Things to do in Ecuador
Day Trips from Quito21 optionsQuito City Tour10 optionsQuito Walking Tour20 optionsCuenca City Tour5 optionsCotopaxi Volcano Tours9 optionsQuito Airport Taxi12 optionsCotopaxi National Park Tours23 optionsExtreme Sports17 optionsMindo Cloud Forest Tours6 optionsWhite Water Rafting7 optionsQuito Volcano Hike12 options
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Cotopaxi from Quito: Volcano Hike, Limpiopungo Lagoon & RefugeYou’ll leave Quito behind and step into Cotopaxi’s wild air — watching clouds drift over Limpiopungo Lagoon and hiking up toward the José Rivas Refuge with a local guide. Expect moments of silence, laughter in two languages, and maybe even wild horses in the distance. If you’re looking for something that feels real and raw (and includes pickup plus all entrances), this day sticks with you.
Quito gastronomic walking tour: Tastings and colonial churchesA gastronomic and cultural walking tour of Quito's historic center with a live guide in English or Spanish, taking in the Basilica of the National Vow, San Francisco Church, Independence Plaza and the Church of the Society of Jesus while tasting local empanadas, chocolate, traditional sweets and canelazo. Children from age 3 are welcome; the route suits all fitness levels.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're new to Quito and want to see the colonial center without building the day yourself—the guide connects the churches, the food stops and the history so the afternoon holds together as one story instead of a list of sites.
Baños Day Trip from Quito: Casa del Árbol Swing & Devil’s CauldronYou’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.
Quilotoa Day Trip from Quito: Lagoon Hike & Tigua Art StopYou’ll hike down into Quilotoa’s volcanic crater for close-up views of its turquoise lagoon (or ride a mule if you’d rather). Warm up over lunch with locals before meeting Tigua artists in their workshop—watch them paint or try your own hand. End with sweeping canyon views before returning to Quito with new stories and maybe sore legs.
Quito City Tour: Double-decker bus with bilingual guideA hop-on, hop-off bus tour of Quito with a live bilingual guide covers the city's north neighborhoods, Old Town, and major churches including the Basilica of the National Vow and San Francisco Church, with a 20-minute stop at Panecillo hill for views across the city. The double-decker format and two-hour loop let you step off at any stop to explore on your own, then board the next bus. A guide in English and Spanish travels with you; infants can ride in a stroller and service animals are welcome.Is it for me?If you're new to Quito or have a few hours between other plans, the hop-on, hop-off bus gives you the main landmarks and neighborhoods without having to map out the route or wait for a guide to gather a group—you board when you're ready and step off whenever something interests you.
Private Quito City Tour: Teleferico, Basilica & Equator LineA private, eight-hour Quito city tour with a bilingual guide covering TelefériQo cable car, the Basilica of the National Vow, Old Town walking route, and the Intiñan Solar Museum at the equator line. Hotel pickup is included, as are all four admission fees. The tour starts at 9am and moves at a pace set by your group, with time built in for the cable car ascent, tower climb, walking the historic center, and hands-on experiments at the equator museum.Is it for me?Eight hours is long enough to move through four distinct sites—the cable car, the basilica, the Old Town walk, and the equator museum—without rushing any of them, but it leaves the afternoon free if you want to rest or explore on your own afterward. A private guide means the pace stays yours, and admission fees included upfront remove the stop-and-pay friction at each entrance.
Mindo Cloud Forest Day Tour from Quito: Hummingbirds & Cable CarYou're picked up from your Quito hotel at 8am and driven to the Mindo Cloud Forest, where you'll stand at a hummingbirds' farm with birds landing on your hands, ride a cable car 530 meters over the canopy, hike to the Nambillo waterfall for a swim, and taste chocolate at a local plantation. Your certified English-speaking guide handles all logistics and timing, returning you by 5:30pm—no arranging transport or entry fees yourself.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see hummingbirds, a cable car view, and a waterfall in one day without arranging your own transport or entry fees—the private format means the guide adjusts the pace to your energy level and interests, and you're not locked into a group schedule.
Cotopaxi: Horseback Ride & Hike Day Trip, Non-Touristy RouteYou’ll ride horses inside Cotopaxi itself (not just outside), cross silent volcanic plains with a local guide, then hike up past 4,700 meters to base camp. Expect cold wind on your face, stories from locals along the way, and a route that skips crowded entrances for something quieter — it sticks with you long after.
Otavalo Market & Peguche Falls Day Trip from Quito with Local MusicYou’ll wander Otavalo Market’s lively maze with a local guide, taste fresh-baked bizcochos in Cayambe, stand beneath Peguche Waterfall’s misty spray, and share music at a family home in Imbabura. Expect friendly faces, real conversations, and moments that linger long after you’re back in Quito.
Cotopaxi Volcano Full Day Tour: All Park Entrances IncludedA full-day tour of Cotopaxi National Park combines the Interpretation Center, a one-hour walk to José Rivas Refuge at 4,864 meters on the volcano's flanks, and views of Limpiopungo Lagoon with Cotopaxi rising behind it. The tour runs 12 hours with a bilingual guide, transport and all park entrances; it suits travelers with moderate fitness who want to see Ecuador's second-highest volcano without arranging the logistics themselves.Is it for me?Book this if you have a full day and want to walk to Limpiopungo lagoon at the volcano's base rather than view Cotopaxi from a distance—the one-hour uphill walk and bilingual guide suit those seeking close views with structured support.
