Our tour will begin early in the morning. We will make several stops along the way. Our first stop will be in San Tadeo, where we’ll observe different species of hummingbirds, as well as other native birds from the area. After visiting the hummingbirds, we’ll enjoy a traditional breakfast in Mindo (optional). Our next stop will be at the Mindo butterfly sanctuary, where we’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the different species that live there, as well as their life cycle and reproduction. After this stop, we’ll take a hike through the Mindo-Nambillo cloud forest to the famous waterfalls, which will last approximately an hour and a half. At the waterfalls, you’ll have the option to swim, so it’s a good idea to have your swimsuit ready. Finally, we’ll visit the chocolate tour, where you’ll learn more about the process of making chocolate from cacao. Flexible Itinerary. Your own private guide and vehicle. Admission fees are not included.
In demand: 18 of the next 26 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 12.
En este lugar observaremos diferentes especies de colibríes y algunas aves típicas de Mindo.
Here will be our first stop, the Mindo butterfly farm has a great variety of species of multicolored butterflies, we will have a brief introduction with the guide of the place, then we will enter the facilities where we will be able to observe a great variety of butterflies and their development process, and at the same time interact with them through the food that is found in the place, without a doubt an unforgettable experience.
Hiking in the cloud forest and tarabita.
In this stop we are going to visit the waterfalls, we will start by crossing the tarabita where we can enjoy a wonderful view of the cloud forest characteristic of Mindo, then we will hike through the forest for approximately two hours, where we will make some stops to enjoy the waterfalls and their crystal clear water.
Finally we will visit Mindo chocolate tour where we will be able to observe the cacao process and also taste this delicious delicacy, before returning to Quito we will enjoy an exquisite typical local lunch. The return to Quito will be two more hours
We make a stop in Museo de sito Intiñan.
We will communicate by WhatsApp to give basic instructions before the start of the tour and to coordinate the meeting point. In some cases, depending on the season, weekends or holidays, if there is only one traveler, there could be an extra charge. The tour is done by private transport, in a white Chevrolet Grand Vitara with all the biosecurity measures.
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For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Private Full Day Mindo Tour with Pickup lasts about 8–10 hours. The itinerary has 6 stops.
Prices start at $135 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.
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, starting at 8:00 AM.
Children aged 3–12 pay from $75, adults from $135.
It can: 18 of the next 26 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Yes, pickup is offered. We will communicate by WhatsApp to give basic instructions before the start of the tour and to coordinate the meeting point. In some cases, depending on the season, weekends or holidays, if there is only one traveler, there could be an extra charge. The tour is done by private transport, in a white Chevrolet Grand Vitara with all the biosecurity measures. Pickup points include Olympus Plaza, Hotel Principe Marcell.
The experience is available in EN, EN, ES.
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 4 travellers can book together.
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 23 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by latitudetripec.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Andres , our tour guide was great. We visited a garden and feed hummingbirds and eat the best chocolate during our chocolate tour. The middle of the earth museum was great as well so we saw a lot in a day. Andres was very patient with us and did not hurry us along . We skipped the butterfly activity and spent more time at the musesum and he was more than happy to adjust the tour as we wanted.
Andres was fantastic and super accommodating. We just went with the flow and filled the day with amazing things to see around Mindo. Great for solo travellers looking to see more outside of Quito. I cannot say enough positive things about Andres.
Getting to Mindo is no joke. With it being just around 2 hours of driving one way. Andres has made this drive for the past 4 years giving tours. His other reviews are why I chose to book with him. If I had more time I would book him for other tours that he offers. The butterfly conservation area, the hummingbirds and the waterfalls with the quick trip on the cable car is what you will encounter. There is a wonderful place to eat in Mindo and everyone is just so friendly. Andres was helpful and knowledgeable about the area and towns that you pass by. I felt safe I know that’s important to state as a solo female traveler and his English is great. He also speaks Italian! He is flexible with the destination times and will move at your pace. Thank you Andres for the tour!
