Your day starts exploring the bustling streets and squares of the largest historical center in the Americas, in a unique adventure for the senses. Together we will uncover traditions, history and local life of this enchanting city. Our route takes along the street of the seven crosses. Enjoying the view of the old colonial houses and the facades of the churches, before entering to Quito main Square knowns as Independence Square where you will find the Government Palace.
Deeper into the heart of Quito, passing by historic buildings made of volcanic stones. The stunning views of the sculpted Compania Church will only be surpassed by its gold covered interiors. To learn more about this and other churches we make our way to the workshops of the master craftsmen from “The Escuela Quiteña”. These artists keep the secrets of the colonial art in Quito’s churches and museums. They have been in charge of restoring altars and painting of this historic churches. Over there you will discover their secrets and you were going to be able to try your artistic skills to create your own crafts.
As we continue through these historic streets we get a chance to meet a local family that makes traditional sweets called colaciones. It is nearby, Plaza San Francisco where is located the Church and Convent of San Francisco which forms part of the City of Quito World Heritage Site, the first site ever inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978. It is the oldest and most significant religious site in Ecuador. The vast complex includes 13 cloisters, three churches, a plaza, more than 3,500 works of religious art, and a library holding thousands of books and historic documents. The convent was built by Brother Jodoco Ricke for the Order of the Franciscan Monks, between 1537 and 1560. The main church, an imposing baroque structure, was completed a century later, together with additional cloisters. Today, the complex continues to house Franciscan monks, but also functions as a major cultural and religious center, receiving close to one million visitors every year.
The Street of the 7 crosses is one of the cities iconic areas within the Unesco heritage area. The Old town of Quito is home hundreds of artists, artisans and local experts. We will visit several artisan workshops and meet living icons of Quito's cultural scene. Your guide will adapt to your cultural interaction preferences to choose your unique experiences, let us know if you are a foodie, cultural buff, music enthusiast, art connoisseur, aroma searcher, photographer or any other details of your travel purposes and we will pair you up with local experts.
Our next stop will be at La Ronda, a historical and bohemian neighborhood of the city. It is a traditional street, associated with the art, crafts, gastronomy and fun of Quito. It is also the oldest street in Quito. Over there we will also enter at a traditional coffee shop to try some interesting ice cream flavours or a traditional sweet (depending on the weather).
Finally you will visit the "Panecillo" hillside with its breathtaking views of the old and modern city surrounded by the rolling Andes Mountains. And on the top is located one of the most iconic monument of Quito: the Panecillo Virgin. It is built of nearly seven thousand pieces of aliminum and what makes this representation so unique are the wings: it is the only Virgin Mary that has wings in the world.
We will uncover many hidden gems throughout the entire old town of Quito
This was one of our favorite tours! First off, Gina our tour guide was fabulous. The small shops we visited were off the beaten path. We loved supporting locals, and learned a lot about local coffee, chocolate, hat making and more. Would highly recommend.
We really enjoyed our tour of historic keto with our guide, Danny. He is a native of Quito and extremely knowledgeable about the city and its history. The tour was a great mix of sightseeing and some hands-on experience. We had a chocolate tasting as well. Highly recommend this tour.
On our walking tour, Fabian told us the history surrounding Calle de La Ronda and its transformation into an artisan area. He then showed us to La Negra Mala restaurant where we chatted with Victoria who was preparing food on the stove for corn empanadas with a chicken and vegetable filling. We learnt about the local oils and spices used in the preparation. We heard of her trauma through the COVID epidemic and how her sisters have come on board to make the restaurant the success it is today. Victoria is such a warm person and after being shown how to prepare the dough and filling for the empanadas, it was our turn to make them. The best part was we got to taste our empanadas with a Naranjilla fruit drink. Both were delicious. Thank you Victoria. We then moved on to the main square where we visited Yumbo Chocolate. Daniel shared with us the history of the Cacao fruit and why this fruit develops its unique flavour in Ecuador because of their ideal growing conditions. We then paired their signature chocolates with red and white wines and also indulged in their hot chocolate and brownie. What a taste sensation. Thanks again Daniel. A BIG thank you however must go to Fabian who did an amazing job translating our conversations with Victoria and answered all our questions. Such a wonderful experience.
Wonderful experience. Our guide Jorge Castillo is very knowledgeable and it was a pleasure being shown around by him.
