El Nido del Cóndor (The Condor’s Nest)
High in Colombia’s Central Andes, surrounded by deep river canyons and cloud forest, El Nido del Cóndor Ecolodge feels wonderfully removed from the rest of the world.
Mist drifts through the forest. The air carries that cool Andean edge. Far below, the Molinos and Campanario rivers carve their way through the mountains.
The lodge sits outside the town of Villamaría in Caldas, within sight of the volcanic landscapes of Los Nevados National Natural Park. On clear days, the snow-capped peak of Nevado del Ruiz appears in the distance.
Weather moves quickly here. Bright sun one moment. Cold Andean mist the next. The mountains seem to rewrite themselves every hour.
A Stay Through the Eyes of Our Team
Our WhereNext Creative team first discovered El Nido del Cóndor while filming a global campaign for the brand Merrell.
We came looking for a cold-weather location in the middle of Colombia’s summer.
What we found was something better, a place that feels suspended between sky and canyon.
Morning Coffee happened on the terrace outside the tent while watching the forest come alive as tanagers and warblers gathered near the feeders outside the main house. The mountains slowly revealed themselves as the fog lifted.
Places like this don’t demand much from you. Just a little time, and a willingness to sit still long enough to notice how very special the location is.
The Rooms
El Nido del Cóndor takes a glamping approach to mountain lodges.
Instead of traditional hotel rooms, the property features a collection of spacious safari-style tents, designed by the Botero family, architects who dreamed of sharing their slice of Andean wilderness with travelers.
Each cabin spans over 80 square meters, offering space to stretch out and settle into the rhythm of the mountains.
Inside, you’ll find large comfortable beds, warm wood finishes, and thoughtful details that balance rustic simplicity with comfort.
Outside, two private deck terraces extend toward the canyon views. Hammocks sway gently in the breeze. Tables invite long coffee breaks. Semi-open bathrooms and showers look out across the forested valleys below.
The Condor’s Nest - “El Nido del Cóndor”
The lodge’s name isn’t poetic license.
While exploring the property years ago, the Botero family began noticing Andean Condors soaring along the cliffs of the nearby Campanario River canyon.
Eventually, they discovered something remarkable.
A condor nest sits on a rocky cliff face directly below the lodge.
Even outside nesting season, the birds often return to the area, riding the thermals that rise from the canyon and occasionally passing at eye level with the lodge terraces.
A Journey Into the Andes
Getting to El Nido del Cóndor is part of the experience.
The lodge sits about 17 kilometers outside Villamaría, along a rugged mountain road that is best navigated in a 4x4 vehicle, particularly after rain. WhereNext works with trusted local drivers and can arrange transport to and from the lodge.
The easiest way to reach the area is by flying into Matecaña International Airport in Pereira, followed by a roughly three-hour drive through the rising landscapes of Colombia’s coffee region.
The final arrival is unforgettable.
Guests cross the Molinos River canyon on a metal gondola, gliding above the cloud forest with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains.
On clear days, the distant white summit of Nevado del Ruiz appears on the horizon.
Sustainability in the Mountains
El Nido del Cóndor was built with a deep respect for the landscape surrounding it.
The lodge runs on solar energy, harvests rainwater for its facilities, and uses ecological cleaning products throughout the property.
Wood used in the structures comes from cultivated sources, and many of the ingredients served in the kitchen are locally produced to reduce environmental impact and support nearby communities.
The lodge also supports research and education initiatives focused on Andean condors, helping raise awareness among local communities about the importance of protecting Colombia’s national bird.
It’s a small place with a big commitment to the mountains that surround it.
