Mindo Day Trip from Quito: 1 Day Cloud Forest, Adventure & Nature

Duration:

From: $$75 per person

Destinations: Mindo Valley

Description

Explore Nature with the Mindo Cloud Forest Tour

Embark on a 1-Day Mindo Day Trip from Quito and explore the lush Mindo Valley Ecuador, a paradise for ecotourism and nature lovers just 80 km (49 miles) from Quito.

This Mindo Cloud Forest Tour offers a full-day escape into a vibrant cloud forest ecosystem at altitudes ranging from 1,250 meters (4,101 ft), where you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of waterfalls, rivers, and unique flora and fauna.

Thrill-seekers can experience ziplining over the treetops, taking in panoramic forest views and an adrenaline-filled adventure.

Other activities on this day trip to Mindo from Quito include hiking, visiting butterfly farms, exploring orchid gardens, and birdwatching at the San Tadeo Ornithological Point, home to hundreds of bird species such as toucans, hummingbirds, and tanagers.

Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with family, this tour combines adventure, nature, and relaxation. Choosing a day trip from Quito to Mindo lets you experience the stunning Mindo Valley Ecuador, lush cloud forest landscapes, exciting zipline adventures, rich birdlife, and diverse ecological wonders in one seamless, unforgettable day. For more ideas, check out our best activities in Mindo Cloud Forest to plan your adventure.

Learn more about the region’s biodiversity on Wikipedia’s Mindo Cloud Forest and get inspired for your trip.

Book your Mindo Day Trip from Quito today and let the enchanting Mindo Cloud Forest be the highlight of your Ecuador vacation.

Inclusions

✔ Pick up/ Drop off

✔ Private transportation to and from your hotel

✔ Certified Bilingual Guide

✔ Lunch

❌ Breakfast

❌ Beverages

❌ Personal Expenses

❌ Tips

❌ Tickets

Highlights

Birdwatching Spot: One of the best places in the world to spot exotic birds and hummingbirds.

Waterfall Sanctuary: Network of trails with access to multiple waterfalls in the heart of the cloud forest.

Mindo Butterfly Garden: Interactive garden with dozens of species of butterflies and hummingbirds.

Chocolate Tour: A sensory experience to learn about and taste Mindo's Ecuadorian cacao.

Itinerary

1.Pick Up from Quito

Our adventure begins with pickup at your hotel. We continue with a transfer to Mindo. Along the way, you'll enjoy unique views and observe the changing ecosystem and climate, from the cold of Quito to the warmth of Mindo.

2. Birds of the Mindo cloud forest

Mindo Cloud Forest Tour has several options to enjoy the hummingbirds watching, which are made in groups.

In the morning or afternoon in the middle of the Cloud Forest of Mindo. will be our first stop during the Mindo cloud forest day trip.

3. Cable Car and Mindo Waterfalls Sanctuary

Here, we'll board a cable car ride, which will take us through the skies of the Mindo Cloud Forest to the Waterfalls Sanctuary.

From the top, you'll enjoy a panoramic view of the forest and its impressive waterfalls, an ideal place to immerse yourself in nature in all its splendor.

4. Butterflies Farm Mindo Cloud forest

We will continue our visit to the Mindo Butterfly Farm, part of the botanical garden. There you can observe and learn about the four life stages of butterflies.

If you look closely, you will have the opportunity to observe some of the more than 12,000 existing butterfly species, as well as take photographs, always taking care not to harm them.

5. Mindo Cloud Forest Zip line (optional)

Mindo zipline is one of the most outstanding activities in Mindo cloud forest, the ziplining mindo is an adventure sport where a tour is done through steel cables, by means of a pulley and safety equipment.

The distance of the cables can be 32.8 – 65.6 or 131.2 ft (10, 20 or 40 meters) long, during the flight in the ziplining mindo you can observe the trees, the fauna that inhabits them and experiences a unique adventure through the Mindo cloud forest tour.

6. Lunch

We continue with a delicious lunch at one of Mindo's local restaurants, where you'll find a variety of typical regional dishes that blend fresh and authentic flavors.

7. Mindo Cloud Forest Coffe Tour (opcional)

You can learn about and enjoy the Mindo organic coffee plantation, the process, and the artisanal roasting of coffee.

The tour will last approximately one hour, and you will learn about the history and importance of coffee in the area.

8. Mindo Cloud Forest Chocolate Tour

To finish the Mindo Tour you will learn about the chocolate elaboration process and the tasting of this delicacy during the Mindo Chocolate Tour.

9. Return to Quito

After an incredible day in the Mindo Cloud Forest, we'll return to Quito, where we'll conclude this very special adventure.

