Private Quito Full-Day Walking Tour With Activities

The Private Quito Full-Day Walking Tour offers visitors an immersive exploration of Ecuador’s vibrant capital city. Delving into the city’s rich history and culture, the tour guides participants through the magnificent Basilica del Voto Nacional, the picturesque Old Town, and a hands-on cooking class at Claroscuro. With personalized attention from knowledgeable guides, the tour provides a unique opportunity to discover Quito’s heritage and savor its culinary traditions. Whether you’re a first-time traveler or a seasoned explorer, this engaging adventure promises to leave you with a deeper appreciation for the city’s captivating essence. What secrets might Quito unveil to those who embark on this journey?

Key Points

• This private Quito walking tour offers a comprehensive exploration of the city’s historical and cultural highlights, including a visit to the Basilica del Voto Nacional.
• The tour includes a hands-on cooking class at a local restaurant, where participants learn to craft authentic Ecuadorian dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients.
• The tour is operated by Quito Tour Bus, a highly-rated provider with a 5-star rating from previous customers, and offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
• Moderate physical fitness is required for the tour, which involves activities such as climbing towers and walking through the historic Old Town district.
• The tour starts at the Basilica del Voto Nacional and concludes at strategic locations in Quito’s city center, maximizing time and accessibility for the participants.

Tour Overview

This private Quito walking tour provides a comprehensive exploration of the city’s historical and cultural highlights, catering to individual travelers or small groups.

Operated by Quito Tour Bus, the tour earns a stellar 5-star rating from 7 reviews. Priced from $139 per person, the tour’s flexible cancelation policy allows free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

Participants will visit Quito’s largest church, the Basilica del Voto Nacional, and climb its towers for panoramic city views. The tour also includes an immersive stroll through Quito’s historic Old Town and a hands-on cooking class where travelers prepare a traditional Ecuadorian lunch.

With moderate physical fitness required, this private tour ensures an engaging and personalized experience.

Basilica Del Voto Nacional

The Basilica del Voto Nacional, Quito’s largest church, stands as a commanding architectural marvel, inviting visitors to explore its intricate gothic-inspired design and ascend the clock towers and Condor tower for panoramic city vistas.

This 40-minute visit allows travelers to enjoy the grandeur of this national landmark, learning about its history and significance.

From the towering spires to the ornate interiors, the Basilica del Voto Nacional offers a glimpse into Quito’s rich cultural heritage.

Whether climbing to the observation decks or admiring the church’s exterior, guests are sure to be captivated by this iconic structure, a highlight of the comprehensive private walking tour.

Quito Old Town

After exploring the grandeur of the Basilica del Voto Nacional, the private walking tour leads guests to wander Quito’s historic Old Town, where they can discover hidden secrets and learn about the city’s rich architectural heritage.

Nestled in the heart of Ecuador’s capital, this vibrant district showcases a captivating blend of colonial structures, plazas, and local life, inviting travelers to enjoy Quito’s captivating history.

During this segment, the guide provides in-depth insights into:

• The distinctive Spanish colonial architecture that defines the Old Town’s aesthetic

• Significant historical events and landmarks that have shaped the city over the centuries

• Vibrant marketplaces and local artisanal shops that offer a glimpse into Quito’s cultural fabric

• The evolution of the Old Town’s urban planning and its impact on the city’s development

Cooking Class and Lunch

Culminating the private walking tour is a hands-on cooking class at the renowned restaurant Claroscuro, where participants prepare and savor a traditional Ecuadorian lunch.

Under the guidance of skilled chefs, tour-goers will learn to craft authentic local dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients. They’ll chop, sauté, and assemble the meal, discovering the vibrant flavors and techniques that define Ecuadorian cuisine.

Once the cooking is complete, the group will sit down together to enjoy the fruits of their labor, savoring each bite and swapping stories from the day’s adventures.

This interactive culinary experience provides a delightful conclusion to the comprehensive Quito tour, leaving participants with a newfound appreciation for the city’s rich cultural heritage.

Meeting and End Points

For the private Quito walking tour, the meeting point is the main entrance of the Basilica del Voto Nacional, located at Venezuela 11-263 in Quito’s historic center.

