Location: Quito
Top Things to do in Quito
10 Things to do Adventurous in Quito That You Shouldn't Miss
With a rich pre-Colombian history, Ecuador's capital was founded on the ruins of an Incan city but offers everything a modern traveler might need. It remains the least-altered historic center in Latin America and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Quito’s important sites include baroque gems like San Francisco and Santo Domingo monasteries, as well as La Compañía church and college. This huge city sprawls across a breathtaking Andean valley surrounded by volcanic peaks.
Restaurants in Quito
1. Green Horse Ranch
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 123 reviews
Reviewed By PetraS669 - Pensacola, United States
My wife and I have enjoyed riding holidays in England, Hungary, Mexico, and the western US, and our experience at the Green Horse Ranch ranks among our very best and most memorable. We joined Astrid and Albrecht in January of 2020 for their eight-day Secrets of the Andes Tour and our great expectations were met or even surpassed. First, I think that riding horses in the beautiful Pululahua Crater might almost constitute a unique experience. The volcano is gorgeous, a special, even magical terrain whose unusualness Astrid tries to capture by references to Tolkien’s Middle Earth. The only geography to which I can compare it would be that of Hawaii, also a volcanic formation, and also among the most beautiful places on earth. Second, Astrid and Albrecht are friendly, generous, and thoughtful hosts who anticipate your needs and do everything they can to make you feel comfortable and at home. They meticulously planned our eight days at the ranch so that we were busy and fulfilled the entire time. We rode for over two hours on the evening we arrived—a night ride that we thoroughly enjoyed—and after that we rode for four to six hours every day. We always went to sleep tired and satisfied with a full day’s riding. Green Horse Ranch is a thoroughly professional organization. Third, the horses are excellent. According to Astrid, she has bred about half of her herd at the ranch, and she has trained them all in an exemplary fashion. During our tour my wife and I each got to ride three different horses, and we found each of them a delight to ride. They are utterly dependable, responsive, and forward moving. Finally, the riding was like nothing we’ve ever done. There were, to be sure, long stretches on dirt roads that you share with the occasional vehicle and pedestrian. But much of the riding takes place on steep, narrow, rocky, overgrown jungle trails that either ascend the walls of the volcano or descend into the crater. On most of the rides Astrid takes a machete and uses it frequently My wife and I have galloped hell for leather across the Hungarian puszta, and forded swollen rivers in the American West (well, at least once), but rarely have we done anything as demanding and challenging as negotiating the mountain trails of Pululahua. This is genuinely exciting and unusual riding. If you like to ride well-trained horses over a beautiful and testing terrain you will have a blast at the Green Horse Ranch. We cannot recommend it more highly.
2. GalapagosIslands.com
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 185 reviews
GalapagosIslands.com is the biggest site for Quito, Ecuador, and the Galapagos travel tips, planning, and recommendations. Our 10+ years experiences along with the knowledge of our Ecuador & Galapagos experts will guarantee that your trip to Ecuador, will be a journey that you will cherish forever.
3. Ride Andes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 66 reviews
Specialist, since 1996. European owned-operated. One or more days horse riding tours in the Andean Highlands -we have the BEST quality, well cared for horses. Horse riding on between Haciendas in the stunning scenery of Cotopaxi National Park, Antisana foothills & Otavalo area (can include Otavalo market visit). Full range of route & accommodation options for our private horse riding tours. We cater to all levels of riding ability (different itinerary options): advanced riders, families, children & mixed groups of riders and 'non' riders. Instruction given if desired. Helmets, half chaps, ponchos, saddlebags provided. Very safety conscious. Volunteer options also available. -Sally Please note: in light of the current situation we have taken extra safety measures and initiated a special sanitary protocol. Additionally, we have made adjustments to cancellation policies. Please contact us for details.
4. Biking Dutchman
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 577 reviews
"There’s a reason the South American Andes is spoken about with awe, and the cone of Ecuador’s Cotopaxi volcano is the icing on this mountainous hunk of cake. Scraping the sky at more than 5800 metres above sea level, the stratovolcano is currently snoozing after chucking a tantrum in late 2015, when it spat smoke and ash into the air. Rug up for altitude and thunder down its foothills on a 30-kilometre cycling trip with Biking Dutchman Tours. A back-up vehicle will carry you up high, where you’ll swing onto the saddle of a 21-speed mountain bike and head off-road, winding through ancient lava fields and past wild horses grazing in grassy plains studded with wildflowers. Stop at Incan ruins, enjoy a homemade picnic lunch, and spot the snowy giant reflected on the surface of Limpiopungo Lake... " GET LOST MAGAZINE
5. EQ Touring
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 223 reviews
EQ TOURING is a Boutique Travel Company that designs tailor made travel experiences in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador and Peru. We specialize in putting together private yacht charters in Galapagos and customizing your travel adventure in Ecuador and Machu Picchu - Peru, always traveling with the company of our expert Naturalist guides who are the highlight of your trip. Our team of Destination Specialists will be your direct and personal contact for your adventure planning. Join the number of satisfied travelers that have visited this amazing destination with us and who are the best witnesses of what we have organized for them.
6. Metropolitan Touring
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 395 reviews
We are Ecuador and South America's leading tour operator, with over 67 years of experience in travel. In Galapagos, we own and operate Yacht La Pinta, Yacht Isabela II, and the Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise as well as world-renowned Finch Bay Hotel. We also own Casa Gangotena in Quito's old town and Mashpi Lodge in the cloud forest of El Choco, located close to the capital. Currently, we are implementing our brand new Carbon Neutral program by which we aim to achieve ethical travel. With offices in Peru and Colombia, we cater to all of our guests' wishes and deliver once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
7. Ecuador Freedom
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 531 reviews
Don't be fooled by pretenders! Ecuador Freedom Bike Rental gets true adventure seekers like you off the beaten track and deep into the country’s dramatic and varied scenery and beautiful places. Since 2009, we’ve helped travelers of all price points live their dreams. Thousands of clients have trusted us for our award-winning customer service, authentic tours, and knowledgeable and friendly staff. Choose from mountain bike, motorcycle, and 4x4 rentals, self-guided adventures, all-inclusive guided motorcycle tours, or create your own getaway, and Ecuador Freedom will help make it happen.
8. Adventure Journeys
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 175 reviews
ADVENTURE JOURNEYS is a leader adventure travel company located in Quito, created by a group of knowledgeable expedition leaders, in order to offer the most amazing group adventure experiences and tailor-made trips adjustable to the needs and requests of our guests
9. Tommys Enduro
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Clients of Tommy’s Enduro Guided Tours can select from a variety of pre-established touristic packages in order to obtain the best fit and tour that allows the adventurer to reach the expectations of this enduro.
10. La Trocha Ecuador
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 23 reviews
We are a tourist services company. We offer Adventure, culture, and interaction with communities. Our products are unique, since they have been designed with an experience of more than 10 years exploring and discovering the best places in Ecuador. We are always looking for new trails and roads. Hence our name, La Trocha!
