What to do and see in Mindo, Pichincha Province: The Best Sightseeing Tours

June 7, 2021 Janean Rudisill

Discover the best top things to do in Mindo, Ecuador including Private Tour to Mindo Cloud Forest, Mindo Cloud Forest (PRIVATE Day Trip from Quito), Mindo Tour Including Coffee, Chocolate, and Cloud Forest, Full-Day Private Birding Tour in La Paz Refuge & Alambi Hummingbird Sanctuary , Discovering The World of Birds, Full-Day Private Tour of Mindo Cloud Forest, Mindo Cloud Forest Private Day Tour, Mindo's Top Attractions Pass (Save 10% on Tickets!), Coffee & Cacao Experience from Quito, Private Mindo Cloud Forest Tour from Quito.
Restaurants in Mindo

1. Private Tour to Mindo Cloud Forest

Let's Go to Ecuador
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5.0 based on 9 reviews

Our Private Tour starts at your Hotel in the city, during this trip from start to finish you can built up your custom made itinerary, and choose between: Visit the Middle of the World site : Museum Intinan ( 4p/person) We will  drive through the "Hummingbird Route""Paseo del Quinde" and stop at  the village of Mindo, a paradise of biodiversity, home of over 165 species of birds,  orchids, butterflies and other unique animals. This area offers you a wide variety of activities, from Zip Line, Tubing, Hikes to waterfalls,  cacao tasting of one of the best in the nation at the local Artisan Chocolate Factory to a visit of a  Hummingbird Garden where you can see more the 10 different species, also other birds like tanagers, toucans and more. You choose the places to visit, the time you would like to spend on each site and the time to get back at your Hotel.

Inclusions: Round trip Private Transportation, English Speaking Guide, Flexible hours., Fuel surcharge, Landing and facility fees, Bottled water

Exclusions: Optional Activities, Meals, drinks, and other personal expenses.

Reviewed By karlito89

Jaime and Angela are very welcoming and made the trip to Quito and middle of the world very interesting. Quito was on lockdown during our stay but they were above and beyond and checked if the attractions were open and made sure that we see a glimpse of Quito in one full day. We visited churches, walked around old town Quito, visited a cacao artisanal, learned a lot from middle of the world museum and drove us to a laboratory to get our covid19 antigen test needed to fly back home. I highly recommend them and will definitely book the other tours they offer when I come back to Ecuador in the future. Thank you Jamie and Angela for an excellent and very informative tour today!

2. Mindo Cloud Forest (PRIVATE Day Trip from Quito)

Ecuador Local Guide
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Mindo is a town located at northwest of Quito, 2 hours driving. The cloud forest has an incredible diversity of avian fauna, particularly hummingbirds, as well as butterflies. This area of primary forest with an immense biodiversity also has some of the highest rates of plant endemism in the world: orchids, bromeliads, heliconias, ferns, vines, mosses and lichens grow in abundance here.

Inclusions: Private transportation, English speaking guide, English Speaking Driver/Guide for tours based from 1-3 passenguers, Bottle of water, Visits as mentioned above

Exclusions: Lunch (Available to purchase with addtional cost), Entrance fees (Available to purchase with additional cost 25 usd per person or it can be paid directly), Personal expenses

Reviewed By Tina S

We needed a rapid Covid test within 72 hours of our flight back to the US. Guanguiltagua Expeditions to the rescue!! Dennis and team helped Us get the test from a private lab that came to our condo in Cuenca and we Received results the very next day! Great experience and great service!

3. Mindo Tour Including Coffee, Chocolate, and Cloud Forest

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5.0 based on 5 reviews

Mindo is a beautiful town known for its ecotourism and its wide variety of birds. The number of species rivals North America and Europe all together and that is why it’s a haven for Ornithologists worldwide. It is located within the Mindo-Nambillo protected Forest. Its warm climate is ideal. Among its main attractions you can find waterfalls, clouded forests, butterfly farms, river rafting, trekking, and adventure sports. In Mindo you can also enjoy mountains, fishing sites and it is the perfect area for do such activities as: tubbing, regattas, canopying, horseback rides, Orchid Farms, bicycle and motorcycle rides and you can also enjoy a Frog “concert” The best time to visit Mindo is between May and December, as the weather is a little bit drier.

Inclusions: private tour

Exclusions: Lunch, It is advisable to take an additional 20 dollars for tickets to the activities.

4. Full-Day Private Birding Tour in La Paz Refuge & Alambi Hummingbird Sanctuary

Latin Adventures
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

With 1690 registered bird species of which 124 are hummingbirds Ecuador is a paradise for nature lovers, exotic birds, and birdwatching. Discover rock birds, antpittas, toucans, woodpeckers, lek and many other species in your own cloud forest near Mindo in the Andes. So prepare your list of birds, your binoculars and your camera that you will have an unforgettable experience.

