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El Quetzal Mindo Chocolate tour – Ecuador

A couple of blocks away from the central park, in the warm town of Mindo, you can go on a chocolate tour by El Quetzal Mindo.  A tour that allows its visitors to go on a journey through the history of chocolate making.

This local business has been running since 2008, with a goal in mind: to make the best Chocolate possible. They started back then as a coffee store, selling pastries.

For their Chocolate, they work on sourcing the finest organic Nacional cacao from small family farms outside of Mindo. During the tour, we learned that cacao is originally from the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador. Later on, cacao was taken to other countries with warm weather.

Learn about the things to do in Mindo by visiting Visit Ecuador and South America’s top 5 things to do in Mindo article. 

Source of the best cacao

In recent years, Ecuador has become a recognized source of quality cacao beans  Ecuador. Some of the main chocolate brands in the country and the government participate in international fairs representing this unique product and showcasing it to the world.

The Chocolate tour

This is a tour everyone visiting Mindo should take, and even more if they love Chocolate.

A guided tour of the place allows visitors to see the cacao tree and fruit up close and learn about all the chocolate-making processes.

After an introduction, our guide took us outside the property where we were able to see the process used in manufacturing the products.

The first stages include fermentation and drying of the beans and El Quetzal carefully oversees these two stages. The next stage is the roasting of the cocoa. At this stage, we learn that when the shell of the bean cracks, the meaty part is then “cocoa nibs”, the shell is used as a tea, and then the roasted cocoa nibs are refined and conched, and after several hours the nutty nibs are refined into smooth melted Chocolate.  The manufacturing process ends when the Chocolate is tempered, molded, and wrapped by hand.

At the end of the tour, we are back at the restaurant for the testing part. Here we get to taste some of the Chocolate, and then we are free to make our mix. We get sugar, coffee, chili pepper, and a spoon to mix freely. We also get to taste the cacao nibs, the tea, and the syrup. Oh, I almost forgot to mention their decadent chocolate brownie.

If you are a chocolate lover, you will like to know that you get trays with samples of different percentages of cacao and other fillings for sampling at the end of the tour.

All chocolate bars by el Quetzal have a high percentage of Chocolate, with 67% or more purity, sugar is organic, and no chemicals are used in their products.

If you are in South America, I would love to see your pictures.

The store and restaurant.

Besides the tour and a lodge, El Quetzal features a restaurant with delicious food and a high-end gift shop with a wide selection of products by el Quetzal.

Where : El Quetzal de Mindo – 9 de Octubre, Mindo, Ecuador

Directions : turn LEFT at the main square in Mindo, then drive/walk two blocks up the hill

When : 7 days a week, each hour on the hour from 10:00 am-5:00 pm

Cost: $10 per person

Other activities in mindo:.

– Tubing

– Butterfly garden

– Chocolate tour

– Birdwatching

– Coffee Tour

and reasons to visit the Choco Andino. 

How to get to Mindo

Book a tour:

You can book an organized tour, we recommend this full day guided tour. 

From Quito, you pass the park with the Equator monument, Mitad del Mundo, continuing on the main road to Esmeraldas for about 70 km. The exit to Mindo is on the left and is clearly marked by signs. You can also book a car with driver to take you all the way.

In order to get to Mindo, you need to go to Ofelia station north of Quito. You can reach the station by taking the Metrobus (blue line).

The journey from Quito to Mindo takes about 2h-2h30 and costs 3.1$ per person.

Where to stay

Hosteria Terrabambu Lodge : this is an amazing place to relax and enjoy the natural surroundings in Mindo. We share our experience during our stay.

Casa Divina Lodge is the place to stay to enjoy biodiversity and birdwatching in Mindo at its best. Read all about this magical place .

What to bring

In case of rain, it is recommended to bring a waterproof jacket or poncho.

Bring good walking shoes, as not all the trails are flat.

Most importantly, make sure to bring insect repellent and sunblock.

And if you love taking pictures or making videos, bring a waterproof case for your smartphone or your GoPro/Sony Action cam with a battery.

