Day Trips from Quito

The Ecuadorian capital is the starting point for countless adventures. From volcanoes to fascinating indigenous markets, the Andean country unfolds its splendour through a wide variety of day trips that stand out among the best things to do in Quito. This article is a guide to the best activities, plus their pros, cons and prices to help you plan your perfect trip.

Immerse yourself in the majesty of Chimborazo. Discover the mystique of the Papallacta hot springs, or feel the energy of Cotopaxi and Quilotoa as you venture into their national parks. Explore Otavalo, Cotacachi and Cuicocha, or be dazzled by the beauty of Baños and the lush Upper Amazon. Explore beyond Quito, and get ready to discover Ecuador's diversity.

The Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest occupies a 22,000 hectare nature reserve and takes time to explore. A typical itinerary starts with an early morning pick-up from your accommodation and then a 2 hour drive to the park.

Once you arrive at the green destination of Mindo you can begin your tour and lose yourself in the streets lined with craft shops and a variety of wooden and bamboo houses.

Groups then take a ride through the 7 waterfalls of Mindo aboard the popular tarabitas, a kind of cable car located 150 metres above sea level that transports you through the Sanctuary of Waterfalls. The ride is a blast, and the views are worth the trip.

When you get off the cable car it's time to take a 45-50 minute hike to get in direct contact with this idyllic place. There you can splash around in the water or join one of the extra activities available depending on the Mindo Cloud Forest excursion you have booked before making the return journey back to your point of origin.

Details of interest

• Price: from 97 € per person.
• Duration: from 10 hours and upwards.
• What you need to know: you can book a 2-day excursion to the Mindo Cloud Forest or take one of the full-day tours as described above. Note that activities available on site include zip-lining, tubing, abseiling and bird watching. They also offer visits to the orchid garden and the hummingbird garden. And if that's not enough, you can enjoy a coffee tour, or Latin chocolate excursions.
• What may be included in the tour: transfer service to and from the accommodation. Breakfast. Lunch. Ticket for the Mindo Tarabita. Professional guide service.
• Pros: This type of tour comes with options available for short or long itineraries in Ecuador. It is one of the most fun activities for exploring nature, especially if you are looking for things to do from Quito with kids.
• Cons: Extra activities often require an additional supplement to enjoy.

The Antisana Ecological Reserve tour is an incredible journey that takes you to an ecological sanctuary outlined by the reserve's namesake volcano, one of Ecuador's major volcanoes located some 50 kilometres from the capital.

The typical tour itinerary begins with a minibus ride from your accommodation directly to Antisana National Park. Here, you will have the opportunity to observe a wide variety of animals, including endangered species such as the Andean condor. You can also tour the Andean páramo, as well as the swampy areas and rock formations surrounding the Antisana volcano.

Often the next stop is the La Mica lagoon, where you can enjoy a hike along the nearby trails, often ending in the hot springs of the Tambo Valley, while capturing unforgettable photographic moments. Later on you will have the opportunity to stop at a restaurant to recharge your batteries, with a condor sighting flying over the Peñon el Izco as a backdrop for lunch.

Finally, the stop that usually completes your Antisana excursion booking is at Las Secas lagoon, where you can walk along one of the trails around the Muertepungo volcanic flow, between beautiful nestled cliffs.

Details of interest

• Price: from 128 € per person.
• Duration: 8-12 hours.
• What you should know: the duration of this type of excursion varies considerably if the entrance to the hot springs is included.
• What the tour may include: transport service to and from the accommodation. Professional guide service. Condor watching. Lunch.
• Pros: picturesque, photogenic walks and medium-low level hiking experiences.
• Cons: Drinks may not be included. Entrance to the hot springs is often at an additional supplement.

This type of day trip takes you to Baños de Agua Santa, the town where the 'Swing at the End of the World' is located at 1,820 metres above sea level on the north-eastern flanks of Tungurahua. During the drive you will enjoy views of the Ecuadorian volcanic zone, along with waterfalls, cloud forests and Amazon jungle during the approximately 3 hours of road travel.

The typical itinerary of the tour begins with pick up from your accommodation to embark to Baños, while enjoying the views of Antisana, Los Illinizas, Cotopaxi and Tungurahua in the distance. Once you arrive in the lands of Agua Santa, you can explore the streets of the town and visit the Basilica of the Queen of the Rosary of Agua Santa where different eruptions of the Tungurahua Volcano are depicted on the walls of 3 semi-gothic style naves.

The tour can also take you along the route of the waterfalls, where the Agoyán hydroelectric power station is located, until you reach the local community of Río Blanco to appreciate the beauty of the cloud forest. Also, in this area you cross the Pastaza River Canyon in a 500-metre cable car to visit the Manto de la Novia waterfall and the Agoyán waterfall.

The experience usually ends at the world-famous Pailón del Diablo waterfall in Río Verde, where you can observe part of the Amazonian vegetation while taking a therapeutic bath. By the end, you will have experienced more than four different microclimates in a single day.

Details of interest

• Price: from 136 € per person.
• Duration: 10 - 12 hours.
• What you need to know: you can go white water rafting or canyoning in the Baños rapids. There is also a zip line available. The 7th October is the Day of the Virgin of Agua Santa, taking this tour on that date will allow you to take part in the event.
• What the tour may include: transport service to and from the accommodation. Professional guide service. Entrance to Baños.
• Pros: This is one of the most complete day tours because it allows you to take a look at the best attractions around this South American capital. If you visit Quito in 3 days or your time is tight, don't hesitate to schedule it.
• Cons: Activities not mentioned in the itinerary are usually optional. Food and beverages are not usually included.

