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Enjoy a close encounter with the natural world while exploring
one of Ecuador's foremost birding areas located in the western
slopes of the Pinchincha Volcano, the Mindo Cloud Forest! After
an early departure from Quito you will travel northwest past the
imposing Mount Pichincha, enjoying spectacular scenery reroute
to Mindo. Drive through different life zones ranging from 10,498
to 4,593 feet above sea level, where numerous examples of
flora and fauna may be seen, with birds being the main
attraction. |
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Come Take A Tour Through The Monido Cloud Forest! |
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Have you ever heard of a cloud forest? You are probably thinking what is that? Well, Ecuador has them. From Quito, travel across the equator to the northeastern Andes to Mindo, where you will see these impressive cloud forests. Enroute, you will pass pre-Incan ruins and small villages. However, there are few services that are offered. As you get closer the air begins to warm and you will see orchids and hummingbirds crossing your path. There are other spectacular highlights along your journey to the Mindo Cloud Forest, which include the "Middle of the World", Rumicucho, and Bellavista.
Mindo, founded in 1861, is a small town located on the slopes of the Pichincha Volcano. Mindo is home to 375 types of orchids, almost 500 species of birds, and beautiful butterflies. Only 3 hours from Quito, you will be able to enjoy various activities in the warm weather. From mountain biking, hiking, tubing, horseback riding, bird watching, or just taking in the view of the cascades, Mindo is a great retreat away from the city.
Travelers need to stay at least one night in Mindo, but the town itself does not have many accommodations for overnight stays. However, there are private reserves just outside of town that are in gorgeous locations
One of the most enjoyed experiences that visitors like to do is bird watching. If you are or are not a bird watcher, Mindo has extravagant species of birds. Some of the birds you might see include the Cock-of-the-Rock, Chestnut-Mandibled Toucan, Toucan Barbet, Giant Antpitta, Scaled Fruiteater, Club-Winged Manakin and Torrent Duck. The cloud forest is home too so many species of birds because Mindo is at the mid-point between the highland area and the coastline. While bird watching you might witness a lek, or “singles bar,” in which the male birds dance and display their feathers to the female birds. A popular bird is the Cock-of-the Rocks. These birds are red and have black wings with a little white on their backside. They are known for their wild pompadour-looking crest. The males are very territorial, and with that, do not have any responsibility except passing their genes. They do not build the nests or help with the chicks. They males use their time and energy (up to 6 hours a day) at the leks attracting females. Males put on their show early in the morning, around 6:00am. |
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Mindo is also home to other wildlife. There are hardly any mammals, but you may see a bear in the higher elevations or different species of monkeys in the lower elevations. There are plenty of reptiles, butterflies, amphibians, and other insects in the cloud forest. |
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Now you might be asking: How is a cloud forest different than a rainforest? |
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Well, cloud forests are moist, cool, green, and fertile. During the rainy season (January to May) the cloud forests receive a lot of rainfall. The cloud forests are also located in the higher elevations, which allow it to stay cool, averaging a high of 80F and a low of 55F. This is the perfect climate for rapid growth of mosses, plants, ferns, and algae, even more so than in a rainforest. Another difference is that cloud forests have fast, roaring, and rocky rivers, whereas, the rainforests have rivers that are large, slow, and contain silt.
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| Spend the balance of the morning and the early afternoon discovering hidden waterfalls, pristine creeks and streams, and observing the varied wildlife that calls Mindo home. Return to Quito in the late afternoon. |
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To book now, please call our U.S. toll-free number:
(877) 385-1433. |
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Mindo Cloud Forest