La Hesperia Cloud Forest Reserve
La Hesperia is a family-run reserve in Ecuador’s western Andes, protected since 1971, with 700 hectares of cloud forest and 100 hectares of working farmland. Families live on the reserve and children learn from the forest and the farm around them.
Each stay is designed around your children’s ages and interests. Activities range from wildlife observation and guided hikes to caring for animals, harvesting, and making chocolate from scratch, along with Ecuadorian cooking workshops and a chocolate and coffee tour. Three hours of educational support a day (Monday to Thursday) are included, so parents can work with reliable fiber internet.
Pricing is $50 per day per adult and $25 per day per child under 12, all-inclusive. The listed price is the weekly adult rate. Stays can run from 5 days to 4 months, with discounts for longer stays. Contact us for a quote tailored to your family.
Meet the Team
The program is led by Alexandra Hoeneisen, an educator with a background in natural resource management. She homeschooled her own children for over 20 years and works with Montessori principles and positive discipline.
Field activities are supported by Juan Ignacio Játiva, a lifelong homeschooler and certified Wilderness First Responder (WFR), who is on-site during your stay. Local farm staff share their daily work and knowledge with the children.
Venue Details
The reserve sits between 1,100 and 2,040 meters of altitude, about 90 km from Quito. It is private, gated, and staffed full-time. Families stay in private or shared family rooms with hot water.
Meals are home-style Ecuadorian cooking made with produce from the organic gardens. Fiber internet is suitable for video calls. Transport from the highway to the reserve is included, and transfers from Quito or the airport can be arranged at extra cost. The nearest hospital is in Santo Domingo, about one hour away.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations made more than 30 days before arrival receive a full refund of any deposit paid. Cancellations made 15 to 30 days before arrival receive a 50% refund. Cancellations made less than 15 days before arrival are non-refundable.
If La Hesperia must cancel or change a program due to circumstances beyond our control, such as natural events, security concerns, or health emergencies, we will offer an alternative date or a full refund. Participants asked to leave due to conduct that harms the reserve, staff, or other participants are not eligible for a refund.
What's Included
Accommodation in a private or shared family room; three daily meals; fiber internet; 3 hours a day of educational support (Monday to Thursday); one chocolate and coffee tour per stay; two cooking workshops; a weekly educational talk; guided hikes and daily farm activities; a Wilderness First Responder on-site; transport from the highway to the reserve; travel planning support.