9 July – 3 August, 2009: "I hope Reserva las Gralarias is as beautiful as it was when we last saw it in July ! :) I wanted to thank you for the great and unforgettable time we had last month. Everything was incredible and I really don´t have enough words to explain you how much I miss it now. Our guide, Dusan, was great too! We can´t wait to come back! Jose is still working with the pics, as soon as he has them we will all receive them. Thanks again for everything.” DL, Madrid, Spain

20 May – 8 June 2009:  “We had a wonderful visit, so comfortable with great food and service… and of course great organization, advice and hospitality...  We saw some great birds, including all the antpittas!  Thanks so much – we really hope to visit again!  Keep up the great work!”  S&TB, Brisbane, Australia

8-10 April 2009:  “I shall never forget Las Gralarias. Apart from the wonderful accommodation, food and birds, I shall always be grateful for Jane’s sterling efforts on the communication front to allow me to receive news of the birth of my first grandchild! Muchas gracias to all.” AS, Sussex, UK

3 March – 10 April 2009: "People were great, food was great, weather was…well, two out of three ain’t bad! Good place for research.”  CC, Arizona, USA

20 February – March 2009:  “Home from home! Welcoming and wonderful. We look forward to the next time.” AL & DB, Norwich, UK

8-18 January 2009:  “Wow! First trip to “sunny” Ecuador, and what a trip! Many thanks to Jane and Mindo Birds for putting it all together – the birds, the comfortable lodging, the wonderful food, the roads, the ferry crossings, the birds, the power outages (I should have said candlelight dinners) and of course, the rain. Last, but no way least, I will forever be grateful to Juan Carlos for getting us there and to Charley for finding those fabulous birds!"  TS, Georgia, USA.

8-18 January 2009:  “Many thanks to everyone here once again. We’ve had a wonderful guide, marvelous birds & food & hospitality plus the added adventure of lots of rain and not so much electricity! This was our second visit and we hope not the last.”  D&KT, Georgia, USA

4-8 December 2008: “Great trip – food – birds. Thanks much.”  MC, San Benito, TX, USA

10-12 December 2008:  “Thanks to Jane and all the team for a wonderful break in the most fabulous setting…much time spent mesmerized by the birds…Thank you fior the wonderful food…can’t wait to return for a longer visit…”  S&DA, UK and I&BM, Austin, TX, USA

22-30 Nov 2008:  “The cloud forest, the birds, Las Gralarias is a magical place.  Thank you so much for your kindness, your hospitality and making our holiday so memorable.”   EL, Troy, MO, USA

11-15 Nov 2008:  “Absolutely wonderful!  Jane is a great host, the lodge is fantastic, the food glorious, and THE BIRDS…!  Would not hesitate to highly recommend the whole experience.  Thank you for an unforgettable stay.”  AE, Bogota, Colombia

13-24 Oct 2008:  “Great lodge! Beautiful views, excellent food, great birding.  Thanks for working with us to plan a memorable vacation in Ecuador.”   AM & JK, Austin, TX, USA

15 July-2 August 2008:  "We had a fantastic stay here! The Nature is truly unbelievable. We recorded more than 250 species in 5 days of intensive birdwatching - a record for all of us. We just can't find words to describe our feelings but we just have to come back even though we still have 12 days to discover more wonders in Ecuador."  HD, VB, & B, Belgium

28 June - 2 July 2008:  "What a lovely place - wonderful birds - great photography and a gracious hostess! Don't want to leave! Gabriel is a fantastic guide - in every way possible! -the perfect combination of patience, knowledge (he is brilliant!), pacing and kindness. He is by far the best guide I've ever had! I hope to return one day. Muchisimas gracias!"  PT, San Francisco, CA, USA

2-5 June 2008:  “Gracias for everything! You made our trip extremely interesting, comfortable and fun!”  JS, Photographer, National Geographic Magazine, Nebraska, USA

2-5 June 2008:  “What a lovely place – wonderful service and food that made us feel very welcome. We had a great time – hardly felt like work! Thanks so much.”  JH, Senior Writer, National Geographic Magazine, Washington, D.C., USA

24 May – 5 June, 2008:  “I felt instantly at home here. I never thought I could be so relaxed and so overwhelmed simultaneously. Jane – you have done amazing things and are an inspiration to conservation. I hope to come back and help unlock a few more secrets of the forest…Las Gralarias is truly an emerald hidden in the clouds!”  HK, Washington, D.C., USA

14-17 May 2008:  “Thank you for an excellent stay and very good birding, especially the day with the Ocellated Tapaculo. The conditions here are perfect, nice staff, good music. Hope to see you again. Best wishes and thanks to Charley for guiding.”  LB, Denmark.

