Mindo is renowned as the best birdwatching site in South America. It is home to more than 400 bird species. Thanks to the Andes and the equatorial line our small but diverse country has almost all types of ecosystems, in remote valleys at higher elevations, tropical cloud forests are found. These are so named because they trap clouds which drench the forest in a fine mist, allowing some particularly delicate forms of plant life to thrive. The dense vegetation of this type of forest gives it a mysterious and delicate fairy-tale appearance (Rachowiecki, 1997).
Mindo Day Tour (with Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve)
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Early pick up from your hotel, will head north-west passing Mitad del Mundo, Pululahua volcano. Our first stop is at Bellavista, a private reserve dedicated to the conservation of forests, which makes a walk of 1 hour and 30 minutes. Having a little luck we will have a possibility to observe hummingbirds, tangaras, mountain toucans among other species of birds and certainly orchids, mosses, guarumos, the well-known tree “Blood of Drago” and epiphytic plants. There are more than 330 species of birds recorded in the area. After Bellavista, we will go to Mindo where are several options for adventure. Then there will be a time for lunch.
*OPTIONAL
For those who like adventure we can enjoy one of the longest canopy trails in the country.
- Bilingual guide English/Spanish
- Private comfortable Transportation
- Visit to Bellavista private reserve or similar & butterfly farm
- Lunch
- Tips
Most common bird species in Bellavista / 14 most common hummingbird species
| Tawny-bellied Hermit | Collared Inca | |
| Green Violetear | Buff-tailed Coronet | |
| Sparkling Violetear | Gorgeted Sunangel | |
| Andean Emerald | Purple-bibbed Whitetip | |
| Speckled Hummingbird | Booted Racket-tail | |
| Fawn-breasted Brilliant | Violet-tailed Sylph | |
| Brown Inca | Purple-throated Woodstar |
The following birds are arguably the 57 most likely encountered birds at Bellavista
| Black Vulture | Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant | |
| Turkey Vulture | Golden-crowned Flycatcher | |
| Plain-breasted Hawk | Blue and White Swallow | |
| Roadside Hawk | Plain-tailed Wren | |
| Sickle-winged Guan | Grey-breasted Wood-Wren | |
| Band-tailed Pigeon | Great Thrush | |
| Plumbeous Pigeon | Glossy-black Thrush | |
| Red-billed Parrot | Turquoise Jay | |
| Squirrel Cuckoo | Blackburnian Warbler | |
| Common Potoo | Spectacled Whitestart | |
| Band-winged Nightjar | Slate-throated Whitestart | |
| White-collared Swift | Russet-crowned Warbler | |
| Masked Trogon | Grass-green Tanager | |
| Toucan Barbet | Dusky Bush-Tanager | |
| Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan | Rufous-chested Tanager | |
| Crimson-mantled Woodpecker | Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager | |
| Powerful Woodpecker | Thick-billed Euphonia | |
| Strong-billed Woodcreeper | Orange-bellied Euphonia | |
| Montane Woodcreeper | Golden Tanager | |
| Azara’s Spinetail | Flame-faced Tanager | |
| Red-faced Spinetail | Beryl-spangled Tanager | |
| Streaked Tuftedcheek | Blue-and-black Tanager | |
| Chestnut-crowned Antpitta | Rufous-collared Sparrow | |
| Spillmann’s Tapaculo | Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch | |
| Green and black Fruiteater | White-winged Brush-Finch | |
| Streak-necked Flycatcher | White-sided Flowerpiercer | |
| White-tailed Tyrannulet | Masked Flowerpiercer | |
| Cinnamon Flycatcher | Yellow Grosbeak | |
| Smoke-coloured Pewee |
13 target birds often seen around Bellavista
| Rufescent Screech-Owl | White-faced Nunbird | |
| Cloud Forest Pygmy-Owl | Giant Antpitta | |
| Swallow-tailed Nightjar | Ocellated Tapaculo | |
| Green-fronted Lancebill | Andean Cock-of-the-Rock | |
| Crested Quetzal | Plushcap | |
| Golden-headed Quetzal | Tanager Finch | |
| Beautiful Jay |
| PRICES ARE PER PERSON IN USD | |||||
| Number of Passengers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4-9 | |
| Full Day Mindo w/out lunch | $215 | $140 | $110 | $95 | |
| *includes visit Bellavista private reserve or similar, butterfly farm, english bilingual guide, private transportation | |||||
| Full Day Otavalo w/lunch | $245 | $175 | $145 | $135 | |
| * includes visit Bellavista private reserve or similar, butterfly farm, english bilingual guide, private transportation lunch at Sachatamia or similar | |||||
Tours Unlimited is a leading company offering personalized service to international tourists. Since 1993, we have contributed to the development and promotion of all Ecuador’s four regions. 8 out of 10 of our clients and visitors has given an “excellent” rating to our tours dedicated to discover the BEST of your destination.
We will offer a punctual, courteous and professional service adjusted to your individual needs with the objective of showing the magic of Ecuador in a safe, fun and responsible way. All of our guides are bilingual fully prepared to give you the most complete information about the local culture, history and geography; 9 out of 10 of our clients and visitors has given an “excellent” rating to our guides. Check out some of our clients testimonials:
- “A wonderful experience, Alex – Luis were so kind so accommodating highly recommended” – USA
- “We enjoyed very much! Many thanks!” – USA
- “Alexander was amazing very friendly and showed us some really great things. I would have him again, thanks” – USA
- Our tour was informative-the guide knows how to conduct a tour very well and I learned many new facts. The driver is very safe” – USA
