Day Tours: Customized Journeys

We are ready to support every aspect of your journey. We recommend booking day tours at least 2 months in advance. Our guides schedules typically fill up quickly. However, you can always check with us for availability.

We can arrange all details for transportation. Pick Up and Drop Off details will be discussed when booking your day tour.

Our tours are carefully designed to offer participants the opportunity to explore Ecuador and familiarize with the local culture. The tour has many aspects that are educational, recreational, cultural, and also offer activities to simply relax and have fun. All excursions are carefully designed for an itinerary that is fun, enriching, and safe. A staff member from My Ecuador Trip will serve as a group leader and will guide the group through their journey. Transportation is provided for every tour.

Safety and reliability are our priority when traveling across Ecuador. Each trip enjoys a professional driver and a vehicle (e.g., van or small motor coach) that will only serve the group for the duration of their stay. This vehicle stays with us at all times, which provides maximum flexibility in our schedule, and allows us to make changes and adapt to local conditions if necessary. This is the kind of support and service we are committed to. In some occasions, the tour incorporates the use of public transportation or other methods of transportation. In this case, participants will receive this information during orientation and it will be described in the itinerary.

Coming to Ecuador is the perfect opportunity to experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available in this country. Day Tours DO NOT include the cost of meals, but your guide tour will make recommendations for places to enjoy local food. This can also be discussed when booking your day tour.

Our Day Tours can be crafted with your input on a day by day basis. Because we have fewer participants, that give us more flexibility. We can incorporate alternate walks, time off for relaxing, and other options at no extra cost. Below, we have included a brief description of what you could expect from a typical tour.

Excursions and Tours. Some tours involve moderate hikes in the city, rainforests, plains, and national parks. Our tour involves getting out of vehicles, walking on uneven terrain, and in some cases hiking in places with high elevation and some humidity. Our tours are suited for anyone who can walk up to 2-5 km (1.5 - 3 miles) per day. Some days there will be no walking and other days walking time may exceed 1-2 hours (broken up into shorter blocks). In the past, we have welcomed participants with different medical conditions. Please send us an email if you would like to find out more information about the level of activity and accommodation for each tour.

All participants must secure medical travel insurance coverage PRIOR the trip. This insurance should cover you for the entire duration of the trip. While many participants may already be covered by a medical insurance policy, your policy for this tour must include travel, medical, emergency repatriation, overseas coverage, and travel/trip cancellation (For additional details and a description of risks, please refer to our liability contract).

All participants must present proof of insurance in writing to My Ecuador Trip prior departure (i.e., copy of online receipt/policy with your name). My Ecuador Trip does not endorse the following travel insurance providers but includes their contact information for your reference

iNext card:  http://www.inext.com/plans/supplemental/basic.aspx

CMI Insurance Worldwide: https://www.cmi-insurance.com/default.aspx

STA Travel Insurance: http://www.statravel.com/international-travel-insurance.htm

Insurance Purchased Through Orbitz when you book your ticket

Health Considerations

Each participant should consult a doctor for up-to-date medical travel information before departure. We highly recommend that you carry with you all personal medications needed (e.g., headache tablets, antibiotics, etc). When booking this tour, please carefully read about the physical demands of the itinerary. Please note that Quito is a city in the Andes mountains with high altitude (medically defined as anything over 8,000 feet). We have not have any issues in the past, but because everyone reacts to altitude differently, and only you know your health and fitness level, please consult with your physician prior the trip.

Do you need vaccinations prior traveling to Ecuador?

All our programs take place in locations where no vaccinations are needed. These areas have no risk of malaria or yellow fever.

At the present time, U.S. citizens do not need a visa to travel to Ecuador for a period shorter than 90 days. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must check with your own government agency and/or the consulates of all countries visited for entry and visa requirements for your nationality.

Yes. Each trip details an estimated amount of cash participants will need to bring to cover additional expenses (i.e., souvenirs, alcoholic drinks, tips, miscellaneous). However, because every participant is different spending money requirements will vary. Please consider your own spending habits. In addition, it is always a good idea to have extra cash/emergency fund in case you find the souvenir of your dreams or need to make an unexpected purchase.

Ecuador’s official currency since 2001 is the U.S. dollar. If you bring cash, please bring smaller bills (locals do not accept $50 or $100 dollar bills). We highly discourage bringing traveler checks.

