The Best of Quito: Private Old Town & Equator Line Tour
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 6 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is The Best of Quito: Private Old Town & Equator Line Tour worth booking?
The Best of Quito: Private Old Town & Equator Line Tour is a 8-hour experience in Quito, Ecuador, from $80 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 6 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 64 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (6)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $80 per person
Explore the best of Quito on a private tour that visits the Historic Center, a colonial treasure where Gothic architecture and the gold within its churches will transport you back in time. Get a 360-degree view of the ci
What you get
- Private tour
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from/to centrally located hotels in Quito
- Bottle of purified water
- Professional bilingual Guide
About this experience
Explore the best of Quito on a private tour that visits the Historic Center, a colonial treasure where Gothic architecture and the gold within its churches will transport you back in time. Get a 360-degree view of the city from the base of the Virgen del Panecillo statue. The journey culminates at the center of the planet, Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World), where the zero-degree latitude line offers a scientific and cultural encounter.
What's included
Included
- Private tour
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from/to centrally located hotels in Quito
- Bottle of purified water
- Professional bilingual Guide
Not included
- Entrance fees
- Food and drinks
- Tips
- There is an extra charge for hotel pick-off and/or drop-off outside of the city centre
What you'll see and do
Basilica del Voto Nacional
Discover the stunning Neo-Gothic architecture and take part in the ascent to the towers and walkways. From the top, enjoy a sweeping panoramic view of Quito’s Historic Center and the city, a memorable sight of the capital with El Panecillo in the background.
40 minutes here · Admission not included
Plaza de la Independencia (Plaza Grande)
Explore the historical and civic heart of the capital. As you admire the monuments commemorating independence and the imposing architecture, such as the Archbishop’s Palace, your guide will help you appreciate the daily life of local residents and will share colonial legends that add intrigue to the surrounding areas of the plaza.
30 minutes here
Fundacion Iglesia de la Compania
Discover a true jewel of colonial Baroque art. Widely considered the finest example of this style in South America, it boasts a dazzling interior where gold leaf covers every detail, offering a truly breathtaking visual experience.
40 minutes here · Admission not included
Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco
Discover the San Francisco Church, one of Quito’s earliest and most significant colonial landmarks. As you explore the interior of this monumental church, you will hear captivating local legends and admire the enduring colonial art that defines this emblematic historic space.
15 minutes here
El Panecillo
On top of the Panecillo hill you will have a great view of the 45-meter high statue of the Virgen of Quito against the backdrop of all the amazing historic buildings you just visited.
30 minutes here · Admission not included
Quito Old Town
Lunch Time Your guide will share their favorite lunch spots so you can discover and enjoy the true taste of Quito’s typical dishes.
60 minutes here
Intinan Equator Museum
Located precisely on the equator line, this museum invites you to go beyond the map. Take part in amazing experiments that can only be done at the middle of the planet, place one foot on each side of the equatorial line, and delve into Ecuador’s cultural and ancestral roots, discovering the true meaning of this sacred place.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Options you can book
Family and Friends
Driver Guide Transport Availability: Special SUV (Up to 4 passengers) or Mini Van available Pickup included
Grand Expedition
Driver + Professional guide Transport Availability: Mini Van (5 pax + guide) or Mini Bus (6-10 pax + guide) Pickup included
Mini Group
Driver Guide SUV (Toyota, Renault, Kia) Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Andean Roots Travel
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in all weather conditions, weather may vary please dress appropriately
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 6 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
6 verified traveler reviews for The Best of Quito: Private Old Town & Equator Line Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Very good tour guide!
My guide Marcelo was very educated and had a great general knowledge as well as a detailed knowledge of history, religion, political system. Highly recommended. Since I booked it as a private tour for myself, my guide Marcelo matched the information exactly to my interests. Great agency with great team. It all worked very well! My driver Wilson was also very good. I can highly recommend it!
Response from the operator: Excellent
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Mitad del Mundo and Historic Quito
This was an excellent tour, guided by Christian. He was amazing: knew so much, and was so helpful in getting me around Quito. The Mitad del Mundo was interesting, showing the differences in the two hemispheres; the outside of the Basilica with its animal gargoyles; ... and the interior of La Compania is just breathtaking. We went back to a store we'd visited previously for a snow globe, and he suggested lunch at one of the little cafes on the Grand Plaza, which was fun (the owner was a terrible tease - but such a lovely twinkle!). In other words, Christian helped me to do what I wanted with the day, and was incredibly informative and helpful.
Response from the operator: Thanks for your review, we are so glad to hear that you have enjoyed your tour in Quito and the visit to the equator line.
via Viator
Beautiful Quito
Our guide, Marcelo, was prompt, professional, helpful and extremely knowledgeable with 22 years of experience! He proudly showed us Quito's Old Town and hit all the main sites. He was flexible with our requests and a pleasure to tour with! Even with some awful traffic delays to the Middle of the World, he didn't rush us and urged us to do everything we wanted to. It was an amazing day!
Response from the operator: Thanks very much for your comments Marcelo was so happy to be your tour guide in your city tour. Regards Andean Roots Travel Team
via Viator
We loved this tour. Our guide was...
<p>We loved this tour. Our guide was helpful and flexible. He picked us up at our Air BNB and dropped us off where we requested. He was extremely personable and even shared his own food with us from a tourist stop. He took us to beautiful places with picturesq views and didn't mind taking pictures of us. We also had a great time at the Mitad de Mundo museum where he dropped us off and waited for us. I definitely recommend this tour!</p>
Response from the operator: Excellent
via Viator
Our guide Pablo was super...
<p>Our guide Pablo was super knowledgeable and passionate about Ecuador. His English was phenomenal. Don't hesitate to ask questions of your guides. It really added to the value of our tour.</p>
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 10+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $80 to $220
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 64
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
The Best of Quito: Private Old Town & Equator Line Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Quito.
How much does The Best of Quito: Private Old Town & Equator Line Tour cost?
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Prices start at $80 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Quito usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does The Best of Quito: Private Old Town & Equator Line Tour take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Quito is not rushed.
Is The Best of Quito: Private Old Town & Equator Line Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 6 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Quito, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule The Best of Quito: Private Old Town & Equator Line Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is The Best of Quito: Private Old Town & Equator Line Tour suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 10. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 8-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book The Best of Quito: Private Old Town & Equator Line Tour?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Quito can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Quito and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does The Best of Quito: Private Old Town & Equator Line Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Quito within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Quito?
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On Outty we rank every Quito experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cotopaxi tour from Quito -horseback ride and hike-NO TOURISTY way, Baños Full Day Tour from Quito Including Entrances and Activities, Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Quito?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Quito?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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