MINDO CLOUD FOREST TOUR

“The amazing thing about Quito is that it is sometimes hard to believe that within a short ride of an hour or so from the hustle of the city, you can enter a completely new ecosystem in every direction from east to west.“

Leaving behind the city you will enter a world of misty mountain slopes covered by a lush forest which seems to take over the entire landscape. It seems to have appeared out of a fairy tale; however, it is an area of the western Andes called the Mindo Cloud Forest. Its climate is ideal for hundreds of different bird species, exotic butterflies and a varied concentration of plant life. It’s an enjoyable journey for those who love to be in sync with nature and magical experiences. It is great for everyone, from solo travelers to the entire family.

The morning activity will encourage you to explore a portion of the cloud forest known to the locals as the “Sanctuary of Waterfalls”. You can hardly find another place so full of waterfalls along one trail as you can in Mindo, which a great majority is easily accessible. If you wish you can also swim in one of them while your guide explains more about the immense array of flora and the different animal species you can find in the area. In ancient times, the shaman or medicinal “wise men” used to believe that bathing in these waters would restore your positivity and cleanse your body of any negative energy. If you wish to embark in a more extreme experience, you can enter a cable car and soar across the river basin over the trees. Afterwards, you will have a well-deserved rest while enjoying lunch in a central area where you continue marveling at the peaceful sounds of the cloud forest buzzing with life that surrounds you. In the afternoon, be prepared for a dazzling display of colors as you enter into a butterfly garden as the butterflies’ flutter all around you, completing a day of nature, adventure and vibrant experiences!