16-25 February 2008:  “Las Gralarias is beautiful and we loved every moment , despite the rain! Best birding inn we’ve ever stayed at – and all the birds just add to it! Great to meet you and so many thanks to our wonderful guide... Hope to see you again soon!”  JZ & AB, Brooklyn, NY, USA

14 Febraury -11 March 2008:  “You have really spoiled us. We don’t know how much better it can get. Your staff is great, the food is wonderful…we have really enjoyed ourselves. Thanks ever so much.”  B&VW, El Cerrito, CA, USA

11-17 Feb 2008:  “Had such a great time – thank you! I don’t know what I liked better – the food or the birds!”  S&CO, Chicago, IL, USA

18- 21 Jan 2008:  “ We thoroughly enjyed our stay here. The company of all here and the fantastic meals, birds, room – were all nice. We’ll come again and refer others.”  B&RT, Oregon, USA

7-14 Jan 2008:  “ You have done a magnificent job blending conservation with ecotourism – and by far your accommodations outshine any other in the region – Bravo!!”  NT, FL, USA

7-14 Jan 2008:  “I’ll be back…Wonderful guide and wonderful birds... The lodge is glorious. Thank you.”  DH, Cedar Key, FL, USA

24-27 Dec 2007:  “Our few days in your quiet corner of the world have been wonderful. The birding was magnificent from dawn to dusk. We wish you luck in all your endeavors.”  MG & CA, Killingay, CT, USA

22-27 Dec:  “Thank you for your warmth and hospitality. Most of all, Jane, bless you for your efforts to conserve our planet and provide a livelihood for your staff and community.”  MD, Elgin, IL, USA

22-27 Dec 2007:  “ Outside the toucans loved the mist; we tried to stay dry and not to slip on the wet ground. What an experience to see so many beautiful birds…Many thanks for most gracious hospitality and comfort, not to forget also the seamless providing of transportation. All in all a great trip and days spent very memorably. Thanks a lot!”  EL, Schaumburg, IL, USA

27 Nov – 13 Dec 2007:  “ Eat, sleep, bird – Life is simple.” Many thanks Jane, Charley and the ladies that cooked!” SB & KD, Amherst, VA, USA

20 Nov – 6 Dec, 2007:  "We had a lovely stay – good food, good company & good birds. Thank you for your hospitality.”  J&SS, Paris, France

19-27 Nov 2007:  “ What a wonderful reserve – thanks for all that you have done for preserving this piece of paradise. Fantastic birds (& butterflies & flowers, etc.). Thanks for your hospitality.”  MM, Bulverde, TX, USA and H&SP, Twann, Switzerland

14-30 Nov 2007:  “I thought compelled to write to thank you tremendously for all your help in organising such a magnificent trip to Ecuador. Despite the best efforts of Iberia we had a wonderfully organised trip, which gave us a real flavour of the incredibly varied geography and nature of the country. We particularly enjoyed our visit to Las Gralarias both for your warm hospitality and the birding. Birds like Toucan Barbet, Plate Billed Mountain Toucan, Yellow Breasted Antpitta and the flocks of tanagers and furnarids are not easily forgotten. We would be particularly grateful if you could pass on our sincere thanks to Charley and Edison for their expert guiding and of course to Juan Carlos for piloting us safely along some very interesting roads during our stay! We will definitely be back to Ecuador in the future as there are a whole range of places we would like to visit and we will undoubtedly use your expertise in planning any future trips. “  B&EH, Birmingham, UK

14-30 Nov 2007:  “Thanks for a fantastic stay. You made us feel so welcome and were a wonderful hostess. Could have stayed and watched the booted racket-tails all day! Thanks for your superb hospitality and for nan absolutely wonderful stay. We were both enchanted by the place, the birds and the kindness of everyone. We will definitely be back again!”  B&EH, Birmingham, UK

