Mindo Cloud Forest Private Tour: Chocolate, Coffee, Birds, Nature

Recommended by 91% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Quito, Ecuador

Great choice

20+ bookings last month.

5 to 10 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.7

· Bryony_B ·

Nov 2025

Fantastic trip to Mindo. Israel was a wonderful host who was willing to adapt the day for us. We would thoroughly recommend this trip - everything went smoothly from pick up to drop off. The hummingbirds are obviously the highlight but Israel showed that Mindo has so much more to offer.

· Lilian_M ·

Feb 2026

Isra was an engaging and excellent tour guide. We had an awesome time feeding hummingbirds and making chocolate from scratch which was unique and hands on (did I mention delicious?) He also graciously added an extra stop to our day tour at our request, very accommodating.

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Overview

Experience a mix of nature and local flavours on this 3-in-1 private tour. Escape the busy streets of Quito—hotel transfers are included for a seamless experience—and immerse yourself in nature during a visit to Mindo Cloud Forest. You can also visit a chocolate factory and coffee plantation to see how these products are made. Travel in comfort in a private vehicle throughout the day, skipping the hassle of organizing transportation.

Avoid getting lost with hassle-free transfers from Quito
Marvel at waterfalls, butterflies, and birds in the Mindo Cloudforest Reserves
Learn about local wildlife from your private guide
Use birdwatching equipment to see different birds up close

What's Included

Private Tour
Birdwatching equipamiento
Certified guides
National Guide of Ecuador
customized routes
Binoculars
Private transportation
WiFi on board
Private Guide

Lunch
Tickets and tips
Snacks
Breakfast
Dinner
Coffee and/or Tea
Birdwatching, Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve

$5.00 per person
Coffee tour, Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve

$10.00 per person
Chocolate tour, Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve

$10.00 per person

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

pick up

Itinerary

Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve

1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included

Nanegalito

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Mindo (Pass By)

Ecuador (Pass By)

San Miguel de los Bancos (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps

Infant seats available
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.7

based on 211 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Great variety of experiences in Mindo.

Dennis_N, Mar 2026

There are a lot of fun activities in the Mindo are and Isra our guide did an excellent job of picking an assortment that matched our interest. We enjoyed the coffee farm, amazing hummingbird garden, and chocolate tour. Isra showed us around the coffee farm and did a nice job of explaining things there. The chocolate tour he selected was excellent, informative, fun, and delicious. He also indulged my archaeology interest by taking us to the Tulipe ruins. Across from the lunch restaurant he selected, we got to watch several wild toucans in the trees. His driving was safe.

A Must Do for a great combo of nature, coffee, and chocolate

Kim_J, Mar 2026

We laughed, we saw lots of hummingbirds and toucans, loved the chocolate making class and the coffee was yum. Bring binoculars if you have them. While he had a pair we could share, birding as well as being out in nature at all is better with your own set. It was a bit muddy especially by the river so suggest bringing water shoes. Our guide was friendly and it was just the 3 of us so we went at our own pace. He was very knowledgeable regarding things other than nature (politics, history, landmarks). We grabbed some fresh made pastry type bites from a street vendor that were awesome. Just well done and enjoyed every stage of it - hummingbirds on your hand - LOVE! I wore a bright shirt to attract them and it worked!

I enjoyed the cloud forest

petebr777, Mar 2026

My guide is Israel. He has done that tour several times and knows it well. The Andes cloud forest is a very beautiful place. My wife really liked feeling the humming Birds (so did I)

Sensory Tresures!

Eliza_W, Mar 2026

Juan reached out with a warm personal greeting to set the tone for a peaceful, relaxing day. The coffee bean farm was interesting and the mocking birds were magnificent! But my favorite treat was the chocolate tasting and class at Olivia’s in Mindo. Juan navigated the mountainside landscapes expertly and the wonderful fresh air as the light rain fell on the lush landscape gave us one last sensory treat to treasure! It was a Beautiful Ecuadorian day!

Fantastic Cloud Forest experience!

Sue_S, Feb 2026

Israel was FANTASTIC as our private guide for the Mindo Cloud Forest and Coffee and Chocolate tours! He was very knowledgeable about the Ecuadorian environment, history of its many indigenous cultures and current affairs. He unbelievably located a Quetzal bird - a VERY rare bird to see in the wild. He had great relationships with the local vendors and tour operators for the coffee and chocolate tours. And recommended a very cool restaurant for an unforgettable local food lunch. Highly recommend this tour!!

