11:00AM. Arrival to El Monte. A car can be arranged to pick you up in Quito and bring you to El Monte (also the public bus works great). Upon arrival, you will be introduced to your guide and can choose between coffee, tea or lemonade. Later you can get settled in your cabaña, or the guide can show you around the garden and grounds. |
1:00PM Lunch. |
3:00PM. Introductory 1.5 to 2 hour walk along a trail beside the Rio Mindo, where orchids, birds and medicinal plants can be observed. |
5:00-7:00PM. You might want to take advantage of this time to have a hot bath, visit the bar, play board games in the Main House… |
7:00PM. Dinner is served followed by a short conversation on the following day’s activities. |
6:00AM. Wake up. (Remember this is optional, you can decide to just have breakfast at 8:00AM). |
6:30AM. Guided walk to observe wildlife (mostly birds). There are good possibilities to see toucans, quetzals, parrots (mostly flying) and lots of colorful smaller birds. Sometimes small mammals, like squirrels and agoutis are seen. |
8:00AM. Breakfast. |
9:00AM. Guided nature walk. This walk takes you on a trail that goes up behind the El Monte Reserve and then drops down into the Nambillo Valley. Birding is usually excellent along this path. You will end up at a waterfall, with a crystal clear pool underneath. So be sure to bring your bathing suit! This whole excursion is usually about 3 to 3.5 hours. |
1:00PM. Lunch |
3:00PM. The put-in point is just below El Monte, on the Rio Mindo and ends up near the town of Mindo. The actual rafting time depends on how high the river is… in the Dry(er) Season it is about 30-40 minutes, in the Rainy Season about half of this! |
5:00-7:00. This is a great time to visit the bar, rest in a hammock, take a hot bath, play a board game… |
7:00PM. Dinner and briefing on next day’s activity. |
6:00AM. Wake up ( time optional) |
6:00AM. Morning bird and nature walk (optional). |
8:00AM.Breakfast. |
9:00AM. Guided walk to the Cordillera San Lorenzo (Mindo-Nambillo). Once in this area you may decide to cross a 530 meter canopy cable car (Taravita de Montaña) that crosses about 100 meters over the Nambillo River Canyon (small additional cost). |
1:00PM. Lunch. |
Return to Quito |
PRICES 2020
TOUR 3 DYAS / 2 NIGHTS
$ 735 per person
Under 4 years-old stay free, 0 to 9 stay for half price, 11 and up full price.
Private cabaña, all meals, activities, a Spanish-speaking Naturalist Guide. The naturalist guide will lead Nature Walks and light Birdwatching. For more serious bird watchers, we are able to contract a Birdwatching Guide for an additional price.
What to bring
Binoculars, this is probably one of the most important items to bring to Ecuador because many of the birds and other wildlife, and even plants like orchids, are high up in the forest canopy and you will be able to appreciate them much better with binoculars.. Nowadays you can get waterproof binoculars starting at under $200. And we suggest 8 x 42 or 10 x 42. Let us know if you would like any advice on binocular brands.
Flashlight
Light pants & long sleeved clothing
Refillable Water Bottle
Rechargable Batteries for cameras, flashlights etc
Natural insect repellent & sun protector
Rain poncho or jacket
Bathing suit
Camera
Crocs or other slip on and off shoes (easier for taking off shoes before entering cabañas)
What not to bring
Please do not bring any type of pet, we have wildlife near our cabins and domestic animals may interfere with their habits. Also, it is not advisable to bring any type of noise or music maker. Malaria and yellow fever preventive medications are not necessary for a visit to Mindo. We provide rubber boots for our visitors, but do not have all sizes. Boots can be purchased in town for about $10.
.