Explore Quito and its Surroundings
The city of Quito lies at an altitude of 2,800 meters, just south of the equator line. Its historic center boasts some of the very best colonial period architecture along with many fine museums, churches, plazas, and other attractions that make spending a week in Quito an absolute pleasure.
And if you want to escape the city during the day you can take any of a wide range of daily excursions out to surrounding areas to visit some of the marvels in the surrounding Andes (see the list below!)
"I stayed a week in Quito and could easily have stayed longer! The sunshine, the dry mountain air, the sights and history were all fascinating. It was easy and cheap to get around too."
You can also learn Spanish while you are in Quito, taking classes at a professional Spanish school and visiting places of cultural and historical interest around the city with a teacher for a real immersion experience. Click here for more information.
Here is a partial list of some of the more noteworthy things to do in Quito: The Plaza Grande, Plaza del Teatro, la Virgen del Panecillo monument, la Compañia de Jesús church, la Basilica, La Capilla del Hombre, walking tours of the historic center, Fundación Guayasamin, Casa del Alabado, Iglesia de San Francisco, Plaza Santo Domingo, La Ronda, Intiñan museum, Mitad del Mundo, Carolina Park and Botanical Gardens, Museo Nacional Quito, Teleferico cable car, Plaza de la Independencia and the Pasaje Arzobispal, Catedrál de Quito, The bus tour of Quito, Museo de la Ciudad, Parque Itchimbia, Parque El Ejido, Plaza Foch, Monasterio de Carmen Alto, the church of Guapulo, Iglesia of La Merced,
| Papallacta hot springs | A complex of thermal baths two hours from Quito set in spectacular Andean scenery. Soak away your troubles in this beautiful spa. |
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| Otavalo Market | The biggest open air crafts market in the Americas! Spend a day haggling for souvenirs, as well as visiting Cuicocha Lake and Peguche waterfalls, both close to Otavalo |
| Pasachoa Reserve | An ecological reserve around a collapsed volcano. Great hiking with fabulous views of the surrounding mountains, and a chance to see condors in flight! |
| Cotopaxi Volcano | Hike up to the glacier on the volcano! A trip that will literally take your breath away at over 5,000 meters. Optional cycling downhill on the return. |
| Mindo Cloud Forest | Explore the cloud forest flora and fauna - 2 hours from Quito. A total change of environment and climate in the steamy cloud forest with humming birds, orchids, ferns, waterfalls, fresh trout and more. . . |
| Quilotoa Crater Lake | A turquoise lake set in an extinct volcano crater. Spectacular scenery and a chance to hike the rim or descent to the lake to kayak. Hike up or rent a horse to do the hard work! |
| Guagua Pichincha hike | Hike up to the crater rim and down into a smouldering volcano below! Definitely a hike for the fit at an altitude of over 4,000 meters. |
| Mitad del Mundo | Visit the official museum on the equator line just north of Quito, as well as the smaller Inti Ñan musuem which sits directly on the actual equator according to GPS. |
| Saquisili Market | This traditional indigenous market offers an insight into the culture of the Andes as people come from the surrounding countryside to trade their goods and animals. |
| Ruminahui Volcano | Ruminahui volcano lies to the south of Quito, not too far from the higher Cotopaxi volcano. |
The above day trips generally cost between $35 - $60 depending on distance and time. There may be other entry fees not included in this price. We will be happy to supply you with more information and to make any necessary reservations for you.
The above tours only run on specific days, but can be organized for any day for a group.