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Mindo Rainforest: Explore Quito's Hidden Gem
4.9
471 Ratings
Quito
Embark on a customizable private day tour to Mindo Cloud Forest, a beautiful subtropical rainforest near Quito. Discover exotic wildlife, photograph hummingbirds, and enjoy breathtaking views from a cable car.
Embark on a customizable private day tour to Mindo Cloud Forest, a beautiful subtropical rainforest near Quito. Discover exotic wildlife, photograph hummingbirds, and enjoy breathtaking views from a cable car.
Duration:
9 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Quito - Mindo – Nambillo is an ecological reserve encompassing around 22,000 hectares of pristine forest. Within this protected area, there is a stunning collection of 15 waterfalls, each unique in height and beauty! Your guide will collect you at 8:00 a.m. from your hotel in Quito to explore this captivating wildlife haven!
- Alambi Reserve -…
- Quito - Mindo – Nambillo is an ecological reserve encompassing around 22,000 hectares of pristine forest. Within this protected area, there is a stunning collection of 15 waterfalls, each unique in height and beauty! Your guide will collect you at 8:00 a.m. from your hotel in Quito to explore this captivating wildlife haven!
- Alambi Reserve - At an elevation of 1,900 meters (6,233 ft), the reserve is home to hummingbirds, air plants, orchids, and other remarkable exotic species that will captivate your attention! After navigating the winding road, a stop at a Hummingbird farm offers breathtaking encounters with these tiny creatures and the stunning landscape.
- Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve - After capturing numerous photos and slow-motion videos, unwind with a cup of coffee at a local plantation. Then, travel to Mindo village, situated at the southern edge of the Choco/Andean biodiversity hotspots, extending from southwestern Colombia to northwestern Ecuador. Recognized by Birdlife International in 1997 as the first area of international importance for birds in South America, Mindo is a lush green paradise teeming with life waiting to be discovered! Enjoy a cable car ride across a 530-meter-long cable to admire the landscapes on the other side of the mountains!
- Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve - Following the memorable cable car journey, you can embark on a hike of about 1 hour, depending on your fitness level, to visit the stunning “Nambillo” waterfall, where a refreshing dip awaits! Your private guided tour will introduce you to the vibrant vegetation of the cloud forest, its birdlife, and the intriguing adaptations to life in this unique environment.
- Mindo - There will be time for lunch if desired. Afterwards, indulge in an unforgettable and educational chocolate-tasting tour!
- Quito - If time permits, a visit to an orchid and butterfly farm is possible. By approximately 5:30 p.m., you will return to your hotel in Quito, concluding a fantastic day filled with wonderful discoveries!
What's Included
- Certified English speaking guide
- Private transportation
- Certified English speaking guide
- Private transportation
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Hummingbirds’ Farm
- Cable Car Ride
- Lunch
- Hummingbirds’ Farm
- Cable Car Ride
Additional Information
Mindo, a stunning destination near Quito, is ready to welcome visitors! Experience the allure of a lesser-known subtropical rainforest with the convenience of a customizable and flexible private day tour. Capture photos of countless hummingbirds landing on your hands, along with toucans and other exotic wildlife up close! Take in the breathtaking “cloud…
Mindo, a stunning destination near Quito, is ready to welcome visitors! Experience the allure of a lesser-known subtropical rainforest with the convenience of a customizable and flexible private day tour. Capture photos of countless hummingbirds landing on your hands, along with toucans and other exotic wildlife up close! Take in the breathtaking “cloud forest” views from a cable car and embark on a hike through a delightful waterfall sanctuary.
- Our guides and drivers will follow vehicle cleaning and personal care protocols, with disinfectant products during the tour.
Location
Quito
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
4.9
(471 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Lourdesvb1165po
Mar 7, 2026
Mindo, Ecuador is amazing - It was a lovely day we had IRENE as our guide and it was great, super prepared, a very good English, we ate rich, it really was a great experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Karlf348
Mar 4, 2026
Great Guide to the outskirts of Quito - Our guide was pleasant and knowledgeable. Informative 2 hour drive to Mindo. Lovely little hummingbird stop and nice hike to a beautiful waterfall. Enjoyed the coffee plant tour. Great day!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
John_b
Mar 4, 2026
A truly personalized tour... - A truly personalized tour that let's you shape your own adventure. Ximena Andrade was a fantastic guide and very helpful and knowledgeable. A perfect day.
Review provided by Viator
Michael_e
Feb 25, 2026
Mindo Rainforest - Fun day exploring the Ecuadorian rainforest!
Our guide was very knowledgeable and accommodating to our wishes. We had a nice hike through a rainforest canyon along a mountain stream up to a beautiful waterfall.
We did a chocolate tour and tasting which was very interesting. Lastly, we visited a hummingbird area that had about 15 different species of hummingbirds and we were able to feed them nectar from our hands. How fun!
Review provided by Viator
Julie_d
Feb 24, 2026
Mindo Guide - Diana - Diana was such a great guide for this experience and was happy to accommodate our wildlife viewing desires. The walk to the cascades was also a great. Would highly recommend Diana as your guide.
Review provided by Viator
Jessica_h
Feb 20, 2026
Family trip to Mindo - Wonderful day trip with Fredy as our guide. He was fantastic. He know so much about the area and the places to stop. He tailored the trip to our needs and helped us look for birds. He was wonderful to chat with and is a warm and welcoming person. We had a great day!