Conclusion:

Whether you are a cacao enthusiast or a foodie this award-winning bean-to-bar chocolate factory is the choice for you. If you are in Mindo or wondering what to do on the weekend near Quito, I can recommend the El Quetzal de Mindo Chocolate tour, or if you lack time, at least go inside for their decadent chocolate brownie.

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This is a great source of information and tips, maps, and all you need if you plan on visiting Ecuador. I personally like the option of having a hard copy version where I can take notes and have them at hand.

Don’t just dream it, make it happen. Plan your South American trip with a local!

Take a look at this list of  travel resources  to plan your trip and travel in South America.

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• About this activity

Mindo Cloud Forest Tour: Chocolate, Coffee, Birds & Nature

• Free cancellation available
• Mobile voucher
• Instant confirmation
• Selective hotel pickup
• Multiple languages

Embark on the original and unique Mindo's Cloud Forest Tour: Chocolate, Coffee, Birds. Immerse yourself in the wonders of nature as you explore lush forests teeming with vibrant bird species. Indulge in the art of chocolate-making at a local factory, savoring the rich flavors of Mindo's finest cocoa. Discover the secrets of coffee cultivation and brewing at a picturesque plantation, delighting in the aromas and tastes of freshly roasted beans. This tour stands out with its authentic experiences, expert guides, and the opportunity to support local communities. Unforgettable moments, breathtaking scenery, and a genuine connection with nature await you. Don't miss the chance to be a part of this extraordinary and original adventure in Mindo's cloud forest Ecuador.

Activity location

• Mindo, Ecuador

Meeting/Redemption Point

• Thu, Apr 11 -
• Fri, Apr 12 $90
• Sat, Apr 13 $90
• Sun, Apr 14 $90
• Mon, Apr 15 -
• Tue, Apr 16 $90
• Wed, Apr 17 $90
• Thu, Apr 18 $90
• Fri, Apr 19 $90
• Sat, Apr 20 $90
• Sun, Apr 21 $90
• Mon, Apr 22 -
• Tue, Apr 23 $90
• Wed, Apr 24 $90
• Thu, Apr 25 $90
• Activity duration is 10 hours 10h 10h

What's included, what's not

• What's included What's included customized routes
• What's included What's included National Guide of Ecuador
• What's included What's included Binoculares
• What's included What's included Certified guides
• What's included What's included Shared Vehicles
• What's included What's included Birdwatching equipamiento
• What's excluded What's excluded Lunch
• What's excluded What's excluded It is advisable to take an additional cash, dollars for tickets to the activities.
• What's excluded What's excluded Tickets and tips
• What's excluded What's excluded This is not a Private Tour
• What's excluded What's excluded Zip-line: 20 USD
• What's excluded What's excluded Chairlift ride: 8 USD
• What's excluded What's excluded Orchid garden visit: 5 USD
• What's excluded What's excluded Butterfly garden visit: 8 USD
• What's excluded What's excluded Fruit tasting: 3 USD
• What's excluded What's excluded Birdwatching: 6 USD
• What's excluded What's excluded Tubing: 30 USD
• What's excluded What's excluded Chocolate tour: 10 USD
• What's excluded What's excluded Coffee tour: 10 USD
• What's excluded What's excluded Waterfall 10 USD
• What's excluded What's excluded Private transportation

Know before you book

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Activity itinerary

Mindo nambillo cloud forest reserve.

• Admission ticket not included

Mindo (Pass by)

Ecuador (pass by), san miguel de los bancos (pass by), best deals on things to do, top experiences in mindo.

Private & personalized tours

Explore the cloudforest.

• Unique places

Natural habitat

More time to discover, 2 days tour.

About Richard Hernandez

Driver guide in Ecuador

We are on Airbnb

Mindo tours from quito with chocolate tour.

