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Tour ID:121526
Tailor Made
We will have to check a few things first before we can confirm but please do make contact so we can discuss your requirements.
Arrival:Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO)
Dates are flexible
Prices are Per Person

Ecuador may be a  relatively small country, but in addition to its many giant volcanoes, Amazon destinations, beach towns and cloud forest resorts, the country’s mainland is also an excellent place for a family trip. This journey will take you through old cities and towns to explore the country’s heritage, as well as to incredible sites of natural beauty such as the Peguche waterfall. This is the ideal trip for a family looking for excitement and variety.

Example Itinerary

(B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner

Upon arrival in Mariscal Sucre International Airport, you will have a private transfer to your selected hotel in Quito. Look for a sign with your name on it when arriving.

The airport is located in the town of Tababela, about 43 km from Quito and takes between 45 minutes to one hour to arrive, depending on traffic conditions.

Tour of Quito

Day 2 will take you through the historical city tour of Quito, in which you will explore the best preserved colonial centre of all of South America. As one of the first World Heritage Sites, it will be an unforgettable experience, as if you were stepping back in time!

The first stop is the Basilica del Voto Nacional. Due to its size and style, it is considered the largest neo-Gothic temple in the Americas, and the most important piece of neo-gothic architecture in Ecuador. You will continue to the Plaza Grande, or Independence Square. Admire the historical buildings surrounding the square and it’s important history! Located here is the Presidential Palace, the Catholic Cathedral, and the Archbishop’s Palace.

Another visit you will enjoy is the most impressive of all churches, the San Francisco de Quito. The church houses masterpieces of talented indigenous artists from the famous methods of Escuela Quiteña, “Quito School”, which are the artistic traditions associated with the 17th and 18th centuries. Walk through the lively colonial streets of the old town to visit other historical highlights such as the Panecillo, from where you will have an amazing 360 degree view over the city.

The second part of this tour will take place at the North part of the city (35 minutes’ drive from Quito’s Old Town) where the equator line meets the prime meridian and the coordinates indicate point 0° 0’ 0”.

La Compañia Church

One of the highlights of the city tour is the visit to La Compañia Church, considered to be a Baroque masterpiece. The facade is made of volcanic stone and the interior is all covered with gold.

Middle of the World Monument

A must-see stop during your visit in Ecuador is the Middle of the World. Here an Equator Monument was built to honor the 18th century French Geodesic Mission, led by French scientists Condamine, Bouguer, Godin and the Ecuadorian geographer, Pedro Vicente Maldonado, who studied the curvature of the planet and who determined the supposed location of the equator. This unique place allows you to be a part of a historic landmark in what was once thought as the exact equator line, and of course you can’t miss taking your picture with the monument in the background with one foot in each hemisphere! Additionally, the complex offers an Ethnographic museum, a planetarium, artisanal stores great for picking up souvenirs, coffee shops, and restaurants that serve local food.

Intiñan Museum

The Intiñan Museum is a smaller, but highly interactive museum located right next to the Mitad del Mundo Monument. Even though the monument features the division of the equator, when technology improved, geologists and cartographers realized the real equator line was just a bit off. It features outdoor exhibits of astronomical geography and explanations of the importance of Ecuador’s geographical location. One of the highlights are the solar dials, fun experiments that can only be done here, like balancing an egg on a nail, and many more activities, as well as reconstructed native homes found all over Ecuador.

Yaku Museum

With interactive displays and sparkling fountains, the Yaku Parque-Museo del Agua confirms an undeniable universal truth – life cannot exist without water. Located in the historic district of El Placer, on the slopes of the majestic Pichincha volcano, this fascinating museum presents facts regarding this essential element of life in a way that is both interesting and educational. The strategic location of the museum it facilitates a special connection between nature and human activity while opening up spectacular views of the surrounding areas. This is truly a place to stop and contemplate the simple, and yet important, aspects of life – including water.

La Ronda Barrio & Toy Workshop

La Ronda is a historical and emblematic neighbourhood of Quito. In the late 19th century “La Ronda” became known as a neighbourhood where artists, writers, bohemians, poets, the misunderstood and even priests would meet. Over time the area was left scarce as the city expanded and it began falling apart and eventually became a desolate area nobody dared to visit. However, its demise became it’s salvation. Since the neighbourhood was left untouched, so were its colonial era buildings built by the Spaniards. Nowadays, it is a beautiful and vivacious street lit with lanterns and decorated with floral balconies; offering a romantic and lively ambiance. La Ronda is easily one of the crown jewels of Quito’s best kept cultural secrets.

Walking down the street you can see multiple art galleries, museums, artisanal goods, and traditional crafts and workshops and delicious traditional foods. One workshop in particular specializes in the spinning “trompos” or old-fashioned wooden spin tops. The workshop owners will show you how to spin the tops, how they are still hand-made, and may even tell stories about their own childhood and how they used to play in the old and historic streets of Quito.

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