Although Mindo only recently has been discovered by foreign tourists, Ecuadorians have known of its tropical charms for some time now.  In fact, only 5 years ago it was feared that the world would lose this enchanted cloud forest, its unbelievable diversity of flora, birds, butterflies and inviting crystal clear waterfall laden rivers. The volcano, Guagua Pichincha was threatening to pulverize the entire valley with pyroclastic flows.  Luckily this never happened.

We pick you up at 7:00 am at your hotel and drive north crossing the equator.  From there we head west down the slopes of the Andes towards the Pacific Ocean.  By 9:30 am we will arrive in the lush valley where the town of Mindo is situated. We'll then drive up the verdant valley to the butterfly farm, where hundreds of  butterflies take their first flight weekly. After visiting the butterfly farm, we'll hike through the primary cloud forest surrounded by giant trees, multicolored flowers and butterflies up to Nambillo waterfall. We'll eat lunch and swim in the gorgeous swimming holes above and below the falls.  The most daring can even jump off the 35 foot falls. After spending a good part of the afternoon here, we can hike through the cloud forest to the Tarabita gondola and get ferried across the lush canyon.  From here .  We'll visit a various waterfalls, swim and eat lunch before ascending to the top of the canyon.  Here, we'll hop in the small gondola and get some breathtaking views of the valley and its waterfall-clad rivers below, and the lush mountains around us.  At the other side and short walk will take us to our transport, and we'll return to Mindo, grab a snack and drive back to Quito.