Séptimo Paraiso

mindo Xtreme

experience Mindo at its best

The Western Cloud Forests of Ecuador are among the richest ecosystems in the world for biodiversity and endemism’s. This Tour will cover different ranges of altitude covering some of the most impressive birding areas of the country.

We offer tours for up to 12 days, please email us for more information on tours.

Other tours are available and groups are welcome, please send e-mail for more information to birding@septimoparaiso.com

tour includes
  • Transfers between Quito airport and The Lodge
  • Lodging
  • All meals included (box lunches when requested)
  • Private tour of The Lodge’s trails and night walks
  • 8 hours of birding daily (or more)
  • Early breakfast every day (starts at 4.30 am)
  • All transportation requirements
  • Expert birding guide (English speaking)
  • Visit to Bird sanctuaries: Silanche, Milpe, Tandayapa, Yanacocha, and more.

tour itinerary

  • Day 1
  • Day 2
  • Day 3
  • Day 4

The tour starts with the Nono-Mindo road and its spectacular forested gorges. From Quito the road climbs out of the dry intermontane valley and crests the western Andean Cordillera at 3,400 m, where paramo and montane forest can be found. This is a good habitat for the Sword-billed hummingbird, lesser goldfinch and Tawny Antpitta. The tour continues down into the Tandayapa Pass which supports some spectaclar cloud forest on steep slopes, this area is excellent for a number of species with small distributions, including some that are difficult to find elsewhere such as Giant Antpitta and Tanager Finch. Overnight in Septimo Paraiso Cloud Forest Reserve.

After very early breakfast the forest of this area will be covered with a hike. Nice Buffet lunch and the tour continues with the exploration of more trails of this fantastic private reserve. Dinner and Overnight in Septimo Paraiso Cloud Forest Reserve.

Next morning after breakfast the visit will be towards the observation platform and then hiking in another trail with spectacular birds such as Nariño Tapaculo, Choco Toucan, Scaled Antpitta and Club-Winged Manakin. Lunch and afternoon visit to the forests around Mindo, a small village nestling in the valley of the rio Mindo, this is one of the best known birding localities in Ecuador with an impressive birdlist of over 360 species (the highest of any locality in western Ecuador), including many threatened and near threatened species. In addition to a large number of Choco endemics, Mindo’s Cloud forest supports a such sought-after species as Scaled Antpitta, Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Club-winged Manakin, Toucan Barbet, Nariño Tapaculo, Broad-billed Motmot, Golden-headed Quetzal among others. At night time the exploration continues with a hike looking for nocturnal birds. Dinner and Overnight in Septimo Paraiso cloud forest reserve.

Starts with very early breakfast and departure to the Pedro Vicente Maldonado area, lower than Mindo (1200 m.), this area is interesting because of the amount of farms where different kinds of atractive fruits are planted which represent an important source of food for several species of Tanagers and parrots like the Bronze-winged parrot. After a delicious packed lunch return to Quito and end of services.

Ask for a reservation

xtreme tours

Try one tours and see the wonders of Mindo

hummingbird extreme

This Tour will take you to various habitats where the flying “gems” live.

mindo extreme

This Tour will cover some impressive birding areas of the country.

andes, yanacocha tandayapa

A seven day tour around most of the magical places NW of Ecuador.