Mindo Cloud Forest: Hummingbirds, Birding & Waterfalls | Private

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Begin your Mindo Cloud Forest tour from Quito and discover one of Ecuador’s top birdwatching destinations, traveling from the high Andes to the lush subtropical cloud forest. Perched at 1,200 m (4,000 ft) above sea level, Mindo boasts a dynamic subtropical climate with a mix of sunny, humid, and rainy days, maintaining a comfortable average temperature of 19°C (62°F) year-round. Led by an expert guide, your experience is thoughtfully tailored—whether you wish to focus on birdwatching, photography, or simply unwind in a peaceful setting. Discover Mindo as a sensory journey filled with birdsong, lush forests, and unforgettable moments in a Bio-Reserve. To fully enjoy this birdwatching experience, we recommend bringing your camera with a telephoto lens. Don't forget to pack extra batteries, memory cards, and your charger to ensure you're ready for every photographic opportunity.

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2. Discover One of the World’s Best Nature Reserves. Mindo is located within one of the world’s most outstanding nature Bio-Reserves, the Chocó Andino. For this reason, it is consider a Hot-Spot by the scientists. The Bio-Reserve covers approximately 287,000 hectares (2,870 square kilometers) of forest.” For comparison, the Chocó Andino covers an area equivalent to approximately 400,000 soccer fields. The Chocó Andino protects more than 580 species of birds, 135 species of mammals, 70 species of amphibians, and 80 species of reptiles, along with thousands of species of insects and other invertebrates. Explore the Andean Chocó, one of Ecuador’s top birdwatching destinations. Look for the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Toucan Barbet, Chocó Toucan, Golden-headed Quetzal, Violet-tailed Sylph, colorful tanagers, hummingbirds, and many more. Walk through lush cloud forest while enjoying incredible wildlife and photography opportunities.

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3. Set within the lush Andean cloud forest just outside Quito, the Alambi Hummingbird Sanctuary offers an exclusive and perfect encounter with Ecuador’s remarkable biodiversity. This carefully preserved, family-owned reserve is home to over 30 species of hummingbirds, along with vibrant tanagers, toucanets, and other sought-after sub-tropical birds. In this serene and uncrowded setting, guests can observe these dazzling species at close range as they move gracefully between feeders and native flowers, creating exceptional opportunities for photography and quiet appreciation of nature. The reserve also protects pristine river habitats and native forest, sustaining a rich diversity of wildlife.

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4. For discerning birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, this exclusive reserve offers a rare and up-close wildlife encounters with the biodiversity of Ecuador’s cloud forest, set at 1,800 meters above sea level. In this carefully preserved environment, guests can observe an extraordinary variety of species, including the elegant Violet-tailed Sylph, along with sought-after birds such as the Glistening-green Tanager, a true highlight for experienced birders. The forest also reveals iconic toucans like the Toucan Barbet and the Crimson-rumped Toucanet, while sightings of unique mammals such as the Tayra or American Agouti; t’s a cousin of the guinea pig, but it walks on long, slender legs like a miniature deer.

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5. Discover one of Mindo’s most exclusive natural experiences at a pristine waterfall sanctuary hidden within a protected cloud forest. Your journey begins with a scenic cable car ride, gliding approximately 500 meters across lush valleys, offering breathtaking views of the dense, emerald-green canopy below. Upon arrival, enjoy a guided walk along well-maintained trails leading to a series of cascading waterfalls, each more impressive than the last. At the final waterfall, guests may relax, swim, or simply take in the serenity of this untouched environment. The hike covers approximately 2.5 km (1.5 miles) with gentle ascents and descents, suitable for travelers seeking a comfortable yet immersive nature experience. This activity blends soft adventure with tranquility, making it ideal for those who value both comfort and authenticity in the heart of the cloud forest.

   1.5 h

6. After an incredible adventure in Mindo, it's time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenic drive back to your hotel in Quito.

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Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 153 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Showing reviews written in English.

• 5Eduardo was fantastic!

  Our guide, Eduardo, was fantastic! He personalized the experience for us and took us to the most incredible places to see hummingbirds and butterflies. We also wanted to zip line and ride a cable car, so he took us to those places, too. He was so knowledgeable about the area - he even took us to a local coffee shop and grocery store. We would have loved to have done more but we were exhausted after a red-eye flight the night before.

  Karen_RSeptember 2026via Viator

• 5Great experience.

  Wow! Terrific tour. We had a great time with our guide who was knowledgeable, well spoken and helpful. He tailored the experience just for us. From feeding hummingbirds and butterflies to ziplining through the treetops and lunch at a local cafe, we were delighted by the day out.

  Bev_KAugust 2026via Viator

• 5The BEST way to explore Mindo!

  This was an excellent way to see Mindo. We did so much in a day and our tour guide, Freddy, was very accommodating along with our driver, Edward. We never could have explored so much in this mountain town without them! The day was catered to our requests and Freddy had endless information about the area and what we saw. Visiting the hummingbird refuge was one of our favorite moments of the entire trip to Ecuador! We were so grateful to have booked this private tour along with an experienced driver and guide. There was so much to see and planning it all on our own would have been very difficult, not to mention navigating the winding mountain roads. Highly recommend taking a day to Mindo from Quito with this tour!

  sarahvsonAugust 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Exceeded all expectations

  Hummingbirds and butterfly farm were fascinating. Guide and driver were excellent. Hike down to the waterfall was well worth the effort.

  Steven_GJune 2026via Viator

• 5The best day we have had in a month of travelling and seeing great things.

  Seriously, the best day, out of many great ones, in our month of travel across Peru and Ecuador ( and that includes, Machu Picchu, seeing Condors soar and a week in the Galapagos). Eduardo was the complete guide and when we explained we were interested in seeing hummingbirds, he took us to two reserves where we saw many different species and were able to feed them too. Just the best.

  KelsegmJune 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Mindo forest tour

  Renan was very good and knowledgeable. He explained everything and made sure we were having great time. We recommend Renan if you want to have great time!

  Edward_BMay 2026via Viator

Know before you go

How it compares in Quito

• Its from-price is 15% above the median of the 338 day trips we list in Quito.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 14 of 338.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Quito

Quito, Ecuador's high Andean capital, has one of the best-preserved colonial centres in Latin America, ringed by volcanoes and green mountains.

The historic centre was among the very first places named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its churches, plazas and monasteries are spectacular. La Compañía de Jesús glows with gold leaf inside, the Basilica del Voto Nacional has gargoyles shaped like Ecuadorian animals, and Plaza Grande is surrounded by the cathedral and the presidential palace.

Top-ranked sights in Quito: Cotopaxi National Park, Basilica of the National Vow (La Basílica del Voto Nacional), Independence Plaza (Plaza de la Independencia).

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