of a toucan. Guided walks with expert naturalists follow
forest trails lined with moss and tree ferns in search of more than 400 recorded bird species. The golden-headed quetzal calls from the canopy, while tanagers flash through the trees in brilliant scarlet and turquoise. At the garden feeders, hummingbirds including the velvet-purple coronet, booted racket-tail and white-bellied woodstar provide an unforgettable display. The reserve is also home to the remarkable Pinocchio lizard, found only in this small corner of Ecuador, making every sighting feel especially rewarding. Later, guests can relax in the natural pool fed
by cloud forest waters, enjoy the heated pool or unwind in the hot tub nestled among the trees. In the restaurant, locally sourced produce inspires a menu celebrating traditional Ecuadorian flavours and authentic country cooking, creating dishes that reflect the character and richness of the surrounding landscape.
DON’T MISS Wake to dozens of hummingbirds swirling around bird feeders, just steps from your room
86 Need to know
KEY FEATURES • The Cloud Restaurant & Bar • Spring-fed & heated pools, plus hot tub
• Lodging with breakfast or all-inclusive packages available
• Games room, TV/lounge & free wi-fi • Cloud forest surroundings • Nearby zip-lines, butterfly gardens, and cacao- & coffee-tastings
KEY ACTIVITIES • Hummingbird garden, bird feeders & night insect-viewing screens
• Look for the elusive Pinocchio lizard on a Safari Night Experience
• Country-style dining experience & bread-tasting show
GET IN TOUCH •
septimoparaiso.com • +593 99368 4417 •
info@septimoparaiso.com •
instagram.com/elseptimoparaiso
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