Papallacta Hot Springs day trip from Quito: Private thermal baths

Soak in mountain thermal springs with stops through the Andean landscape

A private full-day trip from Quito to Papallacta Hot Springs includes transportation, a certified guide in English or Spanish, and several hours soaking in medicinal hot springs surrounded by mountains. You'll stop along the 65km route to photograph the Andean landscape and forests, then pause on the way back to eat typical local cuisine (chicken or trout broth) prepared by residents. The itinerary is flexible, and you choose either an 8am or 2pm departure.

The experience

You leave Quito on a private route with your guide, heading 65 kilometers toward the Papallacta resort. The drive crosses a wide plain ringed by mountain ranges and Polylepis forests. You'll stop along the way to photograph the landscape and take in the Andean terrain. The road itself is part of the experience. The scenery builds toward what comes next.

Once you arrive at the resort, you spend several hours in the thermal baths. The springs are medicinal and set in the middle of the mountains, so you're soaking while surrounded by the landscape you drove through. There's no rush. The itinerary is flexible, so you set the pace for how long you stay in the water. Entry to the spa is not included in the price, so you'll pay that separately when you arrive.

Before heading back to Quito, you stop to eat typical local cuisine with the people who prepare it. They offer chicken or trout broth in different preparations. If you want something more active, you have the option to fish your own trout at this stop: a different way to engage with the place and the food. Your guide, a certified tour professional, is with you throughout the day and speaks English or Spanish.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Quito to Papallacta and back.
• certified guide in English or Spanish.
• several hours of access to the thermal springs at the resort.
• stops to photograph the Andean landscape on the drive.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 14:30

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 90 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 24

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by latitudetripec

Is this one for you?Choose the 8am departure if you want the full day at the springs with daylight for landscape photography, or the 2pm slot if you have a free afternoon in Quito and prefer to start later. The private format means the itinerary adjusts to how long you want to stay in the water and whether you'd rather fish for trout or simply relax.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How far is Papallacta Hot Springs from Quito?

Papallacta is 65 kilometers from Quito, roughly an hour and a quarter by car depending on traffic and stops.

What times can I leave for Papallacta?

You choose either an 8am early morning departure or a 2pm afternoon departure. Both routes follow the same itinerary.

What do I do during the hours at the thermal springs?

You soak in the medicinal hot springs at the resort, surrounded by mountains. The itinerary is flexible, so you spend as much time in the water as you want.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is not included. Before returning to Quito, you stop to eat typical local cuisine (chicken or trout broth), which you pay for separately. You also have the option to fish your own trout at this stop if you prefer.

What should I see along the drive to Papallacta?

The route crosses a wide plain surrounded by mountain ranges and Polylepis forests. You'll stop to photograph the Andean landscape and take in the terrain before arriving at the springs.