Andrés was an amazing guide for the tour of Mindo. He’s extremely knowledgeable of the ecosystem and very approachable with any questions. We talked about some of the ecology and history of the area of Mindo so the roadtrip was very enjoyable. The hummingbird stop was amazing, having them drink from your hand was beautiful. The butterfly garden was very nice as well. If you would like to take a dip in the waterfalls, bring a bathing suit. The hike to and from the waterfalls was scenic through the cloud forest. Finally the chocolate tour was a very informative experience with roasting and tasting of pure cacao. Overall, my fiancée and I thought it was an amazing experience, I recommend Andrés as a guide to anyone traveling to and around Quito.
Thank you! I'm so glad you had a good experience, that's my main goal.
As a woman travelling alone, I sometimes pay to book a tour rather than rent a car if I’m not certain about the security situation outside a city. But if you’re a woman travelling alone, I’d actually suggest that you rent a car for a fraction of this price & simply driving to Mindo yourself. The road was high quality, the driving was not difficult, and the whole trip would feel very safe alone during the daylight hours. The guide was not able to add much information about the nature seen on this trip, or about Ecuador’s history, politics, or economy. Because no other tourists came, I felt pressure to talk with him instead of listen to books or podcasts about Ecuador to get more information (which I could have done in a rental car alone). I travel to learn and would have learned more either alone or on the cheaper group tour to Mindo, I think, where I would have had more time to read/listen on the way. Additionally, the tour cost $30 extra for a person travelling alone. San Tadeo Birding (the hummingbird place) and Mariposario de Mindo (the butterfly place) are both places that you can visit on your own easily. But the guide got me there & back on time. His car was comfortable. And the guide was very generous in taking good pictures. The photos he sent me—of hummingbirds and butterflies landing on my hand—are spectacular, so I am grateful for that.
Thanks for the feedback, I'll keep it in mind.
An absolutely amazing day. Anyone with a love for wildlife and nature should definitely need to go on this tour. Good value for money and Andrés is great. The tour was very flexible and as a solo female travelled I felt safe the entire time. There was no pressures to go anywhere or buy anything and each spot was well worth a visit.
There is so much to see and do in Mindo, it’s hard to pack into one day, but this tour does an excellent job of trying! Ruben was my guide, and he was amazing! He clearly loves his country, and Mindo and his enthusiasm for this tour made it so much fun. He made sure I got the most out of each experience!
The tour was just as described. Andre was easy to be with and so helpful. Don’t expect him to tell you the names of animals and birds! He will be the first to let you know that is not his expertise. He made sure my husband and I had a good experience
I know the animals in the area in general, but I m not an expert in birdwatching. If you re looking for a birdwatching tour, this isn't the right one. This tour includes a visit to see hummingbirds and butterflies, a hike to waterfalls (tarabita) and final visit the chocolate tour. If we have time, we'll stop at the intiñan museum at the Middle of the World on our way back to Quito.
This was already our second tour with Andrés and we highly recommend him to everyone! The tours were exactly as described and more than that, Andrés also customized the tours to meet our wishes. He’s super friendly and provided lots of insights and explanations during the whole day. If you‘re looking for an authentic experience, his tours are a must! Thank you Andrés :-)
I really enjoyed the tour with my guide andres Everything was very well organized and relaxed. Seeing the butterflies and hummingbirds was beautiful, and the walk through the forest to the waterfalls was one of my favorite parts — the nature, the sounds, and the scenery made it very special. The chocolate tour was also great; it was interesting to learn about the process and of course to taste it. Overall, it was a great experience and I felt very well taken care of during the whole tour. I would definitely recommend this guide. I’m also sharing a few photos from the day ;)
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Full Day Mindo Tour with Pickup | 8–10 hours | 4.9 (23) | $135 | |
 Full-Day Private Tour of Mindo Cloud Forest | 8 hours | 5.0 (24) | $150 | View |
 Mindo Private Tour, Full Day from Quito | 7–8 hours | 5.0 (23) | $100 | View |
 Full Day Mindo - Cloud Forest from Quito | 8–10 hours | 5.0 (41) | $90 | View |
 Mindo Cloud Forest Day Tours - PRIVATE - Richard Hernandez | 9–11 hours | 4.8 (113) | $185 | View |
 Full Day Tour to Mindo with Friends! (English) | 8h 30min | 4.4 (13) | $90 | View |
 Mindo Cloud Forest: Hummingbirds, Birding & Waterfalls | Private | 9–10 hours | 4.9 (154) | $149 | View |