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Mountain bike to Mindo cloud forest

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Descend a vertical kilometre from mountains to cloud-forest on a mesmerising mountain bike ride through thriving ecosystems.

Dense cloud forest swallows the hillsides separating Andes and Amazon, temperate and tropical. As Ecuador’s bleak highlands give way to more fertile climes, you’ll see the scenery change dramatically on this journey from high-altitude Quito down into emerald forests dripping with life.

We’ll drive you from Quito to Bellavista, where it’s time to get on your bike and hurtle down a whole kilometre’s worth of altitude over the course of two and a half hours. As you approach Mindo the vegetation becomes gradually more lustrous as vines weave amongst orchids and ferns and the furious flapping of tiny hummingbird wings electrifies the air.

Your destination is a rustic lodge, accessible only by a pulley system over a river – the perfect place to lose yourself in the sights and sounds of the remote cloud forest.

Activity Rating: easy

Ecuador & Galapagos Islands
Quito

Papagaio

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  • Hannah
    Hannah Donaldson - Travel Expert

    Having spent part of her childhood in Colombia and worked in Brazil and Costa Rica, Hannah's ties to Latin America run deep. Hannah is a much valued Travel Expert in our Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tours sales team.

  • Ben
    Ben Line - Travel Expert

    Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.

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    Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

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    Mary Anne Nelson - Travel Expert

    Born in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, Mary’s insider knowledge and dry sense of humour make her a highly valued member of the Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tour sales team.

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    Maggie Wilson - Travel Expert

    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.

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    Carrie Gallagher - Travel Expert

    A former JLA tour leader, Carrie brings a wealth of on-the-ground experience to our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours department.

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