Hummingbird House
Built back about 2000
Back
in about the year 2000, the Hummingbird was designed,
and constructed by our friend Susie's father Sr.Manuel Segundo
Pinanjota Andrango.
With
the help of Susie's soon to be husband Fernando, among
others in the family. The hill it sits upon now, as well as the Hostal
La Luna (Also built by Sr. Pinanjota Andrango), which sits below
and across the road from the Hummingbird House, was open
grasslands. Over the past twenty some years the foliage
has dramatically grown up and the once small eucalyptus
trees now tower over the area. The wonderful smell of
Eucalyptus permiates the air all around.
Top Left: Sr. Pinanjota
Andrango, Susie's
father.
Top Right: Newly built Hummingbird House.
Bottom Left/Right:
A very
young Fernando working on the house.
As its name implies, there are many Hummingbirds that call this place home.
There
are many varieties of Hummingbirds that are frequent
visitors. They can be heard chirping and seen guarding
their favorite flowers from dawn to dusk. Hummingbirds
with tails twice
as long as their bodies, to those with beaks also twice
as long as their bodies. Various species with beautiful
iridescent colors abound and sparkle even more when the
sun hits them. There are also many other varieties of
native birds that call this place home too, so keep your
eyes open and you will see all manner of them in the
trees, or sitting on the deck railings outside.
So where exactly is the Hummingbird House
Located?
The Hummingbird House is located up on the flanks of the extinct Volcano known as Fuya Fuya, at about 9,700ft altitude. The air is crisp and early springlike. Daytime highs with the sun can easily reach 75 degrees farenheight. Night time lows can get down to the low 50's. A fleece jacket is perfect in the evening, or a warm wool poncho from the market in Otavalo. A fire made in the wood stove will heat the entire house fairly quickly. If you need additional wood, or a fire started, you can contact Fernando.
The
climate is such that it typically will rain a little bit
each day. But that just helps to keep everything very
green and lush. On a clear morning you can see Imbabura
Volcano (15,000+ Ft) to the east, and Cotacachi Volcano
(17,000ft) to the west. The sunrise light on Cotacachi
can be spectacular of a morning, the sunset on Imbabura
of an evening equally so. The views down the mountain
towards Otavalo are also very impressive. Each day will
give you a different view as the light, clouds, fog, are
never the same.
If you want to do a bit of exploring and you have
already walked down the road both ways to visit Curubi
and Mirador, you can plan a visit to Mojanda. This area
is an incredibly beautiful place, with lakes, hiking and
many volcanic features. After all, it is the top of the
volcano that Hummingbird House was built upon. Mojanda
sits at about 12,200ft altitude. So if you are new to
the high elevations of the Ecuadorian Andes, I
wouldn't
suggest running right away (same goes down below at
Hummingbird House). You can also summit
the volcano at it's crater high point of 14,000ft. From
the starting point at the lake, it takes anywhere from
two to three hours to do this, depending on your
physical level, acclimation, etc. I suggest just taking
it
slow
and enjoying all the spectacular views on the way up.
If you want to get to Mojanda have Fernando or Susie
call you a cab. Or you can WhatsApp Bolivar, his info is
on the "Bus Schedule" page. The driver will get you to the top in
about 35 minutes or so. Just tell him to pick you up
when you think you will be ready. Four to six hours or
so makes for a nice
day
out.
Remember that it typically rains at some point each
day, usually after lunch, so make sure to take along a
rain suit just in case.
The drive to up to Mojanda is also a spectacular and scenic drive for sure.
A short walk down the road from Susie and Fernando's
Tienda brings you to a trail that takes you to Cascada
Taxopamba. It's a short 30 minute hike, fairly easy
unless rainy and muddy. This waterfall is quite nice and
picturesque and the hike through the countryside is
relaxed and also very scenic.
So now you have an idea as to the whereabouts of Hummingbird House, along with a few of the many things you can do while you are staying here. Take my advice...kick back, relax, and enjoy the time you are here. It's truly a beautiful place.