Must do for Mindo

Lilian_M, Feb 2026

Fantastic tour in Mindo with Isra!

Daphne_M, Feb 2026

I had an absolutely incredible experience in Mindo thanks to Isra! From start to finish, the tour was nothing short of spectacular. He took us to all the hidden spots and little gems that I never would have discovered on my own. We fed hummingbirds, admired stunning butterflies, enjoyed peaceful walks through lush forests, explored the sparkling river, and even did a full coffee tour. Every part of the day was perfectly organized and completely immersive in nature. Hid knowledge, passion, and friendly personality made the experience unforgettable. Honestly, he is one of the best guides I have ever had, the kind who truly goes above and beyond to make the tour magical. I can’t recommend him enough!

This was such a special...

TROY_R, Jan 2026

This was such a special experience! Israel was one of the best guides we've had in our travels, and the passion and pride he holds for the itinerary he's perfected are clear in every explanation he provided and interaction we had with him. The balance of nature, culture, food, and local encounters was simply perfect on this tour, and there is something for everyone to greatly enjoy on this tour. I would strongly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a perfect day trip from Quito.

Hummingbird heaven!

Ashley_V, Jan 2026

Isra and his partner are phenomenal! They were accommodating, informative, and fun. I expressed that hummingbirds were most important and they delivered - literally creating multiple moments for them to eat out of your hands. Could not recommend them more!

Hummingbird experience...

Wendy_O, Jan 2026

Hummingbird experience was so special, just beautiful to watch and feed them, a great relaxing day out of the city. Coffee and chocolate experiences very interesting

A meaningful day in the Cloud Forest

Katherine_K, Jan 2026

Israel shared his love and knowledge of the Cloud Forest in a relaxed, warm way. We had a wonderful day touring the region, and his friendly manner with the local people made our day feel intimate and special. When a few of the planned sites were closed for the New Year, he pivoted quickly and came up with fun, informative, meaningful activities to replace the missed experiences. His connection to the spirit of the Cloud Forest added to the impact of the day. It was a delightful adventure, and I would book another trip with him in a heartbeat.

Fantastic trip to Mindo....

Bryony_B, Nov 2025

Israel is the Man

Matthew_S, Nov 2025

Israel is hands down the best tour guide out there. The tour was super flexible for what I wanted to do given the tie allotted. I actually had another person I met with of which Israel asked if it was ok to jin, and I said yes. And it only made it that much better of an experience. We were able to fit driving by the center of the Earth, feeding the Hummingbirds, Zip lining, tubing, lunch, a stroll around the town of Mindo, the chocolate and coffee tasting all in one day. Thank you Israel for making my first day In Ecuador a memorable one. I would book again with him in a heartbeat.

The best in Quito

Atul_A, Nov 2025

The best experience I could’ve asked for. Israel is an amazing guy with a pure heart and a real passion for travel guiding. He showed us so many incredible spots in and around Mindo. I also got to meet his wonderful girlfriend, who made sure we enjoyed the best local food. I’m definitely coming back to Ecuador next year with my wife and kids, and he’s already promised to plan our trip. Looking forward to seeing you again, Israel!

Great guide called Isra Peña / Guía Nacional del Ecuador 🇪🇨

Sadeq_A, Nov 2025

I loved everything, especially the Guide Isra Peña / Guía Nacional del Ecuador 🇪🇨 , he explained everything in a great English

Israel is great! The...

Alex_L, Nov 2025

Israel is great! The whole tour experience is very smooth and Israel does a great job finding fun activities to do. 100% would recommend a tour with him.

Book this!!!

Paige_e, Oct 2025

We had a phenomenal time birdwatching and hiking throughout Mindo with Israel. His enthusiasm for Ecuador’s biodiversity is infectious, and he brought such a spark of joy to our tour. Israel was incredibly flexible, allowing for all three of us in the group to choose our own adventure so to speak, and he went above and beyond to ensure each of us had our own bespoke experience. Tour highlights: - Hummingbird garden (you can hold the feeder to attract the birds). There are lots of endemic hummingbird species as well as a fruit station for tanagers (saw lots!) -Lunch spot recommended by Israel was amazing (ceviche, anyone?) -Mindo Cloud Rainforest had an amazing viewing platform with hummingbird feeders (we saw the ever-elusive hermit!) and a trail that that offered ample birdwatching -Mindo viewing platform where we saw toucans, agouti, and more At one point our guide also has us follow a flock of egrets to see their nesting tree, which was a stunning view in the sunset. Israel was a genuine joy to spend the day with, and his knowledge and passion for the biomes of his country is apparent. I would highly recommend this tour for anyone who wants a truly authentic Ecuadorian experience with a highly knowledgeable and flexible guide.

