Mindo, the Gateway to the Cloud Forest of Ecuador.

Welcome to Mindo, the Gateway to the Cloud Forest of Ecuador.

Mindo forest reserve is a cloud forest reserve most popular among eco-travelers. The town of Mindo is the gateway to Ecuador’s Cloud Forest. Visiting Mindo is an adventure for nature lovers, biodiversity, wild life, hummingbird feeders, butterflies and mostly touring the Cloud Forest in Ecuador. 

Beautiful views from the cable car in the Cloud Forest of Ecuador.

Visiting the Cloud Forest can be done as a day trip from Quito. We decided to take the day trip from the hostel in Quito and to come back in the evening to Quito. We arrived in Mindo after a 2-3 hour bus ride from Quito. 

Views from the bus ride into Mindo, Ecuador.

Bus schedule from Quito to Mindo and back.

The entrance to the Cloud Forest was from the little town of Mindo. We hiked the Cloud Forest and got to the other side through the cable car that crosses the forest from above. The beautiful nature is amazing. The area of the Andean Forest ranges from 960 to 3,440 meters above sea level. 

Entering the cable car to cross to the other side of the Cloud Forest in Ecuador.

Cable car ride crossing the Cloud Forest in Ecuador.

Cable car in the Cloud Forest of Ecuador.

While hiking the cloud forest, we witnessed biodiversity of plants, birds, and other animal species of insects.The diverse ecosystem of this area is recognized globally as an important biodiversity hotspot. 

Map of the various routes along the Cloud Forest hike.

Hiking along the Cloud Forest of Ecuador.

Full of biodiversity in the Cloud Forest of Ecuador.

Admiring the beauty, biodiversity and rivers in the Cloud Forest of Ecuador.

We witnessed waterfalls, so beautiful that we were able to jump into and refresh ourselves with cold water. There are three rivers that go through the waterfall trail, in and around the town of Mindo and in the Cloud Forest. The most popular route for chasing the waterfall is the Nambillo Waterfall Sanctuary. You can choose from 3 different trails that are marked throughout the Cloud Forest. They are different by the length of the hike. It is very easy to follow the trail and you can meet other tourists along the way. Many birds, typically different species of Toucans, are acquainted in this area.  While hiking, the popular birds that we saw were typical Toucans, Andean Cock of the Rock,  and other beautiful species. 

“Madre” Waterfall on Route 3 of the Cloud Forest hike in Ecuador.

Post-swim in the waterfalls of the Cloud Forest in Ecuador.

Hiking the trail of the Cloud Forest towards the waterfalls in Ecuador.

Exploring the little town of Mindo, Ecuador, is fun and an adventure by itself. Mindo is very accommodating to tourists and has an atmosphere for backpack nature travelers. After a few hours of hiking, we went back to the city of Mindo. We strolled the little town main street where we enjoyed a nice meal. In the main street, there were many stores which included Ecuadorian artisanal, food, and chocolate products all made from the cacao beans, which is rich and abundant in Ecuador and in this area specifically. 

It is highly recommended to take the time and visit Mindo, Ecuador and the Cloud Forest. It is a unique adventure that we highly enjoyed.

Flowing river along the hiking trail in the Cloud Forest of Ecuador.