Private Tour
MINDO CLOUD FOREST: Nature & Adventure - Flexible Private Day Tour
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve
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.
Mindo
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.
What‘s Included
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)
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Mindo + Cock of the Rock Lek
Visit Cock of the Rock Lek
Lunch w/ soft drink
Mindo & Cock of the Rock Lek: After your Mindo Day Tour, you'll visit a Lek of the Andean Cock of the Rock and admire their courtship ritual.
Pickup included
Mindo day tour- standard
Lunch w/soft drink
Pickup included
Early pick up + Lek visit
Andean Cock of the Rock Lek: Visit the Andean Cock of the Rock Lek in the afternoon
Duration: 4 hours: Early pick up at 5:30 am, and additional visit to the Cock of the Rock Lek in the afternoon- ideal for birdwatchers
Pickup included
Reviews
27 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A great day out in the Cloud Forest
katebaxterk,,Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great day with Dario who was a very professional and informative guide. He attended to what we were most interested in, and we would recommend this private and very flexible tour. The hummingbirds were amazing!
Amazing birding experience
V9105HHpatriciap,,Aug 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Dario was punctual and very well organized. He was very knowledgeable and friendly. We really appreciated his willingness to show us the birds ! The driver was also very good.
Visited the cloud forest
Christiane S,,May 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00David has been an excellent guide with a broad knowledge about the area and Paulina has been the perfect companion with her safe driving us and guided us safe to our destinations
If you like birds, it’s a must!
KathyReich M,,Jun 4, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00If 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!
A visit to the Mindo Cloud Forest is spending time with the most beautiful of God's creations.
Micky W,,Apr 27, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00The 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.
Magical Mindo
johncF3899YS,,Mar 24, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our 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!
A perfect day in the rainforest
202sinaf,,Dec 7, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was my second trip with Neotropical Nature and Birding trips. On short notice, I approached them for a day trip to the Chocó rainforest, and they orchestrated a splendid experience. They organized a wonderful day trip with an early pickup and and a drop off at the airport. Santiago expertly guided me through remarkable locations, highlighting the rich diversity of tropical bird species. I highly recommend booking a trip with them.
Amazing experience, doesn't disappoint!
pklamert,,Dec 3, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We took the Mashpi-Amagusa Nature and Birding Full Day Trip with the Andean Cock of the Rock Lek add on. The tour started with our guide, Lelis picking us up at our hotel at 4:30 in the morning. We drove to the Mashpi reserve where we spent the morning observing birds from the beautiful grounds. There were different observation points which were set up well in case it rained (and it did rain for some time). We saw countless species of beautiful birds. Our guide, Lelis was amazing, he was able to spot and very clearly explain where to look to find them. He was also patient in us learning the species, repeating the names several times. There were also many vantage points where the birds came pretty close and where you could just sit and watch. The land owner Sergio setup natural feeders placing bananas for the birds to enjoy. Highlighted species include the glistening-green tanager, flame-rumped tanager, rufus-throated tanager, golden-naped (blue) tanager, moss-backed tanager, toucan barbet, honey creeper, and so much more. There was also an area where several species of hummingbirds, coronets and sylphs were spotted, a highlight being where you could hold a bunch of flowers and have the hummingbirds eat off of them! After a very tasty lunch made by Sergio's wife, we headed off to our next adventure. We ended the day going to Reserva la Victoriana to see the interesting Cock of the Rock species. The walk to the observation platform was breathtaking and the observation platform was really well done. We did get to see the species, but a bit off in the distance. We brought 8x42 binoculars and a DSLR camera with a 80-400mm lens which worked out very well. The drive back to the hotel provided great views as well. Lelis was a fantastic guide and great company, we had an amazing experience with this private tour!
Birds, Butterflies, & Beauty!
David C,,Jun 16, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00Sebastian was great and customized our trip to perfection. After seeing the hummingbirds, we went to the butterfly farm and too see orchids. He let us pick lunch and stopped for ice cream. The best for last: we saw nine cock of the rocks!
If you like seeing exotic...
Russell S,,Apr 3, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00If you like seeing exotic birds in the wild and cloud forest flora and fauna, this is the tour for you. It was fascinating to be surrounded by many species of hummingbirds, and the walk in the forest and the view of brilliant birds were very interesting. Our tour guide was quite knowledgeable, and his photography skills helped us to get the best photos. We really enjoyed lunch at a scenic location.
Related Experiences
Operated by Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips