If you're looking for things to do outside of Quito, here are seventeen great places to explore! Perfect for cultural day trips, museum visits, and hiking trips! I enjoyed most of these places on the list and the others I didn't get to experience for...
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Within One Hour of Quito
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Within Two Hours of Quito
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Within Four Hours of Quito
Within One Hour of Quito
Here are all the day trips and hiking trails within an hour away of Quito, Ecuador!
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Otavalo has the LARGEST indigenous market in the world! Visit on Saturdays or Wednesdays to see the most vendors!
Otavalo, Ecuador
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This is an interesting museum with a fun equator monument to explore.
Mitad Del Mundo
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The TRUE equator line! One of my favorite interactive museum day trips from Quito.
Intiñan Equator Museum
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The Rucu Pichincha volcano is the highest point in Quito! Take the TeleferiQo up and enjoy the views.
Rucu Pichincha (HIKE)
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Peguche Waterfalls is a great beginner hike less than an hour WALK from Otavalo!
Peguche Waterfall (HIKE)
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This is a great beginner hike for those looking to acclimate to harder hikes in the area!
Ilaló Volcano (HIKE)
Within Two Hours of Quito
Just under two hours, these day trips are worth the drive! Our favorite was Mindo, and we WISH we would've made the trip to Papallacta!
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Mindo is a nature lovers paradise! Hike to waterfalls, visit a bird sanctuary, and try the best cacao ever!
Mindo Cloudforest
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Latacunga is a nice day trip from Quito. It's two hours away and has a ton of cultural practices worth seeing like the market and festivals.
Latacunga, Ecuador
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If you're looking for a relaxing break from Quito, Papallacta has beautiful thermal springs for cheap!
Papallacta Thermal Springs
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Fuya Fuya is a beautiful lagoon hike less than two hours from Quito!
Fuya Fuya Volcano - HIKE
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This crater community is a sight to see! Close to Mitad del Mundo, you could do both in one day!
Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve
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This is a great place to visit for wildlife viewing and hiking.
Pasochoa Forest Reserve (HIKE)
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This lagoon hike is a must from Quito! Located near Otavalo, this is a trekkers dream.
Laguna de Cuicocha (HIKE)
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Cayambe is the THIRD largest volcanos in Ecuador! There are easy and challenging hikes alike.
Cayambe Volcano (HIKE)
Within Four Hours of Quito
These are farther day trips that you might consider taking a day tour with private transportation or staying overnight. Nonetheless, they're worth experiencing, especially for the hikers in the group!
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Hands down Quilotoa was my favorite day trip! Dylan and I hiked around the crater lake and had a blast!
Quilotoa Lake (HIKE)
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One of the most popular destinations from Quito, Cotopaxi is a wonderous place!
Cotopaxi National Park (HIKE)
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This is a great day trip as a tour or camping trip for a CHALLENGING hiking trip! Great for wildlife viewing!
