QUITO ADD - ONS
(BEFORE OR AFTER YOUR RETREAT)
QUITO ADD - ONS
Ecuador is a country with so much to offer its visitors, rich in culture, gastronomy, history, nature, and perfect for adventure activities.
To make your trip truly complete, we suggest extending your journey by exploring the Andes or Amazon of Ecuador, turning your visit into an unforgettable experience that goes far beyond the Galápagos. With our Quito Add-On options, you can enjoy curated day trips and cultural experiences before or after your Galápagos itinerary.
If you are looking for something more tailor-made, we can also design a personalized itinerary just for you. Options include staying in traditional haciendas, going on horseback riding excursions, taking scenic hikes in the Andes, or even venturing into the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest for a deeper connection with nature and local communities.
Hotels & Transfers
Quito Hotels:
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Wyndham Hotel - Near the Airport: (1 minute away from the airport).
Ideal for short stays, with modern amenities and easy access.
Single accommodation: $142 usd
Double accommodation: $85 usd per person
Day use: $98usd
Include: Breakfast and transfers
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Hampton Inn - Superior Category in Modern Quito. (45 minutes away from the airport)
Single accommodation: $110 usd
Double accommodation: $65 usd per person
Day use: $90usd
Include: Breakfast
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Hotel El Crater - Hotel El Cráter is an exclusive hotel located at the viewpoint of the Pululahua volcanic crater, just 20 minutes from Quito and 5 minutes from the Middle of the World Monument. It offers a unique experience combining luxury, nature, and tranquility.
Single accommodation: $95 usd
Double accommodation: $55 usd per person
Day use: $75usd
Include: Breakfast
Airport Transfers
Comfortable pick-up or drop-off services from/to Quito airport, ensuring a stress-free start or end to your journey.
Tariff: $40usd each way
ADD ONS - EXPERIENCES
Quito Discovery: Culture, History & Chocolate
Duration: Approximately 6–7 hours
USD 219 usd per person
Explore the heart of Quito, a city declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978 for its exceptionally well-preserved historic center, colonial architecture, and rich cultural heritage. This tour combines history, culture, and science, offering a perfect introduction to Ecuador’s capital.
Highlights:
Intiñan Museum: Stand on the equator line, learn about indigenous traditions, and see fascinating science demonstrations.
Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús: Admire one of the most magnificent examples of Baroque architecture in the Americas, with gold-plated interiors.
San Francisco Church & Plaza: Explore this historic church and convent
Enjoy chocolate experience using traditional Ecuadorian cacao
Includes: Entrance fees, transportation, bilingual guide, and lunch.
Cultural Experience: Otavalo Market & Ponchos Plaza
Full-day excursion (approx. 8–9 hours)
USD 239 per person
Description: Visit the Plaza de los Ponchos, the heart of Ecuador’s most famous indigenous market. Explore artisan stalls selling textiles, handmade crafts, and traditional clothing. Learn about the Otavalo people’s history, culture, and artisanal techniques.
Highlights:
Plaza de los Ponchos: Explore hundreds of stalls selling colorful textiles, ponchos, jewelry, and handmade crafts, and learn about the artistry and traditions of the Otavalo people.
Traditional Craft Demonstrations: See artisans at work and gain insight into local weaving, embroidery, and pottery techniques.
Lunch with a View: Enjoy a delicious meal on the slopes of a volcano, next to the stunning Lake San Pablo, surrounded by lush scenery.
Scenic Drive: Travel through the picturesque Andean countryside, taking in
mountain vistas, villages, and natural beauty along the way.
Includes: transportation, entrance, bilingual guide, and lunch
Adventure Experience: Cotopaxi National Park & Refuge Ascent
Full-day excursion (approx. 8–9 hours)
USD 260 usd per person
Explore Cotopaxi National Park, home to one of the world’s highest active volcanoes. Begin your adventure with a scenic drive along the famous Avenue of the Volcanoes, where, on a clear day, you can admire several majestic peaks stretching across the Andes.
Ascend to the refuge at 4,800 meters (15,748 ft)—an elevation comparable to the summit of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe. From here, enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the iconic Cotopaxi crater, snow-capped peaks, and the expansive Andean grasslands.
Highlights:
Limpiopungo Lagoon: A serene high-altitude lake surrounded by native flora and wildlife, perfect for photography and wildlife observation.
Traditional Lunch: Enjoy a hearty meal in a typical Andean restaurant owned by the Chagras, the local cowboy community of the highlands, experiencing authentic Ecuadorian cuisine and culture.
Scenic landscapes: Along the drive provide excellent photo opportunities and a sense of the vast Andean ecosystem.
Includes: Transportation, entrance, bilingual guide, and lunch.
Adventure Experience: Ruco Pichincha Summit
Full-day excursion (approx. 7–8 hours)
USD 220 per person
Description: Challenge yourself with a climb to the summit of Ruco Pichincha (4,696 m / 15,406 ft), the iconic volcano that towers over the city of Quito. The adventure begins with a ride on the Quito Cable Car (Teleférico), which takes you from 3,000 m (9,842 ft) to 4,000 m (13,123 ft) in just minutes, offering spectacular views of the city and the surrounding Andes. From there, the hike covers approximately 10 km round trip, with an elevation gain of about 700 m (2,296 ft) up to the summit. The final approach to the peak is more technical, with rocky terrain requiring careful climbing and rewarding you with breathtaking 360° views of Quito and, on a clear day, the Avenue of the Volcanoes.
Highlights:
Cable Car Ride: Scenic journey with panoramic views of Quito and the Andes.
High-Altitude Hike: Reach the summit at nearly 4,700 m (15,400+ ft).
Andean Landscapes: Experience páramo ecosystems, high-altitude flora, and stunning ridgelines.
Technical Challenge: Final rocky section requires some scrambling, adding adventure to the ascent.
Summit Views: On a clear day, admire several volcanoes including Cotopaxi, Cayambe, Antisana, and even Chimborazo in the distance.
Includes: Transportation, cable car tickets, bilingual mountain guide, box lunch.
Nature Experience: Papallacta Hot Springs
Full-day excursion (approx. 6–7 hours)
USD 245 per person
Relax in the mineral-rich thermal waters of Papallacta,
naturally heated by an active volcano deep beneath the Andes. Nestled at an altitude of 3,300 meters (10,827 ft), Papallacta is surrounded by breathtaking Andean landscapes, cloud forests, and pristine nature. The hot springs are renowned for their therapeutic benefits, helping to soothe muscles, improve circulation, and provide complete relaxation for both body and mind. This peaceful setting is the perfect for relax offering a blend of wellness and natural beauty.
Highlights:
Thermal Pools: Multiple pools of varying temperatures, all fed by volcanic hot springs.
Andean Scenery: Stunning mountain views, lush vegetation, and often a mystical mist that enhances the atmosphere.
Wellness Spa Relaxation: Ideal for rejuvenation, stress relief, and connecting with nature.
Local Wildlife: Opportunity to spot Andean bird species in the surrounding cloud forest.
Traditional Lunch: Enjoy Ecuadorian cuisine in a charming mountain lodge nearby.
Includes: transport, access to the hot springs, bilingual guide, and lunch.
