Private day tour from Quito · 8–9 hours
A private day in the central Andes: an indigenous market (Saquisilí on Thursdays, Zumbahua on Saturdays), the painters of Tigua, the Toachi canyon and the emerald Quilotoa crater lake, with a walk down to the water or a hike on the Quilotoa Loop.
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 | 7:00 am |
| Duration | 8–9 hours, back around 6:30 pm |
| Highlights | Crater lake, indigenous markets, Tigua painters |
| 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
Pick-up at 7:00 am. Depending on the day: on Thursdays, the Saquisilí market, 70 km south of Quito, one of the largest and most authentic indigenous markets of Ecuador, with its animal market; on Saturdays, the Zumbahua market, where artisans trade crafts, horses and llamas.
High in the Andes, the Tigua community, indigenous artists famous for their paintings of rural and mountain life on sheepskin, with brushes made from chicken feathers. Then a break at the Toachi canyon, carved by lava flows from an eruption some 1,800 years ago.
Choose
A steep path from the rim at 3,900 m down to the emerald-green lake at about 3,500 m, formed when the volcano collapsed. Great photos, boat rides or kayaking for the adventurous, and mules to rent for the way back up.
Choose
One of the most popular hikes in Ecuador, a ring-shaped trail through small traditional villages, valleys, green hills and dusty paths. With this option there is less time for the stops above.
Lunch at a local restaurant, time for the community gallery, and back to Quito around 6:30 pm.
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 | 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 · you are here | 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 7:00 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]