Credit Cards: ATMs are available. However, you need to check with your bank before leaving to ensure that your card works internationally. Also, we recommend that withdrawing cash from an ATM will be for emergency purposes only, considering that our itinerary might take us to places where ATMs are not available.

Every participant will receive detailed packing information prior departure. We will be happy to answer any additional question.

Participant Cancellation:

Cancellation Policy: Refunds will be given for cancellations received in writing 60 days before the trip date less a $300 processing fee. If you decide to cancel your participation in the tour 60 to 30 days before for any reason, we will refund 50% of your total payments (not including $300 processing fee). Cancellations under 30 days before the trip dates will not be entitled to any refunds. No partial refunds are given for unused meals, hotel rooms, airport transfers, or other program activities, for any reason whatsoever. All requests for cancellation and refunds must be in writing to [email protected].

Only cancellations under 30 days are eligible for credit for a future tour (travel or study tour) minus the $300 application fee and any other expenses inquired by My Ecuador Trip. If credit is used, this tour must be booked within one year after the original tour date. No refunds will be given if the tour is not booked within that time frame. My Ecuador Trip will have no further liability with the participant.

Tour Cancellation:

The tour may be cancelled or postponed due to unforeseen circumstances by My Ecuador Trip. In this case My Ecuador Trip will refund all tour fees and has no further liability to the participant. My Ecuador Trip will not be responsible for additional costs, charges, or expenses, including cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines, travel insurance, and/or travel agencies. Please note that under no circumstances My Ecuador Trip is responsible for any flight cancellation or flight change charges incurred. My Ecuador Trip is not responsible for weather or travel-related problems and will not reimburse registration fees for these issues. We would like to mention that we have never cancelled a trip.

Travel Warning Cancellation

In case of an act of war, terrorism, or the threat of an act of terrorism. Participants will receive a full refund (less the $300 processing fee that will be applied for a future trip) should all of the following conditions be met: (a) a terrorist act, or threats of terrorist acts occur(s), which is directed against U.S. interests on U.S. soil or in U.S. airspace or directed against U.S. interests in any other country or in international airspace; and (b) as a result of these events, a formal Travel Warning is issued by the U.S. Department of State, stating that Americans should not travel to Ecuador ad any other country or countries that are included in the participant’s tour itinerary; and (c) the formal Travel Warning by the U.S. Department of State is issued within 30 days of the participant’s departure.

Each participant will receive a detailed itinerary closer to the trip's dates. Each participant will also receive a detailed list of how to prepare, packing, and other pertaining information. While it is our intention to adhere to itinerary described for each tour, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into each itinerary and My Ecuador Trip deserves the right to make alterations when necessary and at the discretion of My Ecuador Trip staff. Travel can be unpredictable, and the itinerary is a general guide to the tour and region.  In addition any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered and travel times will be changed according to local circumstances.

Day Tour 2: Mindo Cloud Forest

All Day Tours are fully customizable. You and your group have flexibility to make any changes that you prefer. Exact visits and timings can be agreed together with your guide prior departure. Times below present the best alternative to enjoy each tour.

Depart Quito: 7:30 AM

Mindo Cloud Forest

Mindo cloud forest is one of the greatest ecosystems in Ecuador. Mindo is located only 2 hours from Quito, and known worldwide for its incredible biodiversity. You will come across low subtropical forest, cloud mountain forest, and the high paramo. Mindo is home to almost 50,000 acres of Ecuadorian cloud forest, a world-class bird watcher’s paradise with over 400 species recorded including the toucan-barbet and the golden-headed quetzal. In addition, Mindo is the ideal place for activities such as hiking, canopying, waterfall exploration, and bathing in pristine rivers. In your visit, we guarantee you will come face-to-face with beautiful hummingbirds! In addition, Ecuador is home to the greatest number of orchids in the world (more than 3,700 species). Mindo is your destination to enjoy their beautiful and elegant shape.

Return to Quito: 2:00 PM

Cost Per Participant:

2 passengers: $85

3 passengers: $75

4 or more passengers: $65

Day Tour 3: Cotopaxi Volcano

All Day Tours are fully customizable. You and your group have flexibility to make any changes that you prefer. Exact visits and timings can be agreed together with your guide prior departure. Times below present the best alternative to enjoy each tour.

