Located just two and a half hours west of Quito is Mindo, a small village known for its cloud forest that stretches to the slopes of Pichincha. With a ranging altitude between 1400 and 4780m this beautiful forest is home to over 450 different species of birds, one of the best places in the country to see the golden-headed quetzal. Our passengers can now visit Tulipe, an ancient site of pilgrimage for the Yumbo people, a very interesting pre-inca community dedicated to exchange products, culture and knowledge between the Andes and the Coastal lower lands region. Experience this spiritual and mystical encounter with nature, to enable a greater understanding of the importance of the elements of nature to the ancient civilizations of the Center of the World.

Continuing northwest of Quito through the Andean ranges we arrive to pass the wonderful Mindo valley, that displays some of the richest flora and fauna in the world. Weaving through the black and white cinnamon trees your attention is captured by hawks sawing high above the canopy, surrounded by cedars and avocado trees we hear the distinctive chatter of woodpeckers in the distance. Other species of birds dwelling in Mindo include; partridges, quilicos (American kestrels), hill turkeys (Guans), humming birds, rock roosters (cock of the rock), jumping birds, trigueros and many more. As we stop for lunch surrounded by orchids and hill lilies we gaze upon this unique natural forest to find trees such as cedars, white, yellow and black cinnamon, avocado, red myrtles, guarumo and plants such as, hill hot peppers, shanshi and nettle.

Returning to Quito refreshed and revitalised, we’ll make a short stop at the Equator Monument to complete this outstanding day.

Prices 2010 per person:

*Includes all entrance tickets and private transportation with an English speaking guide, lunch