Private half-day tour
Quito: Private Tour of the Old Town, El Panecillo and the Basílica
El Panecillo, the Plaza Grande and the Basílica, in four private hours.
4hfrom€120private tour
Private day tour from QuitoCotopaxi National Park Private Day Trip from Quito
9h, from 07:00
Up to 16 people
Your hotel or apartment in Quito (the historic centre, La Mariscal, La Floresta and the north of the city)
Free cancellation, 24h
South from Quito to the Cotopaxi volcano: the Limpiopungo lagoon on the high páramo and, if the road allows, the car park below the José Rivas refuge.
The day
The park opens at 08:00 and the clouds often build after midday, so the morning is spent high up.
07:00
Your hotel
Collected anywhere in Quito. The park is about 50 km south of the city.
08:45
Park entrance
The control point, where visitors are registered before driving in.
09:15
Limpiopungo lagoon
A shallow lagoon at about 3,800 m, with a flat path around it and the volcano above.
10:45
Towards the José Rivas refuge
Up the unpaved road towards the refuge at 4,800 m. From the car park the walk up takes most people 45 minutes to an hour.
12:30
Leaving the park
Back down across the páramo.
13:15
Lunch on the way back
A restaurant in the valley south of Quito.
14:30
Back to Quito
About an hour and a half, depending on traffic.
16:00
Back to your hotel
In the afternoon.
Photos by Alain Bonnardeaux, Mauricio Muñoz on Unsplash
In the price
- Private vehicle and driver for the whole day
- Fuel, tolls and parking
- Itinerary changed on the day
Not in the price
Lunch, drinks and any horse riding or bike hire in the park are not included.
Before you book
- Opening hours
- Visitors can enter the park from 08:00 to 15:00 and stay inside until 17:00.
- Altitude
- Limpiopungo is at about 3,800 m and the refuge at 4,800 m. Spend a few days in Quito first, walk slowly and drink water.
- The volcano
- The park can close at short notice when the volcano is active. If it does, we tell you before the day and suggest another route.
- The road
- The road inside the park is unpaved. How far up your vehicle goes depends on its condition on the day.
- Start time
- Starts at 07:00, every day. Every tour is customisable: a different start time, extra stops, more time where you like it, or a longer day. Tell us when you book.
- Language
- Guided in English. Other languages on request, if we have notice.
- Cancellation
- Free up to 24 hours before, refunded in full.
Questions
Yes. The tour is private, and the price depends on how many of you travel, starting from €170. Choose the number of people when you book.
Only if the sky is clear. Mornings are usually the best chance, but it is never certain.
No. Many people stay at the car park or at the lagoon. The walk is optional.
Two vehicles travelling together, on one booking. Message us and we will price it.
Yes. Every tour is customisable: a different start time, extra stops, more time where you like it, or a longer day. Tell us when you book.
Message us and we'll move it if we can — we work with several drivers, so there is usually room. More than 24 hours ahead costs nothing.
More in Ecuador
Private day tour
Quito: Private Day Tour of the Old Town and the Middle of the World
Old Quito and the equator line, in one private day.
9hfrom€170private tour
Private day tour from Quito
Otavalo Market and Cuicocha Lagoon Private Day Trip from Quito
The Otavalo market and the Cuicocha crater lake, in one private day.
10hfrom€170private tour
Not sure which to pick? Read our guide to day trips from Quito