Welcome
RANCHO TANGARÉ IN A BRIEF
Rancho Tangaré Nature Reserve (the Ranch) is a private forest conservation and sustainable nature-based tourism demonstration site of the not-for-profit Rios Andinos and its partner organizations. Since June 2018, the Ranch has been officially registered as a private nature reserve at the Ministry of Environment of Ecuador (MAE-CGJ-2018-0456-O).
The Ranch is located in the Northwest of the Province of Pichincha, County of Los Bancos, Ecuador, at an altitude of approximately 800 meters above sea level. The area has a humid, sub-tropical climate, with temperatures ranging from 16 to 22 degrees Celsius and an average humidity of 95%.
The County territory contains valuable natural resources, such as the Protected Forest of Mindo-Nambillo, which spans a total area of 19,200 hectares, and the new protected area established by the Municipality of Los Bancos: Río Blanco Protected Forest (RBPF). This newly protected forest encompasses 3,700 hectares, including areas for forest restoration and rehabilitation. The Ranch is proudly part of this new protected forest.
The Ranch is also connected to the Subtropical Andes Hotspot, boasting extraordinary biodiversity and high levels of endemism, featuring a diverse array of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and nearly 300 bird species. Thus, it is an ideal place for birdwatching. Additionally, the Ranch offers numerous research opportunities, high-standard nature hikes, and horseback riding. The region has numerous rivers, such as the Blanco and Mulaute, which offer unique customized opportunities for white-water rafting trips with Rios Andinos' partner Andean Rivers Expeditions in the Ranch.
Located in the restoration and reforestation area of the RBPF, the Ranch spans approximately 247 acres (100 hectares), comprising 75 hectares of humid subtropical forest and 20 hectares of silvopasture systems within the same ecosystem. The Los Bancos to Valle Hermoso Road limits the northern part of the property, and the southern part connects the Ranch with the RBPF. The Ranch is undergoing a forest enrichment and reforestation program using native high conservation value forest (HCVF) species.
Rancho Tangaré was initially established in 1970 as a livestock farm and named "Rancho Tangaré" because of the abundance of Tangaré trees (Carapa megistocarpa). Unfortunately, a large portion of the forest was cleared to make way for grassland and livestock production.
Due to the advanced land and forest degradation on the property, in 2017, Marlon Flores and his family acquired the property, established the Rios Andinos Foundation, closed livestock operations, and began rewilding. Restoration (rewilding) includes reforestation with high conservation value tree species. Further, in 2018, Rancho Tangaré became a member of the National Corporation of Forests and Private Reserves of Ecuador, registered at the Ministry of Environment of Ecuador (MAATE for its Spanish acronym). The same year, the Ranch became a member of the Chamber of Tourism of the Choco-Andino region.
The nature-positive and climate-smart tourism activities offered on the Ranch help cover the costs of conservation and restoration. Four kilometers of user and eco-friendly hiking and horseback riding trails are under construction within the Ranch's humid subtropical forest and silvopasture areas.