Baños 2Day/1Night Tour – All Included tours

Quilotoa’s blue-green volcanic lake, the famous swing at La Casa del Árbol, and the thunder of Pailón del Diablo all fit into two busy days from Quito. You get a useful taste of Ecuador’s highlands and Baños without arranging separate transport between scattered sights. I especially like the route’s variety: one day moves from a high volcanic crater to mountain views, and the next shifts to waterfalls and jungle scenery.

I also like that transport and entrance fees are included, which keeps the price clear at $149. Guides and drivers such as Marco, Alveiro, Esteban, and Julio have been praised for being attentive and punctual. The catch is time. Casa del Árbol and Pailón del Diablo can feel rushed, and the return to Quito may take much longer if the bus makes extra Quilotoa stops.

Key points to know before booking

• Quilotoa brings two different viewpoints: You see the Toachi River canyon and the classic lookout over the volcanic lake.
• La Casa del Árbol is a short, scenic stop: You get about two hours for the famous swing and mountain views.
• Baños is your overnight base: The first afternoon is free after Casa del Árbol, but accommodation is not included.
• The Pastaza cable car adds a different angle: You cross above the river for views of waterfalls, mountains, and jungle scenery.
• Pailón del Diablo is the trip’s most dramatic stop: The waterfall visit lasts about an hour, so plan to keep moving.
• The trip can hold up to 42 people: That makes it social and efficient, but not especially intimate.

Why this two-day route works from Quito

This tour links several of Ecuador’s best-known highland sights in a way that is hard to arrange cheaply on your own. Quito is the starting and ending point, and the pickup begins at about 6:00 am from hotels or hostels within the service area.

The route is ambitious. On day one, you head through Cotopaxi Province, stop at Quilotoa, continue to Baños, and then visit La Casa del Árbol. On day two, you see Baños from above, visit Pailón del Diablo, and return to Quito.

That schedule gives you a broad sample of central Ecuador. You get a volcanic lake, a canyon, steep mountain scenery, a river crossing, waterfalls, and a small-town overnight stop. It is not a slow trip, but it is a practical one for you if your time is limited.

The main thing to understand is that this is a shared transport experience, not a private sightseeing tour. The vehicle may carry as many as 42 people, and the operator may also pick up or drop off other Ecuador Hop passengers. That can affect the return journey, so keep your final evening in Quito flexible.

Day one begins with an early Quito pickup

A 6:00 am start is sensible for this route, but it is early. The pickup time is communicated by message, and the service covers selected hotels and hostels rather than every address in Quito.

After leaving the city, you make a quick breakfast stop in Cotopaxi Province. The stop lasts about 30 minutes. Since meals are not included, you will need to pay for breakfast yourself. Keep that in mind when planning your morning budget, especially since lunch and dinner are also your responsibility.

The early departure helps fit the main sights into one day. Still, this is not a schedule for sleeping on the bus and casually wandering into each stop. You will spend much of the day on the road, so bring water, a light layer, and shoes suitable for uneven walking areas.

One practical concern is the driving pace. A past passenger found the driver’s fast driving uncomfortable and felt nauseous. That will not affect everyone, but if you are prone to motion sickness, sit where the ride feels steadier and bring whatever remedy normally works for you.

Quilotoa gives you two views, not just one

Quilotoa is the first major sight, and the stop covers more than the well-known crater lake viewpoint. You first visit the lookout over the Toachi River canyon, including a stop at the canyon’s deepest point.

This adds welcome variety. The canyon view is wide and rugged, while the later viewpoint looks into the volcanic crater and across the lake. The two stops help you understand the area rather than reducing Quilotoa to one photograph.

You have about one hour here. That is enough to enjoy both viewpoints and take pictures, but it is not enough for a long walk around the crater. If you want an extensive hike, this tour is not built for it.

The classic Quilotoa viewpoint is the visual prize. The lake fills the old volcanic crater, and the high setting gives you a striking view across the water and surrounding slopes. Weather can change the mood quickly, so do not judge the stop only by the first few minutes after arrival.