Depart Quito: 8:30 AM

Cotopaxi Volcano

Traveling along the Occidental highway, you can appreciate several elevations and major geographic reference points. The Cotopaxi National Park tour is an exciting day with spectacular views of what German scientist Alexander von Humboldt called the “Avenue of the Volcanoes” in 1802. The Cotopaxi Volcano (the highest active volcano in the world), at 17,000 feet above sea level sits majestically above the horizon providing the city of Latacunga with a unique character. Surrounding Cotopaxi Volcano is the Cotopaxi National Park, a nature sanctuary of 36,000 hectares (nearly 90,000 acres). There, you can enjoy the variety of plants and animals protected in this reserve. Among the fauna endemic of this park, you might find red brocket deer, an Andean fox named Colpeo, pumas, white-tailed deer, llamas, and some species currently under threat of extinction such as the Andean speckled bear, and with some luck, the Andean condor. This journey finishes at the beautiful lagoon at the base of Cotopaxi.

Return to Quito: 5:00 PM

Cost Per Participant:

2 passengers: $95

3 passengers: $85 

4 or more passengers: $75 each

Day Tour 4: Papallacta Hot Springs

All Day Tours are fully customizable. You and your group have flexibility to make any changes that you prefer. Exact visits and timings can be agreed together with your guide prior departure. Times below present the best alternative to enjoy each tour.

Depart Quito: 9:30 AM

Papallacta Hot Springs

Papallacta is a small mountain village famous for its natural thermal baths and hot springs with water temperature fluctuating between 36 and 42 degrees Celsius (96 – 107 degrees Fahrenheit).  This village is located just 67 kilometers (40 miles) east of Quito. On your way there, you can enjoy an Andean landscape with remarkable volcanic rock formations. This is one of the few places in Ecuador where, from time to time, one will find snow. To reach Papallacta, you actually take the path that was taken by the Spanish conquistador Francisco de Orellana in 1542. He used this route to cross the Andes Mountains to later discover the Amazon River. The natural hot springs  provide a relaxing and spiritual setting, where sun, clouds, and nature make this site truly feel like heaven on earth. It is believed that these thermal waters have many healing powers and offer a complete restorative experience.

Return to Quito: 5:00 PM

Cost Per Participant:

2 passengers: $85

3 passengers: $75

4 or more passengers: $65

Day Tour 5: Andes Sky Lift / Panecillo / Capilla del Hombre

All Day Tours are fully customizable. You and your group have flexibility to make any changes that you prefer. Exact visits and timings can be agreed together with your guide prior departure. Times below present the best alternative to enjoy each tour.

Depart Quito: 9:00 AM (Day Tour 5 is in Quito)

Andes Sky Lift

Quito is the highest capital city in the world at an elevation of 9,350 feet (2,800 meters above sea level). While in Quito, it is fitting that you reach for the sky and visit Quito's famous Sky Lift. You start this adventure at 9,350 ft at the city level and arrive at the top of the ride located on the hills of the active Pichincha volcano at 15,000 ft. From the top, you will have a spectacular view of Quito and incomparable Andean landscapes that provides a one-of-a-kind setting for photography aficionados. Be ready to walk among clouds and feel on the top of the world.

El Panecillo

A visit to El Panecillo or 'the Little Bread Loaf,' brings you face to face with a major iconic landmark of Quito. From this site, you will not only find marvelous panoramic views of the entire city and surrounding volcanoes, but also learn about the importance of faith and religion in this country. On the top of “El Panecillo” visitors will find a 45 meter aluminum statue that was inspired by the famous Virgin of Quito (Quito's Madonna),also known as "the dancer," sculpted by Bernardo de Legarda in 1731.

Chapel of Mankind - Guayasamin

A visit to the Chapel of Mankind is a must when you travel to Quito. Famous artist Oswaldo Guayasamin (1919 -1999) dedicated his life to painting, sculpting, and collecting art. The museum displays his private collection of more than 7,000 artifacts including 4,500 pre-Colombian ceramic, bone and metal pieces found throug hout Ecuador. His work on human and social inequalities achieved international recognition and you will have the opportunity to come face-to-face with one of the most prolific artists on the continent.

Return to Quito: 5:30 PM

Cost Per Participant:

2 passengers: $75

3 passengers: $65

4 or more passengers: $55