Quito, Mindo and surroundings tours
In the Andes Mountains, at an elevation of 2800 meters, you'll find the Franciscan city of Quito, whose principal characteristic is its friendly inhabitants. Quito extends an invitation to you to discover its modern and historical treasures, the same that have charmed Quiteños and visitors alike for centuries. In honor of these treasures the city has been declared a "Cultural World Heritage Site" by UNESCO.
Tours explore the colonial and modern districts: beginning with the Balcony Of Quito, then to the Legislative Palace, the Colonial Hall, and the city's center- the Plaza of Independence. We'll see the Palace of Carondelet, the Government seat, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Temples of the Company, San Francisco Cathedral, and the watchtower "El Panecillo," with a panoramic view of Quito |
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Nocturnal Quito
This ride is a perfect way to spend a dreamlike evening. Quito's lights give each corner, square, street, monument, and window of the Colonial areas a very special glow. This unforgettable night concludes with a dinner and a folkloric presentation in a typical Ecuadorian restaurant.restaurant.
Middle of the World (Mitad del mundo) - 1/2 day
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The famous and world-renowned "Mitad del Mundo" monument is found 30 minutes north of Quito. Here you will have the opportunity to straddle the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere at the same time. |
In the 18th Century, the French Geodesic Mission arrived to conduct important studies on the land formations.A monument was erected and an interesting Ethnic museum was created. This museum has exhibits on the various cultures of Ecuador
A ride by the Pululahua crater (an inactive volcano) offers a fantastic view of this charming Andean valley. The peak of this volcano was transformed due to tectonic movements and is an interesting sight to see.
Mindo - 1 day
84 Km north of the Capital is the ecological reserve of Mindo providing visitors with a magnificent experience in nature. As we travel from the Sierra to the Coast, we will observe drastically changing landscapes.
We will make a stop to visit the Nono Village of Santa Rosa and later we will trek to the lookout tower of Cuzcangui and visit an experimental forest.
Along the road we'll admire fabulous waterfalls, primary forest zones, geological formations, fossilized wood, and a great variety of indigenous plants and animals. Later, we will ride to the Namabillo River, where dozens of endemic bird species are found.
Pasochoa - 1 day
We find the Pasochoa reservation 45 minutes south of Quito. It is a fine example of a typical Andean transitional forest, where a great variety of fauna and exotic flowers exist. You can enjoy the natural tranquility and the pure air as you walk along the trails.
A naturalist guide will accompany you and answer any questions you may have about the area. The area is also a bird reserve park that is home to Hummingbirds, Blackbirds, Tanagers, and more. There are a tremendous variety of plants such as the pumamaqui, alisos, paper tree, suros, and others! Adventurous types may opt to run the Toachi River.
Imbabura - 1 day
We will travel north via the Pan-American Highway and visit a colorful indigenous market in Otavalo, 95 Km from Quito. Each Saturday, Poncho Plaza is the site of a famous market where a great quantity of crafts is found. The trip continues to San Antonio de Ibarra, a town famous for its wooden products.
During the return to Quito we will visit Calderón, known for its dough figurines, which are exported to several European countries. We take an early-morning bus ride from Quito to Otavalo to visit a great indigenous market that takes place each Saturday in Poncho Plaza. The principal attraction of this trip is the visit to a shaman who will explain the traditional techniques of healing. On our way back to Quito, we will visit Calderón, famous for its dough figurines. | Ilaló - 1 day
It is believed that after the death of the Inca emperor Atahualpa in 1533, his loyal captains hid the empire's gold in its northern territory, including the mountain Ilaló. Nature lovers will find that the mountain contains many other treasures. Weather permitting, the Cotopaxi Volcano will appear before you in all of its glory. Those who are interested can explore the area on horseback. Expect to see curious geological formations and unique native flora and fauna.
Car--Flexible Itinerary
This new program that we are offering our clients adds flexibility to the organization of group trips. We have guides who speak English and Spanish and a wide range of transportation options at very affordable prices.
We offer the following:
- Three-hour tour of the city.
- Quito and Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) 4.5 hours.
- Indigenous Market of Otavalo (Saturdays only)--Lunch included.
- Otavalo and its surroundings (every day) including housing, food, and visits to indigenous markets
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