We had a wonderful family experience with Isra in the cloud forest. He was an excellent guide — very friendly, knowledgeable, and great with our son. The whole experience felt relaxed and safe, and Isra was incredibly patient and attentive. We spent a fantastic time looking for hummingbirds and toucans and were lucky enough to see many beautiful birds up close. His knowledge of the wildlife and the forest made the experience even more special. We also learned a lot about the nature and everyday life in Ecuador along the way. It was not just about spotting birds, but about really experiencing and understanding the incredible environment around us. We are very happy to have met Isra and to have shared this experience as a family. It was one of those days that we will remember for a long time. We can highly recommend Isra to anyone looking for a friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely personal wildlife experience in Ecuador.
Mindo Cloud Forest Birding and Photography Tour
+4 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 5–8 hours
- Price from
- $100 / person
- Location
- Quito, Ecuador
- Rating
- 5.0 / 5 · 5 reviews
- Languages
- DE, DE, EN, EN
- Group
- Private
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Hotel pickup
- Available
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Israel alejandro Peña solano
Description
What makes this tour truly special is the opportunity to photograph some of the most spectacular birds of the Ecuadorian Andes in a single day. Your journey begins with a stop at Alambi Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the best locations in Ecuador to photograph dazzling hummingbirds such as the Violet-tailed Sylph, Booted Racket-tail, White-necked Jacobin, and Buff-tailed Coronet. We then continue to Mindo Cloud Forest, including a visit to the renowned Cotinga Hide, where guests have excellent opportunities to photograph iconic Chocó birds such as the Toucan Barbet, Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, tanagers, and many other colorful species. This is a private and fully customizable experience led by an experienced local naturalist guide, ideal for birdwatchers, wildlife photographers, and nature lovers seeking a high-quality and personalized adventure in one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, and Sun
- Start times
- 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM
- Next available
- Fri, Oct 16
- Adult (ages 17–64)
- $100
- Senior (ages 65+)
- $100
- Youth (ages 6–16)
- $50
- Child (ages 2–5)
- $100
- Infant (ages 0–1)
- $50
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 15.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Mindo
Explore the incredible biodiversity of Mindo Cloud Forest on a private full-day birding and photography tour. Visit carefully selected birding hotspots and private reserves to observe and photograph hummingbirds, toucans, tanagers, motmots, and many other colorful cloud forest birds. Along the way, enjoy stunning landscapes, waterfalls, and the unique ecosystems of the Andean Chocó. This customizable experience is perfect for birdwatchers, wildlife photographers, and nature lovers of all skill levels, guided by an experienced local naturalist.
Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve
Capture the extraordinary beauty of Mindo Cloud Forest on a private full-day wildlife photography tour designed for photographers and nature enthusiasts. Visit the best photography locations and bird feeders to photograph dazzling hummingbirds, toucans, tanagers, butterflies, orchids, and other iconic species of the cloud forest. Your expert local guide will help you find outstanding subjects and adapt the itinerary to your photography goals and interests. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced photographer, this personalized experience offers exceptional opportunities to create stunning images in one of Ecuador’s most biodiverse and photogenic destinations.
Nanegalito
Capture the extraordinary beauty of Mindo Cloud Forest on a private full-day wildlife photography tour designed for photographers and nature enthusiasts. On the way from Quito, we will make a stop in Nanegalito, a well-known birding area where you can photograph colorful hummingbirds and other Andean species. Continue to the best photography locations and bird feeders in Mindo Cloud Forest to capture dazzling hummingbirds, toucans, tanagers, butterflies, orchids, and other iconic cloud forest wildlife. This personalized experience is suitable for both beginner and experienced photographers, with a flexible itinerary tailored to your interests and photography goals.
What's included
Included
Private transportation
WiFi on board
Binoculars
Coffee and/or Tea
Not included
Lunch
Breakfast
Dinner
Snacks
Pickup Locations & Times
We offer convenient pickup from hotels, apartments, and accommodations located in Quito, including the historic center, La Mariscal, La Carolina, and surrounding areas. Please provide your accommodation name and exact address at the time of booking. Your guide will contact you one day before the tour to confirm the pickup time and any final details.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
5 reviews
How it compares in Quito
- Starting price $100 is close to the typical $99 for tours of similar length in Quito
Excurgo comparison of 1,002 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mindo Cloud Forest Birding and Photography Tour take?
Mindo Cloud Forest Birding and Photography Tour lasts about 5–8 hours. The itinerary has 3 stops.
How much does Mindo Cloud Forest Birding and Photography Tour cost?
Prices start at $100 per person for this Quito experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Mindo Cloud Forest Birding and Photography Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, starting at 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM.
How much does Mindo Cloud Forest Birding and Photography Tour cost for children?
Children aged 2–5 pay from $100, adults from $100.
Can I cancel Mindo Cloud Forest Birding and Photography Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. We offer convenient pickup from hotels, apartments, and accommodations located in Quito, including the historic center, La Mariscal, La Carolina, and surrounding areas. Please provide your accommodation name and exact address at the time of booking. Your guide will contact you one day before the tour to confirm the pickup time and any final details. Pickup points include Olympus Plaza, Hotel Principe Marcell.
What languages is Mindo Cloud Forest Birding and Photography Tour offered in?
The experience is available in DE, DE, EN, EN, EN, IT, IT, FR, FR, ES, ES, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 12 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Mindo Cloud Forest Birding and Photography Tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 5 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Israel alejandro Peña solano.
Reviews(5)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
F
Wonderful Day
J
Incredible experience for birdwatching and photography!
Incredible and personalised one-on-one tour for the day with lots of Birdlife including toucans and hummingbirds. Highly recommend this tour for anyone who has a camera and wants to get some wonderful bird shots. There is also a lunch break and an opportunity to buy some fresh coffee beans and a museum.
G
Hummingbirds plus plus plus
We had an amazing time taking countless photos of hummingbirds, toucans, tanagers and other beautiful birds.
L
We had the best day...
We had the best day birding with Isra! Quetzals, toucans, hummingbirds, tanagers, even a Torrent duck.
J
Cloud Forest
We found our guide Isra very knowledgeable and he made sure that we were able to see all that we had planned to see. A very friendly Knowledgeable and safe driver.
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from$100
5.0(5) Free cancellation