Ecuadorian Culture & Biodiversity in Quito & Mindo's Cloud Forest - 5 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Quito, Historic City Tour

Welcome to Ecuador! A private driver will be waiting to greet you when you touch down in Quito. Known as the "City of Eternal Spring," this high-altitude capital sits at a lofty 9,350 feet (2,850 m) in elevation. Drop your bags at your accommodation and hit the ground running, exploring the city's UNESCO-listed historic center right away with a local guide. 

Start with the towering cathedrals of La Compañía, its interior covered in shining gold leaf, and La Basílica del Voto Nacional. You'll also take a stroll down La Ronda, the oldest street in the city and once part of an ancient Inca trail. The grand finale of your Quito city tour is heading to the summit of El Panecillo for views of the entire city and an up-close view of the Virgin de El Panecillo monument. If you've worked up an appetite during the tour, ask your guide for their dining recommendations back in town. Bolon de Verde (fried plantains and cheese or meat) is a local specialty you won't want to miss!

Day 2: Visit Mitad del Mundo, Transfer to Mindo

Wave goodbye to the hustle and bustle of Quito today. You're headed for Ecuador's cloud forests, which are just as enchanting as they sound—but first, you'll straddle the equator at Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) with your guide. Ecuador gets its name from its geographic location, sitting right on the equator, and you'll have the opportunity to have one foot in each hemisphere. Make a pit stop at the Intiñan Equator Museum located on-site to learn more about Ecuadorian culture and try your hand at fun experiments like balancing an egg on a nail. 

After a fun morning experiencing Ecuador's namesake, head to El Patio for a local lunch. You'll dine al fresco on traditional dishes like fritada quiteña (braised pork), cuarato de quy (roasted guinea pig), and fanesca (soup with hard-boiled egg, nuts, and fried plantains), all made with ingredients plucked straight from their garden just a few feet away. From here, you'll make the two-hour journey by private transfer to Mindo, a village situated in the heart of the cloud forest and known for its incredible biodiversity—including colorful birds and butterflies. 

Day 3: Mindo Waterfall Hike, Chocolate Tour & Mariposas de Mindo

It's your one and only full day in Mindo; make the most of it by getting an early start! Begin exploring with the famous Seven Waterfalls Hike, trekking deep into the cloud forest in search of a cluster of cascades. Getting to the start of the hike is an adventure in itself, as you'll have to hop aboard a yellow tarabita (cable car), sailing into the mist to reach the start of the trail. Tucked inside the Nambillo Ecological Reserve, the hike takes about three hours to complete comfortably—especially if you want to pencil in some time to swim.

Head back to Mindo in the afternoon for a very special experience, learning how to make chocolate from scratch. Cacao grows right here in the cloud forest, and you'll see firsthand how the beans are roasted. Get your hands dirty, grinding the cacao into cocoa powder and sampling various chocolates to find your favorite. Finish the day at the Mariposas de Mindo butterfly garden, where you'll be surrounded by almost 1,000 rainbow-hued insects. Other residents of the cloud forest will reveal themselves to you while you're exploring the property, including vibrant hummingbirds.

Day 4: Self-Guided Tour of Mindo, Transfer to Quito

You'll have the morning free today to continue exploring Mindo however you wish. If you haven't already gathered, this area of Ecuador is known for outdoor adventures and seeking out local wildlife. There are several ways you can spend your final morning here, from tubing down the Río Nambillo to ziplining through the cloud forest. Bird-watching tours are another popular activity in Mindo, and hunting for species like the famous Andean cock-of-the-rock, bearded toucans, and crested quetzals makes for a great morning.

After one last delicious lunch in the remote reaches of Ecuador, it's time to return to Quito with your guide. The drive takes just over two hours, and you'll arrive back in the capital with time to seek out any last-minute souvenirs or bites to eat. The Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal is a particularly good place to do so.

Day 5: Cable Car Excursion to Pichincha Volcano, Depart Quito

It's your last day in Ecuador, and what better way to sign off on your trip than by standing on top of a volcano? Ride the cable car up the Pichincha volcano, located on the western side of Quito. This stratovolcano is one of the most active in the entire country. Epic views of the city and the highest peaks of Pichincha, Guagua Pichincha, and Rucu Pichincha are your reward for making it to the top. 

For the adventurous (and depending on how much time you have after snapping pictures), trek along the Rucu Pichincha trail, surrounded by páramo high-altitude grasslands. This eventually leads to the tip top of Rucu Pichincha, but you can walk as long as you like and turn around to make your way back down to Quito. Once you've made it back down the volcano, a driver will ensure you get to the airport with plenty of time to spare. Whether you're headed for another South American destination or home, safe travels!