What to do and see in Quito, Pichincha Province: The Best Archaeology Tours

June 25, 2021 Alice Mieles

With a rich pre-Colombian history, Ecuador's capital was founded on the ruins of an Incan city but offers everything a modern traveler might need. It remains the least-altered historic center in Latin America and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Quito’s important sites include baroque gems like San Francisco and Santo Domingo monasteries, as well as La Compañía church and college. This huge city sprawls across a breathtaking Andean valley surrounded by volcanic peaks.
Restaurants in Quito

1. Ecuador Hot & Cold On Bike

Quito, Ecuador Ecuador Bike Rental By Sleipner
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

What if you are told that you could be in complete different worlds in a matter of hours?, In sceneries that could take you from a lake inside of the crater of a Volcano, to be quite deep in the Amazon basin, to explore the country’s most beautiful waterfalls and be able to interact with all nature around you. Pretty astonishing right? Be prepared for this 5 day tour that will take you through different landscapes and keep your adrenaline at an all time high. Making you experience all the diversity and beauty that Ecuador has to offer. This route will start at the capital at 2500 m.a.m.s.l. (8300 f.a.s.l.) to 3914 m.a.m.s.l. (12800 f.a.s.l.) at the top of the Quilotoa crater, and then descending to 450 m.a.m.s.l. (1470 f.a.s.l.) in the amazon basin. Hence the name for this motorcycle adventure.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Breakfast, Use of bicycle

Exclusions: Lunch

Reviewed By ronymini

Sleipner 6 day Ecuador Solo tour. Approximately 6 hours ride/day. David has been fantastic. From helping to chose the correct bike to planning the route and booking awesome hotels. What a treat. Bring your gear and David will arrange everything else. Savings on hotels via Sleipner also. David has been available to alleviate any concerns and anxiety associated with riding in a foreign country. Will definitely recommend Sleipner hands down. ????????

2. City Tour Con Mitad Del Mundo

AUROX TRAVEL
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Discover the main attractions of the city of Quito in a single day, visit the Middle of the World, the Historic Center and the Pululahua viewpoint. Our specialized guides give you the best experience in our beautiful city.

Inclusions: Private transportation

Exclusions: Lunch

3. Tour Through Quito 3D - 2N

Quito, Ecuador Bm Tours Quito
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

We will visit the most striking points by tourists who seek to know the cultural places that mark the capital of Ecuador.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Private Transport, Professional guide, Accomodation in Hotel

Exclusions: Extra drinks, Tips, Tickets to places to visit, Municipal Tax of US$ 2,75 direct payment in the hotel value per night and per room.

Reviewed By SkiDocEdzell

Local guide with good English. Good factual information on main sites of interest. Had driver in private car, which, given the horrendous traffic gridlock and lack of parking in Quito old town, was essential! Felt rushed though, with request for coffee stop after 2 hours, dismissed.

4. Quito customized city tour

City Middle of the World, Manuel Cordova Galarza SN, Quito, Ecuador Daniel Mucarsel
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Is the best and complete way to visit Quito, Certified Tour Guide, and VIP custom driving. Fast, cheap, open-minded, and 100% interesting. Some places/activities' availability may vary. Better to go during weekdays to avoid conglomeration. Keeping all biosafety standards, Covid free service. We take care of each other. 420 friendly

Inclusions: Private transportation, Fuel surcharge, GST (Goods and Services Tax)

Exclusions: Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch, Bottled water, Entrance prices may vary

Reviewed By Alexa Y

Daniel was a great guide and the drive from Quito was beautiful. The thermal springs and spa itself were amazing! I did the 45 min deep body massage and I highly recommend. If you go on a weekend, I would recommend leaving early, Daniela will work with you to figure out what time you want to leave and how long you want to stay, he is very flexible. If you're interested in Spa treatments, I would schedule them in advance or as soon as you arrive so that you can get the time slot you want. I waited a few hours and it started to get a little more crowded (not full but there were others there) and I hate to wait til the afternoon for my massage. Overall, it was a very relaxing day.

5. Cotopaxi National Park and Inca Ruins Day Trip

Ecuador Best Tours
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Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable lifetime experience on the best-quality private day tour to Cotopaxi National Park, escorted by knowledgeable local tour guides, and have the privilege to discover an unknown old colonial Hacienda that was built over impressive Inca structures during the XV century. Be delighted by a gourmet lunch, served inside a well-preserved Inca Temple! Go out of the beaten path with us and explore Cotopaxi region with a different perspective, full of personal challenges and especially being away from crowds!

Inclusions: Private transportation, Certified Bilingual Tour Guide, Lunch, All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions: Alcoholic Beverages, Extra expenses

Reviewed By JeannePlantation

I had only one afternoon in Quito to sightsee. I contacted Ecuador's Best Tour with late notice by email and Luis replied right away. Luis has a great laid back, no worries attitude and assured me he would take care of everything and pick me up at my hotel. He arrived early to pick me up. I was thrilled to visit the beautiful Church la Compania. Luis was very knowledgeable about the history of the church and architecture. Next we visited a beautiful view of the city with the statue Virgin of El Panecillo. I only had a few hours to visit and Ecuador's Best Tours really helped me make the most of my visit. I highly recommend booking this with this company and you will be lucky if Luis is your guide. His English is extraordinary and he's just a pleasant guide to be around. I have toured many places around the would and I would say Luis was one of the best guides I have encountered. I got some great photos from my visit and hope to return someday. I would certainly use Ecuador's Best Tours again.

