Eco Cabañas Junín
Community Tourism in Ecuador's Intag ValleyEcotourism, Conservation & Citizen Science
Located in Ecuador’s secluded Intag Valley. Eco Cabañas Junín offers comfortable accommodation near virgin cloud forest that is lush with flora, alive with birdsong and home to critically endangered species.
Our community tourism cooperative has provided economic alternatives to open-pit mining and unsustainable farming practices since 1998. Your visit helps us to protect the cloud forest.
Rich Biodiversity
With over 400 species of birds, orchids beyond count, “extinct” frogs, & mammals like the Andean Bear, our corner of the Intag Valley is rich in biodiversity.
Continuous Resistance
For 30 years, we have fought to keep our lands free of open-pit mining. Our community reserve comes as a result of persistent resistance.
Year-Round Activities
Junín offers the adventurous traveler year round activities. Each season provides unique opportunities to connect with nature and embrace local traditions.
Activities at Eco Cabañas Junín
Hiking
Hiking is centered on the protected cloud forest trails, offering unmatched natural immersion. The highlight is the moderately difficult hike that passes through primary forest to the three incredible waterfalls: Cascadas Escondida, Vela de Novia, and Gemelas (view trail map here).
We highly recommend hiring a local guide, who not only navigates the terrain but also shares the community’s inspiring 30-year conservation story and resistance against mining, ensuring your visit directly supports local families. For a quick, easy hike, take the short walk to the popular natural swimming pool in the Chalguayacu river, perfect for an arrival or post-hike dip (view trail map here).
Beyond these routes, the Junín forest provides superb opportunities for hikers, naturalists and citizen scientists to appreciate rare birds, frogs, butterflies, and orchids, with local guides eager to show you their home.
Citizen Science
The community of Junin monitor water quality and explore key sites directly affected by mining on a fortnightly basis. They have a team of trained paraecologists (watch this video to find out more) who monitor the unique species of frogs found here including Longnose harlequin toad, Intag Resistance Rocket Frog and more. Finally they own camera traps which they check on a monthly visit. These have revealed rare species such as plate billed mountain toucans, jaguars, spectacled bears, pumas and brown headed spider monkeys.
We are proud of this part of our conservation work and would love to share it with you. We have regular monitoring sessions that you can join and if there isn’t one on the day of your visit then a local guide will take you on a citizen science exploration near the Eco Cabañas.
Community Conservation
Your visit to Junín is an immersive experience far deeper than tourism; it is an act of solidarity.
You can delve into our community’s inspiring, 30-year struggle against mining with local leaders like Marcia Ramírez, standing with them to safeguard the primary cloud forest and supporting their ongoing conservation efforts. This dedication extends directly to their vibrant local economy: participate in the coffee harvest alongside local farmers, learn the art of traditional panela and trago production at a trapiche, or discover how the two dedicated women’s cooperatives strengthen their families by producing natural yogurt, chifles, and plantain flour from local ingredients.
Finally, uncover the rich history beneath your feet by tracing the legacy of the ancient Yumbo inhabitants, traversing diverse landscapes as you hike to several unexplored tolas (burial mounds), and appreciating the community’s remarkable collection of pre-Columbian artifacts—a true, vibrant tapestry of the Intag Valley’s cultural heritage.
Recommended Itinerary
Day 1: A member of the Junin Community will meet your bus from Chontal Bajo or Garcia Moreno and drive you to to the cabañas. Walk to the natural swimming pool in the afternoon.
Day 2: Hike into the community forest with a local guide to see the 3 waterfalls: Escondida, Vela de Novia & Gemelas.
Day 3: Either join water or frog monitoring or explore less trodden trails in the forest with a local guide.
Day 4: You will be driven back to Chontal Bajo or Garcia Moreno for onward travel.
The price of this itinerary at the time of writing is US$220 per person for a group of 2 people . Please ask for more details. There is a discount for large groups.
Lodging at Eco Cabañas Junín
The Lodge
We built our lodge using local materials near the village of Junin and with easy access to our community forest. It is designed to accommodate groups of up to 28 and to immerse visitors in the forest. Our open-air dining room is protected from the rain, allowing you to enjoy in the surrounding landscape whilst dining. We also have communal spaces that allow for relaxing in hammocks, yoga, meditation, and community meetings.
Our small library includes many nature and birding guides, scientific studies of local ecology, information about the surrounding area, and a few books and games for those moments of relaxation.
Amenities include hot showers, electricity in all rooms, and WiFi throughout the lodge.
The lodge is a great base for ecotourists, hikers, herping expeditions and university or school field trips.
Rooms
We have a room that sleeps two in a double bed and 5 other rooms that sleep 4-5 individuals in a combination of single beds and bunkbeds.
In total, we can accommodate 28 visitors in a combination of dormitories and rooms. All visitors share our three communal bathrooms on the ground floor.
Meals
Your stay includes three meals a day starting with a filling breakfast that can include freshly made coffee, juice, eggs, fresh fruit, and bread, plantains, or yuca.
Lunch is our biggest meal of the day and dinner is slightly smaller but still enough for those with hearty appetites. We prepare “comida típica” which are local dishes common to our region. We always serve dessert after dinner.
All meals are made with local ingredients, supporting our community’s farmers and shop owners.