Quilotoa is also important to the trip’s timing. It is not simply a quick stop between Quito and Baños. The road to the lake and the time spent at both viewpoints help create the long first day, but they also give you one of the strongest natural sights on the route.

La Casa del Árbol and the famous swing

After Quilotoa, the bus continues toward Baños and then climbs to La Casa del Árbol. You have around two hours here, including time for the famous Swing at the End of the World.

The appeal is simple. You swing out over a mountain setting with open views behind you. The stop also gives you a chance to enjoy the highland scenery without needing to commit to a long hike.

Two hours sounds generous, but the visit can feel tight if the area is busy or if you want time for photographs, the swing, and a relaxed look around. The schedule also has to keep the group moving toward Baños.

This is one of the stops where expectations matter. La Casa del Árbol is a scenic attraction built around one memorable activity, not a full afternoon of exploration. I would treat it as a photo stop with a strong setting rather than the main event of the trip.

Afterward, you go to Baños for the night. The afternoon and evening are free once the organized stops are finished. That free time is useful because the rest of the tour is tightly planned, though your hotel or hostel is not included in the $149 price.

Your overnight in Baños is useful, but not included

Baños is the natural base for the second day. The town puts you closer to the Pastaza River and Pailón del Diablo than Quito does, so staying overnight avoids trying to force every stop into one very long day.

You arrange your own accommodation. That gives you flexibility, but it also means the actual cost of the trip is higher than the advertised tour price if you need a room. Meals are also separate.

The free afternoon may be the best chance to slow down. You can use it to rest, walk around Baños, or simply prepare for the next morning. The supplied information does not specify a hotel, meal plan, or evening activity, so do not assume those are part of the package.

This arrangement suits you if you already have a place to stay in Baños or want to choose your own lodging. It is less convenient if you want a fully packaged two-day holiday with the room and meals handled for you.

The Pastaza cable car adds height and motion

Day two begins in Baños with a cable-car ride over the Pastaza River. The experience takes about two hours and offers 360-degree views of waterfalls, mountains, and jungle scenery.

This stop changes the pace from the previous day’s crater and canyon viewpoints. Instead of looking from a fixed overlook, you are moving above the river and seeing the area from a higher angle.

The cable car is included, along with the listed transport and fees. That makes it an important part of the tour’s value, since you do not need to arrange a separate ride in Baños.

You should still keep your expectations practical. The cable-car visit is not a full-day outing. It is a defined stop within a larger route, and the group will continue on schedule.

Pailón del Diablo is the most forceful stop

The next major visit is Cascada El Pailón, better known as Pailón del Diablo, or Devil’s Cauldron. You have about one hour to see the waterfall.

This is the sort of stop that earns its place on the route. The water drops through a tight, dramatic setting, and the sound and force of the falls make it different from a distant viewpoint. You are not merely looking at a waterfall across a valley.

The one-hour limit is the main drawback. A past passenger wanted more time here, and that is easy to understand. If you stop often for pictures or want to explore every available viewpoint, you may feel pressed.

Wear shoes that can handle the walking conditions, though the tour details do not specify the exact trail surface. Keep your belongings secure and follow the guide’s timing. With a large group, waiting for late arrivals can shorten everyone’s visit.

Pailón del Diablo is likely to be the stop you remember most clearly, but it is also where the fast schedule is most obvious. I would enjoy the main viewpoints first rather than spending too long at the entrance or taking every possible picture at the start.

The return to Quito can take much longer

The listed return portion takes about seven hours, with viewing stops along the way. That is a long ride after a full morning in Baños.

The key issue is that the route may not go straight to Quito. Because the operator also handles Ecuador Hop passengers, the vehicle may make additional pickups and drop-offs. One reported itinerary returned to Quilotoa before heading to Quito, adding at least two and a half hours.

That matters when planning flights, buses, dinner reservations, or a second tour after arrival. I would not schedule anything important in Quito immediately after the expected return. The stated duration is approximate, and shared transport can add time.

The extra stop may frustrate you if you already saw Quilotoa on day one. On the other hand, it is part of how this shared route serves different passengers. If your priority is the lowest practical transport cost, that tradeoff may be acceptable. If you want a direct return, a private tour would offer more control, though this experience does not provide a private-tour option in the supplied details.

