Private day tour from Quito · 7–8 hours
A private day east of Quito: the páramo of the Cayambe-Coca reserve, an optional walk on the trail of the Andean Bear, and an afternoon in the hot spring pools of Papallacta, in the cloud forest of the Andes. Perfect before an evening flight.
At a glance
A private day tour with your own certified English-speaking guide and transport, from your hotel in Quito.
| Departure and return | Your hotel in Quito (the airport and the valleys with an extra cost) |
|---|---|
| Departure time | 8:00 am |
| Duration | 7–8 hours |
| Highlights | Hot springs, páramo, Andean Bear country |
| Price | US$140 per person, based on 2 people (1 person: US$240 · 3–4 people: US$110 per person · 5 or more: ask us) |
Your day
Morning
Several stops on the way, with a chance of the Andean Condor, the symbol of Ecuador that appears on its national flag. The Cayambe-Coca protected area, about 38 km from Quito, spans the high Andes and the Amazon basin, with miles of cloud forest in between.
Optional: a one-hour walk on the trail of the elusive Andean Bear, also called the spectacled bear for the markings on its face: the only bear native to South America and the last of the short-faced bears.
Afternoon
Dozens of hot spring pools and a first-rate spa in the cloud forest: pools of different sizes and temperatures among gardens and flowers, with the mountains behind. Spa treatments and hydromassage are available on reservation, and the daring can jump into a cold-water pool.
Papallacta is about an hour from Quito’s airport, so it is a great way to spend your last day before an evening flight.
Times are approximate and may change with traffic, the weather and your pace; your guide always looks for the best option of the day.
Before you go
More day trips
| Day tour | Type | Highlights | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotopaxi National Park | Nature | Cotopaxi volcano, Limpiopungo lagoon, páramo birds | 7:00 am |
| Cotopaxi Hike & Bike | Adventure | Hiking, mountain biking, Cotopaxi volcano | 7:00 am |
| Otavalo market | Culture | Indigenous market, crafts, the equator | 7:00 am |
| Papallacta hot springs · you are here | Relax | Hot springs, páramo, Andean Bear country | 8:00 am |
| Cayambe-Coca hike and Papallacta | Hike + relax | Páramo lagoons, Polylepis forest, hot springs | 7:00 am |
| Quilotoa crater lake | Nature and culture | Crater lake, indigenous markets, Tigua painters | 7:00 am |
| Quito and the Middle of the World | Culture | UNESCO old town, the equator, Pululahua crater | 9:00 am |
| Cuicocha Loop hike | Hike | Crater lake hike, Cotacachi or Otavalo | 7:00 am |
| Rucu Pichincha hike | Hike | Summit hike, views of Quito | 8:30 am |
| Pichincha mountains hike | Hike | Three summits, views of Quito | 8:00 am |
| Pasochoa hike | Hike | Andean forest, birds, volcano summit | 8:00 am |
| Pululahua hike | Hike | Inhabited crater, lava domes, orchids | 7:00 am |
| Antisana and condor watching | Nature | Andean Condor, páramo, Antisana volcano | 8:00 am |
All our day tours are private, from your hotel in Quito. Prefer birds? Try our half-day birding tour in Mindo (about 4 hours). Staying longer? See our land tours of Ecuador and our Galápagos cruises. See all our day trips from Quito.
Price
| 2 people | US$140 per person |
|---|---|
| 1 person | US$240 |
| 3–4 people | US$110 per person |
| 5 or more people | Ask us for a quote |
Prices per person for a private tour, with guide, transport, lunch and entrance fees. Pick-up at the airport or in the valleys around Quito has an extra cost.
Questions
At your hotel in Quito, at 8:00 am. Pick-up at the airport or in the valleys around Quito is possible with an extra cost.
Yes: your own certified English-speaking guide and private transport, just for you and your companions.
Quito is at about 2,850 m and many of these places are higher. If you have just arrived, start with an easier day, drink plenty of water and bring warm layers.
Yes. We combine day tours with our land tours, a stay in Mindo Cloud Forest and Galápagos cruises, with all the transfers coordinated.
That’s why you choose Dana Tours
Tell us your date and how many people are traveling. We confirm the guide and the pick-up time within 24 hours.
Or write to us at [email protected]
