Tours in
Quito

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978 — the first city in the world to receive this designation. Cobblestone streets, colonial Spanish and mestizo architecture, and the best-preserved historic centre in Latin America.

The Cathedral (17th century) holds the remains of Marshal Sucre, hero of South American independence. The Neo-Gothic Basílica del Voto Nacional is the largest of its kind in the Americas — climb the towers for sweeping 360° views of Quito.

Considered the most beautiful church in Ecuador and one of the finest Baroque interiors in the Americas. Its interior is covered with over 7 tonnes of gold leaf, built by the Jesuits between 1605 and 1765.

The largest square in the historic centre. The Franciscan Convent (1535) is the oldest religious complex in South America. Its colonial art museum houses a remarkable collection of Quito School paintings and sculpture.

Ecuador produces some of the world's finest fine-flavour cacao. Visit artisan chocolate shops like República del Cacao or Pacari. For specialty coffee, the bohemian La Floresta neighbourhood has Quito's best third-wave cafés.

Located inside Parque La Carolina, the garden holds over 1,000 orchid species — Ecuador's national flower — along with native plants from every climatic zone in the country, from cloud forest to Amazon.

Ride from 9,680 ft to 13,450 ft up the slopes of Pichincha Volcano in just 8 minutes. At the top, breathtaking 360° views of Quito, snow-capped volcanoes, and the Andean horizon. Trails lead toward the Rucu Pichincha crater (15,413 ft).

Stand with one foot in each hemisphere on the precise GPS location of the equatorial line. The Intiñan Museum offers fascinating hands-on experiments: balancing an egg on a nail, water spinning in opposite directions on each side of the equator, and demonstrations of the Coriolis effect.