Quito en 7 días
Plaza de la Independencia, Basílica del Voto Nacional y Calle La Ronda el día 1, La Compañía Church y TelefériQo Cable Car el día 2 y una excursión a Mitad del Mundo & Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve el día 3. Los otros 4 días añaden La Mariscal, una excursión a Otavalo Indigenous Market, una excursión a Cotopaxi National Park y La Floresta. Alójate en Centro Histórico (Old Town), la zona más cercana a las paradas del plan.
Cuesta unos 588 € por persona en gama media, o 252 € con presupuesto ajustado.
Día 1: Plaza de la Independencia, Basílica del Voto Nacional y Calle La Ronda
The heart and soul of Quito, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a labyrinth of steep, cobblestone streets lined with magnificent Spanish colonial and Baroque architecture.
Mañana
Plaza de la Independencia
En Centro Histórico.
Media mañana
Basílica del Voto Nacional
En Centro Histórico.
Para comer
Traditional & Mercado Food
Go for lunch when the markets are most lively and the food is freshest. A 'plato del día' costs $3-$5.
Dónde ir: Seco de Chivo at Mercado Central, Hornado at Mercado Santa Clara, Llapingachos con chorizo at a local fritada
Tarde
Calle La Ronda
En Centro Histórico.
Noche
Museo Casa del Alabado
A stunning pre-Columbian art museum housed in a beautifully restored 17th-century colonial house in the Old Town.
Día 2: La Compañía Church y TelefériQo Cable Car
Mañana
La Compañía Church
Para comer
Street Food & Snacks
Look for vendors with a steady stream of locals. Freshly fried empanadas are safest and most delicious.
Dónde ir: Empanadas de Viento from a street vendor, Tortillas de Maíz con Queso, Helado de Paila (artisanal fruit sorbet) in the Historic Center
Tarde
TelefériQo Cable Car
Noche
Itchimbía Park and Cultural Center
A hilltop park east of the Historic Center, crowned by the striking Palacio de Cristal (Crystal Palace), a glass and iron structure.
Día 3: excursión a Mitad del Mundo & Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve
45 min by bus or taxi from Quito.
Stand on the equatorial line at the iconic Mitad del Mundo monument complex. Then, venture to the nearby Pululahua Crater, one of the few inhabited volcanic craters in the world, for breathtaking hikes and views.
Lo principal: Photo at the Equator line monument, Interactive experiments at Intiñan Museum, Hike into the Pululahua Crater, Viewpoint over the crater's farmland
Día 4: La Mariscal y Yaku Water Museum
Mañana
La Mariscal (Gringolandia)
The city's primary tourist and nightlife district, known for its grid of streets filled with hostels, bars, restaurants, travel agencies, and souvenir shops. It's energetic, convenient, and social, but can be noisy.
También aquí: Plaza Foch, Mercado Artesanal, Numerous tour operators, Variety of international restaurants
Para comer
Contemporary Quiteño
Reservations are recommended for these popular, higher-end restaurants showcasing Ecuadorian gastronomy.
Dónde ir: Nuema (tasting menu with local ingredients), Urko Cocina Local (modern Andean cuisine), Miskay (creative takes on traditional dishes)
Tarde
Yaku Water Museum
A interactive water-themed museum located in a historic water pumping plant on the slopes of Pichincha.
Día 5: excursión a Otavalo Indigenous Market
2 hours by bus or 1.5 hours by car.
Visit one of South America's most famous and vibrant indigenous markets. The Saturday market is legendary for its textiles, handicrafts, and livestock, but the Plaza de los Ponchos has artisanal goods every day.
Lo principal: Bargain for textiles in Plaza de los Ponchos, See the animal market, Visit Peguche Waterfall nearby, Try local bizcochos in Cayambe
Día 6: excursión a Cotopaxi National Park
1.5 - 2 hours by car.
Journey to the foot of one of the world's highest active volcanoes. The park offers stunning high-altitude landscapes, chances to see wild horses, and hikes to the José Rivas refuge or around Limpiopungo Lake.
Lo principal: Views of the perfect cone of Cotopaxi, Hike to the Refugio at 4,800m, Walk around Limpiopungo Lake, Spot wild horses and llamas
Día 7: La Floresta y Calle de las Siete Cruces
Mañana
La Floresta
A trendy, bohemian neighborhood known as Quito's cultural and artistic quarter. It's characterized by its quiet, tree-lined streets, colorful houses, independent art galleries, hip cafes, and innovative restaurants.
También aquí: Capilla del Hombre, Ocho y Medio Independent Cinema, Numerous art galleries & cultural centers, Boutique cafes & eateries
Tarde
Calle de las Siete Cruces
A single block in the Historic Center where you can see seven different historic crosses, each with its own story and chapel.
Noche
La Ronda at 10 AM
Visiting the famous Calle La Ronda not at night, but in the quiet of the morning.
Antes de ir
Desde el aeropuerto
From Mariscal Sucre Airport (UIO), the official taxi fare to the city center (La Mariscal) is a fixed $25-30, payable at the official taxi booth inside the terminal. The public bus (green 'Aeroservicios' bus) costs $8 and goes to the 'Rio Coca' station in the north, from where you can connect to the Ecovía bus system.
Cómo moverse
The Historic Center is very walkable and best explored on foot, though its steep hills can be challenging. Neighborhoods are often separated by distance and topography, so you'll need transport to move between them.
Consejos de la zona
- Acclimate to the altitude slowly. Drink plenty of water, avoid heavy meals and alcohol on your first day, and consider coca tea (mate de coca) to help with soroche (altitude sickness).
- The weather can change in an instant. Always carry a light jacket or sweater, even on sunny days, as temperatures drop quickly, especially after sunset.
- For the best views without the TelefériQo crowds, hike up to the Virgen del Panecillo (the giant winged statue) early in the morning. Take a taxi to the base and walk up for safety.
