Picture-Perfect Plazas and Architectural Treasures
Quito Extension
Overview
Discover the picturesque capital of Quito, perched high in the Andes—warm and laid-back yet bursting with colorful markets and architectural gems that reflect a blend of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish, and indigenous designs. On this three-day extension, explore the city's Old Town—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Latin America's most well-preserved historic center, where architecture dates back to the 1600s. You'll also taste ancient To'ak chocolate, admire centuries-old indigenous art, and stroll the streets that pulse with vibrant cafes and sophisticated shops.
Arrive: Quito, Ecuador
Depart: Quito, Ecuador
Highlights
- Visit colonial Quito's majestic settings, from the Plaza Grande to the San Francisco and Santo Domingo monasteries
Itinerary
Arrive on your international flight to Quito (or, if you are already in Quito transferring from a group trip), and check in to the Hotel Mama Cuchara. Dinner tonight is on your own. Choose to enjoy the restaurant at Hotel Mama Cuchara, featuring homemade Ecuadorian cuisine and a seasonal, daily menu, or stroll into Quito's Old Town where you'll find a variety of options from traditional to contemporary. Overnight at hotel...Meals on your own
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and head out in the late morning for a guided colonial city tour. Quito is brimming with art-filled cathedrals, cobblestone streets, lively squares, and a striking blend of architecture. Some highlights may include the majestic Plaza Grande, the ornate Presidential Palace, the monasteries of San Francisco and Santo Domingo, and the church of La Compania—a fusion of indigenous and European art made of intricate wood carvings, gold leaf adornments, and a dazzling ceiling. You'll stop for lunch on the tour, and dinner this evening will be on your own. Your guide can give you suggestions, depending on how casual or decadent you'd like to go. Overnight at Hotel Mama Cuchara...BL
Today you'll visit the Museo Casa del Alabado located in a colonial 17th century house in the historic downtown district. The museum holds one of the most comprehensive collections of authentic Pre-Columbian art, pottery, and religious iconography in Latin America, and it contains around 5,000 archaeological objects, 500 of which are on permanent display. You'll also partake in a To'ak chocolate tasting. To'ak is a company that produces chocolate made from a rare variety of Arriba cacao that dates back over 5,000 years, and was thought to be extinct at one point. Their handcrafted chocolate involves fermenting cocoa beans, and is currently some of the most expensive chocolate in the world. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to shop and wander through markets where you'll find a colorful array of carvings, weavings, textiles, jewelry, and other handicrafts. In the evening, if you are joining a group tour, transfer to your meeting point. Otherwise, make your way to the airport for your homeward flight...BL
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.