• Private tour

A licensed tour guide who grew up in the cloud forest of the north western slopes of the Andes mountains of Ecuador will come to Quito to pick you up for the tour and drop you off after the tour. We are not a huge multinational, we are 100% locally owned tour operator with people who knows what we do and where to take you. Please leave us your tour request. We are here to help you. Sincerely, Richard Hernandez - naturalist and bird guide.

Private and personalized tour. We do take you into the world of clouds with an inmense mutualism and symbiosis where the natural world stay and evolve in aparent silence, the type of silence we are not used to and with an on site interpretation. Near 20 years of experience doing tours. Let us show you how good professionals we are in our field.

Unique places with full of hummingbirds, tanagers, toucans, nice look outs, orchids, ferns, sparkling creeks, waterfalls, cable car, water tubing, canyoning, zip lines and of course a visit to Quetzal or Yumbo chocolate factory.

Tours from Quito

Culture and nature 2 nights package, mindo birding tours, otavalo and mindo.

24/7 Support

You can always get professional travel assistance from our staff 24/7 and ask any question you may have.

Highly Qualified "Driver Guide Ecuador"

Feeling free to design your ouwn schedule ? hire a qualified driver guide Ecuador to bring you the best professional transport service.

Enjoy nature while hiking "The Best hiking trails"

Would you like to hike and do birding on the western slopes of the Andes mountains ? we do have the best hiking trails - moderate level. .

Mindo day tours

"hiking & birding"

The kind of tour for Nature lovers a minimun hiking level is required. Off the beaten path tour. Discovering waterfalls, sparkling rivers, birds in the wild. Join us for a fantastic natural experience.

"2 days Mindo"

After a day exploring the cloud forest is not enough and you need at least one more day. In this 2 days tour package with an overnight IN or OUT of Mindo town. All inclusive tour !

Mindo birds - please not in feeders - Choco endemic

Choco toucan

spotted out at Mindo cloud forest

Plate-billed mountain toucan

at Mindo cloud forest

Collared Aracari

spottted at Mindo cloud forest

Toucan barbet

spotted at Mindo cloud forest

Violet-tailed sylph

Collared Inca

Empress brilliant

Velvet-purple coronet

Our agency offers travelers various tours and excursions with destinations all over Ecuador. Browse our website to find your dream tour!

• The Process
• Cocoa Beans
• Ingredients
• Health of Chocolate
• Limited Edition: Valentine's Day
• Limited Edition
• Country of Origin
• Tasting Tiles
• All Cooking & Baking
• El Quetzal Brownies
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Mindo Chocolate Makers

• Shop Chocolate Bars Limited Edition: Valentine's Day Signature Limited Edition Rustic Country of Origin Tasting Tiles Cooking & Baking All Cooking & Baking El Quetzal Brownies 77% Baking Chocolate Nibs and Beans Natural Cocoa Powder Drinking Products All Drinking Products Ecuadorian Drinking Chocolate Hot Chocolate Sticks Community Supported Chocolate Club Gifts Birthday Gifts Corporate Gifts

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Customer Reviews

Michigan to Ecuador

With a deep connection to our sister store,  El Quetzal de Mindo , we stay close to our cacao’s Ecuadorian home.  Our goal is for everyone in our cross-continental community to benefit from a deep connection to ingredients, process, and pride for our world-class chocolate.  It’s for this reason that we work to make chocolate-making accessible to everyone through education.  

From Mindo, Ecuador to Dexter, Michigan, we’re a cross-continental community cultivating unforgettable chocolate experiences, and we can’t wait to share the bean-to-bar difference with you.  

Testimonials

★★★★★ Absolutely delicious. Our company is from out of town & working in the area. I decided to try some chocolates from this place. The flavors are amazing. I only tried 3 different ones. I hope we stay around long enough so I can try the other ones. she redden

★★★★★ Delicious, inspiring, forward-thinking. Just grest chocolate made by great people. bradlee clegg

★★★★★ Absolutely amazing! Kyle Miller

Stay informed of new product releases and news from Mindo Chocolate.

Krasny Oktyabr Chocolate Factory and Museum

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Krasny Oktyabr Chocolate Factory and Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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