This extension option offers a chance to experience the rich culture and history of Ecuador’s vibrant capital city as you explore at your own pace.
Set within the spectacular Andes mountains, Quito offers a mix of beautifully preserved colonial architecture, colourful streets, lively markets and inviting cafés. By spending two full days here, you have a chance to explore the city at leisure, whether that’s wandering the atmospheric streets, visiting the historic centre, soaking up panoramic mountain views or venturing beyond the city to visit the equator. With its fascinating heritage and spectacular setting, Quito is the perfect place to start or end a trip to this region.
Typical Extension Itinerary
Day1: Arrive
Today, you arrive in Quito, which is nestled high up in the Andes. After transferring to your hotel, the remainder of the day is free to spend as you wish.
Your two full days in Quito are free to discover this vibrant city. With plenty to do and see, it’s sure to keep you busy whether you explore its UNESCO-listed historic centre, visit landmarks including the Presidential Palace and Metropolitan Cathedral, browse museums showcasing Ecuador’s rich history, or experience the city’s excellent food scene in its cafés, restaurants, and local markets.
For panoramic views, you can ride the TelefériQo cable car up Pichincha Volcano, where hiking trails offer views over impressive Andean scenery. Alternatively, you might like to venture beyond the city to visit the Middle of the World Monument, which marks the equator.
Day4: Depart
After enjoying a final breakfast at your hotel, it’s time to depart Quito and continue your onward travel arrangements.
Key info
Duration and price excluding international flights: 4 daysfrom £275 pp
Single supplement:
On request – please contact us.
Trip type:
Tailor-made Extension Idea
Holiday Extension
This extension can be added to any of our suggested holidays or alternatively booked as an independent trip.
Discover the natural wonders of the Galapagos archipelago and its unique wildlife by land, sea and air. Accommodation is a tented safari camp on Santa Cruz Island, with daily excursions to some of the surrounding islands, where you will find Galapagos sealions, green turtles, flamingos and white tip reef sharks.
Find out more about Galapagos Islands: Luxury on Land
Combine two of South America’s finest wildlife destinations – the Amazon rainforest and the Galapagos Islands. View the outstanding variety of wildlife on walking trails and by boat from a luxury eco-lodge in the Amazon jungle, and cruise the unique Galapagos archipelago for close-up wildlife encounters.
Find out more about Wildlife of Ecuador & the Galapagos
Take a look at the fantastic wildlife of Ecuador with three days in the Amazon jungle in a private reserve, taking guided boat trips and enjoying bird’s eye views from the canopy walkway. A week’s cruise around the Galapagos Islands tops off the trip with close bird and marine life encounters.
Find out more about Amazon & the Galapagos
This 7-night luxury expedition voyage, uncovers the delights of the eastern islands, combining unparalleled natural beauty, exotic wildlife, and remarkable history. Your companions on the trip include endemic giant tortoise, Galapagos penguin, dense colonies of land iguana and the rare waved albatross.
Find out more about East Galapagos Luxury Expedition
This 8 day cruise visits the archipelago’s smaller islands, exploring them by panga (dinghy) and on foot. You’ll discover noisy sealion colonies leisurely wandering around, fiery coloured iguanas, blue-footed boobies and Sally Lightfoot crabs surrounding the rocks, and a wealth of colourful birdlife.
Find out more about Eastern Galapagos Highlights
Take a journey to the enchanting cloud forests of the Andes, staying in a unique biodiversity reserve, and viewing the varied wildlife from walking trails or a rainforest canopy. A luxury naturalist-led cruise in the Galapagos Islands offers emerald waters, rugged coves and a remarkable number of endemic species.
Find out more about Galapagos & Ecuador in Style
Accompanied by team member Helen Bryon, we cruise around the Galapagos Islands to observe and enjoy the remarkable wildlife of this enchanting and untouched archipelago. During the voyage we hope to encounter Galapagos sealion, giant tortoise, blue-footed booby and more iconic species.
Find out more about Galapagos Wildlife Cruise
Join an expert wildlife photographer on this voyage dedicated to photographing the Galapagos Islands’ most charismatic and iconic residents. Visiting many of the most biodiverse islands in the archipelago, this tour is designed to showcase the best photography opportunities the islands have to offer.
Find out more about Galapagos Wildlife Photography Cruise
Travelling aboard the exclusively chartered MV Beluga in the company of broadcaster Mark Carwardine and Founder Chris Breen, we have designed a comprehensive itinerary to experience and photograph the famed wildlife of the Galapagos gaining a fascinating insight into the ecology of the archipelago.
Find out more about Galapagos with Mark Carwardine & Chris Breen
Sail the northern Galapagos Islands on this luxury small-ship expedition. Encounter iconic wildlife, volcanic wonders and visit some of the more remote and less accessible islands. This 8-day cruise showcases the best of the northern islands, including shore excursions to Genovesa, Isabela, Fernandina and Rábida.
Find out more about Northern Galapagos Highlights
This small-ship expedition explores the enchanting Galapagos Islands, known for their incredible biodiversity and unique ecosystems. Explore the beaches and bays of the southern islands and encounter an astonishing array of wildlife species including giant tortoises, sea lions, iguanas and flocks of flamingos.
Find out more about Southern Galapagos Highlights
Boasting an astonishing array of wildlife, this bucket-list expedition combines the very best of the east and west Galapagos islands, in search of exotic marine life, a wonderful array of bird species, and fascinating terrestrial animals, all from the comfort of a luxurious, expedition superyacht.
Find out more about Ultimate Galapagos Luxury Expedition
Journey through two of the most wildlife-rich destinations on Earth - the Galápagos Islands and the Amazon Rainforest. From the remote volcanic landscapes of the Galápagos to the vibrant jungles of the Ecuadorian Amazon, this adventure offers the opportunity to witness rare and extraordinary species up close.
Find out more about Unforgettable Galápagos & Amazon Rainforest Retreat
Explore the west Galapagos Islands, on board a luxury expedition superyacht. Home to large colonies of marine iguana, sea lions basking in the sun, and iconic blue-footed boobies displaying their legendary mating dances, these enchanting islands offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience for wildlife enthusiasts.
Find out more about West Galapagos Luxury Expedition
Spend a week cruising some of the larger islands in the Galapagos, including Isabela, the largest of the archipelago and home to flamingos, Galapagos penguins, green turtles and land iguanas. Discover a host of unique bird species, including magnificent frigatebirds and iconic blue-footed boobies.
Find out more about Western Galapagos Highlights
Ecuador’s capital stands at an altitude of 2,850 metres on the slopes of the active volcano of Pichincha. Founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city, the old town is very atmospheric, and several day tours are available, including the Mitad del Mundo monument on the equator.
Find Out More about {acc:title}
Where: Pichincha Province
Excellent for: City stopover, History & culture
Suggested accommodation is shown below.
Please
contact us
for further recommendations.
Casona de la Ronda, a boutique heritage hotel in Quito's Historic Centre, occupies a 1738 Spanish house. It features 22 modern rooms with en suite bathrooms, wooden furnishings, parquet flooring, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Guests can relax at the bar, terrace, or garden, with nearby attractions easily accessible.
Find Out More about La Casona de la Ronda