
Mindo Cloud-Forest birding and naturalist tour
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 8 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Mindo Cloud-Forest birding and naturalist tour worth booking?
Mindo Cloud-Forest birding and naturalist tour is a 8-hour experience in Quito, Ecuador, from $140 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 8 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 64 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (8)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $140 per person
The tour will allow you to discover the incredible diversity of the Chocó cloud forest. This site was declared a biosphere reserve for its high endemism and fragility. This site hosts different habitats where live species of flora and fauna unique in the world. During the tour you will be able to: - Observe and photograph a large number of birds. - Walk through the cloud forest - Observe incredible landscapes - Learn about the nature and culture of the area
What you get
About this experience
The tour will allow you to discover the incredible diversity of the Chocó cloud forest. This site was declared a biosphere reserve for its high endemism and fragility. This site hosts different habitats where live species of flora and fauna unique in the world. During the tour you will be able to: - Observe and photograph a large number of birds. - Walk through the cloud forest - Observe incredible landscapes - Learn about the nature and culture of the area
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Tour guide
- Cofee or tea in San Tadeo
- Birding in Mindo Cloud Forest
- Entrance fee to San Tadeo feeders
Not included
- Breakfast and lunch
- Additional activities and expenses
- Cock of the Rock and Antpittas fee
What you'll see and do
Mindo
This small town is surrounded by a great Cloud-Forest with several reserves and many bird jewels. You will explore the area lokking for new species or good pictures.
120 minutes here
San Tadeo Birding
This private reserve have some feeders facilities where you can easy watch and photograph many hummingbirds, tanagers and toucans (depending the season). It has and amazing views of the forest and the landscape where eventualy come a prey bird.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve
The Mindo-Nambillo forest is a giant reserve located in the cloud forest of Chocó. It is one of the most diverse sites in the country with a great presence of timber trees, bromeliads, orchids, ferns, butterflies, amphibians and birds.
60 minutes here
Refugio Paz De Las Aves
If you choose the Paz de las aves option you will visit one of the most famous places for birding in Ecuador and Southamerica. The tour begins with the Andean Cock of the Rock in his lek. The visit allows you to see and potoghaph this Large Cotinga bird doing the display (Several males dancing for the female). Then the tour continue loking for another rarities in the forest, bot the most important is the visit of some Antpittas locations. There is the Giant Antpitta (Maria), Yellow-breasted Antpita (Willie), Ochre-breasted antpitta, and some others.
300 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Pickup at airport hotels
Pickup at airport hotels Pickup included
Pickup at Quito hotels
Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Llamingo Travel
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 8 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
8 verified traveler reviews for Mindo Cloud-Forest birding and naturalist tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Wonderful
We loved this day trip. The drive is beautiful. The ecosystem, the wonderful time with birds….we loved all the hummingbirds. We also visited Mindo to learn about coffee. Daniel was a wonderful guide.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed the day trip and the beautiful drive through the mountains. The cloud forest around Mindo is truly special, especially for bird lovers—seeing so many hummingbirds up close is always an unforgettable experience. It’s also great that you had the chance to learn more about coffee while visiting the area. Daniel will be very happy to hear your kind words; his knowledge and passion really help make the day even more enjoyable. Thank you for sharing your experience, and we hope to welcome you back for another nature adventure from Quito!
via Viator
Hummingbirds of Mindo cloud forest
All the hummingbirds were outstanding!! So much beautiful scenery to all the conservation areas. Our young guide was so knowledgeable and showed us so many that we wouldn’t have been able to find without his sharp eye! Definitely recommend to go on this tour. Our lunch was great with lots of bird feeders right where we were sitting! What a view❤️
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled that you enjoyed the incredible hummingbirds, the beautiful scenery, and the unique conservation areas. Our young guide will be delighted to know his knowledge and sharp eye helped you spot so many species you might have missed otherwise. We truly appreciate your recommendation, and we’re glad you loved the lunch with feeders right at your table—such a special view! We hope to welcome you on another birding adventure soon.
via Viator
Top drawer birding!
This was my second birding trip with Daniel this year and both were exceptional! He knows the best birding spots and his ability to spot and identify the birds is top drawer. I highly recommend him for a wonderful experience.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for joining Daniel on a second birding trip this year! We’re thrilled to hear that both experiences were exceptional. His deep knowledge of the best birding locations and his remarkable ability to spot and identify species truly make each outing special. We sincerely appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for more amazing birding adventures!
via Tripadvisor
Amazing Ecuadorian Birding Experience
Daniel Suarez did a great job in assuring that I saw an amazing number of new life list birds at 3 different locations. He was very knowledgeable and a gentleman. I can recommend him without any hesitation.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your kind and detailed review! We are delighted to hear that your birdwatching experience in Mindo exceeded expectations. The region is truly a paradise for bird lovers, and we're thrilled that you were able to witness such a diverse array of species. Our guides take great pride in sharing their passion and expertise, and it’s rewarding to know that this made your tour even more enriching. We also hope your photos captured the beauty of the landscape! We deeply appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back for another unforgettable wildlife adventure.
via Tripadvisor
Viator communication problem
The local guide was great, but Viator failed to tell him that the hotel for pickup had changed, so there was a delay in him finding me. The phone numbers Viator provided for the local guide company & the Viator numbers were wrong, so that added to the confusion & delay. That said, the local tour guide was very knowledgeable and the excursion was very worthwhile. I did not give 5 stars just because of Viator’s failure. The local guide did a 5 star job.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your thoughtful review! We are thrilled to hear that you had such a rewarding experience during your tour to Mindo. Sorry for the waiting time, it was a little bit confusing since you put the wrong pickup point, but we are so glad that it work it out well.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
- Price range
- $140 to $300
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 3
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Llamingo Travel, who run 8 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 72.3.
See everything Llamingo Travel runsWhy this scores 64
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Mindo Cloud-Forest birding and naturalist tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Quito.
How much does Mindo Cloud-Forest birding and naturalist tour cost?
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Prices start at $140 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 Mindo Cloud-Forest birding and naturalist tour take?
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Plan for about 8 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 Mindo Cloud-Forest birding and naturalist tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 8 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 Mindo Cloud-Forest birding and naturalist tour?
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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 Mindo Cloud-Forest birding and naturalist tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Mindo Cloud-Forest birding and naturalist tour?
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Around 3 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-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Mindo Cloud-Forest birding and naturalist tour 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 Mindo Cloud-Forest birding and naturalist tour?
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Included: Private transportation; Tour guide; Cofee or tea in San Tadeo; Birding in Mindo Cloud Forest; and Entrance fee to San Tadeo feeders. Not included: Breakfast and lunch; Additional activities and expenses; and Cock of the Rock and Antpittas fee. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Mindo Cloud-Forest birding and naturalist tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 176 listed pickup locations in and around Quito. Be ready about 10 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Mindo Cloud-Forest birding and naturalist tour offered in?
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It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Mindo Cloud-Forest birding and naturalist tour?
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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 Mindo Cloud-Forest birding and naturalist tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Mindo Cloud-Forest birding and naturalist tour if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Quito. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Mindo Cloud-Forest birding and naturalist tour?
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Across 8 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Mindo Cloud-Forest birding and naturalist tour?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including Pickup at airport hotels, Pickup at Quito hotels. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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