Booking fee
The booking fee includes the costs of booking your tickets such as charges for payment processing. It also covers the provision of our customer care center for processing your order, and all charges imposed by our suppliers.
* This tour requires at least one of the following per booking: Adult, Senior
Surrounded by forested mountains and just two hours away from Quito, Mindo offers a variety of activities for all interests and tastes. You will start the day with a hike in the Mindo Nambillo Reserve. This is a transitional sub-tropical rainforest where two of the most biologically diverse ecoregions in the world meet: the Chocó lowlands and the Western Tropical Andes. Three rivers (Mindo, Saloya and Cinto) and hundreds of streams irrigate the landscape. The Nambillo Waterfall Sanctuary is one of the main attractions and invite you to test the refreshing waters of the river. Time permitting, once you are done exploring the forest interior, you can choose from several additional activities: Canopy Zip Line Park, Tubbing, Butterfly Farm or the Artisanal Chocolate Factory. These options are available under request, you can pay for the cost of the activity of your choice directly the day of the tour. Talk to you guide about your interest and he will customize the tour accordingly.
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Lunch with soft drink
Private transportation
Certified, bilingual naturalist guide
Entrance fee and coffee at Alambi Reserve
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Gratuities
Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Entrance fees to additional activities (i.e. Canopy Zip Line Park, Butterfly farm, Chocolate tour)
Departure Point
Traveler pickup is offered
Pick up and drop off at your hotel or accommodation in Quito and the airport area are included.
Traveler pickup
Mariscal Sucre Airport, Quito, Ecuador
Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve, Mindo, Ecuador Your guide will pick you up from your hotel at 8 am for a scenic 2 hour drive towards the western slopes. Mindo is surrounded by forested mountains and offers a wide variety of activities for all interests and tastes. You'll will start the day with a hike in the Mindo Nambillo Reserve. This is a transitional sub-tropical rainforest also known as cloud forest that ranges from 950 to 2800 m.a.s.l. where 2 of the most biologically diverse ecoregions in the world meet: the Chocó lowlands and the Western Tropical Andes. The reserve is home to an outstanding number of orchid, bird, mammal, insect and reptile species. The Nambillo Waterfall Sanctuary is one of the main attractions and invite you to test the refreshing waters of the river. On the way back, it is possible to ride a cable car above the canopy where you'll have an amazing perspective of the beauty of this unique ecosystem. If you are afraid of heights, it's possible to walk back instead. 120 minutes
Mindo, Mindo, Ecuador The town of Mindo is full of options to suit all tastes and interests. Time permitting, once you are done exploring the forest interior, you can opt for one or more of the several additional activities available in the area (entrance fee not included). Talk to your guide about your interests and expectations and he will make sure to run the tour accordingly. You can admire an interactive butterfly farm where you'll witness at close range all the life stages of these wonderful beings; or you can visit a local chocolate factory that processes organically grown cacao, and allows you to participate in the chocolate making process- from plant to bar. If you are in a more adventurous mood, you can choose to go the a Canopy Zip-line Park instead, and enjoy the thrill of exploring the forest from a different perspective or venture down the river in a tubing adventure. 60 minutes
Mindo, Mindo, Ecuador Enjoy a delicious lunch in a local restaurant 60 minutes
28J9+6G8 Alambi Reserve, Quito, Ecuador After a delicious lunch you'll start your way back to Quito. A final stop before reaching the city will reveal another hidden treasure of the cloud forest: Alambi Reserve. This is one of the best places in Ecuador to watch hummingbirds at close range. Up to 18 species have been recorded in less than 30 minutes!! You'll be amazed with the beauty of this winged jewels. Drop-of at your hotel around 5 pm. 60 minutes
Unnamed Road, 47CF+4XW, Gualea, Ecuador OPTIONAL ADD-ON: In the afternoon you can add a visit to a lek of one of the most iconic bird species in the cloud forest; The Andean Cock of the Rock. This species exhibits marked sexual dimorphism, the male has a large disk-like crest and a very unique vivid scarlet plumage. Gatherings of males compete for breeding females with each male displaying its colorful plumage, bobbing and hopping, and making strident calls. This visit would take place after your lunch in Mindo. The visit to Alambi reserve in this case will be in the morning, on your way to Mindo. If you take this trip extension you'll be dropped off in your hotel around 7:00 pm. Make sure to choose the right option that includes the entrance fee to this reserve 120 minutes
Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
A small amount of walking is involved along trails with irregular terrain although if participants require longer hiking trails are available.
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
Copy of passport of one of the group members is required for billing purposes (local tax exemption)
Difficulty of the hikes can be adjusted to travelers´ requirements
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
KathyReich_M
04 Jun 2024
If you like bird watching, this excursion is for you. We saw some many types of hummingbirds and other birds. It was a must! It was our favorite! Santiago was so knowledgeable about the birds. He was incredible!
Micky_W
27 Apr 2024
The entire experience being so close to so many birds was a dream come true. A adventure that I can share with others. Our guide (Neotropical Nature & Birding Trips) was an excellent guide and very personable. The day was the highlight of our 12 day trip to Ecuador. We have been expecting a list of the birds we saw that day. I took over 1200 photos that day and would love to be able to correctly identify the birds. I wanted to verify my e-mail address. Thank you again for such a great experience.
johncF3899YS
24 Mar 2024
Our Mindo tour was wonderful. Santiago Salazar is an outstanding birdwatching guide, and his local knowledge really made the tour exceptional. I recommend this full day tour and the cock-of the rock add-on option for any birdwatchers coming through the Mindo or Quito area. Great day!
This tour in
Quito
is organized by
Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips
We always double-check the availability with our local partners for each booking. Even though this is usually a swift process, it can take up to 24 hours. Once this process is completed you will receive your voucher or ticket by email. If our local partner is not able to confirm your booking we will offer you the best possible alternative. If the new date and/or time doesn’t fit your itinerary, we will reimburse the full amount paid.
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