Intag Cloud Forest Reserve

Walks and Talks

Not only do we grow, process and serve some of the best-tasting coffee in the world, but our reserve/farm is a good example of ecological farming techniques. In fact, one of our most popular guided walks, especially for the University students that visit us, is the Farm Tour.

For more information on the rest of our "walks and talks" click here.

Trails

SIT students Photo: Sylvia Seger

The Asequia loop trail is about 1.5 hours, and not too difficult. Thought it doesn't go through primary forest, the secondary forests it does go into is quite beautiful. Orchids abound and are actually easier to see here than in the high-forest trail. There's also no shortage of tree ferns and as well as zillions of philodendrums and anthuriums. Whoever is guiding you will take the time to point out the medicinal plants, including the awesome Cinchona, or quinine tree. The miraculous Sangre de Drago, or poor-people's pharmacy, also grows naturally here at this elevation. The sap from this large tree flows the exact color of blood, and is used to cure a host of diseases (it works too!) The bark of the humble Cinchona tree, by the way, for centuries was the only source of medicine to cure malaria. The tree is responsible for saving the lives of untold millions of people, and has produced billons of dollars of profit for pharmaceutical companies. Cinchona is native to Intag and, as well as the Sangre de Drago, on the list of protected species. After gawking at the orchids, medicinal plants and tree ferns, the walk ends at our 15 meter-high waterfall, which is less than 10 minutes from your cabin.

For more information on more of our trails click here

Typical Day

Breakfast is around 8am, and it can be pancakes or French-toast served with home-made marmalades, natural sugar-cane syrup, juice and fresh fruit, all to be downed with freshly toasted coffee, herbal tea, or hot chocolate.

For the rest of the schedule of the day click here.

Thank you so much for everything- the lectures, information, beautiful rainforest, beautiful reserve, and the most amazing food! I wish everyone had a chance to experience this...
Sadie Grossman
NH