If you have dietary restrictions, please let us know in advance so that we can plan accordingly.
Testimonials
Our former guests are the best measure of our success.
The Eco-Cabanas Junin guesthouse, located in the cloud forest of Intag Valley in Ecuador, is a haven of peace in the heart of the enchanting nature of the region. Surrounded by a unique forest and exceptional biodiversity, it is managed entirely by the local communities of Junin and Chalguayacu through an association that redistributes the benefits to its member families.
This project, designed as a sustainable economic alternative, also aims to inform and raise awareness of the importance of local ecosystems and traditions threatened by a mega-mine of copper.
In addition to the lodging and the full board, local guides will take you to the discovery of the forest and its waterfalls, traditional farms and stunning landscapes on the misty mountains of the Intag Valley, just a few hours away from Quito or Otavalo.
I stayed at the Cabanas EcoJunin for three nights this past summer and had a fantastic experience! The facilities were clean, well maintained, and comfortable. We were served three meals per day during our stay — the food was consistently good and freshly prepared for every meal. The hospitality was 10/10 and I would love to come back here sometime soon!
A spectacular place… I recommend it.
Request a Reservation
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About Eco Cabañas Junín
Who We Are
Our community tourism organization is made up of two communities: Junín and Chalguayacu Alto. Together, we work to provide the best tourism experiences in the region.
Our 40 members share responsibilities from preparing meals to making beds, guiding tours to clearing trails, posting on social media to taking reservations. We do everything it takes to make tourism work for our community.
Each and every one of us welcome you to visit our retreat in the cloudforest!
Video about the Intag Valley
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I visit Eco Cabañas Junín?
If you want to support community tourism that makes a difference, then visit our Eco Cabañas! Your trip directly supports families looking to offer their children a vibrant future and a healthy eco-system.
Where are we located?
We are located in the Intag Valley, Parroquia Garcia Moreno, Cantón Cotacachi, Imbabura Province, Ecuador. We are about 3.5 hours from Otavalo and Cotacachi, 3 hours from Ibarra, and 4 hours from Quito via Nanegalito.
Location of Eco Cabañas Junin, Intag Valley, Imbabura, Ecuador
How can I get to Eco Cabañas Junin?
There are several ways to arrive to Junín.
By Bus
The best way to arrive from Quito is to take the San José de Minas bus from Terminal la Ofelia in the north of Quito to Chontal Bajo.
From Otavalo/Cotacachi, it is best to take the TransOtavalo bus bound for Magdalena (passing right by Laguna Cuicocha) and get off at “la Zeta”.
From either Chontal Bajo or La Zeta, you can hire a taxi or local driver to complete the trip to our eco-cabañas for an estimated cost of $15-$25, depending on pickup location.
By Private Car
Alternatively, you can hire a private driver or rent a car. For the former, confirm with your driver that they have driven to Junin before. If not, have them contact us for good driving directions.
If driving yourself, please be aware that the route can be confusing to people not used to Ecuadorian road signs. Even when using Google Maps, it is easy to get turned around.
We recommend downloading Maps.Me which provides a Google-type map even when cellphone coverage fails. This can help. Asking locals along the route can provide mixed outcomes. Please know the route before heading our way!
Is there electricity and wifi?
Yes! We have 24-hour electricity and wifi available for our guests.
What is the weather like?
Temperatures are about the same year-round: highs in the low 80s F and lows in the mid 60s F.
The dry season is from May-October, while the rainy season is from November-April. Expect more sunny days in the dry season, and more rain in the wet season (obviously!). And expect rain year-round… just a little less during the dry season.
What is the altitude like?
Elevation at the Cabaña is approximately 3,500′ but is extremely variable throughout the region.
Though much lower than Quito, which lies at 9,350′, Junin is high enough that some people experience symptoms. We recommend arriving fully-hydrated and to eat moderate meals while adjusting to altitude. Most of our visitors experience no problems.
Should I bring cash or are there plenty of ATMs?
The official currency of Ecuador is the US dollar.
Cash is most commonly used in rural areas and in some family run businesses in cities. We recommend bringing bills in small denominations as anything larger than a $20 can be difficult to spend.
ATM’s are available in major cities. However, Junín does not have an ATM. Businesses in the Intag Valley do not accept credit cards. Please bring cash.
Do you have a list of birds I can see?
We have this list of over 400 birds that are possible to see in the region.
Also, we recommend looking at this list on eBird.
If you want to maximize your possibility of seeing these birds, please let us know in advance.
Do you have a list of frogs I can see?
We have a downloadable PDF in our Google Drive here.
Alternatively, you can also find an online guide here at issuu.
If you would like to see amphibians during your trip, please let us know in advance.
Do you have more photos and maps that I can see?
Yes! We have a lot of photos and maps on our Google Drive.
Can you recommend a local birding guide for my visit?
Our community guides are very capable of pointing out birds and frogs to our visitors. We do not know the names of the animals in languages other than Spanish. If you require an English-speaking guide or a licensed birdwatching guide, please let us know when making a reservation.
Eco Cabañas Junín
Located in the beautiful Intag Valley in the Imbabura Province of Ecuador
Designed and maintained by NYAA-consulting.com
Eco Cabañas Junín
Located in the beautiful Intag Valley in the Imbabura Province of Ecuador
Designed and maintained by NYAA-consulting.com
