Top Ecuador Day Trips - page 3

The villages of Gualaceo and Chordeleg with their traditions of producing fine local handicrafts lie just east of Cuenca. With this private tour, browse the colorful wares at your leisure while learning about traditional artisan techniques. Watch as guitars, filigree jewelry, Panama hats, and shawls are being made, taste local fruits only found in Ecuador, and sit down for a local lunch. You’ll have plenty of time to shop in each village.

Cajas National Park, with its 200 glacial lakes and numerous hiking trails, is easily one of the most beautiful places in Ecuador. With this tour, travelers with limited time in Cuenca can still spend a few hours exploring the Andean highlands with two guided hikes through two different forest ecosystems.

Embark on an exclusive full-day private adventure from Quito to discover the majestic Antisana National Park. Enjoy a fully customized experience, where your expert guide and itinerary adapt to your interests, ensuring your journey prioritizes your preferences. Witness the powerful Andean Condor in its natural habitat, explore stunning volcanic landscapes on light walks to appreciate the area's magnitude, and admire the glacier-fed lagoons formed by the melting snow of Antisana. Please note: For groups of up to 5 travelers, an expert Driver-Guide will accompany you, serving as both your driver and guide. For groups of 6 or more, a dedicated driver and a separate professional guide will be provided to enhance your experience.

Take a trip to Ecuador’s highest active volcano on this day trip from Quito to Cotopaxi National Park. With a small group, hike along the volcanic trails and take in the unique biodiversity of the Andes Mountains, including several species of birds. Walk around the Limpopungo Lagoon to see more wildlife and take photographs of the stunning mountain landscapes in the background.

Take a break from city sightseeing to enjoy some rest and relaxation on a private day trip to the Termas de Papallacta Spa. Go hiking in the Andes mountains at a pace set by you and your party before enjoying free time to soak in the hot springs. Plus, this private tour gives you the freedom and flexibility to customize your itinerary.

Don’t let limited time in Ecuador stop you visiting the majestic Quilotoa Lagoon, an emerald crater lake surrounded by mountain landscapes. Reach the natural wonder the easy way on this full-day tour from Quito, ideal for nature lovers. Stop at a traditional craft market before arriving in Quilotoa National Park and opting to hike or ride a mule (own expense) to the rim of the dormant volcano. Lunch and transfers are included.

This full-day private adventure from Quito to Banos includes whitewater rafting, waterfall hikes, a visit to the Amazon jungle and a cable car ride across the Pastaza River. Start early from your hotel to reach the Class 3 rapids and join a group to shoot the chutes. Float between national parks to arrive at the “Avenue of the Waterfalls” where lunch and a hike down into the Ecuadorian Amazon basin awaits. Ride a 500m cable car over a roaring river before heading back to your hotel.

Swap the bustle of Quito for the natural beauty of Mindo, a small mountain town home to an abundance of nature, on a private tour from Ecuador’s capital. You’ll tick off all the highlights—which include a nature reserve, waterfall, zipline, and chocolate factory—without having to book each one separately or navigate between them.

Journey to the beautiful Quilotoa volcano, driving through stunning mountain scenery and stopping to visit local Andean communities, during this day trip from Quito. Travel along the spectacular ‘Avenue of Volcanoes’ passing beneath its towering peaks, eventually stopping at a village of an indigenous community, to explore a local home and learn about their daily life. Finish your day with a trip to the lagoon inside Quilotoa volcano. This day trip includes a guide, entrance fees, round-trip hotel transport, and lunch.

The Ingapirca ruins, the most important archaeological site in Ecuador, lie to the north of Cuenca, considered Ecuador’s most beautiful city. See them both with this full-day tour. Tour Ingapirca Archaeological Site to learn about ancient Incan and Canari civilizations, then head to historic Cuenca for a city tour to the most important landmarks and attractions. You’ll also have time for a walk through the colorful Mercado 10 de Agosto.

Escape the city and get back to nature during this memorable day of outdoor adventure. Follow your friendly guide to the hills of Cotopaxi National Park, where you'll look for local wildlife, revel in the biodiversity and encounter active volcanos up close. This hiking and biking experience is perfect for the active traveler.

