Private Quito City Tour with Intiñan Museum & Historic Center

Summary

Customizable Quito Day Tour: Equator Line, Chocolate Tasting & Colonial Sights

You’ll wander Quito’s cobbled streets with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story. Stand on both sides of the world at Intiñan Museum, sample rich Ecuadorian chocolate, and soak up centuries-old history in plazas filled with music and laughter. If you want to see Quito through local eyes—and taste buds—this tour is for you.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me was the cool mountain air—Quito sits high up, so even in the sun you’ll want a light jacket. We kicked off our day at the Basilica del Voto Nacional. The stone gargoyles here aren’t your usual dragons; they’re iguanas and armadillos, a quirky nod to Ecuador’s wildlife. Our guide, Andrés, pointed out how you can climb up those narrow stairs for a city view—if you’re not scared of heights or creaky wood underfoot.

A short walk took us to Plaza de la Independencia. This square buzzes with life: shoe shiners chatting in Spanish, the faint smell of roasted corn from a street vendor tucked near the Archbishop’s Palace. We ducked inside for a quick taste of local coffee—strong and earthy, just how the locals like it. Andrés shared stories about the Spanish conquest right where it happened; you could almost picture it.

San Francisco Church was next. The bells rang as we arrived—pure luck with timing—and inside, gold leaf glinted everywhere. I’d never seen so much detail packed into one altar. Outside, pigeons flapped around kids chasing each other across the plaza stones.

The real highlight? The Intiñan Solar Museum on the equator line. You’ll actually balance an egg on a nail (harder than it sounds) and watch water swirl different ways on either side of the line. There’s also handmade chocolate tasting here; I tried one with chili and nearly coughed from the kick! The guides here are super passionate—they make science feel like magic.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Quito City Highlights and Tastings

• Tasting local flavors
• Visit Archbishop's Palace
• Explore Independence Plaza
• Panoramic view of large monastery
• Learn about church art and religion
• Visit San Francisco Church
• Handmade chocolate tasting at Intiñan Solar Museum
• Discover the equator line

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for families with young kids?

Yes! The tour is flexible and there are fun activities for kids at Intiñan Museum. Just let us know if you need infant seats—we’ve got those covered.

How long does the tour last?

Plan for about 6-7 hours including travel between stops. We can adjust timing if you have special requests or want to linger somewhere longer.

Are entrance fees included?

Yep—all museum tickets are included in your booking price. No surprise costs along the way.

I have dietary restrictions—can I still join?

Of course! Let us know ahead of time about allergies or preferences so we can adapt tastings for you.

What’s included

Your private transport for the day, entry to Intiñan Solar Museum, and a bilingual local guide are all included. We’ll handle logistics—you just enjoy Quito’s best sights (and flavors).