Quito: Best Itinerary Ideas
How many days do you need in Quito?
- Most travelers spend 5-7 days in Quito
- Visiting Quito in 4 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
- With 8 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Isla San Cristóbal, Puerto Ayora, and Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
How Many Days to Spend In Ecuador
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Recommended Itineraries for Quito
Recommended Itinerary for 5 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Quito, Self-Guided Exploration | Quito |
| Day 2 | Quito City Tour | Quito |
| Day 3 | Otavalo Day-Trip | Quito |
| Day 4 | Hike Cotopaxi National Park | Quito |
| Day 5 | Depart Quito |
This short but extensive itinerary brings you into the very heart of the Ecuadorian capital and its surroundings. You'll tour Quito's beautifully preserved historic center to see fine examples of colonial architecture, learn about history and culture at the Ethnographic Museum, and enjoy the best panoramic view of the city. The adventure continues north of Quito in Otavalo and Cotacachi, renowned for their local crafts. Finally, take a day trip to Cotopaxi National Park—its namesake volcano is one of Ecuador's most famous natural landmarks. Read more
Recommended Itinerary for 6 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Quito, Craft Beer Tour | Quito |
| Day 2 | Quito City Tour, Salsa Dancing Class | Quito |
| Day 3 | Urban Bike Tour, Chocolate Tasting Experience | Quito |
| Day 4 | Visit Pululahua Crater, Lunch at El Patio Restaurant, Visit to Casa Ágave | Quito |
| Day 5 | Hike the Rucu Pichincha Volcano | Quito |
| Day 6 | Free Morning in Quito, Depart Ecuador |
Learn to salsa dance, cruise around colorful streets on a bicycle, and sample Ecuadorian craft beers on this lively six-day exploration of Quito. Though the itinerary features a classic city tour and time to explore the historic center, this urban adventure also takes you off the beaten path to taste locally produced chocolates, hike around a crater, and learn about agave cultivation in the Andes. Read more
Extended Itineraries
1-Week Itinerary Including Puerto Ayora & Isla San Cristóbal
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Quito, Self-Guided Exploration | Quito |
| Day 2 | Fly to the Galápagos Islands, Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station | Puerto Ayora |
| Day 3 | Experience the Pristine Beauty of Galápagos Islands | Puerto Ayora |
| Day 4 | Day Trip to an Uninhabited Island | Puerto Ayora |
| Day 5 | Speedboat to Isla San Cristobal, Visit an Interpretation Center & Tijeretas Hill | Isla San Cristóbal |
| Day 6 | Embracing Nature: Discovering Wildlife on Isla Española | Isla San Cristóbal |
| Day 7 | Fly to Quito, Depart Ecuador |
Hike around an island populated by blue-footed boobies, then dive beneath the surface of the ocean to swim with sea lions and pufferfish: this week-long itinerary in the Galápagos is filled with wildlife and outdoor activities. You'll explore Isla Santa Cruz and Isla San Cristóbal, as well as a pair of uninhabited islands, enjoying boat tours, a snorkeling excursion, and guided nature hikes along the way. Read more
8-Day Itinerary Including Puerto Ayora
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Quito, Free Day | Quito |
| Day 2 | Visit Otavalo Market, Cooking Class | Quito |
| Day 3 | Hiking Day at Cotopaxi National Park | Quito |
| Day 4 | Colonial City Tour, Cooking Class, Visit the Middle of the World Monument | Quito |
| Day 5 | Fly to the Galápagos Islands, Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station | Puerto Ayora |
| Day 6 | Kayaking Adventure in Tortuga Bay, Afternoon Bay Tour of Isla Santa Cruz | Puerto Ayora |
| Day 7 | Experience the Pristine Beauty of Galápagos Islands: Discovering an Uninhabited Island | Puerto Ayora |
| Day 8 | Leisure Day, Transfer to Isla Baltra, Depart Ecuador |
Explore Ecuador's diverse beauty during this eight-day adventure from mountains to islands. Start among the Andes in Quito, where you'll learn about its traditional food and colonial Old Town. Head into nature to hike in Cotopaxi National Park and see its active volcano, then hop over to the Galápagos Islands. Get up close to the giant tortoises on Isla Santa Cruz, spot rare marine life as you kayak along Tortuga Bay, and then spend some downtime swimming, snorkeling, or just lazing on the beach. Read more
10-Day Itinerary Including Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Quito, Self-Guided Exploration | Quito |
| Day 2 | Visit Quito's Historic Center, Cooking Class, Middle of the World Tour | Quito |
| Day 3 | Visit Otavalo Market, Explore Cuicocha Lake | Quito |
| Day 4 | Explore the Mindo Cloud Forest | Quito |
| Day 5 | Free Day in Quito | Quito |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Cuyabeno Reserve, Canoe Trip to a Jungle Lodge | Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve |
| Day 7 | Wildlife in the Amazon: Sloths, Dolphins & More | Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve |
| Day 8 | Visit an Indigenous Community, Laguna Grande & Igapó | Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve |
| Day 9 | Return to Quito | Quito |
| Day 10 | Sightseeing in Quito, Depart Ecuador |
See rare wildlife, climb into the clouds, traverse volcanoes, and more on this 10-day Ecuador itinerary. You'll get to experience cultural highlights, like Quito's UNESCO-designated city center and the Otavalo market, but the true gem of this trip is nature. From the lush cloud forests of Mindo to the ecologically diverse Amazon, there's no shortage of wildlife sightings: howler monkeys, pink river dolphins, and iridescent blue butterflies all call this region home. Read more
Map
