Experience an authentic Quito tour, the heart and capital city of Ecuador. Known for having one of the most breathtaking and impeccably preserved historical centers in South America, Quito was recognized by UNESCO as the first cultural heritage of humanity in 1978, a testament to its rich history and architectural splendor.
During this Quito Walking Tour, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in its vibrant culture and history. The journey begins with a leisurely stroll through the bustling streets of the historic center. Here, you can admire the stunning colonial architecture, intricate churches, and charming plazas that have stood the test of time. It’s an opportunity to witness the past and present of Quito intersecting in a beautiful dance of cultures.
Similar to our other Walking Tours, you’ll have the opportunity to utilize public transportation during this experience. However, rest assured that you will still be a part of our exclusive private tour, but this way you’ll travel alongside locals, experiencing the city as they do on a daily basis. This is a chance to get a real taste of Quito’s everyday life, witnessing the hustle and bustle, the rhythms, and the energy that make this city so unique.
This Quito city tour also includes a visit to the largest market in the city, where you will be introduced to an array of typical Ecuadorian fruits. The market is a sensory delight, filled with the bright colors of exotic fruits, the scent of fresh produce, and the lively chatter of vendors and shoppers. Here, you can sample some of the country’s most delicious and unique fruits, offering a taste of Ecuador’s rich biodiversity.
In essence, this Quito guided tour provides a comprehensive exploration, offering a blend of historical discovery, cultural immersion, culinary delights, and artistic inspiration. It’s an authentic journey that captures the spirit of this captivating capital city in all its facets, promising an unforgettable experience for every traveler.
Should you find yourself with some extra free time, there are many other facets of the city that are worth exploring. Follow us to La Floresta during our Quito Food Street Tour by Night. Or accompany us to another Quito day tour to experience the different fun effects living in the Middle of the World causes! Check out our Mitad del Mundo Tour. It’s possible to combine any of these tours, in your preferred order!
Looking for more ways to explore the vibrant city of Quito? Dive into our comprehensive Travel Guide to Quito! Packed with local insights and sustainable travel tips, this guide is your passport to an authentic and impactful journey. Discover hidden gems, get a taste of local flavors, and connect with the heart and soul of Quito in a way that respects the environment and supports local communities. Let’s make your trip to Quito not just a vacation, but a transformative experience.
A highlight of our Quito Walking Tour is a stop at Sinsoluka for a coffee. Situated in the heart of the city, this NGO’s establishment is more than just a place for us to enjoy a cup of coffee. It’s part of the Fundación Proyecto Sinsoluka, an organization dedicated to supporting marginal youth and children in Quito.
By stopping at Sinsoluka for a coffee, you’re not only getting a chance to savor a fresh juice and snack but also contributing to a noble cause. The profits generated from the sales go directly towards funding the foundation’s initiatives, providing a safe learning environment for children and helping them build a brighter future.
The atmosphere at Sinsoluka is warm and welcoming, making it the perfect place to relax and recharge during your walking tour. While you’re there, you’ll also have the opportunity to learn more about the foundation’s work and its impact on the local community. It’s a chance to connect with the city and its people on a deeper level, making your visit to Quito all the more meaningful.
So, take a moment to step off the beaten path and immerse yourself in the local reality at Sinsoluka. It’s not just a pit stop on your tour – it’s a destination itself, one that embodies the spirit of community and resilience that defines Quito.
Cultural Preservation: The tour emphasizes on exploring the rich history and architectural splendor of Quito, thereby promoting cultural preservation.
Use of Public Transport: By opting to go on foot and use public transport for some parts of the tour, it reduces carbon footprint and supports local transit systems.
Support Local Economy: Our Quito Walking Tour includes stops at a local market and the Sinsoluka coffee shop. This not only offers a unique experience for travelers but also helps support the local economy.
Social Impact: Visiting and spending at the Sinsoluka establisment directly supports Fundación Proyecto Sinsoluka. Sinsoluka is an organization aiding marginal youth and children in Quito.
