Quito: 2-Day Mindo Cloud Forest Adventure｜Ecuador

Day 1: Arrival to Mindo Cloud Forest – Middle of the World, Hummingbirds Garden & Chocolate Factory

Get picked up from your hotel in Quito or the airport area at 9:00 AM. Head north of the city to visit one of Ecuador’s most iconic sites: The Middle of the World. Admire the equatorial line, marked by a large monument with a globe on top, and visit the museum that explains how the line was calculated in 1736. Nearby is the Intiñan Museum, where you can enjoy interactive activities that teach about the equatorial zone from a scientific perspective.

Continue on the highway and take a detour to the Pululahua Viewpoint, overlooking one of only two inhabited volcanic craters in the world, located at approximately 2,743 m (9,000 ft). From here, see crops, farms, and houses set within this unique geo-botanical reserve.

As you approach the Mindo Cloud Forest, stop at Los Armadillos Hummingbirds Garden, where you will have free time to relax and take photos before continuing the journey to Mindo.

Arrive at the lodge around 1:00 PM, where you will be welcomed with a fresh drink. After check-in and a short briefing, our staff will accompany you to your private bungalow. Once you’re refreshed, enjoy a delightful lunch in the restaurant.

After lunch, and when you feel ready, begin your afternoon visits in Mindo town. Your first stop is The Hummingbirds Garden, where you can appreciate the colorful variety of these magnificent birds. Continue to the famous Chocolate Factory, where you will learn about the artisanal chocolate-making process, including its aroma, flavor, and texture—an experience that delights all the senses.

Finally, return to the lodge for relaxation on your private terrace or a swim in the pool. Around 7:00 PM (flexible schedule), an exquisite dinner awaits you at the restaurant.

Day 2: Cable Car, Waterfalls & Butterfly Farm – Return to Quito

Wake up surrounded by nature and birdsong, with beautiful views from your private terrace. Breakfast begins at 7:30 AM in the restaurant.

When you’re ready—preferably no later than 9:30 AM—continue to the cable car, which crosses the river toward the Waterfall Sanctuary. From the cable car, enjoy impressive views of the Mindo Cloud Forest ecosystem, world-renowned for its biodiversity and birdwatching. Persistent low-lying clouds bring moisture that fuels dense, lush vegetation.

During the morning hike, it’s easy to see five or six waterfalls, as your private naturalist guide leads you through this magical forest. At the end of the excursion, you’ll cross back via cable car, where your transport will be waiting to take you to the next stop: the Butterfly Farm. Prepare to be amazed by more than 1,000 colorful butterflies flying around you. The bamboo and pambil towers offer an elevated view of the Cloud Forest.

After this wonderful morning, return to the lodge. You will have time to pack and prepare for check-out at noon. Finally, your private transfer to Quito or the airport area will be ready.