Cloud Forest Sanctuary
Farm stay in Gualea, Ecuador
- 10 guests
- 5 bedrooms
- 5 beds
- 4.5 baths
Hosted by Cheryl
- 8 years hosting
Listing highlights
Mountain and valley views
Soak up the views during your stay.
Park for free
This is one of the few places in the area with free parking.
Dedicated workspace
A common area with wifi that’s well-suited for working.
Above the Clouds Guest House is tucked away at the end of a country road offering privacy and seclusion while remaining within easy reach of cloud forest activities.
This 5-bedroom home is designed for connection to nature and each other. Enjoy stunning views from the living room, gather to prepare food in the large kitchen and converse over meals in the dining room.
Hike to a private waterfall, enjoy local experiences such as panela and coffee production or visit the Gallo de la Peña Lek.
The space
The guest house is ideal for families and friends, small retreats, creative groups, and those seeking rest, connection, and a more meaningful travel experience. It is the perfect place to experience the cloud forest in a peaceful, quiet setting.
The home sleeps up to 10 guests across five bedrooms, has a well-equipped kitchen and dining table for ten. There are two porches, a large terrace to relax and enjoy the views, outdoor BBQ area, beautiful gardens surrounding the house and a labyrinth for walking meditations.
As mentioned, we can help you immerse yourself in the local culture such as visiting a nearby coffee farm or seeing traditional panela production with a neighboring family five minutes up the road. You can see the famous Gallo de la Pena bird lek right next door and enjoy quiet viewpoints and walks through the cloud forest to two separate rivers, one with a large waterfall.
Staying with Purpose:
Above the Clouds is more than a guest house. Through Cheryl's Project One Corner, a portion of guest house proceeds helps support local community projects. Past projects have included home improvements, equipment donations, and helping local families with practical needs as they arise.
Base rate includes 4 guests; additional guests are $35 per person, per night.
Guest access
You will have the entire home to yourself and use of the 33 acres. The owner lives in a separate house on the property.
Other things to note
Pricing note: The base rate covers up to 4 guests. Additional guests are $35 per person, per night, up to a maximum of 10 guests.
Near-by activities: Ask for a quote if you would like guided tours to any of these activities.
Cock of the Rock: Just a 15-minute walk to my neighbor's house and you will be surrounded by the famous Andean Cock the Rock with up to 14 males dancing and prancing for the female.
Mindo is just 40 minutes away. Day trip for Chocolate tour, butterfly sanctuary's, ride a zip-line or cable car over the cloud forest.
Coffee tour. Visit a local family who will walk you through the coffee process from tree to cup, followed by a tasting using varying brewing techniques.
Traditional panela making tour: Visit a neighbor and watch how sugar cane is processed into a sweet taffy and panela sugar.
Mashpi Day Tour: Full day tour this special area where you will first see farmers harvesting hearts of palm and carrying them back to the farm on horses with special saddles. Picnic next to a beautiful green river. Tour a cocoa farm and try their delicious chocolate bars. Pass through secluded areas that are way off the beaten path.
Tulipe Museum: Visit this pre-Incan sacred swimming pools site, just 15 minutes from the farm.
Pacto Waterfall: Visit this amazing waterfall a half-hour walk through the woods. If you dare to venture on, you can climb the waterfall and wade through the river to see the ancient petroglyphs carved into the river rocks. Did I mention you will be the only one there on a weekday?
Hammock! Rest, relax, read, enjoy the views. FREE!
This 5-bedroom home is designed for connection to nature and each other. Enjoy stunning views from the living room, gather to prepare food in the large kitchen and converse over meals in the dining room.
Hike to a private waterfall, enjoy local experiences such as panela and coffee production or visit the Gallo de la Peña Lek.
The space
The guest house is ideal for families and friends, small retreats, creative groups, and those seeking rest, connection, and a more meaningful travel experience. It is the perfect place to experience the cloud forest in a peaceful, quiet setting.
The home sleeps up to 10 guests across five bedrooms, has a well-equipped kitchen and dining table for ten. There are two porches, a large terrace to relax and enjoy the views, outdoor BBQ area, beautiful gardens surrounding the house and a labyrinth for walking meditations.
As mentioned, we can help you immerse yourself in the local culture such as visiting a nearby coffee farm or seeing traditional panela production with a neighboring family five minutes up the road. You can see the famous Gallo de la Pena bird lek right next door and enjoy quiet viewpoints and walks through the cloud forest to two separate rivers, one with a large waterfall.
Staying with Purpose:
Above the Clouds is more than a guest house. Through Cheryl's Project One Corner, a portion of guest house proceeds helps support local community projects. Past projects have included home improvements, equipment donations, and helping local families with practical needs as they arise.
Base rate includes 4 guests; additional guests are $35 per person, per night.
Guest access
You will have the entire home to yourself and use of the 33 acres. The owner lives in a separate house on the property.
Other things to note
Pricing note: The base rate covers up to 4 guests. Additional guests are $35 per person, per night, up to a maximum of 10 guests.
Near-by activities: Ask for a quote if you would like guided tours to any of these activities.
Cock of the Rock: Just a 15-minute walk to my neighbor's house and you will be surrounded by the famous Andean Cock the Rock with up to 14 males dancing and prancing for the female.
Mindo is just 40 minutes away. Day trip for Chocolate tour, butterfly sanctuary's, ride a zip-line or cable car over the cloud forest.
Coffee tour. Visit a local family who will walk you through the coffee process from tree to cup, followed by a tasting using varying brewing techniques.
Traditional panela making tour: Visit a neighbor and watch how sugar cane is processed into a sweet taffy and panela sugar.
Mashpi Day Tour: Full day tour this special area where you will first see farmers harvesting hearts of palm and carrying them back to the farm on horses with special saddles. Picnic next to a beautiful green river. Tour a cocoa farm and try their delicious chocolate bars. Pass through secluded areas that are way off the beaten path.
Tulipe Museum: Visit this pre-Incan sacred swimming pools site, just 15 minutes from the farm.
Pacto Waterfall: Visit this amazing waterfall a half-hour walk through the woods. If you dare to venture on, you can climb the waterfall and wade through the river to see the ancient petroglyphs carved into the river rocks. Did I mention you will be the only one there on a weekday?
Hammock! Rest, relax, read, enjoy the views. FREE!
Where you’ll sleep
1 of 3 pages
What this place offers
Valley view
Garden view
Kitchen
Wifi
Dedicated workspace
Unavailable: Carbon monoxide alarm
Unavailable: Smoke alarm
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Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 9 reviews.
Guest favorite
This home is a guest favorite based on ratings, reviews, and reliability
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Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for cleanliness
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Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for check-in
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for communication
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for location
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for value
Guests mention
Where you’ll be
Gualea, Pichincha, Ecuador
The guest house is located in a rural farming area and sits at the end of a country road affording privacy and tranquility. The property is 33 acres of pasture and cloud forest with rivers on two sides and a private waterfall.
Power outages are not common but may occur. The house does not have an emergency power plant.
Power outages are not common but may occur. The house does not have an emergency power plant.
Meet your host
Born in the 60s
I spend too much time: I love to be outside in nature!
Hi! I am Cheryl. I fell in love with Ecuador on a volunteer trip and later purchased a farm in the cloud forest where I have lived for 24 years. I also host people at Above the Clouds Guest House.
Host details
Response rate: 100%
Responds within a few hours
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