Top Quito Nature and Wildlife Tours

Within the Cotopaxi National Park is the active Cotopaxi volcano, an elevation of 5,897 meters above sea level located in the Cordillera de Los Andes and an exceptional variety of flora and fauna species.

Cover some of Quito's highlights, including the Middle of the World (Mitad del Mundo) and the Pululahua Crater, on this double-decker bus tour. During the half-day tour, you'll learn about the landmarks and popular attractions in Quito from your guide and enjoy VIP access to all of the attractions in the Middle of the World Complex.

Get a sense of the architecture, history, and culture of Quito during this private tour visiting the city’s top sights. Start with an exploration of the historic city center of this Ecuadorian capital, visiting its main Basilica, Independence Plaza, and many more colonial-era sites. Then take a trip aboard the Teleférico to a peak more than 13,000 feet (4,000 meters) above the city for sublime views, finishing your day at ‘Mitad del Mundo,’ a monument marking where the earth’s equator splits the world into north and south.

Take a break from sightseeing in order to relax mind, body, and soul on a day trip to Termas de Papallacta Spa from Quito. A serene experience ideal for tired travelers, this tour covers the thermal springs of Termas de Papallacta Spa. Spend ample time soaking in the steaming waters of the pools, created by volcanic activity and natural heat. Refreshments and entrance fees are included.

Don’t let limited time in Ecuador stop you visiting the majestic Quilotoa Lagoon, an emerald crater lake surrounded by mountain landscapes. Reach the natural wonder the easy way on this full-day tour from Quito, ideal for nature lovers. Stop at a traditional craft market before arriving in Quilotoa National Park and opting to hike or ride a mule (own expense) to the rim of the dormant volcano. Lunch and transfers are included.

Journey to the beautiful Quilotoa volcano, driving through stunning mountain scenery and stopping to visit local Andean communities, during this day trip from Quito. Travel along the spectacular ‘Avenue of Volcanoes’ passing beneath its towering peaks, eventually stopping at a village of an indigenous community, to explore a local home and learn about their daily life. Finish your day with a trip to the lagoon inside Quilotoa volcano. This day trip includes a guide, entrance fees, round-trip hotel transport, and lunch.

Combine culture with nature on this full-day tour of Otavalo Marketplace and Cuicocha Lagoon, ideal for first-time visitors with limited time in Ecuador. Departing Quito, you’ll travel to Otavalo Marketplace, one of Latin America’s largest markets, to browse stalls for colorful, artisan souvenirs. See, too, the Peguche Waterfall and Cuicocha Lagoon, on which you;ll enjoy a short boat ride.

Immerse yourself in the wild terrain of Ecuador’s Cotopaxi National Park during this combination biking and hiking excursion. Journey through the surreal volcanic landscape and grassy highlands in Cotopaxi to begin a hike to the 15,780-foot (4,810-meter) Jorge Rivas Refuge. You’ll also have a chance to admire the park’s glaciers amidst the sky-high environs of Limpiopungo Lagoon at 16,400 feet (5,000 meters). Finish your day with a thrilling (optional) downhill bike ride and lunch before returning to Quito. Your Cotopaxi adventure includes national park fees, breakfast and lunch and cycling equipment.

Explore the rugged surroundings and stunning scenery of Cotopaxi National Park and Cotopaxi Volcano during this full-day trip. Enjoy a short hike into the Limpiopungo Valley before driving ever-higher into this sky-high region, stopping at the 15,800-foot (4830-meter) Padre Rivas Refuge. If you’re feeling up for it, you’ll continue to the 16,500-foot (5,050-meter) Cotopaxi Glacier. This Cotopaxi day trip also includes national park fees, a guide, bottled water, round-trip hotel transport and an optional trip upgrade with lunch.

Tour the capital city of Quito at your leisure aboard this popular hop-on hop-off bus tour. Enjoy hassle-free double-decker transportation through narrow city streets as you make your way to numerous city attractions and landmarks. Choose to get off at any of the stops and make the most of your time in Quito.

Experience the best of Quito on this replica traditional tram tour. Trundle through the Ecuadorian capital’s colonial and modern neighborhoods; and hear tales of the city’s history and culture you might miss if alone. See the Plaza Grande and Basilica of the National Vow; admire panoramic views, and savor local ice cream (own cost). Monday tours bring the chance to watch the Changing of the Guard at the Presidential Palace.