What $149 really includes

At $149 per person, the price is strongest when you value convenience. The package includes transport to every listed stop, all fees and taxes, the La Casa del Árbol admission, the Baños cable-car visit, and the Pailón del Diablo entry.

It does not include breakfast, lunch, dinner, or accommodation. Those costs can change the final amount, particularly because you need a night in Baños and meals across two days.

Still, arranging the same route independently would require working out transport between Quito, Quilotoa, Baños, La Casa del Árbol, the Pastaza area, Pailón del Diablo, and Quito. The tour removes that planning burden and gives you a group schedule.

The value depends on your travel style. I think it is good for a first visit when you want to see several major sights quickly. It is less attractive if you dislike long bus rides, need slow visits, or want complete control over departure and return times.

The 4.7 rating from 55 reviews and the 95 percent recommendation figure point to a strong overall experience, but the praise is tied to good organization, friendly staff, and value rather than to a relaxed pace. That distinction is worth keeping in mind.

Guides, drivers, and group size

Staff quality matters on a route this busy. Marco and Alveiro were described as attentive and good at solving small problems. Esteban, the driver, and Julio, the guide, were praised for being friendly, flexible, and punctual.

That does not guarantee the same staff on your departure, but it shows what to look for: clear instructions, steady timing, and help when plans shift. One complaint involved unclear directions, so listen carefully during group briefings and confirm the meeting time before leaving each stop.

The maximum group size is 42 people. A group that large can make transport efficient, but it also means you may wait for others and have less freedom at each sight. The tour is near public transportation, and most people can participate, but the information does not give details about wheelchair access or specific trail conditions.

Who should book this Baños tour?

I would recommend it to you if you have only a short time in Ecuador and want to connect Quito with Quilotoa and Baños in one organized trip. It is also a good fit if you prefer having transport arranged and do not want to negotiate several separate bus journeys.

You will probably enjoy it most if you accept an early start, long road sections, and fixed stop times. The route rewards curiosity and energy more than a slow, restful travel style.

I would think twice if you need a direct Quito return, want long visits at each attraction, or dislike shared vehicles. The possible extra Quilotoa stop on day two is especially important if your onward plans are tight.

The non-refundable policy also deserves attention. Once booked, the experience cannot be changed or refunded for personal reasons. If the minimum number of participants is not reached and the operator cancels, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your main goal is maximum sightseeing with minimum planning. Quilotoa, La Casa del Árbol, the Pastaza cable car, and Pailón del Diablo make a varied two-day route, and $149 is reasonable for the included transport, taxes, and admissions.

Skip it if you want a quiet Baños stay or a guaranteed direct journey back to Quito. The best way to approach this trip is as a fast, useful introduction to the region, with extra money set aside for food and accommodation and extra time left open for the return.

FAQ

How long is the Baños 2Day/1Night Tour?

The tour lasts approximately two days. Day one includes travel from Quito, Cotopaxi Province, Quilotoa, La Casa del Árbol, and Baños. Day two includes the cable car, Pailón del Diablo, and the return to Quito.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 6:00 am. The exact pickup time is communicated by message, and pickup is available from hotels or hostels within the service areas.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts in Quito, Ecuador, and ends back at the meeting point in Quito.

Is accommodation included?

No. You spend the night in Baños, but accommodation is not included in the tour price.

Are meals included?

No. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are not included.

What is included in the $149 price?

The price includes all fees and taxes, transport to every stop point, and the listed admissions for La Casa del Árbol, the Baños cable car, and Pailón del Diablo.

How large can the group be?

The activity can have a maximum of 42 travelers.

How much time do you get at Quilotoa?

The Quilotoa visit lasts about one hour. It includes the Toachi River canyon lookout and the classic viewpoint over Quilotoa Lagoon.

How much time do you get at La Casa del Árbol?

You have about two hours at La Casa del Árbol, including time for the Swing at the End of the World and the surrounding mountain views.

Can the tour be canceled or changed after booking?

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons. If the minimum number of participants is not reached and the operator cancels, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.