Our guide Danny made our week in Ecuador absolutely unforgettable. Every part of our week tour was incredible. Danny was knowledgeable, friendly and perfectly organized. Danny shared so much insight about the culture, history, and nature of Ecuador. He made us feel welcome and always comfortable. The hotels were incredible from accommodation to food. We came home with beautiful memories and deep appreciation of the country.
We had our guide Fabricio with us for 2 full days plus airport pick up and drop off Fabricio is the best guide we have had in South America, providing great commentary giving a feel for the local environment plus great factual background. The first day was the all day city tour and middle of the world which was excellent. With a second day to the national park at Cotopaxi. We would thoroughly recommend Fabricio for any travel around Quito.
We had an informative and fun day tour of Quito with our English speaking guide Gina Castillo. She was extremely knowledgeable of the history of Quito and Ecuador. She took us to several amazing historical churches/buildings and we enjoyed a typical Ecuadorean lunch. We thoroughly enjoyed the chocolate tasting. It was a a great day and I’d really recommend it.
Great tour with our amazing guide, Fabricio. We got to visit a local market, have our body and mind cleansed, meet an artisan of metalwork and try our hand at the craft, enjoy great views from the statue of the Virgin Mary and the top of the gothic cathedral, and learn all about Quito from the very knowledgeable Fabricio. We also did the Cotopaxi National Park tour with Fabricio. Another wonderful experience.
I can’t recommend this tour and our guide Viviana enough. Our group had one person arriving at 2am and the remaining four arriving at 6.30pm. Both parties were seamlessly met at the airport and transported to our hotel. Pick up times were clearly communicated and Viviana adapted the schedule to suit our needs when one of our group was impacted by altitude sickness. The six senses tour is a great day out and an awesome way to experience Quito. If you don’t have much time here I would definitely recommend it.
Gina was our outstanding guide. She knew everyone and everything. We really could experience her knowledge and passion for her country. She was constantly checking in to ensure we were enjoying every aspect of the tours. Transfers were a breeze! Gina went out of her way to make sure we were sorted after our Galapagos cruise which was truly above and beyond.
Jorge is an incredible guide who made our stay in Quito a fantastic experience. He is very knowledgeable and eager to share his knowledge and pride for the country with his guests. Thank you Jorge!
We had 36 hours in Quito, maybe less, and we wanted to make the most of it! Gina was our airport transport who took us to our hotel in the historic center. She picked us up the next morning and spent 7 hours with us on the Six Senses Tour. What a fantastic day!! This was a private tour, and we appreciated that Gina let us customize this a bit, both the timing and the activities, based on our interests. It was a fully immersive day into the Ecuadorian culture, trying local food and meeting local people. Gina was super knowledgeable and accommodating. Request her when you’re in town! You won’t be disappointed and you’ll feel like you really got a good education and had a lot of fun doing it!
We had a wonderful time on the tour. It was surprising in a positive was full of different experiences. We got to meet wonderful generous artisan local people and saw quintessential Quito. The best guide we have had was Viviana. She was organized yet flexible to our needs - an excellent communicator. Highly recommend this tour and we have enduring memories if a fun filled day
We had an amazing private tour with our guide Rami and driver Paul. They are extremely funny, kind and flexible. We had a lot of fun with them and I can only recommend them! When we come back, we will definitely start a new adventure with them!
13 FRIENDS AND FAMILY FROM TRAVEL TRAVE;,CA,USA. AFTER 4 DAYS IN GALAPAGOS, WE CONTINUED OUR TOUR IN ECUADOR,QUITO. VIVIANO NARVAEZ IS OUR TOUR GUIDE AND DRIVER IS ITALO. VIVIANA NARVAEZ IS ONE OF THE BEST TOUR GUIDE WE HAVE HAD. VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT YHE CULURE HISTORY AND TRADITION OF ECUADOR. WE HAD MANY AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES, HAD WELL ORGANIZED TRIPS. HER BEING WELL EXPERIENCED, SHE IS VERY ECEPTIONAL, SHE MADE ALL THINGS POSSIBLE VERY ACCOMODATING. MOST OF ALL SHE IS PLEASANT AND FRIENDLY. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND VIVIANA NARVAEZ AS A VERSATILE TOUR GUIDE AND ITALO AS THE TOUR DRIVER,
Last week Jorge guided us around Quito. When we arrived at the airport, we’ve got an warm welcome and he was informing us about the surroundings as soon as we got in the car. We visited the mitel del mundo where he took us to the highlights. We visited the city center and heard al about the interesting story’s and important information about the history! On our invite he joind the lunch and was a great company. He took us to the places he grew up what made the tour extra special! There was no question he did not had an answer to and took the time to inform us. He also advised us where to have dinner, we would’t had find this hidden place without his help. We are going to miss Jorge and wish everyone a guide like he was to us! Thanks for the great time and hope to see you again sometime!
