Top Ecuador Day Trips

Why Choose This Experience? • Our tour have an exceptional success rate reaching Cotopaxi Base Camp thanks to our experienced guides, flexible pace, and personalized support. • Enjoy a scenic horseback ride through the less-visited side of Cotopaxi National Park, away from the crowds. • Meet the Chagras, Ecuador's legendary Andean cowboys • Your booking directly supports a local community development project. • Led by experienced local guides with extensive knowledge of the area. • No previous hiking or horseback riding experience is required. • Experienced riders can have fun. • Discover Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in S. America • Maximize your time inside the National Park by enjoying lunch at Base Camp instead of hurrying up to leave the N.Park. Please Note: This adventure is designed for travelers who enjoy outdoor challenges. Expect uneven roads, rapidly changing mountain weather, and high altitude. It is not recommended for guests with serious heart conditions.

Don’t let limited time stop you from discovering the wonders of the Amazon. This activity-packed day trip gives you the ultimate introduction to the world’s biggest rainforest by organizing boat rides and visits to indigenous communities. Learn much more about the local culture than you would alone and heighten your chance of spotting wildlife with the help of your guide.

For travelers who have never been to Banos, it can be difficult figuring out how to plan your time. Take the stress out of your trip with this Banos Full-Day Tour from Quito that plans your activities for you with entrance fees included. Visit the small town of Machachi, Cotopaxi National Park, La Casa del Arbol, and Devil's Cauldron waterfall all with a guide who knows the ins and outs of the area.

Cover all of Quito’s important sights in one day with this full-day sightseeing tour. Choose between private or shared options and enjoy a ride on the cable car for unparalleled views of the Ecuadorian capital. See the equator line at the Middle of the World monument, visit the neogothic Quito Basilica, and tour the historic city center. Hotel pickup is included for your convenience.

Cotopaxi Volcano is the centerpiece of Cotopaxi National Park. At more than 19,000 feet (nearly 6,000 meters), its snowy peak dominates the landscape of the park. During this full-day tour from Quito, travelers experience the volcano from many vantage points. Explore a lagoon favored by water birds, learn more about the area at an interpretive center, and hike up the flanks of Cotopaxi Volcano to a recently-renovated climbers' refuge to experience this active volcano up close.

Experience a mix of nature and local flavours on this 3-in-1 private tour. Escape the busy streets of Quito—hotel transfers are included for a seamless experience—and immerse yourself in nature during a visit to Mindo Cloud Forest. You can also visit a chocolate factory and coffee plantation to see how these products are made. Travel in comfort in a private vehicle throughout the day, skipping the hassle of organizing transportation.

Tick off two of Ecuador’s top attractions in one day during a full-day tour of Pululahua crater and the Middle of the World Monument (Mitad del Mundo) from Quito. Ascend to a lookout point above Pululahua crater, one of only two inhabited craters in the world, and spend the day exploring the Middle of the World Monument (Mitad del Mundo) complex, where the North and South Hemispheres collide. Your tour also includes access to the planetarium and the Equatorial Museum.

Explore the incredible range of historic and cultural influences on the city of Quito on a full-day tour. Learn about Ecuador's colonial past while walking through streets filled with old churches, squares, and government buildings. Ride on the cable car to the top of Cruz Loma Mountain to admire incredible views and visit the Middle of the World, all without having to worry about planning yourself.

On this half-day tour, discover the colorful landmarks, culture, history, and daily life of Manta and Montecristi on this enlightening tour of two of Ecuador‘s most inviting coastal towns. These neighboring cities each have a vibrant charm all their own. In Manta, explore the lively streets and bustling fish market, where a cup of fresh-brewed Ecuadorian coffee or freshly squeezed juice offers the perfect start to your day. Then stroll the tranquil streets of picturesque Montecristi, dotted with lovely handicraft shops and a leafy central plaza where you can simply sit and enjoy the easygoing pace of life. A knowledgeable local guide will share fascinating insights into the history and stories of Manta and Montecristi, two closely linked yet wonderfully unique communities. A perfect day to discover the true heart of coastal Ecuador. The memories made here will last long after your suntan fades!

Discover the wonders of San Cristobal Island stress-free on a full-day small-group tour. This comprehensive excursion seamlessly blends land and water exploration, offering the best of the island’s landscapes, species, and sites. Between a private nature walk and group snorkel opportunities, you enjoy up-close views of sea lions, marine birds, iguanas, sea turtles, sharks, and more. Top-notch snorkel gear and wetsuits are provided for additional convenience.

