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Mindo Cloud Forest: Nature's Hidden Gem
5.0
98 Ratings
Quito
Embark on a private day tour from Quito to Mindo Cloud Forest and immerse yourself in the wonders of nature. Experience hiking, birding, and discovering breathtaking waterfalls in this unique destination.
Embark on a private day tour from Quito to Mindo Cloud Forest and immerse yourself in the wonders of nature. Experience hiking, birding, and discovering breathtaking waterfalls in this unique destination.
Duration:
10 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Pululahua Volcano & Geobotanical Reserve - The Mindo Cloud Forest Day Tour kicks off at 8:00 AM in Quito, heading northwest through Pichincha Province, showcasing a variety of climatic zones. The first stop is at Pululahua Volcano, offering a breathtaking view of the impressive crater. Visitors can admire a wide array of native plants, including…
- Pululahua Volcano & Geobotanical Reserve - The Mindo Cloud Forest Day Tour kicks off at 8:00 AM in Quito, heading northwest through Pichincha Province, showcasing a variety of climatic zones. The first stop is at Pululahua Volcano, offering a breathtaking view of the impressive crater. Visitors can admire a wide array of native plants, including bromeliads, orchids, and several medicinal species.
- San Tadeo Birding - Ever wanted to feed hummingbirds by hand? This is the ideal spot! Toucans and tanagers can also be seen at the feeders. Agoutis, squirrels, orchids, and bromeliads enhance this incredible experience. Don’t forget to bring binoculars and a camera with a good zoom.
- Mariposas de Mindo - After birdwatching in San Tadeo, the tour arrives in Mindo town, heading straight to the butterfly farm to learn about butterfly anatomy and reproduction in their natural habitat. Hummingbird feeders along a small trail are perfect for photography enthusiasts.
- Nambilla Cascadas - The journey continues to the cloud forest, exploring trails along the waterfalls route. A short drive from Mariposas de Mindo leads to Cascadas Nambillo. There, a cable car ride takes visitors to another section of the Cloud Forest, followed by a hike to the Nambillo waterfall or the Waterfall Route, lasting about 1.5 hours. Lunch is enjoyed in a serene and beautiful setting.
- Mindo - After lunch, a relaxing activity awaits: learning about and tasting the finest artisanal chocolate. Yumbos is the top spot in Mindo for this delightful experience. The tour then returns to Quito.
What's Included
- Admission fees
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- National tour guides
- Admission fees
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- National tour guides
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Gratuites are welcome
- Lunch
- Gratuites are welcome
Additional Information
Join us for a unique adventure on a day trip to Mindo Cloud Forest, one of the last remnants of the Choco Darien Region. Discover diverse and distinctive natural sites. Engage in various activities such as hiking in the Cloud Forest, visiting a butterfly farm, photographing hummingbirds, observing numerous bird species, and exploring waterfalls in the…
Join us for a unique adventure on a day trip to Mindo Cloud Forest, one of the last remnants of the Choco Darien Region. Discover diverse and distinctive natural sites. Engage in various activities such as hiking in the Cloud Forest, visiting a butterfly farm, photographing hummingbirds, observing numerous bird species, and exploring waterfalls in the Nambillo River. Enjoy plenty of fun and adventure with additional activities in the Mindo River, including tubing and zip-lining through the forest. This experience is customized to your preferences, so please share your interests with us.
Location
Pululahua Volcano & Geobotanical Reserve
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(98 Ratings)
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Mariannaki9167az
Apr 19, 2026
Cloud Forest - It was a fabulous experience! The hummingbirds were amazing. Saw Toucans as well. Hiked to a waterfall. A beautiful area!!! And my guide, Carolina was the best! Very knowledgeable and friendly.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jonas
Apr 18, 2026
Very good tour through the cloud forest - The tour was very well organized and the guide (Galindo) was friendly and very competent. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Doug_l
Apr 17, 2026
Outstanding day! - First, or guide Galindo was simply the best. Great English and very knowledgeable and justifiably proud of his country. We learned about much more than the ecology, to include economics and history.
We saw so much. The hummingbirds and butterflies were something else. Also really enjoyed seeing some of the different climate zones we went through.
Loved the hike and tram ride in the cloud forest.
All around great day.
(And make sure you stop at the Yumbo chocolate factory in Mindo. Great tour and lots of delicious samples!)
