The 15 Best Quito Tours & Day Trips

1.Cotopaxi & Quilotoa With Optional Hotel Pick-Up & Drop-Off

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 170 reviews · from $59Our pick

Travel from Quito to Cotopaxi National Park and Quilotoa on a 12-hour small-group outing. You’ll visit Limpiopungo Lagoon, see Cotopaxi if clouds allow, stop at markets and a museum, and reach Quilotoa’s turquoise crater lake. Guides such as Andrea, Irene, and Javier provide English and Spanish commentary. Hotel pickup costs extra.

“Great trip to beautiful places. The car we went on was very comfortable. Andrea was a fantastic guide, speaking everything in both English and Spanish. Well organised. You will absolutely need cash for this (and most tours in ecuador).”

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2.Quito Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 150 reviews · from $34

After customs at Mariscal Sucre International Airport, meet a driver holding your name and ride to your Quito hotel in an air-conditioned minivan. Freddy, Carlos, and Christian have helped arriving passengers with luggage, city tips, late-night pickups, and flight delays. The shared service carries up to six people, though some pickups operate in a private car.

“I had a very pleasant experience with being driven from the airport to my hotel in Quito. The driver and his assistant, Christian, were very kind, on time, and gave me helpful information about the city during our drive. Christian even helped carry my luggage for me to my hotel. 10/10 experience, would definitely recommend this to anyone!”

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3.PRIVATE CITY TOUR: Quito Colonial, Half the World and Cable Car

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 144 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $99Top rated

This 6 to 7 hour private tour combines Quito’s colonial center, the TelefériQo cable car, Mitad del Mundo, and Intiñan Museum. You get private air-conditioned transport, a guide, water, and accident insurance. Guides such as Jessica, Jonathan, Luis, and Juan are praised for adapting the pace and adding local food, markets, and photo stops.

“Ruben was an excellent guide and host for our special first visit. Exploring the sites we hoped to see and adding in information and experiences that we totally enjoyed! A great day!!”

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4.Full Day City tour of Quito -All main attractions WITH ADMISSIONS

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 102 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $130

Spend about eight hours exploring Quito with a guide such as Jorge or Jose. Visit the Basilica towers, San Francisco Church, Plaza Grande, Intiñan Equator Museum, TeleferiQo, El Sagrario, and Yumbos Chocolate. Private transport, parking, and admission fees are included. Lunch is not.

“To take this tour , had a great and wonderful day , thanks Jose tour guide excellent , no rushing lots of information , helpful tips just awesome Best regards Steffi”

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5.Cotopaxi Volcano Quest!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 101 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $68

From Quito, you’ll visit Cotopaxi National Park, hike from 4,600 meters to the José Rivas Refuge at 4,864 meters, then bike a short downhill route to Limpiopungo Lagoon. Guides such as Alejandro and Lincoln explain the volcanoes, wildlife, and high-altitude plants. Lunch, transport, and equipment are included.

“It was an amazing experience, beyond my expectations. Alejandro was a really great guide, i highly recommend this tour. He was really friendly and charismatic, he paid a lot of attention to make sure we were okay as well.”

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6.Mindo Cloud Forest Full Day Tour from Quito

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 100 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $59

Spend about 12 hours traveling from Quito into the Mindo Cloud Forest. See hundreds of butterflies, ride the tarabita, hike to a waterfall, and choose a zipline or another adventure activity. Private transport and a bilingual guide are included, while meals and activity tickets cost extra.

“The nature and the activities were wonderful but we were grossly overcharged. We paid $189 Canadian and part way through the day we learned that the other two participants paid only $65 for the exact same tour. Our guide tried to get us to pay for admissions that we had already paid via Viator and I had to argue with him and he make phone calls to sort it out (wasting 30 minutes). Even so, we paid much more than the local company was actually charging for the tour. Our local guide was highly unprofessional at several points, rushing us along and making derogatory comments about another participant who was…”

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7.Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 91 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $29

Spend about four hours with a local guide such as Marcelo, Pablo, or Carlos, walking Quito’s colonial center, tasting market fruit and juices, seeing La Compañía’s gold-covered interior, and making ice cream with South American ingredients. The small group has a maximum of 12 people, and children age 6 and older may join.

“The weather was horrible so the guide altered the tour to help keep us dry in a rain and thunderstorm. Wish I saw more and wasn't so wet and cold! but appreciate the guide being flexible and still making it a great day! He was very knowledgeable about the history of Ecuador and a great conversationalist.”

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8.Full Day Quito (City Tour + Middle of the World + Teleferico)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 84 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $90

Travel by private vehicle with guides such as David, Juan, Leo, or Daniel through Quito’s Old Town, churches, viewpoints, chocolate tasting, Teleférico, and Intiñan Equator Museum. The 6 to 8 hour outing is ideal when you want broad coverage in one day, but bring extra cash for entry fees and lunch.

