“Travel to a new world so close to the city”
2 Day Mindo Dirt Self Guided Adventure in Ecuador
La Bicok EcoLodge, Mindo, Pichincha, Ecuador
Unparalleled Ecuador Motorcycle Tours
Come and enjoy an easy ride on the back roads of Ecuador. Delight yourself in a two-wheel adventure surrounded by hummingbirds and hundreds of plants species. This is an easy tour for people who want to be outside of the city in the rainforest. Once in Mindo, discover how one of the best chocolates in the world is made, plus a tour around butterfly farms and a delightful jump in the waterfall. You will get to find a town none can compare. Hidden in the middle of nowhere, it represents the best opportunity to see Ecuador's diversity of flora and fauna at a glance.
Key information
- Bike: rental (KTM, Suzuki, Honda, or Royal Enfield models)
- Terrain: mix of asphalt (60%) and off-road (country-road 40%)
- Mileage: 115 miles / 185 kilometers
- Meals: 1 breakfast
Highlights
- Starts and ends in Quito
- Visit to a lovely butterfly farm
- Exciting trip to Nambillo Waterfall
- Easy gravel ride from city to rainforest
- Adrenaline-filled forest canopying
- Drive on a hummingbird path
- Chocolate production tour
- 1 night accommodation
2 days with instruction in English
The organizer also speaks: Spanish
Group size: Maximum of 10 participants
Airport transfer available:
José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (US$ 400 per person)
José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (US$ 400 per person)
Airport transfer available:
Mariscal Sucre International Airport (US$ 50 per person)
Mariscal Sucre International Airport (US$ 50 per person)
Accommodation
Check-in Time:
09:00
Check-out Time:
17:00
Facilities
- Swimming pool (outdoor)
- Bar
- Barbeque facilities
- Garden
- Lounge
- Luggage room / storage
- Meditation garden
- Free parking
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wireless internet
- Outdoor shower
During this tour, you will be staying at La Bicok EcoLodge.
Program
The northwest of the Pichincha province is very well known by nature lovers due to the richness in terms of biodiversity, we have the presence of a neotropical biogeographical region called Chocó, which is located, in the area of Darien in Panama, it also goes through the eastern part of Colombia, Ecuador and a little corner of the north of Peru, covering in total 187.000 square kilometers. In terms of climate in Ecuador, due to the influence and presence of winds loaded with water coming from the Pacific Ocean crashing into the western Andes, all the water is released in western slopes and creates a new ecosystem that we call the Cloudforest, considered as one of the hot spots of biodiversity in the planet, this means that we will find a region with very significant levels of biodiversity that is threatened by human destruction, with very high levels of endemism of plants and animals, and we will find over 35 big areas like this biogeographical region around the world.
Our destination will be the little town of Mindo, 80 km (50 miles) northwest of the capital city of Quito, located at 1250 m.a.s.l. (4125 f.a.s.l.), counting 2500 inhabitants dedicated to agricultural activities mainly, with a constant temperature between 15 – 24 c (59 -75 f). The main beauty of Mindo is natural, the protected forest “Mindo Nambillo» of about 19000 hectares (47 000 acres) of mostly primary forest, is an ecological reserve that will let our customers appreciate over 170 species of orchids, 90 species of butterflies, and over 500 species of birds, and of course activities like canopying, tubing and hiking are possible surrounded by this natural environment.
One of the highlights in the area is the Nambillo waterfall, a natural spot that we will reach after an hour and a half of middle difficulty hike with a huge variety of flora and fauna that makes the trail more pleasant, a natural oasis of about 15 meters (50 feet) high where visitors refresh themselves up for the way back or use it for activities like rafting and canyoning.
Day 1: Quito - Nono - Mindo
We’ll have a briefing in our offices in Quito, where the last paperwork will be filled, gear will be given and tested and the bike of your choice will be delivered. Then, after a quick brief on roads, safety, and quick guide, you’ll depart on your way. The departure will be by 9 after all the formalities, after a ride of 45 minutes you’ll be getting to the little town of Nono, with a very interesting history behind, agricultural land all planted that will offer you beautiful colors. Getting out of Nono you will pass through the eco route called “Paseo del Kinde” (path of the hummingbird), declared as the first important South-American site of the world for birdwatching, the possibility to find flying around you during you ride over 400 different species of birds including 20 species of hummingbirds surrounded by nature proper of the tropical cloud forest. Once you’re done with the dirt road you will get back to the road that takes to Mindo (E28), we estimate that by noon you will be checking in at the hotel right before eating a great lunch at La Bicok eco-lodge. The area of Mindo is also well known for the production of very fine chocolate with cocoa beans coming from the surrounding area, so by the afternoon, you will have the privilege to assist in what we call the chocolate tour, where you will witness the different stages for the preparation of the very fine chocolate that you probably eat back in your countries, an activity that takes almost a couples hours of pure tasty fun! Afterward, you will head towards the Butterfly farm (Mariposario), the opportunity to use different senses and learn about this insect that are part of de biodiversity of the region where you will be. Back at the hotel by 18:30, the chance to take a nice shower before eating the last meal of your day.
