Top Ecuador Day Trips

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.

* ONLY HORSEBACK RIDE experience inside this National park. Others do it from outside the park. * Perfect balance between horseback ride and hike TWO different landscapes. *Forget about painful lines to enter to the NP by entering by a NO TOURISTY WAY and leaving by the regular way. * No need horseback riding previous experience We start at 7 am from Quito and will take a different way to enter to the National park and will leave by the regular national park entrance gate. Driving through 3 volcanoes PASOCHOA, RUMIÑAHUI and SINCHOLAGUA going through the real AVENUE OF THE VOLCANOES. 1st activity: HORSEBACK RIDE. After this horseback ride experience, we will drive for about half hour until the parking lot located on the 14800 feet or 4700 mts above sea level from where the hike to the BASE CAMP will start. If you are not an adventurous person, don't like bumpy roads, get bothered for changing weather or heart problems. DO NOT JOIN this experience.

After private hotel pickup in Quito, head to the Cloud Forest in Mindo. Your private day tour stops at the best viewpoints and gives you plenty of time to take photos. Get the best views of the plants and wildlife on a cable car ride through the Cloud Forest. Let your private guide lead you to the best waterfalls in Ecuador before returning you to your hotel.

We are direct operators We start in Baños de Agua Santa first place to visit miramera viewpoint to have our first approach in the Amazon jungle then we will visit the hello life reserve we will have a walk and in the waterfall you can take a refreshing bath at the end we will go to a restaurant to taste a Lunch and continuing with the tour we will have the descent down the Puyo River in typical canoes, at the end we will visit the Cotococha community to experience life in the natural state of the native Kichuas. We will continue to visit the highest natural viewpoint in the jungle, an ideal place to practice in the liana de tarzan and rest in the hammock to finish we will have a visit to CACAO farm where we make handmade chocolate and be able to taste it. Day full of adventure, culture and adrenaline, because we have the best personalized tour based on recommendations from our clients with certified guides, excellent food and quality 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.

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.

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.

This is our favorite tour. Mixing amazing flavors with stunning natural environments. You will be stunned by the views at the Coffee farm and amazed by the taste of the local gourmet choclate products. This is a great light activity tour that requires a little walking and is very easily accessed throughout. Which makes it a favorite with our cruise ship clients. In the farm we included coffe free and chocolate. maximum number of travelers 12

The countryside surrounding Cuenca in the southern Ecuadorean Andes is home to some of the country’s most important archaeological sites and artisan villages. If you have limited time in Cuenca, this tour combines two top attractions into a single day trip. Tour Ingapirca, the largest Incan site in Ecuador, as well as Gualaceo and Chordeleg, villages known for their silver filigree and hand-woven shawls.

With this private adventure, there’s no need to worry about navigating your way through Mindo Cloud Forest. Let a guide show you around and benefit from the perk of having in-depth commentary along the way too. The trip is a great way to tick off lots of nature stops on one tour, with a route that showcases Alambi Cloud Forest Reserve, Cascada de Nambillo, and Mindo Butterfly Farm.

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.

Travel with me as your guide for an unparalleled journey. With a deep passion for storytelling and a commitment to personalized experiences, I transform ordinary trips into extraordinary adventures. My in-depth knowledge, cultural insights, and seamless logistics ensure a stress-free exploration. Whether delving into historical marvels, savoring local flavors or embracing nature's wonders. Every moment is tailored to your desires. From vibrant markets to hidden gems, I unveil the heart of each destination, fostering a connection that transcends the ordinary. Choose me as your guide, and let's embark on a transformative voyage where every step is a discovery. Start at Quitsato, where you’ll stand on the equator and learn its history. Enjoy buttery bizcochos in Cayambe, then dive into the lively Plaza de Ponchos, filled with colorful crafts by Otavaleño artisans. Visit Cotacachi, famed for its fine leather goods, before ending at the serene Peguche Waterfall, a sacred natural wonder.

Spend a day away from the city and immerse yourself in nature on this private tour from Quito. Head to the Mindo Cloud Forest, a biodiverse region on the end of the western Andes Mountains, and admire the beautiful nature that surrounds you. Then, choose from an array of optional activities like ziplining, tubing, and a chocolate tour, or simply enjoy a hike through the jungle. Round-trip transit helps make this experience seamless.

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.

Create your perfect adventure on a customizable private tour of the Mindo Cloud Forest. Possible themes include amateur birding, natural history, nature hikes (all levels offered), and cultural immersion. This excursion is set at your pace, whichever activities and attractions you choose. A set itinerary option visits an orchid reserve, Milpe Bird Sanctuary, Mindo, the equator line, and more. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Quito are included.

An excellent choice for nature lovers and active travelers, this full day biking excursion takes place in beautiful Cotopaxi National Park. Bike 19 miles (31 kilometers) of single-track on an active volcano. Along the route, enjoy spectacular views of unspoiled natural areas, and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as condors, foxes, wild horses, deer, and more. Lunch (beside the Incan ruins of Pucara del Salitre) is included.

Discover the biodiverse Mindo Cloud Forest on this birdwatching tour from Quito. Join a private guide and keep your eyes peeled for several species of birds as you walk through the Mindo-Nambillo Forest. There are many other activities you can enjoy in Mindo such as trekking, tubing, horseback rides, and river rafting (at an additional cost).

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.

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.

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.

This private and personalized tour is the perfect choice for nature lovers. Enjoy the freedom and flexibility to request exactly what you want to see, from famous waterfalls to ziplines and swings. A guide customizes the itinerary based on your interests, and lunch is included as an added bonus. Possible points on the itinerary include the Piscinas de la Virgen waterfall, the swing at La Casa del Árbol and the Pailón del Diablo waterfall.

Discover the best that Quito has to offer as you embark on a sightseeing tour of the city. Alongside a private guide, take in the views of Quito from the teleferico cable car and take a guided walking tour of the Old Town. Then, visit the 'Middle of the World' monument to learn more about the effects of the equator line.

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 Seymour North Island on this full-day tour from Santa Cruz and marvel at blue-footed boobies, sea lions, and other wildlife. Hotel pickup is included.