“This tour was a great way to see the best parts of Quito. The Unesco world heritage old city was very interesting. Then the cable car with its magnificent 360 city views and the middle of the earth tour was a lot of fun. David our guide recommended a wonderful local restaurant with great food for lunch. He was an amazing guide and very knowledgeable about his city.”

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9.Full-Day Mindo Cloud Forest Tour Birdwatching Waterfalls and Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 84 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $189

Travel from Quito to Mindo with a private guide such as Kathy or Pato for birdwatching at San Tadeo, hand-fed hummingbirds, a butterfly farm, Pululahua crater views, a waterfall hike, and artisan chocolate tasting. The 10-hour trip includes transport, admission fees, and flexible pacing, but lunch is extra.

“I really enjoyed the hummingbirds and the butterflies. The hike to the waterfall was also nice. My guide Kathy was so knowledgeable.”

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10.Private Transportation from Airport to Hotel in Quito or vice versa (one way)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 84 reviews · 45 to 50 minutes (approx.) · from $17Best value

Arrange a private one-way ride between Quito airport and your hotel. A representative meets you with a sign bearing your name, helps with luggage, and connects you with a clean private vehicle. Drivers such as Gustavo, Esteban, Carolina, and Gerogy have earned praise for punctual, safe service. The trip takes about 45 to 50 minutes.

“I would recommend this company only for the transfer from the airport to the hotel and not vice versa. Gustavo was awaiting me upon arrival at the Quito airport with a sign with my name on it. He was an excellent driver who spoke good English and who safely got me to my hotel in the historic center of Quito on a timely basis. I was so pleased with this service that I subsequently made an online reservation for the departure transfer from the hotel to the airport with the same company. However, I ultimately wound up cancelling it because they suggested a hotel departure time that was only 2…”

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11.Discover Quito; Old town, Middle of the world + Cable car PRIVATE

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 83 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $120

Spend about seven hours with a private English or Spanish-speaking guide exploring Quito’s Old Town, Plaza Grande, Basilica del Voto Nacional, the Middle of the World, and Teleférico. Private transport, hotel pickup, and guiding are included. Plan extra money for entry fees and lunch.

“Loved this tour. Daniel is a fantastic guide. Knowledgeable, fun and very responsive to questions and requests. We visited the equator (twice!), rode the cable car and the visited the truly charming old town. Quito is wonderful.”

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12.3 Hours Local Food Tour in Quito

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 83 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $37

Join Edwin for a three-hour walking tour through Quito’s local huecas, small family-run eateries known for distinctive food and drinks. You pay each business directly, so food costs extra. Expect old-town history, artisanal products, friendly introductions to shop owners, and a final community stop. Groups are capped at 12.

“It was excellent to be on this tour and discover places and information only a local would know. It was a wonderful experience to try new things and gain a cool perspective on the city!”

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13.Quilotoa Cultural Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $75

Travel from Quito to Quilotoa with a certified guide such as Victor, stopping at Toachi Canyon and local communities before reaching the volcanic lagoon. Walk toward the crater, choose a rim hike or pay extra for a kayak, then enjoy included lunch. Expect an eight-hour day, long driving, high altitude, and striking views.

“Very enjoyable day trip to Quilotoa, including an interesting visit to an indigenous family. Victor was an excellent guide for the day, and Patricio's driving was reliable in some torrential rain on the way back. Victor gave us the options of what to do at Quilotoa very clearly. We chose walking on the rim trail as the best option for us. Lunch was included, provided at a restaurant near Quilotoa, and the food was good, with the vegetarian version being very good. There was also a stop at a fairly impressive canyon, where we had the choice to pay $1 each to enter for slightly better views. Perhaps the only…”

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14.Cable Car and Quito Private City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 68 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $80

This 5 to 6 hour private Quito tour combines the TeleferiQo cable car, 4,100-meter Cruz Loma views, UNESCO-listed Old Town, La Compañía church, San Francisco, La Ronda, and El Panecillo. Your English-speaking guide handles transport and can adjust the pace, route, lunch stop, and optional chocolate tasting to suit your group.

“It is very high and maybe chilly up there. Be prepared if you have Problems with Altitude. Have a lovely coca tea, listen to Interessting history of the City from Fantastic Guide IBAN. The View is Stunning!”

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15.Cotopaxi Volcano Tour from Quito – Day Trip to the Andes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $150

Spend about eight hours with a private guide from Real Dreams Tour exploring Cotopaxi National Park. Hike from 4,600 meters toward Refugio Padre Ribas, stop for a hot drink, walk around Limpiopungo Lagoon, and eat lunch near San Juan de Pastocalle. Guides such as Pedro, Carlos, Marcelo, and Andrés lead the outing.

“Our guide was very knowledgeable and made the experience very enjoyable. Cotopaxi was beautiful and worth the trip.”

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