A few hours northwest of Quito, on the western slopes of the Andes, lies the Mindo Cloud Forest. Here, between 4,000ft to 6,000ft above sea level, the forested mountains dissolve into the clouds in one of the most biologically rich ecosystems on earth.
Warm, moisture-filled air rises from the pacific coast lowlands and condenses against the cool mountain vegetation. This creates a near-constant veil of clouds that feeds a truly extraordinary abundance of life.
Water is everywhere in the Mindo Cloud Forest. It trickles down nearly every inside turn on a trail. It seeps from beneath rocks and logs. Every step is on moist ground. Moss clings to every surface. You can taste the tropical air in every breath.
Overnight at an Ecolodge
In Mindo, the best time for birding is during the soft light of early morning and late evening. Alternatively, the best time for site-seeing and hiking is midday when the sun’s warmth pulls back the curtain of clouds.
To accommodate this schedule, It’s a good idea to include at least one overnight stay when planning a visit here.
It also allows for downtime with friends. The images below show, Marlon, the guide, James, our driver, and me, savoring cups of locally grown coffee on the porch while snacking on brownies made with Ecuadorian chocolate.
Birding in Mindo’s cloud forest
The lush cloud forest hosts more than 500 species of birds, making Mindo one of the most exciting birding locations on the planet. Early mornings are particularly rewarding – standing outside in the mountain mist, moss covered trees, and a constant birdsong in the shadowy forest.
Here are a few of my bird photos from the trip:
Hiking to La Cascada Reina (The Queen Waterfall)
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