Full Day Tour to Mindo with Friends! (English) in Quito, Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador

Full Day Tour to Mindo with Friends! (English)

Outty Ranking 66 4.4 · 13 traveler reviews8.5 hoursFrom $90
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Outty Ranking

66/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.4/5

Based on 13 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Full Day Tour to Mindo with Friends! (English) worth booking?

Full Day Tour to Mindo with Friends! (English) is a 8.5-hour experience in Quito, Ecuador, from $90 per person. It scores 66 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 13 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
66 / 100
Rating
4.4/5 (13)
Duration
8.5 hours
From
$90 per person

Mindo is a beautiful valley located two hours northwest of Quito, on the western slopes of the Pichincha volcano. This place offers amazing natural landscapes and many adventure activities. Once you arrive in Mindo's cloud forest you will visit a butterfly farm and hummingbird feeders. Don't forget your camera! The adventure continues with canopying, with 13 zip lines of different lengths that range from 20 to 400 m and with different characteristics for adventure seekers of all ages. If you prefer another activity, we also offer the option of riding in a tarabita (a small cable car) and hiking across the cloud forest to visit beautiful waterfalls. After all of these exciting activities, you will have a break for lunch. Before departing from Mindo you will visit another special spot for birdwatching. The price applies to groups of three or more passengers. In case the minimum number of passengers is not reached, we will contact you by email in order to reschedule the day of the tour.

What you get

    About this experience

    Mindo is a beautiful valley located two hours northwest of Quito, on the western slopes of the Pichincha volcano. This place offers amazing natural landscapes and many adventure activities. Once you arrive in Mindo's cloud forest you will visit a butterfly farm and hummingbird feeders. Don't forget your camera! The adventure continues with canopying, with 13 zip lines of different lengths that range from 20 to 400 m and with different characteristics for adventure seekers of all ages. If you prefer another activity, we also offer the option of riding in a tarabita (a small cable car) and hiking across the cloud forest to visit beautiful waterfalls. After all of these exciting activities, you will have a break for lunch. Before departing from Mindo you will visit another special spot for birdwatching. The price applies to groups of three or more passengers. In case the minimum number of passengers is not reached, we will contact you by email in order to reschedule the day of the tour.

    What's included

    Included

    • Private transportation
    • Bilingual Guide

    Not included

    • Alcoholic Beverages
    • Tips
    • Tickets to Activities
    • Lunch

    What you'll see and do

    1. Quito Old Town

      Pick up at 07:00 am.

      120 minutes here

    2. Mariposas de Mindo

      A visit to a butterfly farm and hummingbird feeders. It's a place for pictures!

      60 minutes here · Admission not included

    3. Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve

      A trip in a tarabita and followed by a hike to the waterfalls.

      120 minutes here · Admission not included

    4. Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve

      Canopy over the rainforest.

      60 minutes here · Admission not included

    5. Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve

      Lunch.

      60 minutes here

    6. Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve

      Optional visit to the chocolate factory.

      60 minutes here · Admission not included

    7. Quito Old Town

      Arrival to Quito at around 17:00 pm.

      60 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Quito

    References: 1.- Next to the Santa Catalina de Siena Monastery. 2.- Close to the Sucre School. 3.- Next to the Manuela Saenz Museum.

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is available for selected locations.

    Ends at

    References: 1.- Next to the Santa Catalina de Siena Monastery. 2.- Close to the Sucre School. 3.- Next to the Manuela Saenz Museum.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 10 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Friends Expeditions

    Know before you go

    • Specialized infant seats are available
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Infants must not sit on laps
    • Not stroller accessible
    • Not suitable for pets
    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Transportation arrangements can be discussed for groups of more than four people. The tour has a small extra cost to pick up from your own accommodation

    Photos

    Full Day Tour to Mindo with Friends! (English) in Quito, photo 2Full Day Tour to Mindo with Friends! (English) in Quito, photo 3Full Day Tour to Mindo with Friends! (English) in Quito, photo 4Full Day Tour to Mindo with Friends! (English) in Quito, photo 5Full Day Tour to Mindo with Friends! (English) in Quito, photo 6Full Day Tour to Mindo with Friends! (English) in Quito, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 13 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    9 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Food and drink

    3 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Photo opportunities

    2 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Physical effort

    2 mentions

    Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

    Pace and timing

    2 mentions

    Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.

    Traveler reviews

    13 verified traveler reviews for Full Day Tour to Mindo with Friends! (English). Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    9
    4 star
    1
    3 star
    2
    2 star
    1
    1 star
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    Sort
    Laura_W · March 2026

    Wonderful experience...

    Wonderful experience exploring Mindo! We traveled during Carnival and our tour guide managed to get us through the crowded areas with ease.