Cuyabeno: Jungle Canoe Trip, Shaman Visit & Wildlife LodgeYou’ll ride canoes deep into Cuyabeno with local guides who actually spot things you’d miss—sloths, cayman at dusk, maybe even an anaconda track if you’re lucky. Stay at Tucan Lodge where there’s always a hot drink waiting and try your hand at making cassava bread during a real shaman visit. It’s muddy boots and starry nights—something about it sticks with you.
Quito Airport Transfer: Private Pickup & Hotel DropoffYou get picked up by name at Quito Airport arrivals, driven straight to your hotel with luggage help, and skip the taxi negotiation entirely. The driver waits up to 90 minutes from landing, so delays are covered as long as you call ahead. The whole thing costs a fixed price with no surprises at the end.Is it for me?Book this if you land in Quito and want to avoid the taxi rank and price haggling — the fixed cost and named driver mean you know exactly what to expect before you land, which is what makes the first hour of travel actually relaxing.
Quito: Private Day Tour, Middle of the World & Cable CarYou’ll wander Quito’s historic center with a local guide, sample Ecuadorian chocolate, ride a cable car above volcanoes, and stand right on the Equator line. Expect warm smiles from locals and small surprises along the way—like balancing an egg or catching your breath at 4,000 meters. This private day trip from Quito lets you set your own pace and soak it all in.
Cajas from Cuenca: Day Hike, 3 Cruces Viewpoint & LunchYou’ll start with hotel pickup in Cuenca before heading into Cajas for a guided hike past glacial lakes and through ancient Polylepis forests. Expect sharp mountain air at 3 Cruces viewpoint, close encounters with llamas if you’re lucky, and an Ecuadorian lunch that warms you up inside. It’s one of those days that lingers long after you’re back in town.
Quito: Teleférico & Mitad del Mundo with Intiñan MuseumYou get picked up from your hotel and taken to four major Quito landmarks—the cable car at 4,090 meters, two colonial churches, and Independence Plaza—plus the Intiñan Museum where you run experiments on the equator line. Chocolate tasting and all entry fees are included. A certified guide handles the history and timing, so you don't have to piece together transport or worry about missing the best light at each stop.Is it for me?Book this if you want the main Quito highlights—the cable car view, colonial churches, the equator—without arranging separate transport or timing each stop yourself. The small group size and fixed itinerary mean you see the city with someone who knows it, not as part of a crowd.
Cotopaxi: Hike to Refuge & Volcano Bike Descent with LunchYou’ll feel Cotopaxi’s altitude right away as you hike toward Jose Rivas Refuge with a local guide—then swap boots for bikes to descend volcanic trails down to Limpiopungo Lagoon. Expect Ecuadorian food, real mountain air, plenty of laughter (and maybe a little heavy breathing). This isn’t just scenery—it’s something you’ll remember every time you see a volcano again.
Mindo Cloud Forest: Chocolate, Coffee & Birdwatching TourYou spend a full day in Ecuador's cloud forest with a private guide, visiting a chocolate factory and coffee plantation while birdwatching in the canopy above. Transport from Quito, binoculars, and a certified guide are included, and the route adjusts to your pace. Book directly to confirm your preferred date and any dietary needs for the tastings.Is it for me?Book this if you want the main Mindo experiences — chocolate, coffee, and birdwatching — without arranging transport or timing yourself; the private guide and included binoculars mean you'll spot birds you'd miss alone, and the customized route lets you linger where you want instead of following a fixed schedule.
Quito: Cooking Class & Central Market Tour with PickupYou’ll wander Quito’s Central Market with a local guide, pick out fresh ingredients from friendly vendors, then cook classic Ecuadorian dishes inside a colonial home kitchen. Expect hands-on help from your chef host and plenty of stories along the way — plus a long lunch where you get to taste everything you made together.
Cajas National Park hike: 3-hour cloud forest trailA full-day guided hike in Cajas National Park from Cuenca takes you through páramo grasslands, glacial lagoons, and the rare high-altitude Polylepis Forest on a moderate 3-hour trail. Your naturalist guide adjusts the pace to the group and explains the park's role as a water source for southern Ecuador while you spot highland hummingbirds and Andean birds. Hotel pickup and lunch are included; the tour runs 7 to 8 hours total and requires a minimum of 2 people.Is it for me?Choose the private tour if you want to set your own pace and avoid coordinating with other travelers; the shared tour works better if you're flexible about timing and want to split the cost. Either way, you'll need a moderate level of physical fitness for the 3-hour hike and the elevation—the park sits in the Andes, and the trail moves through high-altitude terrain.
Cotopaxi & Quilotoa Volcanoes: Day Trip from QuitoYou travel 10 hours round-trip from Quito to see two of Ecuador's most recognizable volcanoes: Cotopaxi National Park with a hike around Limpiopungo Lagoon, and Quilotoa crater lake with an optional descent to the water. The day includes private transport, a professional guide, all park entry fees, and lunch. You don't arrange tickets, timing, or transport yourself—everything is coordinated so you move between the two sites without gaps or confusion.Is it for me?Book this if you have one day in Ecuador and want to see two major volcanoes without arranging separate transport, park tickets, or timing—the fixed itinerary and included guide handle all of that, which is what makes two sites possible in 10 hours.