The Galapagos Islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most bio-diverse places on earth, but you don’t have to take a pricey multi-day tour to experience Ecuador’s wildlife haven. Discover Floreana Island on this full-day tour from Puerto Ayora, including highlights such as the Scalecias Forest, Asilo de la Paz, and the Black Beach, where you can swim and snorkel. Hotel pickup is included.

Escape the hustle and bustle of Quito and discover Ecuadorian culture on this day trip to Otavalo. With a private guide, head to the colorful Otavalo Market where you can shop for souvenirs and local handicrafts. Then, visit Mojanda Lake for a walk before enjoying more shopping at a leather crafts market in Cotacachi and woven goods at a local workshop.

Experience the biodiverse Mindo Cloud Forest to observe its many species on this full-day tour from Quito. Join a small group and visit a reserve to see more than 1,000 colorful butterflies fluttering around you. Then, walk through the Mindo-Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve to a waterfall, where you can take a refreshing dip. Your tour also includes access to a canopy zipline or another adventure sport.

Visit two of the world’s most interesting locations on a full-day private tour. First, visit one of only two inhabited volcanic craters in the world and see how locals are living. Then, head to the Intiñan Museum to visit the exact division of the northern and southern hemispheres at 00º 00’ 00”. Lastly, head to Quito for a tour of the world’s first UNESCO-listed city and learn about its rich history.

Maximise your time in Quito with a private full-day tour that checks off all of the capital’s most popular attractions. Take in the highlights of the UNESCO-listed historic center; admire landmarks such as Plaza de la Independencia, San Francisco Monastery, and the Panecillo; then walk along the Equator Line at the Intiñan museum. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Visit the village of Papallacta and spend the enjoying a number of customizable activities at one of the most beautiful thermal hot springs Resort and Spa in this area. Take in the beautiful scenery of the Andes Mountains on a hike and enjoy a relaxing time at the thermal water that have been certified for its medicinal properties that guarantee health benefits.

Take a break from sightseeing in order to relax mind, body, and soul on a day trip to Termas de Papallacta Spa from Quito. A serene experience ideal for tired travelers, this tour covers the thermal springs of Termas de Papallacta Spa. Spend ample time soaking in the steaming waters of the pools, created by volcanic activity and natural heat. Refreshments and entrance fees are included.

Cover more ground than you could alone and make the most of your time in Quito during this private full-day excursion to Baños de Agua Santa, ideal for adventurous and time-pressed travelers. Plus, benefit from the undivided attention of your bilingual guide as you explore various microclimates and try the adventure activities that appeal to you.

Skip the standard route and discover the Otavalo region on a private full-day tour of the Rose Plantation, Equator Line, and Otavalo market. Stand on the equator at Quitsato Sundial, tour a working rose plantation, and shop for handmade crafts at one of South America’s largest Indigenous markets. Visit Cotacachi for its renowned leather goods and explore Cuicocha, a stunning crater lake nestled within an active volcano.

Set off on a day trip to Otavalo Market with a private guide. Skip the crowded public transit and enjoy the sights of the Pan-American highway from the comfort of your private vehicle.  Make stops at lesser known points of interest, including the foothills of Imbabura Volcano. Your tour of the Otavalvo Market can be customized to include a visit to Pecuche.

This TOUR is the right mix among nature, culture, adventures, gastronomy and most important, it is a new experience for you to try.

This shuttle transfer service is a comfortable and efficient way to travel between Cuenca and Guayaquil. Simply choose the time, date, and location that works for you, and enjoy a convenient door-to-door service. No need to share the ride with other passengers—this is a private service just for your party.

This exclusive experience will introduce you to the Andes Mountain Range landscape and wildlife. Your profesional tour guide will pick you up at your hotel or airbnb to start the tour and go to Cotopaxi. The 90 minutes drive from Quito to Cotopaxi is full of beautifull mountains and cosy small villages. Arriving to Cotopaxi the local guide will be waiting with helmets, ponchos and horses. Then you will ride a horse for 2-3 hours around the grassland and the beautifull volcano. In the way back we will enjoy a lunchbox and then continue to the Limpiopungo lagoon. The lagoon is located in a flat highland where you will hike for 1 hour around it. That is an amazing place to see the local plants, flowers and birds. At the end you will come back to Quito or stop in a local restaurant to have a lunch. Dropoff at your hotel