    Response from the operator: Hi Laura. Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so glad you had a great experience exploring Mindo, especially during the busy Carnival season. Our guides always do their best to make the journey smooth and enjoyable.

    via Viator

    Suzie_W · November 2024

    Good wildlife crappy tour guide

    I enjoyed seeing the hummingbirds and the wildlife. In the booking it said they would pick you up from your hotel for an extra fee when I contacted them this was not the case. I booked the tour with the expectation they would pick me up from my hotel. I didn’t do the zipline activity and during the time the others were away zip lining my tour guide sat on his phone and basically ignored me. I felt this was very unprofessional and I don’t think the experience was worth what I paid for it.

    Response from the operator: Hi Suzie, Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed seeing the hummingbirds and wildlife, as they are part of the special charm we seek to offer. We sincerely regret the inconvenience you experienced with the transportation service during your tour. As this is a group tour, pick-up is arranged from meeting points to facilitate a quicker departure. We will make sure to specify better to avoid future inconveniences. Regarding your experience during the activity, we apologize if you did not receive the attention you expected from the guide. This is not the level of service we want to provide, and we will take steps to reinforce the professionalism and commitment of our team in all activities. Thank you again for sharing your experience, this certainly helps us to improve in order to offer a better service to our customers.

    via Viator

    Deb04033 · March 2024

    Full Day

    Took the full day tour to Mindo with Jonathan and Jimmy as the driver. It's a 2 hour drive from Quito but Jonathan gave lots of information about Quito and the area on the way. Our first stop was the butterfly center, which was very good. I decided not to do ziplining but went with the Cable car option. From there we hiked to another tram to take us further into the forest. Unfortunately my knee was not holding up because of the many steps built into the trail. Jonathan was very patient with my slow speed. I could only make it to the first waterfall. He also took pictures for me climbing over some of the rocks for better pics of the waterfall. We really did not see any wildlife but Jonathan did point out some of the plant life. After heading back down, they suggested a place for lunch which was very good. I invited them to join me. Next stop was the chocolate making facility. Had a chocolate facial and some tastings, and info on chocolate making. Our last stop was the humming bird platform. That was the best part of the day and I believe both Jonathan and Jimmy enjoyed it as much as I did. Long ride back and it was a full day, getting back around 7 pm. Jonathan was a good guide. Jimmy an excellent driver. I was surprised at the cost $250 considering tours from other companies were less expensive. My fault for not checking the price beforehand.

    via Tripadvisor

    Y6315NBnatashat · December 2023

    Mindo Tour

    This tour was an incredible experience! Our guide, Jonathan, was informative, personable, kind, fun, and amazing! He was with us every step on our adventures to the butterfly gardens, hummingbird terrace, up and down mountains, and through a rainforest! Our lunch and food stops were wonderful! Authentic food at its best! We were so very pleased about everything on this tour! Highly recommended!

    via Tripadvisor

    Glenn_S · November 2023

    Perfect tour guide

    Johnathon was a tremendous guide and would recommend him highly. If we ever make it back to Quito, we will reach out to him for another tour

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    8.5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $90 to $190
    Hotel pickup
    Available for selected locations
    Booked in 30 days
    5
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Friends Expeditions, who run 3 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 65.3.

    See everything Friends Expeditions runs

    Why this scores 66

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)77
    Review evidence (18% weight)47
    Booking momentum (14% weight)39
    Value for money (12% weight)83
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)27
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Full Day Tour to Mindo with Friends! (English): questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Quito.

    How much does Full Day Tour to Mindo with Friends! (English) cost?

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    Prices start at $90 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Quito usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Full Day Tour to Mindo with Friends! (English) take?

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    Plan for about 8.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Quito is not rushed.

    Is Full Day Tour to Mindo with Friends! (English) worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 66 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 13 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Quito, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Full Day Tour to Mindo with Friends! (English)?

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    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Full Day Tour to Mindo with Friends! (English) suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Full Day Tour to Mindo with Friends! (English)?

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    Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Quito can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

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    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Quito and add a light layer if any part of the 8.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Full Day Tour to Mindo with Friends! (English) start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Quito within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Quito?

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    On Outty we rank every Quito experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cotopaxi Volcano full day tour with all the entrances, every day, Cotopaxi tour from Quito -horseback ride and hike-NO TOURISTY way, Baños Full Day Tour from Quito Including Entrances and Activities. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Quito?

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    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Quito?

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    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Full Day Tour to Mindo with Friends! (English)?

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    Included: Private transportation; and Bilingual Guide. Not included: Alcoholic Beverages; Tips; Tickets to Activities; and Lunch. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Full Day Tour to Mindo with Friends! (English) include hotel pickup?

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    Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 3 listed pickup locations in and around Quito.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Full Day Tour to Mindo with Friends! (English)?

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    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Full Day Tour to Mindo with Friends! (English) wheelchair or stroller accessible?

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    The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available; Infants must not sit on laps; Not stroller accessible; and Not wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Full Day Tour to Mindo with Friends! (English) if the weather is bad?

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    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Full Day Tour to Mindo with Friends! (English)?

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    Across 13 reviews averaging 4.4 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

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