Area Information & Maps
Ecuador’s northwest Andean region
The Northwest (informally known as Mindo) Andean region of Ecuador as it descends to the Pacific Ocean was declared the first “Important Area for Birds” (IBA) by the conservationist NGO, BirdLife International. This was in recognition of Mindo’s immensely rich diverse forests. They harbor approximately 500 bird species, including over 40 endemic ones.
Mindo-Nambillo National Protected Forest
This 20,000 hectare cloud forest is in the Mindo-Nambillo National Protected Forest, and is drained throughout by the serpent-like Mindo, Cinto and Nambillo Rivers. These waters are shed by the 4790 meter (15,800 feet) Guagua Pichincha Volcano snow melts located just west of Quito.
Birdwatching, Fauna & Flora
The forest is the enchanting home to hundreds of species of birds, including toucans, manakins, golden-headed quetzals, wood creepers, barbets and cotingas (Cock-of-the-Rock). The forest takes its name after the small, tranquil village of approximately 2000 environmentally-minded townspeople whose reputation as a birding hotspot has spread throughout the world. Mindo lies in a quiet, lovely valley sparkled with flowers and surrounded by forested mountains and rich-soil valleys. Mindo is in the center of one of the best birding regions in the world. Endemic bird species share the valleys with pumas, spectacled bears, deer, ocelots, and close to 100 species of orchids.
Altitude
The Mindo valley and surrounding mountains have a range in elevation generally between 1200-1600 meters (4000 – 5300 feet). Mindo valley is perfectly situated at mid-Andean slope towards the Pacific Ocean, between the upper temperate zone and the lower humid tropical forests.
Climate
The
climate
in the
Mindo
region
is mild
year-round.
The
heaviest
rainy
season
is during
the
months
of April
and
May,
although
rain
comes
off
and
on throughout
the
year.
The
months
between
June
through
October
are
considered
the
summer
months.
Although
every
day is
good for
bird watching,
the more
favorite
months
are between
September
through
January
as many
migrants
stop and
rest in
the Mindo
area,
as well
as such
local
specialties
as the
Yellow-collared
Chlorophonia
and Club-winged
Manakin.
However,
many resident
cloud
forest
species,
such as
antpittas,
are more
active
and easier
to see
in the
rainy
season.
Cloud Forests are much cooler, due to their higher elevation than say, lowland Rainforests. Normal temperature range in the Mindo region is between 60F to 80F. Because of the moisture and coolness Cloud Forests are very green, moist and lush. There are mosses on the trunks of trees, orchids between the mosses, ferns growing on branches, algae covering leaves. This characteristic is more prevalent than in Rainforests.
Area Geography
Due to the irregular and mountainous terrain the valley forms natural barriers in a zigzag manner with rivers running between and around them, providing for range-restricted or endemic species. This unique geographical feature allows the distribution and diversity of fauna and flora species to be more contained within, instead of spread out, like in Rainforests.
The inhabitants of the Mindo region
This low Andean slope paradise cuddled in the small green country of Ecuador is 2 hours from majestic Quito, 4 hours from both the warm Pacific Ocean beaches heading west, and the Upper Amazon Basin jungles heading east. The inhabitants of this region are scarce, mainly because for a long time the forest remained overlooked after the XVII Century Andean volcano eruptions. Even after the periods of Spanish conquest and of the Republic Independence, this area was still not in the radar of settlers. It was until after the turn of the XX Century that poor farmers and ranchers from Southern Ecuador and Quito migrated to these lands for better opportunities of settling, farming and raising their families in a natural environment.
Today, the new generations of descendants of these settlers have realized the delicacy and beauty of the environment they are raising their own children in. They work to preserve it by sharing a vision of protecting the forest and providing eco-touristic self-reliable and sustainable living opportunities for themselves.