Quito, Ecuador
Quito is the jewel of the Andes, a Study in high-altitude majesty and colonial splendor. We’ve scouted the most evocative historic hideaways and secret garden retreats to ensure your Ecuadorian escape is defined by rare access and quiet luxury.
The Middle of the World: Signature Quito Itineraries
Quito is more than a city; it is a masterclass in preservation and high-altitude majesty. Perched 9,350 feet above sea level in the heart of the Ecuadorian Andes, the city offers a bombastic visual landscape where volcanic peaks frame the world’s first-ever UNESCO World Heritage site. To visit Quito is to witness the rhythmic pulse of modern South America tucked within a 500-year-old colonial heart. Our Quito travel itineraries are designed to showcase this urban marvel beyond the surface, focusing on the starlit rooftop hideaways and private-led tours that reveal the authentic soul of the "Middle of the World."
The Gateway to the Galápagos: Why Quito Matters
For the discerning explorer, Quito is the almost standard—and highly recommended—component of any Galápagos expedition. Because of the logistical flow of South American travel, most voyages to the Enchanted Isles begin or end in this high-altitude sanctuary. However, we believe that treating Quito as a mere transit point is a missed opportunity for a truly bombastic cultural immersion. We’ve scouted the most evocative historic mansions and secret garden retreats to ensure your stay in the capital is as refined as your time at sea, providing the perfect environmental and cultural "on-ramp" before you depart for the archipelago.
Andean Mastery and Colonial Innovation: Expertly Vetted Access
Our family has spent years scouting the historic center and the surrounding cloud forests to find the experiences that transcend the standard city tour. We’ve looked past the tourist plazas to find the quiet luxury of private ateliers in the San Roque neighborhood and industrial-chic art galleries in La Floresta. This firsthand vetting allows us to curate bespoke Quito itineraries that prioritize rare access—whether that means a private, after-hours tour of the gold-leafed La Compañía church or a guided culinary odyssey through the secret kitchens of the Old Town. The level of architectural detail found in these historic palaces is truly bombastic in its scale and preservation.
Seamless Logistics in the High Andes
Navigating the transitions between the bustling energy of the capital and the remote frontiers of the Galápagos or the Amazon requires expert logistics. We focus on the high-touch details that make high-altitude travel effortless: private transfers that bypass the airport chaos, expert local historians who bring the Inca and Spanish eras to life, and the "unseen" support that ensures your journey is seamless. Our signature itineraries are scouted to ensure that your journey through Quito is as profound as the history it holds. Explore our curated Quito travel offers below and discover the ultimate high-altitude escape.