See where the equator divides the northern and southern hemispheres on this tour of the Middle of the World Monument from Quito. Climb aboard a 20th-century replica tram to head to the museum built to honor a French expedition and where numerous Ecuadorian crafts and items are displayed. This tour highlights one of Ecuador's most popular attractions and allows travelers plenty of time for exploring, shopping, and learning, too.

Skip the public transportation and enjoy an easy Arrival, Airport and Ground Transfer in Quito. After landing in Mariscal Sucre International Airport join other travelers to depart for your Quito hotel in a shared minivan.

Laguna Quilotoa, a blue-green volcanic crater lake, sits in the rugged Andean countryside south of Quito. With this tour, escape the busy streets of Quito for an all-inclusive day in the Andes, and see Quilotoa Lake from two different lookouts on the crater rim with views of Cotopaxi in the distance. En route back to Quito, spend some time craft workshops in Tigua and La Victoria.

Mindo, just two hours from Quito, is in a biodiverse cloud forest that's home to hundreds of species of birds and butterflies. This full-day tour with a private driver and guide includes a visit to a butterfly farm and a tour of a chocolate factory plus one other eco-adventure of your choosing, including ziplining, hiking, or an orchid farm visit, for a customized experience.

Discover the amazingly diverse wildlife and scenic beauty of the cloud forests of Mindo during this 8-hour day trip from Quito. This unique ecological area is known for having one of the highest concentrations of biodiversity anywhere on earth, including numerous exotic species of birds along with a wealth of fun attractions. During your excursion, you'll first stop by the Hummingbird Garden and walk into the forest to admire the beauty of this natural reserve before proceeding to Mindo. In Mindo, you can choose from among a range of optional activities (at your own expense), including a visit to a chocolate factory, an orchid garden tour, ziplining, a bird-watching trip with a local expert, and much more.

This popular private tour hits all of Quito's top attractions. Follow your expert local guide through the capital city's historic district, stand on the equator and ride on the highest gondola in South America. This full-day experience is perfect for travelers who want to gain insight and understanding into the history and culture of Quito.

This is a full day tour from Quito to visit the Quilotoa Lagoon, an incredible turquoise-colored lake located inside the caldera of an active volcano. On the way to Quilotoa, you will also stop to enjoy breakfast at the scenic Chuquiragua Lodge, located in the foothills of the Cotopaxi Volcano. A great way to escape from the city and return to Quito the same day!

Don’t worry about confusing and time-consuming public transit in Quito; instead, opt for a comprehensive full-day excursion which covers several city highlights and includes private transportation. Ideal for visitors with limited time in the city, visit the Basilica del Voto Nacional, tour the old town, and more in the company of a local guide, learning more than you could if exploring independently.

Take a break from the busy streets of Quito on a private full-day tour to the Otavalo Market and its surrounding wonders. Private transportation takes you through the picturesque Province of the Lakes at a comfortable and efficient pace. In addition to the market, join your guide at Cayambe, Cotacachi Village, and the Cuicocha Crater Lake. The immersive tour allows you to gain a deeper understanding of local traditions and history.

Boasting a huge diversity of birdlife, the Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve draws ornithologists worldwide. It’s also a popular destination for anyone wishing to escape the busy streets of Quito. With a private guide to help you set the itinerary, you can visit a butterfly farm, trek to waterfalls, go river tubing, and taste locally made chocolate and coffee. Transport is made easy with private hotel pickup in a 4WD vehicle.

Journey through Ecuador’s incredible landscapes and stop on route for photos and to visit Otavalo Market on this tour from Quito. Head north along the Pan-American highway, taste biscuits in Cayambe, and hop out at Otavalo Market to experience the local shopping culture by bartering for handicrafts. Then, stop at Cuicocha Lagoon—a crater lake below Cotacachi Volcano—to snap photos and perhaps take an optional boat ride (additional cost).

Spend the day exploring the stunning natural landscapes of Ecuador on this full-day Quilotoa Lake hiking tour from Quito. Your expert guide will lead you through tropical forests to one of the area's most beautiful lagoons. Make stops at a quiet village and local markets as part of this incredible day away from the city.

Embark on this full day tour to the magical town of Mindo, a place full of color, nature, and biodiversity! You will have the opportunity to hike in the middle of a humid forest, swim in a natural waterfall, and learn how to make the famous chocolate from Mindo.