Inclusions: Entrance admission to La Paz Bird Refuge, Private transportation, Breakfast, Admission fee in Alambi, Hummingbird Garden, Certified English/Spanish Naturalist guide

Exclusions: Lunch, Tips, Personal expenses

Reviewed By Bretekiel

We had a great day trip from Quito to Cotopaxi with our guide Daniel. He picked us up from our hotel on time at 8am and drove expertly to Cotopaxi taking a scenery road which allowed us to appreciate the geography of the inter-valley region. The drive took about 1.5 hours. His approach takes you around the volcanoes from all angles. Daniel was truly passionate about Ecuador and very knowledgeable about wildlife and vegetation of the region. He stopped plenty of times for awesome picture opportunities. We hiked from the parking lot (15K ft) to the refuge (16K ft) doing the zig-zag approach and experienced no issues with altitude sickness whatsoever (he stopped by a kiosko where we could buy coca candy and leaves if needed before entering the park). The weather was awful as we ascended, with small hail and dust from the strong winds, but he was patient and set the pace perfectly for us to successfully reach the refuge. We grabbed hot chocolate up in the refuge (2.5 per cup, bring change) and warmed up before going back down. On our way back to Quito, we stopped by an authentic local restaurant around 3pm where we had a soup, a pork dish, and an ice cream. Back to the hotel by 5pm promptly. This is a great experience for a Quito escapade which you should consider if you're looking to do something based off the city.

5. Discovering The World of Birds

Hotel Quito, Av. Gonzalez Suarez N27-142, Quito 170109, Ecuador Eva Tours Ecuador
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Mindo might be the best option for contact with mother nature with a unique biodiversity in a valley of 20000 acres of protected land which is the ¨Mindo Nambillo¨ protected forest. Known for it extreme natural beauty that atracts visitors from all over the world. With some 570 different bird species innumerable amphibians, reptiles and mamal species aswell as a huge variety of orchids and other plants. This lovely small town and its valley are about 2 hours in bus from Quito at an altitud of 1250 mtrs or 4100 feet with a subtropical climate with temperatures of between 16 and 24c althrough the year. Our tour is special, because it is a combined tour between amphibians, birds and adventure where they will live unforgettable experiences.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner, Private transportation, For birdwatching tours (binoculars, telescope) , Tarabita y Cascadas, Night walk , Hospedaje 1 night Sisakuna Lodge

Exclusions: All Fees and Taxes

Reviewed By Katie D

Had the most wonderful experience birding in Mindo! Fernanda was very knowledgeable and scoped out some great birds using the telescope and binoculars. We saw lots of toucans, Guayaquil woodpeckers, and many other birds. I had a great time and would definitely do it again!

6. Full-Day Private Tour of Mindo Cloud Forest

Inspiring Ecuador
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5.0 based on 19 reviews

A little over an hour from Quito lies the Mindo cloud forest, filled with amazing plant and animal life – perfect for a day trip from Quito. For the ornithologists in the bunch, Mindo and its surrounding cloud forest are a birdwatcher’s paradise! This cloud forest tour in Mindo is a day of adventure in nature that can include everything from exploring an archaeological site that pre-dates the Incas by thousands of years, to walking through a hummingbird sanctuary and visiting a beautiful jungle waterfall among other optional activities, such us: chocolate tour, orchid garden, tubbing and more...

Inclusions: Transportation: Comfortable land transportation., Bilingual certified IE guide, Lunch, Fees and entrance: To Sacha Tamia bird sanctuary and Nambillo Waterfalls Reserve.

Exclusions: Tips, Souvenirs, Participation fees for optional activities

Reviewed By Clairekathryn

The views were incredible. I would totally recommend this trip! Great guides who made the group feel very safe, and went above and beyond to adhere to all Covid-19 protocols.

7. Mindo Cloud Forest Private Day Tour

Ecuador Best Tours
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4.8 based on 9 reviews

Protect your family and avoid unnecessary crowds... Mindo one of the most beautiful places close to Quito awaits for you!! Enjoy a very charming and unknown subtropical rainforest from the comfort of a customized and flexible private day tour. Photograph hundreds of hummingbirds, toucans and many other exotic creatures from a very close distance!! Enjoy a spectacular view of the "cloud forest" from a cable car, and do a hike through a charming waterfall sanctuary...!!

