Activities & Itinerary

Visitors can choose from a variety of different daily activities, all of which include being close to nature. Wake up to the forest's morning sounds, enjoy a peaceful stroll, take a dip in the river or trek through the forest to discover this land, rich in diversity of flora and fauna

Fishing

Help Efrain catch fish using local fishing techniques. Remember to keep only the big ones because this will be on your plate later.

Bicycling

The entire Mindo region lends itself to great biking, from leisure day trips to nearby streams and rivers, to extreme biking in all-weather camping situations.

Nature Walks

These are unique nature walk experiences lasting anywhere from one hour to all day, where our experienced guide, Efrain, will help you observe all of the surrounding nature, and discuss with you many species of plants, the majority of which are medicinal. They will also spot birds and other wildlife for you.

Adventure at Saloya River (full day walk)

Discover this magestic waterfall. Here you may decide to jump from a cliff beside the falls, or you may just swim beneath the waterfall in the refreshing waters of the Saloya River.

Earthly hydro massage

Alternatively, you may want to cater yourself to a rejuvenating mineral-rich hydro massage from the streams.

Forest Meditation

Or just relax and meditate in our lodgings or alongside the sandy beaches of the Cinto River in a hammock and with your favorite drink.

Soccer Fields

On your down time challenge the locals to a match of the "world's" sport. After the workout you can take a refreshing dip in the river, only yards away!

Night Activities

Enjoy a peaceful night around a warm and cozy bonfire while our guides provide a cultural history narration and discussion of the peoples that once inhabited the area. After exchange stories or learn to play one of the many instruments laying around in the lodge. Feel free to gaze at the stars and the moon and enjoy the night sky without the glare of city lights.

Workshops

And if you feel like having hands-on experience in the local culture you can take the culinary, medicinal plant recognition and local fishing techniques (antaraya) workshops offered by Ronald, Olga and Efrain.

Other Activities

These activities are available upon request and can be contracted with other local Mindo companies or individuals.

Tubing

This is perhaps the most popular sport activity in Mindo. This region hosts complete and safe tubing outfits in the Town of Mindo. A favorite of many of our visitors is an exciting inner-tubing ride down the Mindo River. With the aid of an experienced guide, and joined by several other visitors you will navigate down the river with a rubber tube beneath you, and a life jacket and helmet on you. River water tubing is one of the perfect rainy afternoon activities. In the rainy season the river swells and it offers an even more exciting white water activity.

Canopy Cable Car

Horseback Riding

Sample Itinerary

Below is an itinerary to be used as a sample…..just to give you an idea since part of our vision is to cater and be completely flexible according to your wishes, number of days you plan to stay, the company you are with, and personal interests.

If you wish, transport can be arranged to pick you up anywhere in Quito and bring you directly to our lodge. Or you can economically use public transportation to get to us, and we’ll help you plan your trip, and guide you safely to our cloud forest.

Day 1

Noon, Arrival to Cinto Cloud Forest. You will be introduced to your hosts, and will have available as courtesy coffee, tea or freshly made organic juice. Settle a little bit in your cabana, and have the host give you a quick tour of the garden and the immediate surroundings.
1:00PM Lunch, comprised of organic vegetables, fruits, rice, plantains and either chicken or fish (this is a typical meal).
3:00PM. A Nature walk where butterflies, orchids, birds, animals and medicinal plants are observable.
6:00-7:00PM. This is a time for you to relax, socialize with the surroundings, join the fun in the natural bar or take a nice refreshing bath in the house, or like many visitors do, take a 50 foot walk to an invigorating stream waterfall cleansing shower, surrounded by nature.
7:00PM.Dinner.
8:00PM. Bon fire with a brief cultural history narration and discussion of the rich cultures that once inhabited this area, as well as making plans for the following day’s activities.

Day 2

6:00AM. Wake up nice and slow with the early unique sounds of a millenarian forest.
6:00-8:00AM. Nature guided walk to observe birds and butterflies, and any other encountered early forest dwellers. Some of the various birds inhabiting this area are toucans, quetzals and parrots.
8:00AM. Breakfast, consisting of fresh juices, fruits, yucca, cheese, plantains, bread and fruit jam.
9:00AM. Big waterfall walk. This ascending walk takes you on a trail that goes up to the top of the mountain, and then descends behind it, ending up at the Saloya River big waterfall, with a crystal clear pool underneath. This guided excursion is usually about 5 to 6 hours long. Lunch will be brought along. You will have a wonderful picnic surrounded by the soothing sounds of the waterfall and observing the forest at mid-day play.
3:00-6:00PM. This is a good time to relax on the hammock, socialize in the natural bar, take a soothing bath, visit the organic vegetable plots, learn from a workshop, and just enjoy the moment!
7:00 PM. Dinner
8:00PM Bon fire

Day 3

6:00AM. Let the early bird singing and hummingbird garden feeding wake you up slowly.
6:30AM. Nature walk to the streams to enjoy a relaxing and purifying natural morning shower.
7:30AM.Breakfast.
8:00AM. Guided walk to the Cinto River to bathe in crystalline waters, cross the river in rope and pulley to visit our hospitable neighbors and their farm animals, and enjoy the energy of river dwelling.
11:00. Rest
Noon. Snack
12:30PM Return to Quito via our private transport or will assist with bus transport from the Town of Mindo.