Quito private tour: Historic Center, Equator & Pululahua Crater

Three landmarks and a volcano crater in one guided day from Quito

A private tour of Quito covers the city's Historic Center (including the Basilica of the National Vow and Independence Plaza), then moves to the Intiñan Solar Museum at the equator and finishes at Pululahua Crater's rim. Your guide leads the route, chocolate tasting and volcano entry are included, and the pace is yours to set. Suitable for all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Basilica of the National Vow45m
2. Independence Plaza45m
3. Intiñan Solar Museum1h

Explore Quito and nearby landmarks

• Visit Basilica of the National Vow
• Walk through Independence Plaza
• Tour Santo Domingo Church and climb domes
• Explore Intiñan Solar Museum
• View Pululahua Crater panorama

The experience

The Basilica of the National Vow anchors Quito's old city, its Gothic Revival towers rising above colonial plazas and narrow streets. You climb to the top for views across the Historic Center and the mountains beyond, then move through Independence Plaza (where the Presidential Palace stands with mounted guards), and Santo Domingo Church, a centuries-old structure layered with Baroque and Moorish detail. Your guide handles the route and context. You set the time spent at each stop.

The day shifts north to the Intiñan Solar Museum, near the Middle of the World marker. Here the hands-on exhibits demonstrate what happens at the equator: the Coriolis effect, balancing an egg on a nail, the way water drains differently. The chocolate tasting happens during this part of the tour. Pululahua Crater comes last: a volcanic caldera you view from the observation point, the crater floor far below and the surrounding landscape spreading to the horizon.

Private transportation means no shared stops or waiting for other groups. Your guide speaks English and knows which sites suit the time you have. Admission to Pululahua is covered. Entry fees for the Basilica, Intiñan Museum and any other paid sites are separate. The tour runs between one and four hours depending on what you choose to see and how long you linger.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel.
• English-speaking guide for the full route.
• chocolate tasting.
• Pululahua Crater admission.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 65 years) · Youth (9 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 8 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 7 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 9

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Instinto Ecuador Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the morning slot to focus on the Historic Center and equator, or book the afternoon version if you want time to linger at Pululahua Volcano's rim as well.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 17 years); Child (3 to 8 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is the Intiñan Solar Museum and what do you actually do there?

The Intiñan Solar Museum sits near the equator line and houses interactive exhibits about equatorial phenomena. You engage with hands-on demonstrations (balancing eggs on nails, observing the Coriolis effect) to understand how Earth's position at the equator changes physics and geography. The chocolate tasting is part of this stop.

Can you climb inside the Basilica of the National Vow, or just see it from outside?

The Basilica of the National Vow has towers you can climb. The ascent takes you through the interior and up to the top, where you get panoramic views of Quito's Historic Center and the surrounding landscape.

What is Pululahua Crater like when you get there?

Pululahua Crater is a volcanic caldera with an observation point at the rim. From there you look down into the crater and across the surrounding terrain. It is a geological landmark rather than an active volcano, and you view it from the designated overlook.

How long does this tour actually take, and can I choose which sites to visit?

The tour runs between one and four hours depending on what you want to see and how much time you spend at each stop. Your guide adjusts the route and pacing to fit your interests, so you have flexibility in which attractions you prioritize.

What is included in the price, and what costs extra?

Private transportation, your English-speaking guide, chocolate tasting, and Pululahua volcano admission are included. Separate fees apply for entry to the Basilica of the National Vow ($4 per person) and the Intiñan Museum ($5 per person). Lunch and tips are not included.