Review provided by Viator
Courtany_h
Apr 12, 2026
We had a great time on... - We had a fun time on our trip to Mindo with Ismael. He was super friendly, knowledgeable and customized the itinerary for us so we could spend most of our time looking for birds. We were able to see a toucan and spent a lot of time hand feeding hummingbirds.
Review provided by Viator
U5844bnwendyc
Apr 11, 2026
Highlight of our trip! - We had an amazing day with Pato! We booked last minute as a family of 6. Pato adjusted our day based on everyone's needs and interests. We learned so much as Pato was able to answer every question. The lunch spot was beautiful, not crowded and the food was excellent. Every stop was amazing, I can't recommend this experience enough. It's been the highlight of our trip so far!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dani_p
Apr 7, 2026
We had an absolutely... - We had an absolutely incredible experience on this tour with Pato! From the moment he picked us up at our hotel throughout the day, we was through, knowledagble, and invested in our comfort. Birdwatching is one of my favorite things, and waterfall hikes are one of my spouse’s—and this tour combined them both! It was a wonderful addition to our honeymoon, and the chocolate finale didn’t hurt either!!
Thank you, Pato!!! Book this tour if you’re thinking about it!
Review provided by Viator
Belindadee
Apr 6, 2026
Day trip in Quito - I had Ismael take me out for the day. I had arrived the day before without luggage and needed to be back earlier to collect it. Ismael worked the day around my requirements which was lovely. Ismael was extremely knowledgeable on Ecuador and all things nature related. Pointing out items of interest and stopping the car if he saw something. I thoroughly enjoyed my day and would recommend Ismael to anyone! The company was very communicative throughout too.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
30marct
Mar 18, 2026
A Perfectly Organised Day in Mindo with an Exceptional Guide - We were picked up right on time at 08:00 by Pato from Ecuador a Color, and from that moment on the entire day unfolded seamlessly. Pato proved to be an outstanding guide—deeply knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely passionate about the places and wildlife he introduced us to.
Our first stop was the Reserva Geobotánica Pululahua, where we enjoyed a breathtaking view into the crater. Pato shared fascinating insights about the geology, history, and unique ecosystem of this extraordinary location, setting the tone for a day full of learning and discovery.
On the way to Mindo, he brought us to a charming bird‑watching spot. Thanks to his sharp eye and explanations, we had the rare luck of spotting a Chocó toucan along with numerous hummingbirds. His ability to identify species instantly and share interesting details made the experience even more special.
We continued to the Tarabita Mindo a las Cascadas and hiked to the Cascadas de Nambillo—about 1 hour and 20 minutes of beautiful trails, bird sightings, and exploration of the local flora and fauna. Again, Pato’s commentary enriched every step.
After a delicious lunch at the lovely Las Terrazas de Dana, we visited the butterfly farm and later a small artisanal chocolate producer in Mindo, where we learned about the entire chocolate‑making process. Each stop was well chosen, perfectly timed, and smoothly organised.
By the time we returned to Quito, we felt we had experienced not just a tour, but a truly memorable day—thanks to the thoughtful planning and Pato’s exceptional guidance. Highly recommended for anyone wanting a well‑organised, informative, and unforgettable visit to the Mindo region.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ted_l
Mar 10, 2026
Gustavo The Great! - Gustavo provided us with an extraordinary educational experience in the rich ecosystem of the Mindo Rainforest. As well as historical and cultural perspectives from such an educated and well-travelled guide.
Review provided by Viator
M4640wukathyn
Feb 23, 2026
Magical Day - This is a wonderful tour that is worth every penny spent. Our day with Patricio (Pato) to explore the Mindo Cloud Forest was exceptional: he’s so knowledgeable, thoughtful and just a joy to get to know and spend time with. We learned about the history and politics of Quito, the geology of the Andes, took a gorgeous hike, experienced an amazing array of hummingbirds and other species of birds, had a wonderful lunch, and went to a butterfly farm. By the end of the day, we felt like Pato was a family member and we didn’t want to say goodbye, so we asked him to take us down to Cotopaxi a week later. He agreed, even though the trip coincided with his normal day off (and Valentine’s Day!). The time spent with Pato is a warm memory and we’ll definitely seek him out again if ever back to Quito.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