Price 2026

Group Size	Private Tour	Small Group	Shared Tour
1 Passenger/ Price per Person with Ticket	$ 415	$ 385	$ 75 Check availability in advance, especially for groups of 4 people. No lunch- No Tickets
2-3 Passengers/ Price per Person with Ticket	$ 355	$ 330	$ 75 Check availability in advance, especially for groups of 4 people. No lunch- No Tickets
4 + Passengers/ Price per Person	$190 - with Ticket	$150 - no Ticket	$ 75 Check availability in advance, especially for groups of 4 people. No lunch- No Tickets

GALLERY

The best photos of our guests

Tour Mindo Frequently Asked Question 🔍

Is Mindo Ecuador worth visiting?

Of course, it's worth it. It's a unique destination in Ecuador where you'll enjoy amazing adventures. If you love nature, you'll observe several species of birds and unique vegetation.

What is Mindo's climate like?

Mindo has a subtropical climate, with pleasant temperatures year-round, ranging between 18 and 25°C. However, rain is quite common, especially during the rainy season from October to May, so it's a good idea to bring appropriate clothing.

How is the cloud forest in Quito?

The Mindo cloud forest is a two-hour drive from Quito. There are several options to get there, whether by private transportation, buses, or organized tours.

What to do in Mindo Cloud Forest?

You can enjoy a wide range of activities, such as birdwatching, as it is one of the best places in Ecuador to do so. You can also visit several waterfalls, like Nambillo, or hike along cloud forest trails. Another popular activity is canopy zip-lining, where you can glide through the jungle on cables. There are also educational cacao tours, where you can participate in chocolate-making workshops.

What to bring to Mindo? 🎒

-Comfortable and appropriate clothing to adapt to the variable climate and possible rain.

-Sturdy and comfortable shoes for easy walking on trails and in wet areas.

-Sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun while enjoying outdoor activities.

-Insect repellent to avoid bites in this tropical area.

-Bring a camera to capture Mindo's natural beauty and those unique moments.

-A water bottle and snacks to keep you hydrated and energized throughout the day.

What Travellers Say About Real Dreams

Verified reviews · Real Dream Tours

Great tour company. Amazing tour guides. Safe driver !

We had the BEST time with Real Dream tours. Our tour guide was Andrés and our driver maybe (Javier) was the ABSOLUTE BEST. We went to the hot springs. Got there safely. We hiked a beautiful trail. Andres took some photos of us and pretty much took care of everything when we arrived at the spa. Andres was also very knowledgeable about the country. Educated us on some fun facts. We were traveling as a family of 5. The company is great! They personalized everything for us. They can customize anything you need. Even dropped us off at the airport after our relaxing day. Such great people. highly recommended! Will use them again.

tktun20906

washington dc

June 11, 2025

Quilotoa -day trip

Quilotoa is a beautiful place it’s worth the long trip from Quito. I would totally recomend. The views are just stunning.

Also our tour guide was Pedro. 10/10

Carol

Puerto Rico

March 10, 2025

Vielen Dank Pedro!

Ich hatte eine tolle Zeit mit meinem Guide Pedro. Vom hoch gelegenen Cotopaxi, über die im perfekten Sonnenschein schimmernde Quilotoa Lagune, zum abenteuerlichen Banos und schliesslich in den abgelegenen Regenwald in der Itamandi Lodge, hat Pedro alles gegeben um meine Reise perfekt zu machen.

Martin

May 21, 2025

Great company-book with confidence.

Andres made the day! We have hired many many different guides in many many different countries and Andres was one of the best we have had. He perfectly split the difference between information and giving us our space. He was attentive to our 10 year old…especially important on such a very long day. Keeping the little one going made for a successful day for all of us.

He and the driver spotted a toucan along a road and halted everything, hustled us out of the car and made sure we all saw it and got pictures. Well done!

We combined this tour with visits to both equator exhibits and while this was no fault of the tour company (they had informed us of road closures and we were not upset) it took us much longer to get back than planned and we nearly ran out of time. We got the photos we wanted so no harm no foul, but we cut it very close. I’m thankful for the good driver we had!

maureenehess

Bogota, Colombia

June 20, 2025

Fantastic trip to local market and beautiful nature.

Very nice trip to a very nice market. This is South America's largest outdoor market. Also got to stop at the original center of the world, and taste very good biscuits 😁

Helge B

July 12, 2025

Otavala Market

Great trip to the Otavalo market. Andrés was a wonderful guide who shared so much history and stories about Equador and the area. A great day tour from Quoto.

Martedal

July 9, 2025

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Looking for a personalized experience? Tell us your travel dates, group size, and interests, and our local experts will help you design the perfect tour in Ecuador or the Galápagos Islands. This request is completely free and without obligation — we’re happy to adapt the itinerary, pace, and activities to match your travel style.

