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.

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.

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.

Explore the iconic area of Bartolome Island on a full-day tour from Puerto Ayora. This volcanic island is rich in biodiversity both on land and underwater. Take in the beautiful landscapes from the viewpoint at the top of the island and discover the abundant marine life with a snorkeling excursion. Enjoy a boxed lunch and listen to informative commentary from your guide throughout the day.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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).

Embark on a thrilling day tour to Isabela Island and discover its diverse natural wonders. Begin at the Tintorera Islet, home to various marine life, including marine iguanas, sharks, and penguins. Later, using provided snorkel gear, observe the island’s underwater world up close. You’ll also visit the island’s wetlands, a habitat for flamingos, and the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre. This excursion promises an adventurous and educational experience that’s fun for everyone.

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.

Join us on an unforgettable tour of Quito. This tour will take you through stunning landscapes and fascinating historical monuments, offering a complete experience of the city. We begin our trip by ascending the iconic Panecillo, a hill that offers spectacular panoramic views of Quito. Our next stop is the Cable Car. We will climb to a height of more than 4,000 meters above sea level, where you will witness unparalleled views of the Andes and the city that unfolds beneath your feet. Then we will visit the Intiñán Museum. The museum offers an interactive experience that allows you to explore the scientific peculiarities of the equator. Participate in surprising experiments, learn about indigenous cultures and their relationship with the equinoctial line. Finally, we visited the Middle of the World, a place that marks the equatorial line. Here, you can be in two hemispheres at the same time.

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.

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.

The traditional town of Otavalo lies in the foothills of the Andes Mountains around two hours north of Quito. On this tour, visit the famous Otavalo market and Cotocachi Leather Market, shop for traditional handicrafts and souvenirs, and stop at local beauty spots such as Peguche Waterfalls or Cuicocha Lake.

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.

Make the most of your time at shore when docked in Manta, Ecuador with this leisurely small-group tour through the city. Learn about the iconic Panama hat at the Alfaro City Civic Center and visit a local hat maker to see how they are made. You also visit a popular beach where you can have a swim and indulge in a delicious beachfront seafood feast. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

Marvel at one of Ecuador's most popular tourist destinations with this half day tour of the incredible Equator Park. Easily accessible, with return transportation included in the experience, visit the mysterious point where the northern and southern hemisphere's merge. Jump back and forwards across the equatorial line and discover the incredible activities on offer at latitude zero in the recently renovated park.

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.

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