Off-the-beaten-path Exploration: The tour encourages exploration of less touristy areas. This reduces pressure on heavily visited sites and spreads economic benefits to a wider range of local businesses.
Promote Local Produce: The tour includes a sampling of typical Ecuadorian fruits at the largest market in Quito. This promotes local produce and reduces food miles.
Educational: The tour educates visitors about the local culture, history, and social initiatives, fostering a sense of respect and awareness for the community and environment.
Yes; it is possible to combine this tour with our Mitad del Mundo Tour (in your preferred order) and with the Quito Street Food Tour.
Both the Half-Day Tours last 3 to 4 hours, so they can be combined in your preferred order. The street food tour starts at 18:30 (6:30 pm) so that can also be added; all on the same day, if you so desire.
The Quito Walking Tour is relatively undemanding. While there are some slopes to navigate and the altitude of 2700m (8858 feet) to consider, it’s generally manageable for those with regular fitness levels. Most find this tour to be a rewarding experience.
This is a private excursion for now. Once we grow, we might open up this tour to a fixed price excursion and you’ll have the choice to book it as a private or shared tour.
Typically, the Quito Walking Tour doesn’t involve visiting places with entrance fees. However, as this is a private tour, your guide may suggest itinerary changes that include fee-charging locations. Rest assured, your guide will inform you of any such costs, which can be paid directly on site.
The city of Quito itself sits at an altitude of 2700m (approximately 8858 feet), and throughout this tour, you’ll be exploring locales within this elevation range.
Due to its location in the Andes, Quito experiences a subtropical highland climate. The dry season, from June to September, offers mild temperatures between 17°C to 21°C (63°F to 70°F) during the day and cooler nights around 8°C to 11°C (46°F to 52°F). From October to May, the city enters its wet season, with occasional afternoon showers yet maintaining fairly consistent temperatures, ranging from 17°C to 20°C (63°F to 68°F).
Interestingly, Quito’s diverse topography leads to microclimates, with the south being generally milder and wetter than the drier north. Dressing in layers is recommended for the quick-changing weather conditions.
Check this and more information in our blog Best Time to Travel to Ecuador.
If you want to see the price for your situation, please select an amount of travelers on the right side of the website (or the top on the mobile version). You will then see that total price for your party right above it. For some tours, the price will change according to the amount of people.
Please refer to our article What to Pack for your Trip to Ecuador for all your questions about packing for your Ecuador trip. Whether you’re going to the jungle or the mountains, you’ll find the answers you need.
For questions about booking a tour, prices, preparation for your trip, health and safety or other themes, please check our Frequently Asked Questions page. If you can’t find your question & answer, email us and we’ll add it!
Sinsoluka is a non-profit organization founded in 2004 by Ecuadorian Psychologist, Dr. Mario Piedra in Quito, Ecuador. It cares for street children and adolescents as well as children from deprived backgrounds, all of whom have practically no chance of an education. Through the organization the children and adolescents are given the chance to attend school, and the aim is for them to get a school leaving certificate. In the long run, being able to go to school should make a valuable contribution towards the children and adolescents being able to live an independent life away from the streets.
While its sister NGO Sinsoluka Switzerland, founded in 2008, is a charitable organization with headquarters in Aesch, Luzern. The founders and most members of the committee have all worked as volunteers in the project in Ecuador. The committee works completely on a voluntary basis and attaches great importance to keeping administrative costs as low as possible. The organization is financed by membership fees and donations and at least 99% of this money flows directly into the project in Ecuador.
Every month, the organization transfers 4000$ to the project and in summer pays for the additional school costs. It works in close cooperation with Sinsoluka Ecuador and each month receives a list of all their takings and expenses as well as a copy of their bank statement. This ensures complete transparency. In addition, the project is visited regularly by members of the committee and the project leader, Mario Piedra, keeps the Swiss group up to date with any developments in the project in Ecuador.