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 519 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
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   Sonja R 
 
 
 
 Verified The perfect day
I spent a glorious day with the dream team: Jimmy, the alert, cautious, and responsible driver, and Andres, the super kind, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic tour guide. The day exceeded my expectations: I saw and experienced everything I had heard about Cotopaxi and Banos - and then some. I learned a lot and felt extremely well taken care of. I highly recommend this trip to anyone who wants to see these two famous places in Ecuador in just one day. And if you’re lucky enough, you’ll be driven by Jimmy and guided by Andres.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Voyager212497 
 
 
 
 Verified Ecuador with Andres and Jimmy!!!!
Andres and Jimmy were awesome guides!!!! First time to Ecuador and loved every minute. Andres and Jimmy made the most of our day and introduced us to many local places. Just what we were looking for!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Angela C 
 
 
 
 Verified Perfect Equador Tour!!
Our guide, Miriam was absolutely amazing!! She shared all of the unbelievable information about her country and let us decide what we wanted to do on the tour.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Stefano P 
 
 
 
 Verified Wonderful experience en la Sierra
Esperienza indimenticabile. La nostra guida Ayrton è sempre stato disponibile, attento sia alle nostre necessità che alla nostra sicurezza. Sin dal momento del pick up ci ha dato innumerevoli informazioni sui luoghi che stavamo visitato, facendoci immergere completamente nella cultura Ecuadoriana. Prezzo del tour non economico, ma ne vale la pena.
  
 
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   sv 
 
 
 
 Verified parfait
camping parfait rien a dire sauf l'accès compliqué a la plage
  
 
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   Jacki R 
 
 
 
 Verified Cotapaxi tour
Andres was a wonderful, engaging, knowledgeable and very friendly tour guide. Both he and the driver, Diego, provided us with a highly memorable tour. This was our favorite tour out of our 4 days in Quito. A large part of it was due to Andres. We highly recommend Andres and Diego!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Victoria K 
 
 
 
 Verified Great experience and company!
This tour was absolutely wonderful from the adventure to the company of Ayrton. This walk was intense but totally worth it, i will do the summit next year. I’m very happy with the tour, from the pick up until the drop off! Ayrton is very friendly, knowledgeable, and he knows how to take the best photos that’ll last a lifetime ☺️ I’m very pleased, thank you so much for a great experience!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Tani Davis 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing views
Andrés was an excellent tour guide. His knowledge of the zone, the fun facts, the trivia questions and the cool attitude made this experience one of a kind! Ciro was an excellent driver and got us back and forth safe. Thank you! The tour was just enough to get good photos from both places, grab lunch and head back. If you want to take a longer experience on either place, probably book a full day per location.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   L C 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing experience
I did a tour/hike of Cotopaxi with guide Andres and driver Jimmy. The scenery was gorgeous! The hike was challenging just due to the altitude but worth it for the views and seeing the Refugio. Guide Andres had so much great information about the history, people, geography and animals in the area. He was friendly and helpful and answered any questions I had about the area. Highly recommend this tour.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Maddy C 
 
 
 
 Verified Book it – you won't regret it!
Absolutely incredible experience – 10/10! I cannot recommend this tour enough! I booked a private day trip from Quito to Chimborazo, and it was truly one of the highlights of my nearly two months exploring Ecuador. I honestly can't believe more tourists don't visit Chimborazo — it is absolutely breathtaking, and such an amazing place to experience. I was picked up directly from my apartment, we stopped for breakfast, and then headed out toward Chimborazo. Irene was an absolutely FABULOUS guide — incredibly knowledgeable, warm, and genuinely passionate about Ecuador. I learned SO much from her throughout the day, and that is saying something, as I've already spent nearly two months exploring Ecuador! She shared so much fascinating information about the landscape, history, culture, and the area around Chimborazo. Jimmy was our driver and was equally wonderful. He has such a great sense of humor and was an excellent, very safe driver. He also came along on the hike with us, which was such a nice surprise! He also recommended a delicious restaurant for lunch. Irene and Jimmy were both so kind and made the entire day feel easy, fun, and comfortable. As a 22-year-old woman traveling alone, I also want to emphasize how truly safe and secure I felt the entire time. I was completely comfortable with both Irene and Jimmy, and they took such great care of me throughout the day. I never once felt worried or uncomfortable traveling so far from Quito on my own. And, the PHOTOS! Irene and Jimmy took FABULOUS pictures of me — genuinely better than anything I could have taken myself. They knew exactly where to stop and how to capture the scenery, and I came away with so many incredible photos and memories from the day. The hike itself was also amazing. I personally found it less difficult than hiking Cotopaxi, although the altitude is definitely challenging and should not be underestimated! The landscape is absolutely surreal, and being up there surrounded by that incredible scenery is an experience I will never forget. If you're considering doing this tour, book it! Especially if you're traveling alone, I could not recommend Irene and Jimmy more highly. They were knowledgeable, funny, kind, professional, and made the entire experience unforgettable. This was one of the best days I've had in Ecuador, and I am so grateful to them both! It's so worth it.