A true Mindo experience done right!!

Elton_D, Oct 2025

A truly amazing experience. Isra was great. Not just the places we visited but also bird watching which was the highlight. The local food also was nice, loved the chorizo and plantain. Would definitely book another trip with Isra. Highly recommended.

We stayed in the historic...

Elise_F, Oct 2025

We stayed in the historic district and there was some unrest so the police had closed the streets in front of our hotel. With his official guide ID Isra was able to meet us just outside the police barrades and it was easy and stress free. The drive there was nice and he told us so much about the area, we even stopped along the way for several local snacks. The hummingbirds were the highlight for me, it was amazing to see them so close. We didn't care so much about the ziplining and tubing as we had done it before elsewhere, but it turned out to be the fastest and highest ziplines we had been on over a beautiful canopy of the forest and was definitely worth it. The tubing was even very fun, just floating down the river through the forest was magical. We made our way to the coffee and chocolate tours and it was fun to be a part of the process as a very knowledgable lovely girl explained everything from plant to final product. We got to try several final products they sold in the store and took home our favorites. Isra was great and answered our millions of questions.

Gracias Isra, we loved the cloud forest!

Karen_K, Oct 2025

We had a fabulous time, our guide Isra was really helpful, friendly, knowledgeable and knew the area so well that we felt comfortable and safe; you definitely need to have someone to know the roads as driving around is challenging! He knows also the places to go and people, we had the best time and definitely will go back. Thank you Isra!!

An excellent day trip...

Roisin_M, Oct 2025

An excellent day trip with Israel! Not only is he so knowledgeable when it comes to nature and birds (we spotted two toucans!) he was also happy to share information about Ecuador itself which was so interesting to learn! I loved the stop to see and feed hummingbirds (highly of the trip for me) and had great fun zip lining and making and eating chocolate too! Would highly recommend!

Mindo Tour w/ Israel

Yonathan_M, Sep 2025

This was a wonderful tour with Israel as my tour guide. I had a great time outdoors learning tons about the local coffee, chocolate...got to see MANY mockingbirds and ziplining. 100% Recommend!

We had a great time...

Sofia_B, Sep 2025

We had a great time during the tour, Isra was very friendly and told us a lot of interesting information about Quito and Mindo. The drive was fast and we had time to enjoy the hummingbirds, the zip lines, lunch and the chocolate and coffee tours with local experts that are very enthusiastic about their country, which makes it so enjoyable to learn from them! Highly recommend to experience to immerse in nature!

It was a wonderful day....

helen_w, Jul 2025

It was a wonderful day. Our guide was so helpful and showed us many Ecuadorian things. It was a nice surprise on the day to visit Calacali - the proper centre of the world - on the equator. The hummingbird place was amazing - didn’t expect to see so many and eating off your hand. In Mindo the coffee and chocolate tours were great with lots of tasting coffee and chocolate!!! Mindo is a special place - loved the waterfalls and zip lines. The lunch restaurant was great - great local food - yum!!! The cloud forest was very beautiful. Even the journey back was memorable - stopping for ice cream in calacali and then getting great views of cotapaxi as we came back to Quito. Thank you!!!

A great trip with lots to see and do.

Heather_F, Jul 2025

There were lots to see and do with options at some stops. I went to the mariposa house, while most of my bus crew went to the chocolate experience. We saw some much in this full day trip - 12 hours, definitely worth doing this if you have limited time in Quito.

Bird watching delight

Lyndall_R, Jun 2025

We didn't quite make Mindo, but this was probably wise as the traffic was chaotic. However Israel did a great job finding plenty of birds for us to see, and a lovely nature walk at Alambi. The hummingbirds are amazing. We explored Tulipe archaeological site, which was very interesting but may not be suited to everyone

The best day ever…hummingbird heaven

Nicholas_M, May 2025

I travelled to Mindo with Israel and had a fantastic day. We discussed many things about Ecuador and I learnt so much. The visit to the hummingbirds was one of the best experiences of my life! The chocolate and coffee experience with Vanessa was also wonderful. I also enjoyed looking around an amazing garden full of orchids. The landscape was fantastic. A wonderful day…

Fantastic Time with Great Company!

