Quito en 7 jours
Plaza de la Independencia, Basílica del Voto Nacional et Calle La Ronda le jour 1, La Compañía Church et TelefériQo Cable Car le jour 2 et une excursion à Mitad del Mundo & Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve le jour 3. Les 4 autres jours ajoutent La Mariscal, une excursion à Otavalo Indigenous Market, une excursion à Cotopaxi National Park et La Floresta. Logez à Centro Histórico (Old Town), le quartier le plus proche des étapes du programme.
Compter environ 588 € par personne en budget moyen, ou 252 € avec un petit budget.
Jour 1 : Plaza de la Independencia, Basílica del Voto Nacional et 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.
Matin
Plaza de la Independencia
Quartier : Centro Histórico.
Fin de matinée
Basílica del Voto Nacional
Quartier : Centro Histórico.
Pour manger
Traditional & Mercado Food
Go for lunch when the markets are most lively and the food is freshest. A 'plato del día' costs $3-$5.
Où aller : Seco de Chivo at Mercado Central, Hornado at Mercado Santa Clara, Llapingachos con chorizo at a local fritada
Après-midi
Calle La Ronda
Quartier : Centro Histórico.
Soir
Museo Casa del Alabado
A stunning pre-Columbian art museum housed in a beautifully restored 17th-century colonial house in the Old Town.
Jour 2 : La Compañía Church et TelefériQo Cable Car
Matin
La Compañía Church
Pour manger
Street Food & Snacks
Look for vendors with a steady stream of locals. Freshly fried empanadas are safest and most delicious.
Où aller : Empanadas de Viento from a street vendor, Tortillas de Maíz con Queso, Helado de Paila (artisanal fruit sorbet) in the Historic Center
Après-midi
TelefériQo Cable Car
Soir
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.
Jour 3 : excursion à 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.
À voir : Photo at the Equator line monument, Interactive experiments at Intiñan Museum, Hike into the Pululahua Crater, Viewpoint over the crater's farmland
Jour 4 : La Mariscal et Yaku Water Museum
Matin
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.
Aussi dans le coin : Plaza Foch, Mercado Artesanal, Numerous tour operators, Variety of international restaurants
Pour manger
Contemporary Quiteño
Reservations are recommended for these popular, higher-end restaurants showcasing Ecuadorian gastronomy.
Où aller : Nuema (tasting menu with local ingredients), Urko Cocina Local (modern Andean cuisine), Miskay (creative takes on traditional dishes)
Après-midi
Yaku Water Museum
A interactive water-themed museum located in a historic water pumping plant on the slopes of Pichincha.
Jour 5 : excursion à 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.
À voir : Bargain for textiles in Plaza de los Ponchos, See the animal market, Visit Peguche Waterfall nearby, Try local bizcochos in Cayambe
Jour 6 : excursion à 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.
À voir : Views of the perfect cone of Cotopaxi, Hike to the Refugio at 4,800m, Walk around Limpiopungo Lake, Spot wild horses and llamas
Jour 7 : La Floresta et Calle de las Siete Cruces
Matin
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.
Aussi dans le coin : Capilla del Hombre, Ocho y Medio Independent Cinema, Numerous art galleries & cultural centers, Boutique cafes & eateries
Après-midi
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.
Soir
La Ronda at 10 AM
Visiting the famous Calle La Ronda not at night, but in the quiet of the morning.
Avant de partir
Depuis l'aéroport
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.
Se déplacer
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.
Conseils sur place
- 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.
