Trip highlights
- 1Quito Old Town UNESCO site
- 2Mitad del Mundo equator monument
- 3TelefériQo cable car
- 4Otavalo market day trip
- 5Basílica del Voto Nacional
Daily spend
Where you're going
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In pictures
Photos: Unsplash
Language preparation
15 min/day for 8 weeks ≈ 672 useful words and phrases
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Day-by-day plan
Arrival & Historic Old Town
Thursday, July 8
Est. spend
$105
per person
🌅 Morning
Arrival and transfer to Old Town
Mariscal Sucre International Airport to Old Town Quito
Land at Mariscal Sucre International Airport and transfer to a colonial hotel in Quito's historic center.
Acclimatize slowly — Quito sits at 2,850m, so take it easy on your first day.
☀️ Afternoon
Plaza Grande and Carondelet Palace
Plaza de la Independencia, Quito
Explore the main square, the presidential palace, and the ornate Metropolitan Cathedral facing it.
Free guided tours of the Presidential Palace run several times a day with ID required.
🌙 Evening
Basílica del Voto Nacional at dusk
Basílica del Voto Nacional, Quito
Climb the neo-gothic basilica's towers via narrow ladders for a sunset view over the entire Old Town.
The ladder climb is not for those uneasy with heights — there are no enclosed stairs near the top.
🍽️ Meals
Hotel breakfast
Ecuadorian · $7
Café Tianguez
Ecuadorian · $10
Vista Hermosa rooftop
Ecuadorian fusion · $18
TelefériQo & Pichincha Views
Friday, July 9
Est. spend
$76
per person
🌅 Morning
TelefériQo cable car to Cruz Loma
TelefériQo, Quito
Ride the cable car up the slopes of Pichincha Volcano to 4,050m for sweeping views over Quito's valley.
Go early before clouds roll in, and bring a warm jacket — it's noticeably colder at altitude.
☀️ Afternoon
La Ronda pedestrian street
Calle La Ronda, Quito
Wander the narrow colonial street known for artisan workshops, canelazo stands, and traditional candy shops.
Try a warm canelazo, a spiced naranjilla and aguardiente drink popular in the Andes.
🌙 Evening
Folk dance dinner show
Old Town cultural center, Quito
Watch traditional Andean dance performances over a multi-course Ecuadorian dinner.
Book a day ahead — these shows often sell out on weekends.
🍽️ Meals
Hotel breakfast
Ecuadorian · $7
La Ronda street food
Ecuadorian street food · $8
Dinner show included
Ecuadorian · $0 · Included in evening show price
Equator Line & Mitad del Mundo
Saturday, July 10
Est. spend
$78
per person
🌅 Morning
Mitad del Mundo monument
Mitad del Mundo, San Antonio de Pichincha
Stand on the line marking the equator at the iconic yellow-striped monument with views of the Andes.
The real GPS-verified equator is at the nearby Intiñan Museum, not the monument itself.
☀️ Afternoon
Intiñan Solar Museum experiments
Museo Intiñan, San Antonio de Pichincha
Try gravity and balance experiments said to only work on the true equatorial line, guided by museum staff.
Demonstrations are playful rather than scientifically rigorous — go for fun, not facts.
🌙 Evening
Mercado Central food crawl
Mercado Central, Quito
Sample ceviche de chocho, llapingachos, and fresh tropical juices at Quito's bustling central market.
Go with an empty stomach — portions at each stall are generous and cheap.
🍽️ Meals
Hotel breakfast
Ecuadorian · $7
Mitad del Mundo restaurant
Ecuadorian · $10
Mercado Central stalls
Ecuadorian street food · $8
Otavalo Market Day Trip & Departure
Sunday, July 11
Est. spend
$127
per person
🌅 Morning
Otavalo Saturday Market
Plaza de los Ponchos, Otavalo
Travel two hours north to one of South America's largest indigenous markets, famous for textiles, alpaca wool, and handicrafts.
Bargain respectfully and bring cash — vendors rarely accept cards.
☀️ Afternoon
Lago San Pablo viewpoint
Lago San Pablo, near Otavalo
Stop at the scenic lake near Otavalo framed by the Imbabura volcano before heading back to Quito.
Great spot for photos of the volcano reflected in calm morning water.
🌙 Evening
Farewell dinner and airport transfer
Old Town Quito to Mariscal Sucre Airport
Enjoy a final Ecuadorian meal in Quito's Old Town before transferring to the airport for departure.
Allow extra time for the drive — Quito traffic can be unpredictable during rush hour.
🍽️ Meals
Otavalo market food stalls
Ecuadorian street food · $6
Lago San Pablo restaurant
Ecuadorian · $11
Zazu Restaurant
Ecuadorian fine dining · $28
Before you go
📅 Best time to visit
June to September is the dry season with the clearest mountain views; Quito's high altitude keeps temperatures mild year-round, though afternoons can turn rainy October through May.
🛂 Visas
Most Western nationalities (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia) can stay visa-free for up to 90 days per year as tourists; a valid passport with at least six months validity is required.
💱 Currency
Ecuador uses the US dollar as its official currency, so no conversion is needed for American travelers; carry smaller bills as change can be hard to find outside the capital.
🆘 Emergency numbers
police: 911
ambulance: 911
💬 Things you won't find in a guidebook
- Quito sits at nearly 2,850 meters — drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol on your first day to ease altitude adjustment
- Taxis should use a meter (taxímetro) or you should agree on a fare before departing
- Old Town is safe by day but use registered taxis or rideshare apps after dark
- Layered clothing is essential — mornings are cool, midday is sunny, and evenings cool quickly again
- Sunday mornings see Quito's main avenues close to traffic for the popular Ciclopaseo bike event
One thing worth not skipping
A 4-day trip to Quito, Ecuador without insurance is a gamble. Medical emergencies, cancelled flights, lost luggage — cover yourself before you leave.
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