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Private Quito City Tour: Panecillo Hill, Churches & La Ronda

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/9

Duration3h 30m

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN · ES

PickupAt your hotel

Quito Old Town Private Tour: Panecillo, Basilica & Hidden Streets

You’ll see Quito from above at Panecillo Hill, walk through centuries-old plazas and churches, taste local chocolate on La Ronda, and get real stories from a local guide. This private tour gives you both the big sights and those little moments you’d miss on your own.

3h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Quito City Highlights

Visit El Panecillo Hill
Explore Basilica of the National Vow
Tour Church of the Society of Jesus
Visit San Francisco Church
Walk Independence Plaza
See Santo Domingo Plaza
Stroll Calle La Ronda

The Experience

Clouds hung low over Quito when we set off, but the city felt alive—horns honking, vendors calling out by Plaza Grande. Our guide, Andrés, met us right at the hotel lobby. He had that easy way of mixing stories with facts, so you never felt like you were in a classroom. First stop: El Panecillo. The drive up wound through narrow streets, and suddenly the whole city opened up below us. The Virgin statue is even bigger than it looks in photos—locals say she watches over the old town. Up there, you catch a whiff of grilled corn from a tiny stand (I grabbed some—salty and warm in my hands). Even on a cloudy day, you can spot Cotopaxi volcano peeking through if you’re lucky.

Back down in the historic center, we wandered into the Basilica del Voto Nacional. The stained glass windows throw colored light everywhere—it’s quieter inside than I expected. Andrés pointed out the iguana and turtle gargoyles (Ecuadorian twist on Gothic style). We didn’t climb the towers this time, but if you’re not afraid of heights, it’s worth it for the view. Walking through Independence Plaza felt like stepping into a painting: street musicians playing Andean flutes, kids chasing pigeons near the monument to the independence heroes. The Government Palace stands right there—guards in blue uniforms outside.

La Ronda is just a few blocks away but feels like another world. Cobbled lanes lined with old houses painted yellow and blue. On Friday nights it’s packed with locals sipping canelazo (a cinnamon-spiced drink with aguardiente), but during the day it’s quieter—you can hear someone strumming guitar behind an open window. We stopped for chocolate tasting at a tiny shop; the owner let us try 70% cacao bars made nearby. The Company Church (La Compañía de Jesús) is all gold leaf inside—almost overwhelming—and San Francisco Church feels ancient, full of echoes and candle smoke. I liked Santo Domingo’s plaza too; there’s always someone selling fresh guava juice right at the corner.

What’s included

Your tour covers hotel pickup and drop-off in Quito, entrance fee to La Basilica Church, private transport with a certified English or Spanish-speaking guide, plus a chocolate tasting on La Ronda. All you need is your curiosity—and maybe some cash for snacks or souvenirs along the way.

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Latin Adventures Cía Ltda