Inclusions: Private transportation, Certified English speaking guide, Mentioned itinerary and visits

Exclusions: Drinks, Meals, All Fees and Taxes

Reviewed By JeannePlantation

I had only one afternoon in Quito to sightsee. I contacted Ecuador's Best Tour with late notice by email and Luis replied right away. Luis has a great laid back, no worries attitude and assured me he would take care of everything and pick me up at my hotel. He arrived early to pick me up. I was thrilled to visit the beautiful Church la Compania. Luis was very knowledgeable about the history of the church and architecture. Next we visited a beautiful view of the city with the statue Virgin of El Panecillo. I only had a few hours to visit and Ecuador's Best Tours really helped me make the most of my visit. I highly recommend booking this with this company and you will be lucky if Luis is your guide. His English is extraordinary and he's just a pleasant guide to be around. I have toured many places around the would and I would say Luis was one of the best guides I have encountered. I got some great photos from my visit and hope to return someday. I would certainly use Ecuador's Best Tours again.

8. Mindo's Top Attractions Pass (Save 10% on Tickets!)

Bucket Pass
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4.8 based on 4 reviews

Save 25% with this bundled Mindo's Top Attractions Pass. Zip line through the Amazon, explore beautiful waterfalls and nature, learn the production of cocoa or bike around town on your own schedule, at your own pace. Choose 4 out of 5 activities, your pass is valid for six months, but all attractions can easily be visited in one day. Note that a tour guide and transportation are not included.

Inclusions: Mindo Canopy: 10 lines of ziplining, Waterfall Cable Car: 1 round trip ride and access to 7 waterfalls, Chocolate Tour: Guided tour of chocolate production and tasting of hot chocolate, fruits with chocolate syrup and brownie., Mindo Biking: 1 day bike rental (from 8:30 am up to 6:00 pm), All taxes, fees and handling charges

Exclusions: Transportation to/from attractions, Drinks, Food and drinks (Except on chocolate tour)

Reviewed By ATWtravler

We took the Cable Car (Tarabita) over and back and hiked the trail down to the "Large" waterfall. Limited tourists now so no lines and only a couple other people. Trail maintenance and steps are in disrepair, 20 mins down, 30 mins up. The Large waterfall is just a small 12-15 ft cascade over a few rocks and the forest is not really very impressive. We hike regularly in Hawaii where we live and those hike are much more scenic in terms of lush greenery, flowers, birds and real waterfalls. Maybe something to do if you are in the area but definitely not as a daytrip from Quito.

9. Coffee & Cacao Experience from Quito

Takiri Travel
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4.8 based on 4 reviews

Have your morning coffee while you observe a variety of the exceptional hummingbirds on our stop at the hummingbird viewpoint, and enjoy the scenery of the Ecuadorian Cloud Forest. Visit a beautiful coffee plantation where we will reveal all his coffee making secrets and you will have another flavorful tasting of coffee and the next new thing: coffee tea. Have a tasty lunch overlooking the scenery of the cloudforest mountains. Become a cacao expert on your visit to the cacao farm in Mindo. Ever had a 100% pure chocolate? A guide will explain you the fascinating process of chocolate making, from the cacao bean on the tree to everyone’s favorite sweet, followed by a delicious chocolate tasting. This is an eye-opening experience to where these products come from.

Inclusions: Hot Drink stop at a hummingbird viewpoint., Chocolate tour with tasting and a little surprise., Private transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel in Quito., Lunch of the day in the coffee farm, English speaking guide for the whole tour, 24/7 support from our team., Coffee and/or Tea, Coffee farm tour

Exclusions: Mandatory Travel Insurance, Personal Expenses, Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary, Optional activities, Tips for guides

Reviewed By karlito89

Highly recommended if you want to visit Galápagos on a budget!!! The booking process was so easy. Michael was very helpful and explained everything. The daily activities were perfectly planned and gave a glimpse of everything you need to see in the islands. Guides were very informative and attentive. Saw lots of wildlife! Accommodation and meals were reasonable. Will definitely book again with takiri travel.

10. Private Mindo Cloud Forest Tour from Quito

Bm Tours Quito
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4.5 based on 2 reviews

The Ecuador cloud forest is one of the top ten biodiversity hotspots on earth and a dream come true for bird and nature lovers. Countless different species of hummingbirds, other birds, and orchids thrive in this amazing ecosystem. Visitors to the Mindo-Nambillo Ecological Reserve can hike, try trappelling, go tubing or ride a mountain bike on one of the many great trails available through the reserve. All these activities offer a whole new dimension and are very popular with tourists.

Inclusions: Professional guide, Hotel/port pickup and drop-off, Private Tour, Transportation

Exclusions: Food and drinks

Reviewed By SkiDocEdzell

Local guide with good English. Good factual information on main sites of interest. Had driver in private car, which, given the horrendous traffic gridlock and lack of parking in Quito old town, was essential! Felt rushed though, with request for coffee stop after 2 hours, dismissed.

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