The cloud forest of Mindo is home to 500 known species of birds. It is located less than two hours from your hotel. If you are fond of bird watching, this place is a must see destination. If birdwatching is not your passion, it will be after this visit. Flower lovers will be amazed by the wild orchides. We will visit the butterfly and orchid conservatory and a beautiful waterfall of crystal clear water. This visit is highly recommended for nature experts. City dwellers who are searching for pure air, will find the purest and cleanest. 
Altitude : 1400 m / 4593 ft
Level: Easy
Departure: 7 am

We offer a 2 day tour to the Mindo valley, a true paradise for birdwatchers, over 500 species have been classified. 1 night stay at lodge in the category you select, all meals are included.

DAY 1: Quito - Mindo   Northwest from Quito is the valley of Mindo and its cloud forest, many species of plants(with medicinal properties), birds, butterflies, reptiles and mammals, waterfalls visit using the cable car  Accommodations at a local Hostería.
DAY 2: Mindo - Quito  Visit the cable car & waterfalls, Butterfly Farm or Orchid Garden can also be visited. River tubing is also a possibility. Return to Quito. B,

Dress: you will be going to a lower elevation as compared to Quito, therefore it will be warmer. Wear a jacket you can take off at your convenience. Comfortable shoes or hiking boots are suggested. It is a cloud forest and it is prone to rain, a raincoat is also suggested.
Duration:two days one night.
Activity Level:Easy to Moderate.
What to bring:bathing suit (just in case).
Recommendations:An extra pair of shoes in your backpack could become very useful, muddy terrain.
( Includes: Transportation, Mindo 2 day tours - English speaking guide , 1 night in selected lodge class in Mindo, meals as listed in itinerary(B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner).

Does not include: Meals not listed).

A Day Trip to Bellavista is a perfect way of getting to know a subtropical rain forest, so close to Quito !  Why spend that spare day in the city when you could be hiking in a forest reserve, discovering colourful and unusual birds, or even relaxing in a hammock admiring the hummingbirds?

ITINERARY :

Departure: From your Quito hotel at 6.30 a .m. (suggested).
Arrival and breakfast at Bellavista: 8:30 a.m.
Guided Hike: 9:30H – 12:30h.
Lunch: 13:00h
Further explorations:

14:00h – 15:00 / 15.30h
Depart for Quito: 15:00 / 15.30h
Arrive in Quito: 17:00 / 17.30h

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

Round trip transport from Quito .

Breakfast and lunch.

Guided naturalist hike within the reserve (botany, birds, cloud forest ecology).

We pick you up at your hotel at 6.30h, and travel past the Ecuador Monument, and on down a mountain road with superb views, and then turn off on a dirt road with more fabulous views for our climb to Bellavista.

Once at Bellavista, the hummingbirds take our full attention!  Large numbers hover constantly round the feeders, and it is easy to identify six to ten species at very close range.

After breakfast we go for a guided naturalist hike into the forest, of about 2-2.5 hours duration. 

Your guided hike will acquaint you with the exuberant vegetation of the Cloud Forest, its bird life, and the fascinating adaptations to life in this special environment. Every hike reveals something new even for those of us who are fortunate enough to live in the forest every day!

After your hike, a hearty lunch is served in our circular restaurant in the dome, with breathtaking views.  After lunch, you have the option to relax and watch the hummers and admire the constantly changing play of cloud and light, or take yourselves on another hike into the forest. The trails are well marked and safe, and your vehicle will expect you back at the dome to leave between 3:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to return you to Quito shortly before dusk.