9-Hour Mindo Valley Butterfly Tour with Waterfall and Chocolate

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Get amazed by around 1,000 butterfly species at the Mindo Butterfly Garden
• 02 Experience the scenic beauty of the cloud forest in Mindo Valley
• 03 Learn the secrets of Ecuador's chocolate-making industry at a local factory
• 04 Marvel at the breathtaking beauty of the Tarabita waterfall

Embark on this beautiful experience through Ecuador's famous Mindo Valley, a lush area where the Chocoan lowlands and the Tropical Andes meet. Get amazed by the sight of around 1,000 butterfly species at the Mindo Butterfly Garden, take in the breathtaking beauty of the Tarabita waterfall, and learn the secret art of Ecuador's chocolate-making industry at a local chocolate factory. This tour combines nature, wildlife, and local flavour in one memorable day from Quito.

Visit the Mindo Butterfly Garden, where you will see around 1,000 butterfly species.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 33 Hours

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Quito, Mindo

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Explore Mindo Valley's Butterflies, Waterfalls and Chocolate

• Meet the tour guide at Foch or Leon Mera at 7:00 a.m. and leave Quito for your Mindo Valley tour. Mindo is a mountainous watershed situated on the western slopes of the Andes, where two of the most biologically diverse ecoregions in the world meet: the Chocoan lowlands and the Tropical Andes. In this transitional area - which covers 268 square kilometres (103 sq mi) and ranges from 960-3,440 metres (3,150-11,290 ft) above sea level - three rivers (Mindo, Saloya and Cinto) and hundreds of streams irrigate a landscape made up of a patchwork of cloud forest.
• Visit the Mindo Butterfly Garden, where you will see around 1,000 butterfly species. Continue on to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the Tarabita or Canopy Waterfall, then stop for lunch.
• Visit the chocolate factory in Mindo. Mindo is famous for its tasty chocolates.
• Return to Quito.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Lunch
• Guide
• Transport

What's Not Included

• Entrances
• Extra drinks
• Tips

What to bring

• Raincoat
• Sandals
• Insect repellent
• Sun block
• Water

Know before you go

• The trip will take place at an altitude of 1500 masl.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Quito, Ecuador

Tour start

Quito, Ecuador

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.