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El Monte Lodge

  • El Monte Lodge
  • El Monte Lodge
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Rustic, eco-friendly lodge in a remote nature reserve, with an emphasis on simple and sustainable living combined with comfort and attractive contemporary style.

The rustic, eco-friendly El Monte Lodge is set on the Río Mindo within a lush private nature reserve. It places an emphasis on its simple and sustainable living, and has a distinct air of remoteness – even reaching the property is an adventure, entailing a memorable river crossing via a wooden swing operated by ropes and pulleys.

Once within the grounds, an idyllic scene unfolds: the main lodge with its dramatic pitched roof is surrounded by lustrous, mist-shrouded greenery, dissected by the river which flows past the lodge’s six thatched cabins.

These follow a traditional indigenous design and look very much at home within the surrounding cloud-forest, alive with the movement and song of the area's abundant bird population. The lodge is powered by solar panels and hydroelectricity. There's a bar, lounge and games area within the giant, open-sided cedar wood main lodge, cosily kitted out with sofas and two open fire pits. This is also the only area to get Wi-Fi and the setting for set menu meals (no red meat), prepared using produce from the lodge's own garden

Bartolome, Galápagos

What our clients say

  • Wonderful place and setting. An extra night would have been better....As it was, we saw little of El Monte as we had to leave at 5am next day. This was…

    MP, Hemel Hempstead Nov 2016
  • Wonderful retreat in such peaceful surroundings. Food is superb and hosts very genuine, friendly people committed to their business.

    KS Southampton Jan 2015
  • Accessed by a rope-drawn seat across a river, El Monte is a fabulous eco-lodge set in lovely grounds. The owner, Tom, is extremely helpful and great company. The food is…

    JB, Newcastle Apr 2019
  • Lovely place to finish our holiday. If only we had another day there!

    TC, St Albans Oct 2016
  • "The owners of El Monte were most welcoming. The lodge was run on the most positive ecological lines and the simple cooking delicious.”

    JH, Chester Nov 2013
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Our Expert's Opinion

Jamie
Jamie Swan - Product & Marketing

Jamie backpacked across Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and Brazil before joining us; he has a degree in politics and is also a keen sportsman..

Papagaio

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Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Charlotte
    Charlotte Daubeney - Travel Expert

    Charlotte's fascination with Latin America began with a family holiday to Belize. She went on to study Spanish in school and at university before spending a year living in Santiago, Chile.

  • Mary
    Mary Anne Nelson - Travel Expert

    Born in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, Mary’s insider knowledge and dry sense of humour make her a highly valued member of the Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tour sales team.

  • Carrie
    Carrie Gallagher - Travel Expert

    A former JLA tour leader, Carrie brings a wealth of on-the-ground experience to our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours department.

  • Hannah
    Hannah Donaldson - Travel Expert

    Having spent part of her childhood in Colombia and worked in Brazil and Costa Rica, Hannah's ties to Latin America run deep. Hannah is a much valued Travel Expert in our Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tours sales team.

  • Juliet
    Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

  • Paul Winrow Giffin
    Paul Winrow-Giffin - Travel Expert

    After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.

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