Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below
Overview
This 4-day tour is the perfect start into your Ecuador adventures, where you will see Quito and its surroundings, and have time to plan the next parts of your journey!
It is also a great prelude or extension to your Galapagos tour!
What's included
Lunch
Breakfast
Activities as outlined in the itinerary
International or national flights, Insurances, other activities, entrance fees, meals or beverages
What to expect
Day 1: Arrival Day - Transfer to hotel
Quito
Pass by
Take a glimpse out of the window while approaching Quito Airport and have a first look at the beautiful Andean scenery that surrounds Ecuador’s capital. Upon arrival, your driver will welcome you and escort you to your hotel in the city center. Depending on your time of arrival, just relax a bit in your hotel or head out for a first exploration of the city.
Day 2: Cooking Class & Quito Street Tour
Quito Old Town
6h · Admission ticket included
Today, you’ll take part in your first adventure, and it’s a culinary one! Join a cooking class today, in a beautiful restaurant located in the historic city center, where you’ll learn how to prepare traditional Ecuadorian dishes. Before getting started in the kitchen, accompany the chef to a local market to pick fresh products for the preparation of the meal.
After lunch, enjoy a couple of free hours before taking part in a fun and interesting Street Tour through Quito in the late afternoon. Visit neighborhoods you normally wouldn’t have seen, dive into the history and culinary art of the city and experience a completely different side of Quito!
Day 3: Biking from Cayambe to Otavalo (Option 1) OR Biking into the Cloud Forest (Option 2)
Otavalo
6h
OPTION 1: Northward bound we go through the mountains towards Otavalo, a bustling town home to a large indigenous population, noticeable by their traditional garb of wool hats, golden necklaces, intricately embroidered blouses and long black skirts. To charge up for the ride ahead we will stop to try a local delicacy of biscotti with cheese and caramel - a real sweet way to begin our adventure! Our ride takes us over the hills and through dirt-patched paths and roads used to connect the farms of local families, passing pastures of quinoa and other grains that are the way of life of the people in the region. Along the way we will have amazing views of the Imbabura Volcano and the Lago San Pablo. Our final stop takes us to the colorful and captivating Otavalo Market. The largest indigenous market in Ecuador, let the aisles of locally crafted fabrics, sweaters, carvings, and jewelry inspire you to take a piece of Ecuador home with you in your heart and in your suitcase.
Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve
6h
OPTION 2: During this action-packed day we will ascend by car to the foothills of the Pichincha Volcano. From this point, we will bike on an old secondary dirt road while cruising past landscapes of colorful mountains, farms and local homes. You will get to witness real Ecuadorian life as much of the time there are cowboys and farmers working alongside the road as well as cows leisurely grazing. After a two-hour ride, we will descend into the cloud forest, where the warm air streams of the Pacific meet with the cold winds of the high Andes creating a hugely bio diverse area. The bike ride will take about four hours total. We will have a relaxing lunch along the riverside before taking a stroll through the local humming bird sanctuary.
Day 4: Transfer to the Airport
Quito
Pass by
Time flew by way too fast, so now it’s already time to say goodbye to Quito and its beautiful surroundings. On time for your flight, your driver will pick you up at your hotel and accompany you to Quito Airport. We hope that you’ve had an unforgettable time in Quito and that you’ll enjoy the rest of your trip!
Meeting and pickup
Pickup details
The tour regularly begins with your pick-up from the airport but if you are already in Quito, we can pick you up from your hotel for your first day of activities.
Additional information
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation policy
If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