This is a walk through two of **Ecuador'**s main handicraft markets. This type of ride takes you through breathtaking scenery to the charming canton of Cayambe, where you will have the opportunity to sample their famous biscuits while the mountain range serves as a backdrop.

The next stop is often at the Miralago viewpoint, a perfect spot for the best views ofLake San Pablo de Peguche and the Imbabura volcano. Then the group usually moves on to Otavalo and its world-famous indigenous market. Here you also visit the Plaza de los Ponchos and experience the cultural diversity of the area. There is also free time in Cotacachi to have lunch on your own, visit the village or explore the leather and wool handicraft shops.

The last stop is usually at a volcanic caldera located at an altitude of more than 3,000 metres: the Cuicocha Lagoon, where the tour ends just before you are taken back to your point of origin.

Details of interest

• Price: from 51 € per person.
• Duration: 9-10 hours.
• What you should know: this is a tour mainly for shopping for handicrafts and handmade products.
• What the tour may include: transport service to and from the accommodation. Professional guide service.
• Pros: it is a comfortable tour to get lost among the flea markets, meet the artisans behind the products and learn about the culture and traditions behind them.
• Cons: Groups can be large.

Cotopaxi National Park tours are unique adventures that take you through the Avenue of the Volcanoes to admire the Andean landscapes.

The tour starts in Quito, where you'll be met with transport to take you along the Panamerican Highway to Cotopaxi. Once there, you visit sites such as its museum, walk around the Limpiopungo Lagoon and hike or trek to the Chuquirahuas Forest at an altitude of 4,200 metres (depending on the weather).

The guides then usually take you to the base of the Cotopaxi volcano, where you will begin a hike to the Refugio Rivas at 4,864 metres. After a short rest, you ascend to 5,100 metres to enjoy the views of the Cotopaxi glacier. At the end you are taken back to your accommodation.

Details of interest

• Price: from 61 € per person.
• Duration: 11-12 hours approximately.
• What you should know: due to the proximity of the Limpiopungo and Quilotoa lakes, the Cotopaxi and Quilotoa experience is often combined.
• What the tour may include: Round trip transport service. Professional guide service.
• Pros: it is a national park that can be enjoyed through various trails, allowing you to hike at a medium or high level, depending on your preferences.
• Cons: Food is not included.

A tour to the Papallacta hot springs from Quito is an excellent way to spend a full day surrounded by Ecuador's natural landscape. This type of tour starts at the viewpoint of the Papallacta Lagoon, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

Afterwards, you can move on to the Papallacta hot springs station, and then continue with a hiking route around La Isla, where the company of an expert guide is always recommended. At the end of the exercise you will have the opportunity to soak in the hot springs in the mountains.

Finally, to complete the experience, you can relax for the rest of the day at the resort's spa.

Details of interest

• Price: from 97 € per person.
• Duration: approximately 7-8 hours.
• What you need to know: this type of tour allows you to enjoy hot springs, sauna, hiking and Quito's best activities all in one place.
• What the tour may include: transport service to and from your hotel. Entrance to the Papallacta hot springs and visit to its lagoon. Entrance ticket to the hot springs. Light lunch. Local guide service.
• Pros: This is a relaxing day trip from Quito. Groups can be small.
• Cons: Although you can visit the hot springs with the kids, the place is ideal for adults.

A day trip to Chimborazo from Quito takes you to explore the farthest point from the centre of the Earth, the highest mountain in Ecuador and the world, taking as its starting point the land rather than the sea, in which case Everest still leads the way.

The itinerary starts with a pick-up from your hotel, and then you will be driven along the volcano's trails after a 3-hour drive. You will enjoy breathtaking scenery and reach 5,100 metres above sea level in Riobamba, where the mystical Condor Cocha Lagoon is located.

This is a very beautiful walk during which you can appreciate the flora and fauna of the area, including the vicuña, while enjoying the best panoramic views of the country.

Details of interest

• Price: from 146 € per person.
• Duration: 10-12 hours approximately.
• What you need to know: this is a very beautiful but demanding hike, recommended for people familiar with medium-high level of hiking.
• What the tour may include: transport service to and from the accommodation. Expert guide service. Breakfast. Lunch.
• Pros: You will walk through one of the emblems of Ecuador with the confidence of being accompanied by an expert. In addition, the comfort of the transport and the food at your disposal allow you to enjoy nature carefree.
• Cons: Not recommended for everyone.

• Consider the altitude. Remember that Ecuador is South America 's great adventure destination, located at the highest point in the region. Treks often take you to over 2,500 metres above sea level.
• Quick-drying clothes. Take light clothing, suitable shoes and a mackintosh. Humidity is a constant, especially if you plan your trip between January and May.
• The schedule of excursions. Pick-up time from your hotel will often be around 05:30. Keep in mind that you want to make the most of your visit.
• Be prepared for hiking. Excursions from Quito tend to be immersive nature walks. To achieve this, most of the time is spent walking. Ideally, you should be in good enough physical condition to enjoy hiking at your leisure. Don't worry, you'll be rewarded with beautiful panoramic views of the flora and fauna of the Andean mountain range.