Mindo Nambillo cloud forest is located 1 hour away Quito in the lowlands of Ecuador west Andes range, Mindo Nambillo is considered one of the most incredible birding hot spots in the world, with more than 350 species in a very small area. Read how to get there and sleep in a Mindo Cloud Forest Lodge.

The Mindo Nambillo Cloud forest has an extension of 19 200 hectares, it is located in the small village of Mindo, North of Quito. Some of the activities offered in Mindo are hikes to the different cascades, visits to the Butterfly Farm (Mariposario) and the different adventure sports like tubbing, rappel and mountain biking are the favorites within the tourists.

The Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest is located in the system of Protected Areas of Ecuador, its altitude range is between 1 180 to 4 780 meters, that is the summit of the Guagua Pichincha Volcano.

The small village of Mindo was founded May 20 th 1861, and has an area of 50 km. It is at 1250 meters of altitude and is one of the most antique villages of the Northwest of Pichincha. Its population is around the 2 421 inhabitants.

The vegetation of Mindo cloud forest is mostly composed of the natural cloud forest. Within its flora we can find cedro trees, aguacatillo, arrayan, canelo and plants like berries, hill red peppers and the ortiga. But its most significant characteristic it is its richness in orchid were you can find up to 4 500 species.

Mindo is an excellent place to do birdwatching it shelters more than 350 species of birds, were the most noticeable are the partridge, Andean cock of the rock, hummingbirds, woodpeckers and more. Other fauna attractions are the butterflies, bats, squirrels, deers, coated bears and small amphibians.

The village of Mindo has all the basic services as electricity, drinkable water, sewerage and telephone lines. Mobile phones don't work yet in Mindo but soon it will. There is a small health center with the basic implements, but if there is an emergency the patient will be driven to the Hospital of Nanegalito. Tourism is the main commercial activity in Mindo, there you can find many different tour operators, lodging places, and nightlife places for national and foreign tourists.

How to get to Mindo

By Bus:
Take a bus of the Coop Flor del Valle, in the street Manuel Larrea 1044 and Asuncion. Phone: (02) 2 360 094 / (02) 2 364 393 / (02) 2 527 495. Cost: $2.50, Time: 2 hours.

Quito-Mindo:
Monday to Friday, 8:00 , 15:45/ Saturday: 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 13:00, 15:45/ Sunday 7:00, 9:00, 10:00, 13:00, 17:00

Mindo-Quito
Monday to Friday 6:30, 14:00/ Saturday and Sunday 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00

By Car:
Take the Calacali-La Independencia Highway and in the kilometer 67 is the detour for Mindo.

Quito-Nono-Tandayapa-San Tadeo Road, you drive 80 km up to Mindo, it is a not so good road and it is recommended mostly for bikes and motorcycles.