18-21 Nov 2007:  “What a wonderful adventure. Beautiful waterfalls, great views, incredible birds…We had a great time and will leave with warm memories and good stories. Thank you Jane and Charley.”  D&DW, Walnut Creek, CA, USA

12-26 Nov 2007:  “Las Gralarias is a wonderful place and has left me with some great memories, Charles is a superb person and guide with oceans of patience with us poor souls and of course extremely knowledgeable on his birds, so a big thankyou to you both for making everything work. Hacienda Cusin and that gorgeous old place where we had lunch near Antisana were I gather from Tim suggested by yourself were just brilliant. Finally a huge big thankyou for all your stirling efforts in sorting out the Quito/Guayaquil flight affair.”  TL, UK

12 Nov – 4 Dec 2007:  “ We have so much respect for how you are meeting the challenge of protecting the environment and especially the birds. We have had an exceptional experience and look forward to the Amazon and Galapagos. Thank you and good luck to you and Charley and the new research institute.”  JSC, TH, SKS, UK.

30 June – 6 July 2007:  “Wonderful visit – 5 star hospitality! Your place is beautiful and alive with birds and flora. What a great place to have my first trip to Ecuador – Thanks for everything.”  SR, Ohio, USA

30 June - 6 July 2007:  “This is heaven on earth – to hear, see and be buzzed by so many beautiful hummers! And – the people are wonderful too – you and your staff make this “home” to all who come – I feel blessed to have been here.”  ST, Ohio, USA

9-15 May 2007:  “Thank you for the excellent trip arrangements – everything went smoothly which allowed us to enjoy your wonderful reserve. The birds, moths and forests were a real treat. We enjoyed much our conversations and your hospitality.”  SG, Sacramento, CA and SG Nashville, TN, USA.

10-13 Mar 2007:  “Thanks so much for everything – the wonderful food, the great conversation and, of course, this wonderful reserve! You are doing a great service protecting Ecuador’s natural world!”  D&JM, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

19 Feb 2007:  “Fabulous forest and a wonderful facility! We had a great time and will have to come back.”  M&CL, Alpine, TX, USA

7 Feb 2007: “ It was a wonderful combination of relaxation and exciting birding. Plus excellent food and service.”  KL, Puyallup, WA, USA

27-30 Jan 2007: “ What a contrast between being in the clouds all day Saturday and Sunday and then the wonderful starry morning on Monday when we got up at 3.45am to go to see the lek and the warm sunny morning and equally warm and clear morning on Tuesday. Jane, you have a magical place. Best wishes.” N&FC, Scotland.

25 January 2007:  “ We enjoyed the stay so much. The accommodations were fabulous and this is the best food we have ever had at any lodge we have visited – and that’s a lot of lodges. Your knowledge of the area and the birds were so helpful. We will be back.”  MB and JC, Panama

9-17 August 2006:  ”I wanted to thank you for such a wonderful time I spent at Reserva Las Gralarias. Your hospitality was wonderful, the food was great and the birds, plants, Quito and everything else was more then I ever thought it would be. I am glad I was able to help with the bird study and frogs. Tim said some of the frogs he found were endangered. It makes the land more and more important to save…. Again, thank you so very much. I had a wonderful experience.”  JK, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

1-4 July 2006:  “ Arriving here was like a miracle – what a wonderful spot! The facilities were wonderful, and access to great birds was fine. What more could ask? Your hospitality was the best – we’ll be back… Thanks!”  B&MH, Ohio, USA

18-24 June 2006:  “ A wonderful set of people in a beautiful location. Thank you for your kindness, generous spirit and care for the environment!”  SC, Atlanta, GA, USA

18-24 June 2006: “Thank you for a wonderful time and the great adventures. Appreciate your hospitality and generosity.”  JL, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

18-24 June 2006:  "I wanted to thank you for arranging a wonderful trip for Jeanne and me to Ecuador. We enjoyed the birding and your lovely guest house."  LL, Utah, USA

5 June 2006:  “Thank you for your gracious hospitality. I like your place and what you have done here. All the best to you.”  PK, Midland, MI, USA

23-29 January 2006:  “Thanks so much for your wonderful hospitality! This is a great place and I just LOVE the forest and all its great birds. You and your staff have been excellent hosts. Hope we will return some day.” ST, Richmond, BC, Canada

23-29 January 2006:  “Thanks Jane for our best stay! You have a wonderful facility here with so much thought to detail. Thanks also for all your help and answers to our questions.” MT, Richmond, B.C., Canada

23-29 Jan 2006:  “ Jane you certainly have made our trip worthwhile. Thanks for the great service and great hospitality.”  JT, Vancouver, BC, Canada

7-9 Nov, 2005:  “50 lifers today – and at a very comfortable setting. Thanks!”  GM, San Francisco, CA, USA.