6. Private Day Tour Archaeological Site-Museums from Quito

Latin Adventures
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Embark on 8-hours of adventure with this tour of the pre-Incan culture in Ecuador. Discover the burial ceremonies and rituals geared towards death with your private guide. See ancient tombs and plots in Rumipamba Archaeological Museum and Tulipe valley until it is time to return to Quito.

Inclusions: Private tour, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Certified English/Spanish speaking guide, Admission fee in La Florida, Tulipe Site Museums, Private transportation

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities

Reviewed By Bretekiel

We had a great day trip from Quito to Cotopaxi with our guide Daniel. He picked us up from our hotel on time at 8am and drove expertly to Cotopaxi taking a scenery road which allowed us to appreciate the geography of the inter-valley region. The drive took about 1.5 hours. His approach takes you around the volcanoes from all angles. Daniel was truly passionate about Ecuador and very knowledgeable about wildlife and vegetation of the region. He stopped plenty of times for awesome picture opportunities. We hiked from the parking lot (15K ft) to the refuge (16K ft) doing the zig-zag approach and experienced no issues with altitude sickness whatsoever (he stopped by a kiosko where we could buy coca candy and leaves if needed before entering the park). The weather was awful as we ascended, with small hail and dust from the strong winds, but he was patient and set the pace perfectly for us to successfully reach the refuge. We grabbed hot chocolate up in the refuge (2.5 per cup, bring change) and warmed up before going back down. On our way back to Quito, we stopped by an authentic local restaurant around 3pm where we had a soup, a pork dish, and an ice cream. Back to the hotel by 5pm promptly. This is a great experience for a Quito escapade which you should consider if you're looking to do something based off the city.

7. Private Equatorial Line Tour

Bm Tours Quito

Visit the middle of the world (Ciudad Mitad del Mundo) during this 3-hour tour to the equatorial line from Quito. The grounds contain the Monument of the Equator, which highlights the exact location of the Equator (from which the country takes its name) where you can stand with one foot in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Explore the Intiñan Museum to try to balance an egg on a nail or watch water spin opposite ways. Also, the Intinan Museum offers a look at Ecuador’s culture—from the biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands to Amazonian tribes.

Inclusions: Professional guide, Hotel/port pickup and drop-off, Transportation, Private Tour

Exclusions: Entrance fees $8, Food and Drinks

Reviewed By SkiDocEdzell

Local guide with good English. Good factual information on main sites of interest. Had driver in private car, which, given the horrendous traffic gridlock and lack of parking in Quito old town, was essential! Felt rushed though, with request for coffee stop after 2 hours, dismissed.

8. Full Quito City Tour including Middle of the World and Teleferico Cable Car

Nature Galapagos & Ecuador

• Visit the idyllic Quito Colonia City (Independence Plaza, The Cathedra, Plaza San Francisco). • Step into South America’s best example of Spanish Baroque architecture church, La Compañia De Jesus • Step right in the middle of the world visiting the Equatorial Monument. • Catch a great 360 sight of Quito from the famous Teleferico Cabe Car and enjoy an amazing hike through one of the trails in Cruz Loma.

Inclusions: Pick up and Drop off at your hotel in Quito (hotels within the urban perimeter ONLY), Bilingual Guide during the tour

Exclusions: Meals, Hotel in Quito, Entrances Fee to Mitad del Mundo Citadel, Intiñan Museum, Telferico Cable Car (7 USD pp) and some churches in the Historical Center, Cost of extra activities not listed, Tips & Gratuities (optional)

Reviewed By C3923YMchristinaf

I cannot stress enough how flawless this experience was. The communication before, during and after the trip was amazing. I traveled during the pandemic as a solo female traveler and had zero concerns. From the airlines to guides, to transfers, to the food and excursions. Snorkeling, hiking, biking, kayaking, and wildlife galore! Every step of the way everything was handled safely and responsibly. Animals everywhere and minimal people. Just what I needed! There literally could not be a better time to travel to the Galapagos. Nothing was ruined, canceled or impacted. I am so glad I moved forward with my trip and I highly encourage others to do the same. Do not hesitate. Book the trip!!! I will use this company again to plan an Amazon vacation.

9. Middle Of The Wold Tour

It is a private tour, where the Middle of the World is known, where the tourist will be respected in the activities that he wants to do

Inclusions: licensed guide

Exclusions: entrance ticket to museums

10. Cochasqui Pyramids, Rose Plantation and Equator Line Day Tour

Ecuador Best Tours

This is the only genuine, exclusive and the best opportunity to have a “great taste” of the Northern Andes of Ecuador, going out of the beatten path and avoiding unnecessary crowds, just joining to a full day tour from Quito!! Enjoy different landscapes, flavours, aromas and feelings... Make your wish become truth, and maximize your holidays having one of the most memorable lifetime experiences..!

Inclusions: Private transportation., Certified Tour Guide.

Exclusions: Lunch, Entrance fees

Reviewed By JeannePlantation

I had only one afternoon in Quito to sightsee. I contacted Ecuador's Best Tour with late notice by email and Luis replied right away. Luis has a great laid back, no worries attitude and assured me he would take care of everything and pick me up at my hotel. He arrived early to pick me up. I was thrilled to visit the beautiful Church la Compania. Luis was very knowledgeable about the history of the church and architecture. Next we visited a beautiful view of the city with the statue Virgin of El Panecillo. I only had a few hours to visit and Ecuador's Best Tours really helped me make the most of my visit. I highly recommend booking this with this company and you will be lucky if Luis is your guide. His English is extraordinary and he's just a pleasant guide to be around. I have toured many places around the would and I would say Luis was one of the best guides I have encountered. I got some great photos from my visit and hope to return someday. I would certainly use Ecuador's Best Tours again.

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