I will be short on time in Quito – but am hoping to take a day trip to see the cloud forest and its birds.

If you have been to either Mindo or Bellavista, I’d love to hear about your experiences...

I see a few companies organize day tours - any comments will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

just to clarify, Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve Lodge (www.bellavistacloudforest.com)is in the Mindo cloud forest region, while Mindo is a small village in the same general region. If you plan to do this visit independently, then going to Mindo is the way .. enjoy a butterfly farm, tarabita, waterfalls etc. On the other hand, if you want a complete package (i.e., transportation to/from Quito, meals, tours etc) then a place like the Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve Lodge is well worth considering.

Thank you, robinslater! I see you are in Quito & your opinion is very helpful.

I am considering Bellavista CFRL - from other posts here & from checking out their website. They have two great day trip options. One takes you up the Nono - Mindo road and visits the Yanacocha Reserve in addition to the Bellavista Lodge for lunch with the hummingbirds. (They’ll even stop at the equator monument on the trip back to Quito.)

Another day trip suggested to me would be to the Antisana Nature Reserve/Micacocha Lake. But this one is losing favor right now.

Any thoughts or comments from robinslater – or anyone who has been to these areas?

Thanks in advance for all --

I would consider Tandayapa Lodge. http://www.tandayapa.com/ It is down the hill on the same road as Bellavista. This means that it is warmer...a good thing at that elevation. I stayed at Tandayapa in 2004 as part of a professionally guided trip to northern Ecuador. The hummingbird feeders are astounding. I have never seen better anywhere. The video on the website is typical of the action.

Thank you for the suggestion, Gavin!
The Lodge (website) looks great. I'll email them for more information. I am fascinated by the hummingbirds... I could watch the video on a loop !