Our travel advisor scheduled this all day private tour of Quito for us. Gina was our tour guide and she was excellent! We have a family of five, including three teenagers. Gina obviously knew Quito, its history, both cultural and political from the moment we began the tour. We visited the equator museum, took a cooking class at a five star hotel with the chef there, visited a few historic churches, and ended with a chocolate tasting class that was given by whatever the chocolate equivalent to sommelier is. Gina could tell toward the end of the day that the kids had had enough church touring and brought us to the chocolate tasting instead…excellent idea! We all had an amazing day before leaving on our Galapagos adventure the following morning.
Our guide Xavier was knowledgeable and accomodating. He he recommended good restaurants. We would use his services again
My experience was excellent thanks to our great guide Gina Castillo as well as the choices our travel agent Far’n Away selected. I found Ecuador a very environment conscious country and its people warm hearted.
What an amazing tour of Quito. We visited the equator centre, the Basilica along with a flew other churches in the old town and experienced a very interesting chocolate tour. I can't say enough good things about our tour guide Gina Castillo who is one of the best tour guides we have had. The wealth of knowledge she shares makes you feeling you just graduated a history class. Always on time and very friendy. We highly recommend Gina for any of your tours.
Wonderful half day Quito city tour and full day trip to Cotopaxi with our lovely guide Gina. Informative, interesting and good fun on both trips. Churches, chocolate tasting, hiking and roses all in a couple of days! Would highly recommend both, especially with the help of a great guide.
Wonderful Trip & Organization & Special Perspectives & our Guide Sandra was extraordinaire.. brought us to all Sightseeing points and gave us lots of insights in culture & history Thanks a lot
We had reallly a wonderful special guide from Quito - Sandra Zurita who was organizing and guiding our tour over one week with neverending energy and knowledge. She made all things possible. She was so competent in historic & cultural issues, found everytime the best views & perspectives, showed us wonderful possibillities to enjoyo almuerzo. We are so thankful for her great heart and also for her brother who was our driver. He brought us save and with great peace & joy to all the special places
We spent two days with Fabricio. He was brilliant. The first day we went to Rose Success and then a walk around the lake near the volcano before lunch and a walk around the markets. Then the next day we had a Quito city tour before going to the centre of the earth. Fabricio was very knowledgeable and explained so much about the culture of Ecuador and how the country “worked”. The only sad thing is that we didn’t have more time. We will definitely be back.
Gina Castillo picked me up at Chito airport as I arrived hours before my friends. The welcome was warm and the drive to Quito to the hotel informative and personal. The next morning she picked us up 5 to take us to the market with his intense impressions for the eye, nose and ears. It was interesting to observe that the market stalls are run predominantly by women who work into old age. Unexpected was the visit to an Ecuadorian kitchen where we all prepared empanadas together, which were then served for lunch in the restaurant. Great idea for the tour, when do you get into a kitchen with locals in a foreign country!? Very nice atmosphere with mother and son in their old house/restaurant in Quito. Even more surprising for me was the subsequent visit to a metal workshop where we were all allowed to drive a trailer. Everything was prepared to create something yourself. Everyone was instructed to use the tool. That was great fun, I am probably the first trained silversmith in a 6senses tour who was tried to teach how to hold a hammer. That's where I revealed my profession. The pendant we made I have already worn several times. Afterwards at our request, Gina led us to a friendly cafe on the large square, very sympathetic ambience. The subsequent chocolate tasting was delicious, but too fast. The young lady, who explained the process of processing the cocoa beans, dealt with it too quickly and asked too little if it was understood. I couldn't reproduce it... Delicious were the different flavors anyway and we did some shopping. The souvenir shop in the cathedral tower was also a great tip from Gina. The whole day was varied, well thought out and structured. Culture, architecture, gastronomy, commerce, encounters with people, enjoyments of all kinds. Great mix! The support attentive, devoted, interested, committed and competent also in politics and socio-economics. Great service, thank you Gina!
It's been a beautiful journey. We got to know nature, cities, people and the delicious food. We had an excellent tour guide and a competent driver.
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