Compare Mindo Cloud Forest | Adventure & Nature by Latin Adventures vs Adventurous Ecuador by Culture Trip

Day 1: Tulipe Site Museum – Bellavista Reserve

Accommodation: Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge

It starts early in the morning from Quito, drive northwards to the Middle of the World, short stop at the equatorial monument for a unique picture of this huge valley. After that we will head Tulipe, an important ceremonial seat of the Yumbo culture that inhabited the area in the 1200 year, and whose archaeological remains of the monumental works reflect their knowledge of astronomy, geometry and architecture. During the visit, you can walk the ceremonial pools and other religious sites in Tulipe, later after lunch we will go to Bellavista Cloud Forest. It is within the protected Mindo-Nambillo area is approximately 19,200 hectares located on the slopes of Guagua Pichincha volcano and humid subtropical forest area. This semi - tropical forest keeps many species that stand out for their beauty and attraction, as the variety of orchids, birds (tanagers, hummingbirds, trogones, click flowers, quetzals, etc), reptiles and butterflies. The hotel also has significant water resources, including rivers and small waterfalls. Accommodation in Bellavista

Day 2: Hike in the Forest – Chocolate Tour – Mindo Reserve

Accommodation: Terra Bambu Lodge

In the morning we will hike with a naturalist to appreciate the biodiversity of flora and fauna guide, the lush vegetation of the cloud forest, its bird life, and the fascinating adaptations to life in this special environment different paths in the private reserve are. Self - guided trails that will show the richness of the area and go to the waterfall. Every day it is possible to identify different birds. After lunch we head towards the village of Mindo to do the spectacular chocolate tour, Dinner.

Day 3: Mindo Reserve – Hike – Optional Adventure Activities

This day after breakfast, we will visit the complex of Nambillo waterfalls, on this site we will take the cable car to cross to the other side of the mountain; there, we will hike about 1- 2 hours to observe different types of birds, orchids and visit 4 waterfalls. At there if the weather is good you can visit different waterfalls, after this visit we will have lunch. Then we have different choices like butterfly farm, orchid garden, adventure canopy, tubbing, canyonin etc. Finally return to Quito.

DAY 1

Arrive in Quito

Upon arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport, you’ll be whisked off to your hotel in the Old Town district of Quito (the second-highest capital city in the world, at 2,850m/9,350ft above sea level) and meet our Local Insider at 6pm, who will accompany the group throughout the trip. In the evening, get to know your fellow travelers over a welcome dinner, washed down with a cold Pilsener – Ecuador’s favorite beer. Be sure to get a good night’s rest ahead of an action-packed day exploring the city tomorrow.

ACCOMMODATION

• Hotel Patio Andaluz

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Welcome dinner

DAY 2

Explore Quito and attend an Ecuadorian cooking masterclass

Kick-start the trip with an optional morning visit to the Equator – head to the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo and Intiñan Museum, where you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere. Regroup in Quito’s historic center (a Unesco World Heritage site) for a walking tour of the Plaza Grande, Presidential Palace and La Compañía church. After admiring the impressive array of colonial architecture and wandering down lively La Ronda street, you’ll embark on a gastronomic journey at Altamira restaurant. Learn how to prepare a variety of traditional Ecuadorian dishes in a cooking masterclass, capped off with a chocolate-tasting session.

ACCOMMODATION

• Hotel Patio Andaluz

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Quito walking tour
• Ecuadorian cooking masterclass and market visit
• Chocolate-tasting session

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Ciudad Mitad del Mundo and Intiñan Museum visit

DAY 3

Go horseback riding in Cotopaxi National Park

Today, you’ll journey south towards Cotopaxi National Park, dominated by the 5,897m (19,347ft) high Cotopaxi stratovolcano – the second-highest peak in Ecuador. If the conditions are clear, you’ll spot the snow-capped summit as you hike around the Limpiopungo glacial lagoon. Learn all about the flora, fauna and eruption history of the park at the Interpretation Center. Next, set out on a scenic horseback ride, where you’ll be introduced to the chagra cowboy culture of the Ecuadorian highlanders. Following a picnic lunch in Salitre, continue on to your mountain hacienda for the night.

ACCOMMODATION

• Chilcabamba Lodge

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Limpiopungo Lagoon hike
• Cotopaxi Interpretation Center visit
• Horseback riding

DAY 4

Hike round Quilotoa Lake and visit a Tigua art studio

Prepare yourself for another unforgettable hike as you venture to Quilotoa – a volcano on the westernmost edge of the Ecuadorian Andes, off the usual tourist trail that's known for its emerald-green crater lake. After a short walk round the rim, stop by a Tiguan studio owned by Julio Toaquiza – an artist who pioneered a vibrant painting style, depicting life in the high Andes. In the afternoon, you can shop for handcrafted souvenirs at Salcedo Market – it’s a great place to get under the skin of Andean culture. Next stop, Baños – widely considered the adventure capital of Ecuador.

ACCOMMODATION

• La Floresta Hotel

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Quilotoa Lake hike
• Tigua art studio visit
• Salcedo Market visit

DAY 5

Cycle the magnificent Baños Waterfall Route

Start your day by visiting the Swing at the End of the World. Attached to a mountaintop treehouse, it offers jaw-dropping views of the Tungurahua volcano and the valley below. Feeling brave? Why not give it a go? From here, you'll embark on an adventurous bike ride to three waterfalls on the road from Baños to Puyo: Agoyán, Manto de la Novia and the 80m (262ft) high Pailon del Diablo (Devil’s Cauldron). The water from these falls eventually runs into the Amazon River. Enjoy lunch with the Yaku Runa indigenous community before moving on to Tena – the gateway to the Amazon rainforest.

ACCOMMODATION

• Kuyana Amazon Lodge

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Swing at the End of the World visit
• Baños Waterfall Route bike ride
• Yaku Runa project visit

DAY 7

Go white-water rafting on the Jatunyacu River

Ready for an adrenaline rush? Today, you’ll go white-water rafting through the jungle on the Jatunyacu River – one of the main tributaries of the Amazon River. Meaning 'big water’ in the native Quechua language, the Jatunyacu features a combination of wild rapids and flat, scenic stretches, allowing you to appreciate the rainforest scenery around you. Spend the afternoon relaxing at the lodge. Come nightfall, take a guided forest trek and listen out for birds, monkeys and reptiles.

ACCOMMODATION

• Kuyana Amazon Lodge

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• White-water rafting
• Jungle night hike

DAY 7

Follow the Natural Oils Trail at Kuyana Amazon Lodge

After breakfast, you'll go on a guided hike to learn how natural essential oils are extracted from Amazonian plants for medicine and aromatherapy. Cool off with a refreshing dip in the waterfalls before making your way back to the lodge for lunch. It’s then time to leave the jungle behind and head up towards the Andes. You’ll eventually arrive in the village of Papallacta, where you can relax in hot springs or book yourself in for a soothing spa treatment at the hotel. Cap off your trip with a farewell group dinner.

ACCOMMODATION

• Termas de Papallacta

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Natural Oils Trail guided hike
• Waterfall swim
• Farewell dinner

DAY 8

Depart from Papallacta

The time has come to pack your bags as your Ecuadorian experience comes to an end at 9am. After one final breakfast, you’ll be driven back to Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito. Bid farewell to your fellow travelers and catch your flight home – or extend your stay by joining our Galápagos Islands trip.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Airport transfer