Mindo is located two and a half hours west from Quito on an altitude of about 1390m and surrounded by mountains over 4000m. There s a cloud forest reserve at the foot of Mindo which is called Bosque Protector Mindo-Nambillo. This cloud forest is home to 350 bird species and hosts an incredible flora and fauna.

This small tranquil village has been receiving more and more visitors as its reputation as a birding hotspot spread. Set in a quiet, lovely valley dotted with flowers and surrounded by forested mountains, Mindo is right in the middle of one of the best birding areas in South America. Part of the Chocó Bioregion, Mindo and its environment counts hundreds of species of birds, from flycatchers and hummingbirds galore to wood creepers, manikins, and cotingas. Nineteen endemic bird species share the Tandayapa Valley with pumas, spectacled bears, ocelots and 80 species of orchids.

On Saturday we will start with a visit to the Mariposario followed by tubing on the river. In the evening we will go out to listen to the sound of the frogs at night.  On Sunday we will take a hike to a rain forest in a deep canyon which will take about 2 hours.  Afterwards we will take part in a canopy adventure followed by a visit the Balneario Nambillo for a swim and a picnic.

"We spent an amazing weekend in Mindo, learning about how chocolate is produced, tubing on the river, hiking to spectacular waterfalls, and taking in the astounding biodiversity of the area, and not to forget eating some amazing pizza in the village washed down with a cold beer!"

The spectacular cloud forests around Mindo are home to an immense biodiversity. They are characterized as an area of evergreen forests on the sides of high altitude hillsides, often draped with mosses due to the consistent condensation of water from the atmosphere. In contrast to the regular downpours of rain in the rainforest of the Amazon, in the cloud forest there is a more constand dampness resulting from settling clouds that drift through the area. The resulting environment is ideal for a wide variety of bird species including hummingbirds, and, frogs and other anphibians. In addition there are many varieties of ferns and orchids.

What to bring: Swimsuit and towel, sunscreen and sunglasses, rain jacket, good hiking/walking shoes, sandals, insect repellent and some cash for miscellaneous expenses.

What’s Included:  Transportation, lodging, Saturday's lunch and the breakfast and lunch on Sunday, the tubing, the Mariposario, the Tarabita and the entry to Nambillo swimming pool, and a guide for all activities.  This trip does not include dinner on Saturday.

Price: $ 40 (minimum 4 persons)
Includes: Professional bilingual guide and transport from/to Quito.

Meet: 7:00 A.M. at Magic Bean Restaurant - Mariscal Foch and Juan Leon Mera