The tour concludes at San Francisco Square, Independence Square, and Chile Street, where participants can further explore Quito’s vibrant city center.

This centralized meeting and endpoint allow for convenient access to the tour’s key highlights, including:

• Basilica del Voto Nacional

• Quito’s Old Town

• Traditional cooking class and lunch

• Stunning city views from the clock towers and Condor tower

The tour’s strategic start and end locations make it easy for travelers to navigate the experience and maximize their time in Quito.

Accessibility and Fitness

The private Quito walking tour is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for travelers with back problems, given the moderate level of physical fitness required to complete the itinerary. The tour involves walking through the historic Old Town and climbing to the clock towers and Condor tower of the Basilica del Voto Nacional. While the tour provider tries to accommodate travelers’ needs, a certain baseline level of fitness is necessary to fully enjoy the experience.

Accessibility Considerations	Physical Fitness Requirement
Not wheelchair accessible	Moderate level required
Not recommended for back problems	Climbing to tower viewpoints
Provider accommodates within reason	Walking through Old Town streets

The tour is best suited for able-bodied travelers seeking an immersive exploration of Quito’s rich heritage and culture.

Tour Type and Transportation

This private Quito walking tour allows travelers to explore the city’s historic center in an intimate, personalized setting. As a private tour, only the members of the same booking group participate, enabling a customized experience tailored to their interests and pace.

The tour provider’s central location near public transportation also makes it accessible for visitors relying on buses, taxis, or rideshare services to reach the starting point at the Basilica del Voto Nacional.

The tour’s private nature offers several advantages:

• Flexibility to adjust the itinerary and pace based on the group’s preferences

• Undivided attention from the knowledgeable guide

• Opportunity to ask personalized questions and receive tailored insights

• Comfortable, unhurried exploration of Quito’s historic landmarks

Highlights From Reviews

Reviewers consistently praise the tour guide Irene’s energy and depth of knowledge, noting her ability to bring Quito’s history and culture to life. The cooking class experience at Claroscuro restaurant also received high marks, with travelers appreciating the opportunity to prepare and savor a traditional Ecuadorian lunch. Plus, the tour provider’s flexibility in accommodating various start times to suit individual needs is highlighted across the positive reviews.

Review Highlights
Tour Guide Irene	Praised for energy and knowledge
Cooking Class	Positive feedback on experience
Flexibility	Accommodating traveler needs
Overall Rating	5.0 out of 5 stars

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the COVID-19 Safety Protocols for This Tour?

The tour provider follows local COVID-19 safety guidelines. Measures may include requiring face masks, providing hand sanitizer, and limiting group sizes. Travelers should check the latest updates before booking. Safety protocols are subject to change.

Can the Tour Be Customized to Accommodate Special Dietary Requirements?

Yes, the tour can be customized to accommodate special dietary requirements. The tour provider is flexible and willing to work with guests to ensure their needs are met during the cooking class and lunch portion of the experience.

Are Any Stops Included for Shopping or Browsing Local Markets?

The tour does not explicitly include stops for shopping or browsing local markets. However, the exploration of Quito’s Old Town may provide opportunities to visit shops and markets at the traveler’s discretion during free time.

What Is the Maximum Group Size for This Private Tour?

The maximum group size for this private tour is not explicitly stated in the information provided. Private tours typically accommodate small groups, often up to a maximum of 8 or 10 participants, to provide a more personalized experience.

Are Any Discounts or Promotions Available for This Tour?

According to the tour details, the price of the tour varies by group size, suggesting potential discounts for larger groups. However, no specific discount or promotion information is provided for this private tour.

Recap

The Private Quito Full-Day Walking Tour offers an immersive experience, exploring the city’s rich history and culture.

Participants will discover the magnificent Basilica del Voto Nacional, experience panoramic views, and explore the vibrant Old Town.

The tour includes a hands-on cooking class where guests learn to prepare traditional Ecuadorian dishes.

With personalized attention from knowledgeable guides, this engaging tour provides a unique glimpse into Quito’s heritage, making it a memorable adventure.