Jackson_S, May 2025

Our guide Israel did an excellent job. He was a great conversationalist who had a broad and deep knowledge of the wildlife of Mindo, as well as the community. The food we had after the tour was excellent as well.

Had an amazing day...

Adi_A, Apr 2025

Had an amazing day exploring the Mindo Cloud Forest on this private tour from Quito! The itinerary was well-paced and full of variety—from watching hummingbirds and toucans in their natural habitat to walking through lush green trails and learning about the fascinating process of making both chocolate and coffee from local producers. A special shoutout to our guide, Juan, who made the experience even better. He was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about the area. He shared so much insight not only about the nature and wildlife, but also about Ecuadorian culture. Juan made the whole day feel easygoing and fun, and his personal touches really made the trip memorable. Highly recommended for anyone looking to get out of the city and experience the beauty and richness of Ecuador’s cloud forests in a single day!

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you had an amazing day exploring the Mindo Cloud Forest and enjoyed the diversity of experiences, from birdwatching to learning about chocolate and coffee production. We are also very happy that the guide made your day even more special by sharing insights about the nature, wildlife, and rich Ecuadorian culture. Our goal is always to create unforgettable and meaningful experiences in one of the most beautiful regions of Ecuador. Thank you again for recommending the tour — we hope to welcome you back for more adventures in the future!

Disappointed. Not as advertised.

Sean_S, Apr 2025

My experience on this tour was far from what I anticipated. I booked expecting to immerse myself in the cloud forest, walking through nature and observing wild birds with an expert who could share insights about the local flora and fauna. Instead, we just had a driver. Our first stop, after a couple of hours of driving, was a hummingbird sanctuary, which I must admit was fantastic. At the time, I felt like this stop was a mere teaser for an amazing day ahead.... I was unaware that it would, in fact, be the highlight of the entire tour. Following this, we proceeded to Mindo for a chocolate and coffee tour, which was also enjoyable and interactive. However, the long drive to reach this chocolate experience felt unnecessary, as similar experiences are probably available in Quito. After lunch in Mindo, we immediately returned to Quito. That was the entirety of the tour; there were no further activities or stops. In summary, the day consisted of: - Several hours of driving - A brief 15-minute stop at a hummingbird sanctuary - Another hour of driving - A 2-hour chocolate and coffee tour - Lunch (not included) - A 3+ hour drive back to Quito. The main reason behind my 1 star review was that several inclusions were noticeably absent:-- there was no dedicated birdwatching activity or any birdwatching equipment. We experienced no nature beyond what could be seen from the car window. There was no certified guide to provide expert commentary. Additionally, we did not visit any waterfalls, butterfly farms, or orchid gardens, nor did the guide identify any birds. All of these things were listed as inclusions.

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re sorry to hear the tour did not meet your expectations, though we’d like to clarify a few key points to help future travelers better understand what this experience is truly about. This tour is primarily designed to offer a cultural and nature-based experience, focused on hummingbird and bird observation, along with an interactive and artisanal chocolate and coffee workshop. These are the core elements of the itinerary. As for other activities mentioned — such as waterfall hikes, butterfly farms, orchid gardens, or extended forest walks — it’s important to note that these are not included in the base tour. They are optional add-ons with additional costs, which are clearly stated and discussed with each traveler in advance, based on interests, time, and budget. Regarding the comment that the experience was “just a driver,” we would like to respectfully clarify that the tour is led by a local guide, known and appreciated by many guests for their knowledge, hospitality, and the personalized attention provided throughout the day. We’re sorry this aspect was not valued during your visit. We would also like to address the inaccuracies in the travel times you mentioned. The return journey from Mindo to Quito takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, not 3+. The full tour typically runs from 7:30 a.m. to around 4:00 p.m or 6:00 p.m., allowing ample time to enjoy each activity without feeling rushed. Contrary to your claim, the majority of the day is not spent inside the vehicle. Lastly, lunch is not included in the tour price, and this is communicated beforehand. However, we always provide recommendations for delicious local meals that are both authentic and affordable. We appreciate your comments and will continue improving communication to ensure expectations are clearly set. For those seeking a safe, immersive, and personalized experience in one of Ecuador’s most beautiful regions, we’re always happy to share the magic of Mindo and the Ecuadorian cloud forest.