Full-Day Adventure and Nature Tour of the Mindo Cloud Forest from Quito, Ecuador
Description
The Mindo Valley is located at the meeting point of two of the most biologically diverse regions: the Chocoan Lowlands and the Tropical Andes. Visit various spots in the Mindo-Nambillo Ecological Reserve. Observe birds and choose between a zipline adventure or a walk to a waterfall. Taste delicious local specialties and visit a bird or butterfly reserve before returning to Quito.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Early in the morning leave Quito by car driving northwest of Pichincha province. Ride through the road to the Coast (Mitad del Mundo - Calacalí – Los Bancos) and enjoy the view of small towns in the highway witnessing an astounding landscape transformation on the way. After approximately one 1 and 1/2 hour, arrive at the lovely Mindo Parrish Once you arrive in Mindo Cloud Forest take a small walk I the town and then head towards the Butterfly farm and Hummingbird Feeders (don´t forget your camera). Afterward, you may choose your desired adventure: Option 1: For adventure seekers, go for the Canopying, 13 zip lines of different lengths that range from 20 to 400 meters, an adrenaline-filled ride which enables an amazing view of the cloud forest. (Cost of the Canopy activity not included in the price of the tour) Option 2: Go for a trekking adventure across the cloud forest towards a waterfall and a ride Mindo’s famous “Tarabita”(Cable tram). Take your time to observe Mindo’s natural beauties and diversity. Take a break for a local-style lunch. Explore Mindo once a more and visit another special spot to view hummingbirds, butterflies and, with some luck Tanagers and Toucans. Head back to Quito around 5 pm. * IMPORTANT NOTE: For Friday departures (open departures), meet with your guide and fellow travelers at 6:45am at the centrally located meeting point at Mariscal Barrio at 6:45am. For Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat and Sun departures, the guide will pick you up at your hotel in Quito around 8:00 - 8:30am.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Departure Point: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun: (Your hotel in Quito - Hotels within the urban perimeter ONLY) Your hotel in Quito - Please inform us of your hotel of stay. Fridays (Meeting Point): Magic Bean Restaurant or "Q" Restaurant located at Barrio Mariscal at Mariscal y Juan León Mera (Quito - Ecuador) IMPORTANT NOTE: A voucher will be sent with the exact place and time to start the tour Address: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun: (Your hotel in Quito - hotels within the urban perimeter ONLY) Your hotel in Quito - Please inform us of your hotel of stay. Fridays (Meeting Point): Magic Bean Restaurant or "Q" Restaurant located at Barrio Mariscal at Mariscal y Juan León Mera (Quito - Ecuador) IMPORTANT NOTE: A voucher will be sent with the exact place and time to start the tour Dates: See Availability Return point: Original departure point.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- For tours taking place on Mon, Tue, Wed, Thus, San, the hotel pick-up will be from hotels within the urban perimeter ONLY.
Reviews(5)
The guide didn’t speak English and made us pay for lunch which was supposed to be included. Overall do not recommend
The tour guide picked us up at the hotel at 8 am and took us in his Subaru to the Mindo Cloud Forrest. He explained the history of the areas we passed and we stopped on the way to see local sights of interest, because as we were a small group, everyone agreed to see as much as possible. In Mindo, we decided to hike. In order to get to the various hiking paths, our guide drove us to the cable car that crosses a canyon. The adventure could begin. Once on the other side of the canyon, we hiked to the waterfall first, then to the river and swimming area. The colors of the sky and plants were spectacular. A late lunch at a hotel in town was another highlight. Great service and delicious food selections. Next door, we stopped for coffee in a small coffee shop before returning to Quito. We also passed the equator on the way back, and made a quick stop for selfies. What a wonderful day!
For more than 70 USD you get nothing more than the bus trip to Mindo and a lunch. There is no entrance fee to any attraction included, which is not directly visible from the description. Not recommendable!
Mindo is beautiful especially for adventure-seekers. We swam in the waterfall and it was the highlight of our trip. Cannot recommend our guide, Francisco, enough. He went above and beyond to make our trip fun!
Dear Daniel We are so happy to hear you had so much fun at Mindo. The cloud forest is certainly a most-visit spot for nature lovers. We will surely let Francisco know of your thoughts. A dip in the waterfall is an energetic and lovely experience, we are glad to hear you went for it! Hope we get to see you in Ecuador sometime I the future. Good luck with your next journey!
<p>LOVED the hummingbird feeders! Amazing to see them zipping in and out!</p>