2-6 Oct 2005:  “I’ve been printing our pictures from the Ecuador/Galapagos trip and re-living all the sights, sounds, laughter and good fellowship. It was a wonderful trip. We loved Las Gralarias and it is my dream to someday come back and just stay there for a week (or longer), feet up, watching hummingbirds. Believe me, of all the places we went, yours was the best of all.”  SE, Webster,WY, USA

27 Nov – 1 Dec, 2005:  “Nous nous sentons a la maison a Las Gralarias. De bons repas, des beaux sourires et un bel environment. Mais nos avons surtout vu de tres beaux oiseaux : le Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan tout juste avant de quitter et trios especies de fruiteaters..nous n’en esperians pas tant! Merci.” , PP &GR, CM & RB, Québec, Canada.

19-24 Nov, 2005:  “Great birding, great food, relaxing surroundings. Thank you Jane for this delightful week and many thanks to Benjamin”. JG, Montréal, Canada.

19-24 Nov, 2005:  Un gros merci Jane pour le chaleureux accueil. Le confort, la bonne nourriture et un super guide ont fair le succes de ces agradables tours a las Gralarias.”  AD, Québec, Canada.

14-18 Oct, 2005: “Thank you so much for your hospitality! Great food, great birding, great company. A delight!”  LR & RT, Austin, TX, USA

2-3 Oct, 2005:  “Spectacular hummers, wonderful hospitality, great food and excellent conversation. Who could want more? Thanks!”  KL, Exeter, PA, USA.

10-12 Oct, 2005:  “Having a great trip thanks to your organization and guides. Marvelous stay here; you have wonderful trails and super house and lodging. Thanks.”  H&AH, Canada
 

6-19 September 2005: "Thank you for the great time at Las Gralarias and arranging our birding trip in Ecuador so well. We really felt like at home."  J&WW and RH, Holland and Germany.

9-15 September 2005:  “Fabulous place, wonderful birds, great trails, fantastic food and company – Thanks for a wonderful time!”  MBS, San Diego, CA, USA

7 July-5 August 2005: "Thank you Jane for arranging this wonderful introduction to Ecuador birding. Staying at Las Gralarias was very special. Sorry we cannot stay longer - maybe next time!"  AB-W & DW, Hawaii, USA.

18-30 March 2005:  "I just wanted to let you know that both Steve and I really enjoyed ourselves, and got to see a part of Ecuador that will surely stay in our memories. Steve was delighted with your guest facilities at Las Gralarias, in that he could get from bedroom to breakfast table in his stocking feet! You certainly made us feel at home. The hummingbirds were spectacular, and the other specialties like antbirds, toucans, quetzals, fruiteaters, all the colorful tanagers, woodcreepers and on and on were a marvel to see. Your organization and execution of the logistics went flawlessly, even when my arrival was delayed, and the Hotel Quito was a very satisfactory place to start and finish the tour... I ended up with over 150 new birds among the 375 species we saw or heard, so my personal objective of getting my world list to 3000 was easily achieved in the first few days. When you asked if there was anything I really wanted to see, I listed a few hummingbirds, Torrent Duck and Sunbittern. We got the hummers, except for the Sicklebill; were spectacularly successful, after a couple of tries, with the Torrent Ducks; and missed the Sunbittern. So that leaves a reason to come back. Thanks again for all your efforts in helping us have a successful trip."  BL, Berkeley, CA, USA

18-15 March 2005:  "Just wanted to say thanks for a great trip. Everything went smoothly getting out of Quito yesterday, and the entire trip went without a hitch. Both guides were great! Of the 3 lodges we stayed at, I enjoyed yours the most. Your company, your insights, and your food were all very enjoyable."  SL, San Ramon, CA, USA