DAY 1: Quito – Mindo – Alambi Reserve – Tulipe Archaeological Site – Chocolate tour
Our journey begins at 08:00 at the designated meeting point for this tour. Around an hour from Quito lies the cloud forest of Mindo, brimming with incredible plant and animal life, perfect for a day trip from Quito. This tour through the cloud forest in Mindo is a day of adventure in nature. Our first stop will be the Alambi Reserve, a place teeming with a rich variety of birdlife, home to a wide range of species and one of the best birdwatching areas for endemic, migratory, and some endangered species. Next, we'll visit the Tulipe Archaeological Site, a ceremonial centre of the Yumbo culture where there is also evidence of Inca culture. Here, you can find sunken structures with stone walls related to water, where purification rituals were possibly performed. The museum exhibits various archaeological objects found in archaeological research in the western foothills. We'll arrive in Mindo, where we'll enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we'll embark on the Chocolate Tour. Here, you'll receive an explanation about the history of cacao in the world, cacao varieties, the importance of this fruit in Ecuador, and witness how Yumbos transforms the world's best cacao into chocolate. Enjoy a tasting of all products (12 flavours of chocolate bars, cacao honey, ginger syrup, BBQ sauce). You'll also savour tropical fruit accompanied by a portion of brownie and our emblematic cup of hot chocolate made with 100% cacao. We'll return to the hotel, where you can rest for the adventure of the following day.
Included: accommodation at Hotel Séptimo Paraíso (or similar) in a Standard Double room, lunch.
Not included: breakfast and dinner
DAY 2: Mindo – Nambillo waterfalls - Quito
After a delicious breakfast, we'll visit the Nambillo Waterfalls where you can hike and enjoy nature in all its splendour. To conclude, we'll check out and enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Quito.
Included: breakfast and lunch.
No included: dinner
