Mindo Visit in July (1 Viewer)

[Wrenman44]

My wife and I are slated to go to the Mindo, Ecuador, area in mid-July for 8 days. We plan to rent a car (is an SUV recommended?) and base as much as possible from Mindo. I'm looking for your thoughts on a still-rough itinerary that has us going to the following for day-trips: Refugio Paz, Amagusa, Milpe, and Rio Silanche. We hope to spend a night or two at Bellavista Lodge for birding there, as well a day trip to Zuroloma and Yanacocha. Our thought is to not hire a dedicated guide, but to use some of the local guides while at the various lodges. As first-timers to Ecuador, is this reasonable/doable? Are there other places that we should prioritize higher than what I've listed?

 

[njlarsen]

When I visited Mindo (too long ago already) we hired a local guide for the day trip to Milpe and Rio Silanche. I would do the same again.
Niels

 

[Wrenman44]

When I visited Mindo (too long ago already) we hired a local guide for the day trip to Milpe and Rio Silanche. I would do the same again.
Niels

Thanks, Niels!