Day 2: Mindo - Quito - San Antonio de Pichincha - Quito
After having breakfast and check that your batteries are fully loaded, by 9, you will start your trip to one of the best natural attractions that you will find in the area, after getting to the beginning of the trail with a cool cable car, the Nambillo waterfall is going to be your goal, following the different directions all over the town and after walking through the exuberant forest for over an hour you will arrive at the waterfall where if you want to, you can go for a very refreshing swim, before heading back to the cable car that will take you to the main “road” that will take you to your next activity. Canopying is the adrenaline activity that we found for you in order to do something that will let understand a little bit better what kind of forest you have been for the last couple of days, combining it with the adrenaline of these zip lines, this activity takes a bit more than an hour where you will be 100% assisted by the professional staff of the place. The hotel will be ready by 13:00 to receive you and give you lunch so you can go back to Quito very well fed. Departure to Quito by 14:00, back to the E28 for two hours of road to get to San Antonio de Pichincha, also known as the Middle of the world, the actual reason for the name of Ecuador, a country that will always be in your mind after this ride. Visit of the museum, demonstrations to show you that you are in the middle of the world, ethnographic explanations will be given by local guides. You will head back to Quito by 18:00 so you will get back to the hotel by 18:30.
Location
This tour will take place in Mindo, Ecuador. The northwest of the Pichincha Province is very well known by nature lovers due to the richness in terms of biodiversity. It has the presence of a neo-tropical biogeographical region called Chocó, that is located in the area of Darien in Panama.
It also goes through the eastern part of Colombia, Ecuador, and a little corner of the north of Peru, covering in total 187,000 square kilometers. In terms of climate in Ecuador, due to the influence and presence of winds loaded with water coming from the Pacific Ocean crashing into the Western Andes, all the water is released in western slopes and creates a new ecosystem that you call the cloud forest.
It is considered as one of the hot spots of biodiversity in the planet. It means that you will find a region with very significant levels of biodiversity that is threatened by human destruction, with very high levels of endemism of plants and animals. You will find over 35 big areas like that biogeographical region around the world.
The destination will be the little town of Mindo, 80 kilometers or 50 miles northwest of the Capital City of Quito. It is located at 1,250 meters or 125 feet above sea level, counting 2,500 inhabitants dedicated to agricultural activities, mainly. The main beauty of Mindo is natural.
The protected forest of Mindo Nambillo, about 19,000 hectares or 47,000 acres and mostly primary forest, is an ecological reserve that will let customers appreciate over 170 species of orchids, 90 species of butterflies, and over 500 species of birds. Activities like canopying, tubing, and hiking are possible in the surrounding natural environment.
One of the highlights in the area is the Nambillo Waterfall, a natural spot that you will reach after an hour and a half of middle difficulty hiking. The place is with a huge variety of flora and fauna that makes the trail more pleasant. It is a natural oasis of about 15 meters or 50 feet high where visitors refresh themselves before going back or use it for activities like rafting and canopying.
Features
Activities
- Swimming pool (outdoor)
- Zip lining
General
- Bar
- Barbeque facilities
- Garden
- Lounge
- Luggage room / storage
- Meditation garden
Services
- Free parking
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wireless internet
Food
Your breakfast is included in the price.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
Things to do (optional)
You will visit Nambillo Waterfall and there you can have fun and a swim in the waters.
What's included
- Ready to roll fully fueled unlimited Mileage Motorcycle Rental with all the toys installed.
- Touring helmets, pants, trousers, and gloves
- 1 night accommodation in single occupancy base in hotels and eco-lodges
- Activities specified in your tour (depending on availability)
- Briefing the day before we start. (here is where your adventure begins).
- Breakfast
- 35lt. GIVI last generation saddlebags and a 45 lt. Duffel bag
- Bulletproof medical insurance
- First aid kit, tire repair kit, portable air compressor, and tool kit
- GPS Tracking System with a panic button on each bike for you to use, and with it, 24-hour assistance from our support center
- Third-party liability and medical insurance mandatory in Ecuador (SPPAT)
- Storage for your excess luggage during your ride
What's not included
- A voucher for a security deposit using a major card
- Ecuador IVA tax (if you’re Ecuadorian)
- Hotel accommodations before and after your tour
- Alcoholic beverages
- Unspecified meals in your tour
- Unspecified activities in your tour
- Gasoline in your tour
How to get there
Recommended Airports
GYE
José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport
264 km
Transfer available for additional US$ 400 per person
UIO
Mariscal Sucre International Airport
46 km
Transfer available for additional US$ 50 per person
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO).
Airport: José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport
Airport transfer available:
José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (US$ 400 per person)
Additional charges may apply. You can request this in the next step.
Airport: Mariscal Sucre International Airport
Airport transfer available:
Mariscal Sucre International Airport (US$ 50 per person)
Additional charges may apply. You can request this in the next step.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 50% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.
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