Top Quito Adventure Tours: Thrills and Exploration
Quito, Ecuador, it’s like, such a stunning city! That combination of historical beauty and easy access to pretty spectacular landscapes is something else. Like, seriously, if you’re into experiences that get your heart pumping and offer glimpses of crazy natural scenery, Quito is, really, just perfect. That makes picking what trip to do, that much more trickier. That’s where, very, our suggestions here will give you, rather, a headstart. Read on for the absolute best experiences within touching distance from Quito; activities and experiences guaranteed to blow you away. You’ll, actually, find below a mix of cultural encounters, high-adrenaline exploits, and tranquil natural retreats.
Cotopaxi National Park Tour
Cotopaxi National Park is, seemingly, one of Ecuador’s greatest treasures, very close to Quito, really. Very, seeing Cotopaxi Volcano, one of the highest active volcanoes on Earth, it’s almost an unreal experience. These guided trips often get going very early, to make sure, very, you see the volcano in pretty clear weather (clouds do tend to gather later in the day). Plus, tours often offer chances to hike around Limpiopungo Lake, which gives spectacular sights of the volcano reflected in its water. Many operators include mountain biking, if that floats your boat too! The whole thing is really memorable.
I mean, so, you get picked up usually from your hotel in Quito, and the bus ride over there gives you an, actually, nice tour into the Ecuadorian highlands, rather. And listen, don’t be fooled by the name ‘national park’; very, this isn’t always like, a gentle stroll. These hikes can, usually, be pretty demanding because of the altitude, so it’s worth, so, being ready to take it steady and listen very, carefully to your guide. They, often, keep you updated with interesting titbits of data about the local flora, the area’s geology, and tales, just, like your granny used to tell.
One experience, which always sticks in people’s minds, it’s almost how quickly the weather changes up at those heights. One second, there’s crazy bright sun, the next, rather, you’re lost in a cloud, almost. In any case, don’t be caught out. Very, having layers of clothing is advisable, and I’d very, seriously, advise sturdy footwear. So, a good tour guide really will keep you, seemingly, entertained, but more critically, they will watch you like a hawk so as you stay completely safe as you explore. You know? A great adventure tour to get under your belt.
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Mindo Cloud Forest Adventure
For something entirely different, you can consider Mindo, which is, that, actually, an awesome little town a little bit away on the other side of Quito, seemingly. In contrast to the highlands of Cotopaxi, Mindo is home to lush cloud forests, just packed with an almost ridiculous quantity of animal types! Tours often get going with, that, a beautiful scenic drive over there from Quito, really, along the way you might see dramatic changes in the scenery, very. I mean, like, mountains slowly give way to, rather, tropical rainforest. Crazy, you know?
You know, the main attraction in Mindo really, just, comes down to the unbelievable wildlife opportunities! If you’re even just a tiny, weeny bit interested in birding, so, then you, might be, just might be in the perfect area. Loads of rare hummingbirds buzz around the treetops, and there are toucans everywhere to have a glimpse. Loads of tour operators will guide you right to those famous viewing spots, yet. Just remember to take some binoculars!
Yet, beyond birdwatching, actually, a range of experiences is accessible in Mindo, apparently. I, sort of, went on a zip-lining trip via the forest canopy that, almost, sent me over the edge, haha! Others may get a thrill with some river tubing which, seemingly, looks tons of fun, anyway. Another must see for all Chocolate lovers out there? Yeah? Visit a cacao farm. Just imagine, you may see, truly, the whole procedure, like, where the raw beans turn into stunning chocolates.
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Baños de Agua Santa Day Trip
You know, if you say you love activities and hot springs? Well, Baños de Agua Santa, actually, makes for, rather, the perfect day experience. Rather, the place itself is regarded to be the “Activities Center” of Ecuador, really, for reasons that will become more apparent. The road from Quito is just magnificent, anyway, offering beautiful views on every turn, rather. Once at Baños, well, the possibilities for crazy pursuits are endless!
Listen up, the main highlight needs to be “The Swing at the End of the activities.” Now listen, if you are ok with big heights. You see, basically, ‘Casa del Arbol’ hosts the, like, iconic swing. Imagine swinging out, then getting that unforgettable rush feeling and sight over the gorge. The waterfall routes can also be, typically, easily accessed from Baños. The ‘Pailon del Diablo’ waterfall it’s, actually, a must see, its crazy beauty making it an incredibly, crazy thing for photographers everywhere. Loads of paths are readily accessible near to the waterfall for taking it all in!
Then, as the sun falls out of the sky, then comes the time to hit one of Baños’ pretty well known thermal baths (the name itself is ‘baths of holy water’), actually. So, if you go to experience these pools and springs, well, you have an authentic relaxing, almost feeling. Mineral waters spring, surprisingly, from those surrounding volcanos, so relax away.
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Quilotoa Crater Lake Visit
So, then there’s Quilotoa Crater Lake. I mean, yeah, I would advise you visit, really! Is that the lake that resides in the caldera of an old volcano, then the tour over is, arguably, another spectacular drive through those crazy, breathtaking landscapes of the Ecuadorian highlands. The Quilotoa lake waters offer those distinctive green/blue colors depending on the sunshine, anyway. That’s, certainly, really pretty darn special.
One adventure choice very many enjoy? Sure? You can hike from the rim, at a fair height I might add, right to the lake. Be aware though, the going back up is challenging for lots of people. Then for many, the horseback may be an, extremely, viable alternate way of doing the upward slopes.
Just, around the lake there are several little Indigenous towns. Very, getting the chance to meet local people provides an extra dimension to trips over there. See for real their lives, and you’re in with the chance of getting original crafts and goods. This place offers real natural treasures and amazing insights into Ecuadorian culture. What can go wrong, really?
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Iguazu Jungle Tour from Quito
For people who really, honestly, are into visiting the rainforest, yet, but are near Quito, the trip out to the Iguazu Rainforest can certainly fulfil a persons wanderlust, you. Very, this stunning location of untouched virgin forest sits to the east beyond Quito. So you can expect the kind of diversity you have, presumably, dreamt of there in that tropical heaven!
Several guided adventures focus on discovering this stunning park, I mean, by guiding small teams on incredible guided explorations, anyway. Local guides will fill your head up, like, with a never ending fountain of their knowledge about wild animals, strange plants and even the medicinal attributes within a great many. People looking out to view birds may very well want that. Oh, it’s so awesome to look through such untouched scenery! You should keep eyes open. What will show its self? Well that gives to such a trip, rather, that “unforeseen” and excitement!
There are lots of various neighborhood people who also live inside those territories deep in the rainforest interior! Trips over this area do also try to promote responsible the travel sector practices! Travelers could have an understanding of regional customs when helping, I believe, regional individuals improve conditions that surround their living! A pretty excellent possible opportunity and awesome action to follow while away visiting such regions, naturally! Right?
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See our list of top 5 Quito Adventures Tours : Top 5 Quito Adventures Tours