Baños Day Trip from Quito: Casa del Árbol Swing & Devil’s Cauldron

Summary

Baños day trip from Quito with swing, waterfall & cable car adventure

You’ll ride from Quito into Ecuador’s lush highlands for a day packed with wild views—swinging out over Baños at Casa del Árbol, tasting Salcedo’s famous ice cream, walking down to Devil’s Cauldron waterfall, and gliding across Pastaza River by cable car. Local guides keep things easy—and maybe even teach you a word or two in Spanish along the way.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect to feel nervous about a swing—but when we reached Casa del Árbol above Baños, my hands actually shook a little. Our guide, Andrés, grinned and said the trick was just not to look down until you’re already flying (he was right). The air up there smelled like wet grass after last night’s rain, and somewhere behind us a hummingbird zipped past so close I felt its wingbeat. That swing really does make you feel like you’re dangling at the edge of the world—corny but true.

The drive from Quito is longer than I thought—maybe three hours? We stopped in this little town called Salcedo for ice cream that came in stripes of fruit flavors stacked together. Andrés told us it’s famous all over Ecuador; I tried to say “helado de Salcedo” properly but he just laughed and shook his head. There were people selling fruit by the road, and clouds hanging low over green fields. It felt good to stretch our legs before heading on.

After the swing, we headed straight for Devil’s Cauldron waterfall. You hear it before you see it—a deep roar that echoes through the trees. The path down is slippery (I nearly lost my footing once), but worth it for that wall of mist at the bottom. Some locals were selling snacks near the entrance; one woman handed me a piece of sugarcane to chew while we waited for everyone to catch up. On the way back, crossing over Pastaza River by cable car felt almost peaceful compared to everything else—just wind and water below, no one talking much except for Andrés pointing out something about how high we were above the river. I still think about that view sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Baños main attractions

• Visit Devil´s Cauldron waterfall
• Stop for typical Salcedo ice cream
• See agriculture in small highland town
• Visit swing at the end of the world

Top questions

How long does the Baños day trip from Quito take?

The tour lasts a full day, with around three hours each way between Quito and Baños.

Is entrance to Casa del Árbol Swing included?

Yes, your entry fee for Casa del Árbol is included in the tour price.

Are meals or snacks provided on this tour?

No full meal is included, but there’s a stop in Salcedo to try their famous ice cream (at your own expense).

Is pickup from my hotel in Quito included?

The tour includes comfortable tourist transportation from Quito; check with your provider for exact pickup details.

Can infants or young children join this tour?

Yes—infants can ride in strollers or sit on an adult’s lap; specialized infant seats are available if needed.

What physical fitness level is required?

This Baños day trip is suitable for all fitness levels but not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Do I need to speak Spanish?

No—the bilingual guide speaks both English and Spanish throughout the tour.

What’s included

Your day includes entry fees for Devil’s Cauldron waterfall and Casa del Árbol swing, a bilingual local guide who knows every shortcut and story along the way, comfortable tourist transport from Quito (with stops like Salcedo), plus a cable car ride over Pastaza River before heading back home in the evening.