There are days in Quito that feel like a complete journey without leaving the city. This route offers that: starting in rural areas, entering the cloud forest, walking through a place with history, eating typical parish food, and ending in a neighborhood with culture and good food. Like the famous Route of Salt, this tour shows you the natural and cultural diversity of the region.
The recommended plan starts heading towards Nono and passes through important places like Yanacocha, Inca Trail, La Florida Site Museum, Republic of Cacao, and ends with dinner in La Floresta del Mar.
Morning in height: Yanacocha and the Inca Trail
Heading towards Nono changes the rhythm that the city sometimes needs: less noise, more nature, and that feeling of entering another Quito. Nono, or San Miguel de Nono, is a popular place for nature tourism near Quito, perfect for hiking, birdwatching or simply relaxing. This route offers a similar experience to the Route of Salt, where connecting with the environment is the most important thing.
Yanacocha Reserve: Hummingbirds and Black-breasted Hillstar
Yanacocha is the first major stop of the day and surprises the senses: cold high-altitude air, mountainous vegetation, and many birds that make you look up more than before. It is a protected area of 1,200 hectares where the black-breasted hillstar (the symbol bird of Quito since 2005) lives. You can also see Andean condors, spectacled bears, páramo wolves, and if you’re lucky, even a puma. It is located at over 3,200 meters above sea level and costs around $5 to enter. This natural wealth shows how important the Route of Salt is for promoting ecotourism and caring for the environment.
Tips to Enjoy Yanacocha
- Walk slowly and quietly; here the important thing is to see the birds, not to go fast.
- Binoculars help, but with patience you can see a lot without them too.
- Respect the place: don’t play music or shout or chase birds; the experience improves when the forest feels calm with your presence.
Trocha Inca Trail: a path with history
After Yanacocha, the route invites you to start the hike along the Inca Trail, an ancient path that shortens the journey from the northwest to the south, crossing the Guagua Pichincha. Something special about this route is that it passes through three natural tunnels and offers views of the cloud forest, where you can hear birds such as tanagers and gralarias.
What makes this section unique
- Natural experience: it is not just a trail; it is a place where landscape and history are experienced together during the hike.
- Photography: the tunnels and changes in light make every stop an opportunity to take different photos.
- Difficulty: the route is easy and lasts all day, perfect if you are looking for adventure without a very demanding trek.
At the end of this part of the morning, you will have your first great reward: mountain air, cloud forest, and the feeling of having left Quito… but without going too far.
Midday in Nono: Hummingbird Garden and local lunch
In this part of the journey, the energy changes: you go from the silence of the forest to a more close-knit and human environment, typical of a village. That transition is part of its charm.
Hummingbird Garden: a pause to observe up close
The plan includes a stop at a Hummingbird Garden, a place where many of these birds fly around the visitors, creating a spectacle full of color and movement.
Tips for better enjoyment
- Stay still for a few minutes so that the hummingbirds can get used to your presence.
- If you are going to record or take photos, do it quietly; this way the birds will behave more naturally.
- Take this moment to rest: drink water, eat something light, and recharge before lunch.
Lunch at El Bambú Restaurant: typical food of Nono
At 1:00 PM, the route includes lunch at El Bambú Restaurant, known in Nono for its traditional food with local ingredients and a family-friendly atmosphere. Prices range from $5 to $10, making it an economical break in a day full of activities.
An important detail
Eating here is not just taking a break for lunch: it is part of truly getting to know Nono. If you want this route to be authentic, this place is key because it connects you with everyday life: generous portions, local flavors, and quiet conversations.
Cultural Afternoon: La Florida and artisanal chocolate before arriving at La Floresta
The second part of the day offers something that Quito does very well: combining nature with history without it feeling forced. You go from green to pre-Hispanic history, and then to cacao as a local symbol.
La Florida Site Museum: a necropolis beneath your feet
The route recommends visiting the La Florida Archaeological Site Museum, where you can see a necropolis from the Integration period with deep graves of up to 16 meters, showing multiple burials and ancient rituals. Access is usually free.
Useful information for planning your visit
According to official data, the La Florida Site Museum is located at Antonio Costas and César Villacrés (San Vicente de la Florida neighborhood) and generally opens from 09:00 to 16:00 with prior reservation. This may change, so it’s best to confirm before going.
Beyond the data, this place is special for a simple reason: it reminds you that Quito is built on many historical layers. And when you understand this, the whole tour makes more sense.
República del Cacao: tasting and hot chocolate from the source
Next is a stop that perfectly balances the afternoon: República del Cacao. The plan includes learning about fine aromatic cacao and its importance in Ecuador, with a visit that features tasting three handmade chocolates and finishing with Origin Hot Chocolate. The estimated cost is $16.80.
How to make it an experience (not just a purchase)
- Take your time with the tasting: you’ll notice the differences between chocolates when you slow down.
- If you’re creating content, this is a great way to capture visuals: packaging, textures, hot drink, and genuine reactions.
Ending in La Floresta: dinner, creative streets, and a calm night
The day ends at 6:00 PM with dinner in La Floresta, a traditional neighborhood offering everything from family spots to modern places. Suggested prices range from $15 to $25.
An optional extra: cinema and culture in the neighborhood
If you still have energy (or want something different than just dinner), La Floresta is also great for a cultural stop. For example, Ocho y Medio is a cultural organization with two movie theaters showing independent films, as well as hosting live theater and music.
Specific detail
To help you find it: Ocho y Medio is located at Valladolid N24-353 and Vizcaya within La Floresta.
Practical Tips for a Smooth Route
This is a recommended route with approximate prices; payments are made directly at each location and it is suggested to use private transportation for transfers. It is a family-friendly, self-guided, full-day, and easy experience.
Quick List
- Layered clothing (due to altitude and weather changes), lightweight waterproof jacket, and shoes with good grip.
- Water and a small snack (especially for the morning).
- If you like birds: binoculars or zoom lens, and patience.
The Route from Nono to La Floresta works because it offers several things: cloud forest and tranquility, living history underground, simple local food, and cocoa counted as culture. If you want a full day that is varied and very typical of Quito, this itinerary provides it with clear stops and ends in the city to nicely conclude the experience. For more details about this unique journey, check out this comprehensive guide on the Nono-Floresta tour.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
The route from Nono to La Floresta includes a visit to Yanacocha, Trocha Inca, La Florida Site Museum, Republic of Cacao, and a dinner in La Floresta, combining nature, history, culture, and gastronomy.
In Yanacocha, a 1,200-hectare reserve, you can spot species such as the black-breasted hillstar, Andean condor, spectacled bear, highland wolves, and puma. The entrance fee is $5.
The Trocha Inca is an ancestral route with three natural tunnels that offers spectacular views of the cloud forest and birdwatching opportunities for species like tanagers and gralarias. It has a low difficulty level, ideal for families.
The La Florida Site Museum presents a necropolis from the Integration period with deep graves up to 16 meters that reflect ancestral rituals. Access is free and it is open from 09:00 to 16:00 with prior reservation.
República del Cacao offers a slow tasting that allows you to appreciate the differences between three artisanal chocolates and a hot Origin chocolate, highlighting the importance of Ecuadorian fine aroma cocoa. The cost is $16.80.
Private transportation is recommended for greater comfort. Wear layered clothing for climate and altitude changes, light waterproofs, comfortable footwear, bring water and snacks for the morning, as well as binoculars or zoom for bird watching. It is a self-guided family experience with low difficulty.
