Nono Cloud Forest, Ecuador
04 · A hidden Andean paradise

Cloud forest, hummingbirds and village life.

Two- and three-day journeys from Quito into a natural and cultural landscape in the Andean cloud forest.

Hero photograph: Chris Charles / Unsplash Scroll to discover
04
Nono Cloud Forest
The experience

Nono opens onto a greener, quieter Ecuador: folded cloud-forest valleys, hummingbirds, local food and the rhythms of a small Andean village.

Two- and three-day inclusive tours depart from Quito and can bring together local encounters, cycling, horseback riding, hiking, birdwatching, a private bird sanctuary, food experiences and overnight stays at Villa Doris.

Include Nono Cloud Forest in your trip
Ways to explore

Designed around
how you travel.

These are the ingredients documented in the Inca Holidays brochure. Your itinerary can bring them together in a way that suits your time and interests.

01

Two or three days

Leave Quito for a compact journey that still makes space for the valley's slower rhythm.

02

Active exploration

Cycle, ride on horseback or walk part of the hummingbird route toward the Tandayapa Valley.

03

Birdlife

Watch hummingbirds and visit a private bird sanctuary within the cloud-forest landscape.

04

Local life

Meet residents, enjoy local gastronomy and stay overnight at Villa Doris Country House.

Discover all the details

More for your journey.

Nono and the hummingbird route

We offer an array of daily activities to explore Nono and the cloud forest

A day in the clouds (Day Tour)

The village of Nono was the ninth county founded by the Jesuits in the colonial times, and remained as a solitary, almost forgotten town, just 20km northwest of Quito.

Because of this particularity, we can offer you a day tour to an off-the-beaten path destination, where you will learn about Ecuadorian history and culture, meet local people, photograph colorful hummingbirds, wild flowers and bromeliads. Hike while the clouds cover the mountains and the village, giving it a mysterious and mystic touch!

We will visit Zuro Loma, one of the most important bird reserves in the cloud forest, to have a close encounter with hummingbirds living in high altitude.

Lunch is included at our country house.

2. Nono & the Eco-route of the Hummingbird (2 days / 1 night)

Just an hour from Quito, this short getaway trades the city for village life, forest paths and a long table at the end of the day.

Itinerary at a glance:

Day 1: Transfer Quito – Nono

After the transfer from Quito, we stroll through the village to meet its people and learn about its history and traditions.

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After the transfer from Quito, we stroll through the village to meet its people and learn about its history and traditions. We’ll then visit Zuro Loma Bird Reserve, where we’ll discover the fascinating world of hummingbirds and tanagers. Lunch is included. In the evening, dinner will be prepared and served at Villa Doris. Overnight stay at Villa Doris.

Day 2: Eco-route of the Hummingbird

After a traditional country breakfast, we set off towards the Tandayapa Valley, observing how the landscape and ecosystems gradually change along the way.

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After a traditional country breakfast, we set off towards the Tandayapa Valley, observing how the landscape and ecosystems gradually change along the way. Discover lush vegetation, diverse birdlife, and the remarkable adaptations that allow plants and animals to thrive in this unique environment. We’ll visit a local nature reserve, home to a wonderful variety of hummingbirds and tanagers, where these birds are carefully protected and cared for. Every visit reveals something new, even to those of us who live here. Lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a transfer back to Quito.

3. Eco-route of the Hummingbird (4 days / 3 nights)

Three nights in Nono for those who want to watch the cloud forest change before their eyes. From forests at 3,400 m down to others at 1,400 m, you will find over 20 species of hummingbirds, native flowers and cascading waterfalls along the way.

Day 1: Quito airport – Nono

We transfer you directly from the airport to Nono.

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We transfer you directly from the airport to Nono. Welcome dinner and overnight at Villa Doris.

Day 2: Day tour at protected natural reserves

A morning hike through either Zuro Loma or Yanacocha Reserves, with a box lunch on the trail.

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A morning hike through either Zuro Loma or Yanacocha Reserves, with a box lunch on the trail. In the afternoon, time to wander through the village at your own pace. Dinner and overnight at Villa Doris.

Day 3: Eco-route of the Hummingbird

Spend a full day exploring the lower cloud forest, beginning with a short hike at Pahuma Reserve.

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Spend a full day exploring the lower cloud forest, beginning with a short hike at Pahuma Reserve. Covering 890 acres, Pahuma is a biodiversity hotspot that provides critical habitat for endangered and endemic wildlife, protects vital water sources for nearby communities, and plays a key role in conservation across Ecuador’s Chocó Andino region. Next, visit a local bird reserve, where colorful birds put on a spectacular natural display. Continue towards Mindo to explore an orchid garden and take part in a cacao workshop. Lunch on your own in Mindo, giving you free time to explore the village’s local restaurants and culinary offerings. Return to Villa Doris for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4: Back to Quito

Breakfast and transfer to Quito.

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Breakfast and transfer to Quito. End of services. Note: This program offers the possibility to add on biking or horseback riding tours.

Build a journey with Nono Cloud Forest

Make this landscape part of your story.

Share your dates, interests and travel style. We will use them to begin shaping a journey around you.

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