On the western slopes of the Andes, north of Quito, is Mindo Cloud Forest. Due to its elevation, its location within a valley, and the humid air coming from the nearby Pacific Ocean, the lush hills around Mindo host one of the few cloud forest environments found in Ecuador.
The Mindo Cloud Forest is a birders paradise, home to hummingbirds, toucans, manakins, quetzal, cock-of-the-rock and tanagers, to name but a few. But it is also home to an array of butterflies, frogs and monkeys, while the lush vegetation of the forest is dotted with colourful tropical flowers. During your stay, you can visit an orchid garden or take a chocolate tour.
The forest can be explored via a network of hiking trails which stop at scenic landmarks and waterfalls, as well as notable birding spots. Cable car rides above the treetops offer another means of exploring the forest, or for the more adventurous, you might like to consider zip-lining through the tree canopy!
The cloud forest is only a couple of hours drive from Quito, so day trips are possible. However, we would recommend you spend a few days here to explore in full.
Back to Ecuador 
