Galapagos Islands Explorer

On this 3 hour city tour explore the heart of Quito through a local lens, strolling its narrow streets and visiting key cultural and historical landmarks including the Golden Church, San Francisco Square and the Main Square. Enjoy a stop at Luis’ local workshop, “Cruz Verde”, where his family has been hand-making the traditional sweets known as colaciones for over 100 years, keeping Quito's tradition alive. Then continue to El Panecillo to see its iconic monument of the Virgin Mary, which towers over the city, and from the top of the hill enjoy stunning panoramic views across the capital.

Just south of Quito rises Cotopaxi, the world’s highest active volcano, surrounded by a national park filled with diverse plant life, abundant wildlife and traces of Inca history; we travel south along the Panamericana to the park entrance, visit the natural history museum and then continue up the volcano to around 4,500 metres. From the parking lot it's a 45-minute walk up to the refuge. We descend and drive across the páramo to Limpiopungo Lake to enjoy a gentle walk, birdlife and superb Andean views, returning to Quito in the afternoon. Meals included: Lunch. Note: Minimum 2 people required to operate this tour.

Depart Quito in the morning travelling along the road that leads to the Amazon, stopping briefly at the Papallacta Lagoon to admire its páramo landscape before continuing to the Termas de Papallacta hot springs, where we enjoy a short cloud-forest walk as our guide explains the area’s rich biodiversity, spotting orchids and colourful birds along the way. Then take time to relax in volcanic thermal pools or opt for spa treatments; after a recommended lunch stop, we make our way back to Quito, arriving in the late afternoon. Note: Minimum 2 people required to operate this tour.

Travel for just over an hour from Quito to the Mindo Cloud Forest, a haven of incredible plant and animal life and a paradise for birdwatchers. This day trip is a full nature adventure, from exploring a pre-Inca archaeological site and walking through a wild orchid collection to visiting a stunning jungle waterfall. Highlights include a butterfly farm, where we watch giant butterflies emerge and even feed them from your hand, as well as optional activities like tubing down rapids, soaring along 13 canopy zip-lines, or visiting a small chocolate factory to see cacao transformed into delicious treats. The tour combines wildlife, culture, and adventure, returning to Quito by late afternoon. Meals included: Lunch. Note: Minimum 2 people required to operate this tour.

Explore the heart of Quito through a local lens, strolling its narrow streets and visiting key landmarks such as the Golden Church, San Francisco Square and the Main Square. Then step into Luis’ “Cruz Verde” workshop, where his family has made traditional colaciones for over a century. Over lunch, join locals for a tasty meal, before heading to the Equator Line to stand on both hemispheres and try balancing an egg on a nail. Meals included: Lunch.

Setting off early from Quito, we travel through striking Andean scenery to the renowned Otavalo Market, South America’s most famous Indigenous fair, where we wander cobbled streets lined with Otavalo people in traditional dress and browse vibrant stalls filled with textiles, paintings, jewellery, ceramics and tapestries. Our journey continues to Cotacachi, known for its fine leather goods, before we head to the village of Pijal for a hands-on cultural experience with the Sacha WarmiKuna women’s project, learning about traditional textile skills, culinary heritage and helping to prepare ají before enjoying a freshly cooked Andean meal and exploring their crafts. There’s also time to purchase beautiful handmade scarves before we return to Quito in the late afternoon.