Day Trips outside of Quito

Discover the Ecuadorian cloud forest, travel along the breathtaking Avenue of the Volcanoes, or visit Otavalo, home to one of South America’s largest indigenous markets. These full-day excursions offer the perfect opportunity to explore the spectacular landscapes and cultural treasures surrounding Quito.

MINDO CLOUD FOREST AND BUTTERFLY GARDEN (8 HOURS)

Discover the Ecuadorian cloud forest, one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems. Journey through lush landscapes of exotic orchids and bromeliads, cascading waterfalls, moss-draped trees, and vibrant birdlife.

Located on the western slopes of Pichincha Volcano, the Mindo-Nambillo Protected Forest ranges in elevation from 1,400 to 4,780 meters and is home to an extraordinary diversity of flora and fauna. Keep an eye out for the Andean Cock-of-the-rock, hummingbirds, tanagers, mountain toucans, cotingas, manakins, and many other species.

Lunch is served at a local restaurant in the Mindo area.

COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK & AVENUE OF THE VOLCANOES (8 HOURS)

Travel through spectacular Andean landscapes where snow-capped peaks overlook rivers, traditional villages, and terraced farmlands. Journey south along the renowned Avenue of the Volcanoes, a name coined by the German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt during his travels through Ecuador.

Explore Cotopaxi National Park, home to the iconic, perfectly cone-shaped Cotopaxi Volcano, one of the world’s highest active volcanoes at 5,897 meters above sea level. The park is also a haven for Andean wildlife, including the majestic Andean condor and high-altitude bird species such as the puna hawk.

During your visit, enjoy a walk to the Salitre pre-Inca archaeological site and the scenic Limpiopungo Lagoon.

OTAVALO MARKET & CRAFT VILLAGES (8 HOURS)

Visit Otavalo, home to one of South America’s largest indigenous markets, where colorful stalls overflow with alpaca sweaters, handwoven ponchos, tapestries, and traditional crafts. The local Otavalo people proudly preserve their cultural heritage, wearing their distinctive blue ponchos and speaking Kichwa, their ancestral language.

Travel north through dramatic Andean landscapes dotted with picturesque villages, colonial churches, and sparkling lakes. Along the way, stop at the Quitsato Sundial, an equatorial monument, and visit a traditional local produce market. Lunch is served at a local hacienda.

In the afternoon, visit the workshops of local weavers in the artisan village of San Pablo to discover traditional textile techniques and Andean musical instruments, or explore the pre-Inca archaeological site of Cochasquí.

Rates

	1	2	3	4-7	8-11	12-15	16+
Airport Transfer	$225	$115	$85	$75	$45	$50	$55
Mindo & Butterfly Tour	$610	$395	$320	$305	$240	$215	$205
Cotopaxi National Park	$560	$345	$275	$260	$180	$155	$140
Otavalo Market	$610	$385	$310	$290	$215	$185	$170