Review provided by Viator
Journey50394139612
Feb 17, 2026
Birding for experts and beginners alike! - If you are interested in something truly unique, ask for Wilson to guide you on a bird watching tour in the Cloud Forest of Mindo. It is truly magical. Wilson and the gentlemen operating the reserve are expert bird watchers, guides and naturalists. It is a trek in a "cloud forest" with dense vegetation and amazing bird life. We saw many fantastic birds from the various species of hummingbirds to the Toucan to the Cock-of-the-rock. This is an outing for those that really want to get out and into a true natural environment. Don't miss it
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Philippd831
Feb 12, 2026
A highly recommended trip to the subtropical rainforest! - We were allowed to experience an unforgettable day trip to Mindo. Luíz, our driver picked us up on time at our Airbnb in Quito, in the evening he offered us an extra service in which he took us along with our luggage to the next accommodation.
The path from Quito to Mindo leads through different microclimate zones. Our guide was able to provide us with exciting information about it on the way.
In Mindo we visited a bird station where numerous wild hummingbirds can be observed. - beautiful!
Afterwards we went to an adventure park, where you can ‘fly’ over the jungle with different zip lines.
The whole thing was rounded off with a visit to a cocoa plantation where you could learn a lot about the production of cocoa and chocolate.
An eventful day that we will remember fondly.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anne_d
Feb 25, 2026
A day in Mindo - Our driver, Fredy: 5/5
Mindo: 5/5
Seeing only a couple of birds 3/5, but you can’t predict that.
We had a nice day with Fredy. He is very knowledgeable about Mindo’s flora and fauna. As importantly, he is an amazing driver.
Because we were on a private tour, Freddy gave us several choices of what to do in Mindo: hummingbirds, butterflies, hiking to a waterfall, cable car, chocolate tour, or zip lining.
We chose hummingbirds, cable car and hiking down to the waterfalls. Then when we crossed Río Mindo by bridge on our way up to the cable car, Fredy said that the local trout are delicious. We added having a trout dinner at a local restaurant.
So, we started our day at Alambi Reserve (cost: $5.00 USD per person) where there are several species of hummingbirds. I chose to feed a few. I was given a mini hummingbird feeder that I held on the palm of my hand, and was soon experiencing hummingbirds up close.
While we were driving to the next stop, Fredy pulled his vehicle over, grabbed his binoculars, and had us get out. He spotted a Choco toucan, and we got to see it. Besides the hummingbirds, this was the only other bird species we saw.
The cable car across a river gorge was next (cost: $5.00 USD per person). We rode it one way, then walked the trail down to the waterfalls, crossed the bridge and hiked back up to the parking lot. Fredy is very knowledgeable about the flora. We heard a finch and another bird, but didn’t see them.
Then, Fredy dropped us off in the centre of Mindo, where we could stroll the shops on the street. We met him at Serenity Restaurant, where we enjoyed a delicious grilled trout meal accompanied by a salad and fried plantain.
We were happy with our choices, and enjoyed meeting Fredy.
The tour site provides a list of items to bring, which is helpful. If you get car sick (we don’t), they should add motion sickness pills as the road in and out is steep and windy. Also, the site is clear about add on expenses. Everything you choose is an add on cost.
Review provided by Viator
S4807nverikaz
Feb 14, 2026
Review of Tena, Ecuador - Visiting Tena, the capital of Napo Province in Ecuador’s Amazon region, was an unforgettable experience. Nestled at the edge of the rainforest, this charming city offers a perfect blend of adventure, culture, and relaxation.
Attractions & Things to Do
- Amazoonico Animal Rescue Centre – A sanctuary where visitors can learn about rescued wildlife and conservation efforts.
- Jatunyacu River – Famous for rafting and kayaking, with crystal-clear waters and lush jungle surroundings.
- Waterfalls & Jungle Tours – Nearby cascades and guided treks immerse you in the Amazon’s biodiversity.
- Malecón de Tena – A riverside promenade ideal for evening walks, with views of the Tena and Pano rivers.
- Cultural Heritage – The statue of Jumandy, an indigenous hero, stands as a reminder of local history and resilience.
Best Restaurants
- Café Tortuga – A cozy spot by the river, known for international dishes and vegetarian options.
- Canopy Restaurant – Offers Amazonian flavors with fresh fish and local ingredients.
- Local street food stalls – Perfect for tasting traditional Ecuadorian snacks like maito (fish wrapped in leaves).
Best Hotels
- Hostal Tena Ñaui – Comfortable lodging with panoramic views of the jungle.
- Hotel Christian Resort – Family-friendly, with pools and easy access to tours.
- Boutique eco-lodges – For travelers seeking immersion in nature with sustainable practices.
Why Visit Tena?
Tena is more than just a gateway to the Amazon—it’s a place where adventure meets tranquility. Whether you’re rafting down powerful rivers, exploring hidden waterfalls, or enjoying a quiet evening by the malecón, the city offers experiences that connect you deeply with nature and culture. It’s also less crowded than other tourist hubs, making it ideal for travelers who want authenticity.
My Experience
My time in Tena felt both exhilarating and grounding. The rush of rafting on the Jatunyacu was balanced by peaceful nights listening to jungle sounds. Meeting locals and learning about their traditions added depth to the trip. Tena gave me not just adventure, but also a sense of belonging in the Amazon’s vast beauty.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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