See condors and other wildlife in their natural habitat. This private day trip with transit from Quito brings you to Reserva Chakana, where you’ll see incredible Andean condor, hummingbirds, and dozens of other bird species, and possibly the Andean Spectacled Bear. Hike and explore the preserve, visiting a beautiful lagoon and enjoying volcano views. Stop for lunch at Tambo Condor (cost not included), with a condor nest viewpoint, before returning to your hotel.

Skip crowded boat tours for a small-group experience that takes you to San Cristobal's best spots—with personal attention guaranteed. Visit locations such as Cerro Brujo, Sardina Bay, and Punta Pitt, and snorkel at three top hotspots for marine life: Rosa Blanca, Sardina Bay, and Kicker Rock. Swim amongst tropical fish, sea turtles, and rays, with all snorkeling equipment provided for ease.

Don’t worry about confusing and time-consuming public transit in Quito; instead, opt for a comprehensive full-day excursion which covers several city highlights and includes private transportation. Ideal for visitors with limited time in the city, visit the Intiñan Museum, tour the old town, and more in the company of a local guide, learning more than you could if exploring independently.

Explore the Pacoche rainforest and spot howler monkeys in their natural habitat. Learn about Ecuador's flora and fauna before a trip to the lighthouse for panoramic ocean views. Visit the First Lady's school hat museum in Montecristi to discover local heritage, then enjoy a tasty local lunch featuring ceviche near the beach.

Experience the highlights of the city of Manta with this comprehensive tour. Visit Pacoche Wildlife Refuge to see famous local animals such as howler monkeys, see a local button factory, witness artisans weaving a fine Montecristi hat, stop by the Ciudad Alfaro museum, and more. This is a great chance to expose yourself to a whole range of Ecuadorian culture and history with a guide who is there to explain and answer questions, too.

Explore one of the most spectacular parks in Ecuador on a full-day tour from Cuenca. Hike through the park's unique high altitude landscape which includes lakes, paramo vegetation, llamas, ancient Polylepis trees, and more to delight nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts who want an easy escape from the nearby city.

Spend a day immersed in the beauty of Ecuador’s Mindo Cloud Forest when you embark on this full-day tour from Quito. Hike into the forest with a private guide and visit a butterfly farm, learn how to take photos of hummingbirds, spot several species of birds, and see beautiful waterfalls. You also have the option to include other activities like tubing or ziplining (at an additional cost).

In this tour, we will visit the Quilotoa Lagoon which is in the Cotopaxi Province by the town of Pujili. It is a unique tourist attraction in South America and is considered one of the 15 most beautiful volcano crater lagoons in the world. We will also visit an indigenous market, an indigenous hut, and more... It is a full-day tour, with lunch included, highly recommended.

Experience convenience and personalized attention on this private guided tour from Quito. Let go of logistical worries with convenient pickup from your preferred location—such as your hotel or accommodation—and then visit the world-renowned destination of the Mitad del Mundo equator line. Afterwards, ascend via the TelefériQo cable car for spectacular vistas of volcanoes and the cityscape.

Explore the rugged surroundings and stunning scenery of Cotopaxi National Park and Cotopaxi Volcano during this full-day trip. Enjoy a short hike into the Limpiopungo Valley before driving ever-higher into this sky-high region, stopping at the 15,800-foot (4830-meter) Padre Rivas Refuge. If you’re feeling up for it, you’ll continue to the 16,500-foot (5,050-meter) Cotopaxi Glacier. This Cotopaxi day trip also includes national park fees, a guide, bottled water, round-trip hotel transport and an optional trip upgrade with lunch.

Discover indigenous arts and local markets that you might otherwise miss during this cultural tour of Otavalo Market and Laguna Cuicocha. Well-suited for travelers staying in Quito, escape the city and journey into Ecuador's more rural hillsides as you follow your guide through a selection of the area's key cultural attractions.

Ingapirca is the most important archaeological site in Ecuador and a unique example of two cultures in one site. Enjoy the beautiful stone architecture at the site and learn about its Cañari and Inca inhabitants. A short walk reveals a rock formation that resembles an Incan profile and, on Sundays, a local market is visited as well.

Laguna Quilotoa, a blue-green volcanic crater lake, sits in the rugged Andean countryside south of Quito. With this tour, escape the busy streets of Quito for an all-inclusive day in the Andes, and see Quilotoa Lake from two different lookouts on the crater rim with views of Cotopaxi in the distance. En route back to Quito, spend some time craft workshops in Tigua.