Explore the Mindo cloud forest
Discover a lush habitat of tropical wildlife, orchids and hummingbirds in the steamy cloud forest of Mindo.
As the peaks of the high Andes fall away and the desolate highlands give way to lush lowland plains, a profusion of subtropical vegetation announces your descent towards the boundless rainforest at the heart of South America. This is the cloud-forest, straddling the divide between Andes and Amazon.
Mindo is a great choice for anyone wanting a quick and accessible taste of the jungle without going as far as the Amazon itself. Though just 100km from the capital, it’s a world apart – gone are all signs of urban activity, replaced by hillsides enveloped in foliage and a soundtrack of rippling streams and bird calls. The greenery is punctuated by the vibrant colours of orchids, bromeliads and heliconias, making this a particularly scenic setting for nature walks. It’s one of Ecuador’s most biodiverse areas with over 350 species of birds alone, and is particularly known for its abundant hummingbirds.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Rosie embarked on a year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. She is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others.
Finn discovered his passion for travel on an extensive 18-month trip to Latin America, experiencing the vibrant Carnaval in Rio, the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia, trekking the Andes and volunteering on the Galápagos Islands.
Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.
Gary discovered what he had been missing with his first foray into the wilds of Latin America. In his role as Product Manager, he combines this personal obsession with years of industry experience to help ensure that travellers will fall for the region every bit as much as he has.
