La Hesperia Cloud Forest Reserve

Member since September 15, 2026

La Hesperia is a family-run reserve in Ecuador’s western Andes, about 90 km from Quito, protected since 1971. It includes 700 hectares of cloud forest and 100 hectares of working farmland.
The family learning program is led by Alexandra Hoeneisen, an educator with a background in natural resource management who homeschooled her own children for over 20 years. Her approach combines Montessori principles and positive discipline. Field activities are supported by Juan Ignacio Játiva, a lifelong homeschooler and certified Wilderness First Responder.
We host a small number of families at a time and design each stay around the children’s ages and interests. Families from more than 20 countries have stayed with us so far.