Scenic Quito Tour, 3 hours, except Sunday, shared

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Price from:
25.00 USD
per person

Enjoy scenic, Colonial and artistic Quito. Visit museums, monasteries and the golden altars of its many churches. Then, stand with a foot on each hemisphere on the Middle of the World. The capital of Ecuador has a setting that few cities can match.  During the 13th century it was the prosperous center of the Kingdom of the Quitus.  It later became the northern capital of the Inca Empire.  In the 16th and 17th centuries, Colonial architects built formidable temples, monasteries and mansions, creating an urban jewel designated by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site.  Quito's artistic creativity awaits the visitor in cosmopolitan galleries and boutiques filled with contemporary paintings, sculptures and exquisite traditional crafts.

Tour Details

This tour of Quito relishes on this urban jewel and its treasures of art and architecture. Quito’s colonial quarter, the largest and best preserved of South America, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stroll starts at the Independence Plaza, flanked by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace. Visit the temple of La Compañía de Jesús and its awesome gilded interior. Continue on to the Monastery of San Francisco, one the of great religious buildings of the New World; its impressive façade and atrium that lead to its Baroque interior influenced by Moorish style, with the winged Virgin of Quito at its main altar. The tour ends at a lookout point with a great panoramic view of Quito.

This is a walking tour at an altitude of 2800 meters (9200 feet) and involves climbing stairs.

Travel Facts

• Dress in layers (T-shirt, blouse, sweater, coat)
• Women should not wear shorts nor miniskirts as visits to churches are included
• Take a sweater even if the day is warm and sunny
• Rain protection advised in the afternoon
• Sun protection (SPF 40)
• Good walking shoes

Some Special Highlights

THE METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL OF QUITO
Many styles converge in the construction of the Cathedral: late Gothic in the arches, Moorish in the ceilings, Baroque in the main altar and Neoclassic at the choir. The Cathedral houses masterpieces of colonial art like the "Descent of Christ from the Cross" by Caspicara and the central painting of the Ascention of the Virgin by Manuel Samaniego. The remains of Marshal Sucre, a hero of Ecuador's Independence are guarded at the Cathedral.

CHURCH OF LA COMPAÑÍA DE JESÚS
Just as the church was finished in 1766, King Carlos III of Spain decreed the expulsion of the Jesuits from the colonies in America, so the church remained closed and deteriorated until the Jesuits finally came back to Ecuador in 1862. La Compañía is a copy of the Jesuit church of Saint Ignatius in Rome, of baroque style. The church is a magnificent example of the extraordinary artistic ability of Ecuadorian artisans, which can be seen in the intricately carved altars completely covered with gold leaf, with sculptures of the Holy Trinity in the Main altar and Saint Ignatius and Saint Francis in the side altars by Legarda. This is one of the richest and most magnificent temples of South America. La Compañía was recently re-opened after an unfortunate fire occurred in 1996 while repair work was being done. 

CHURCH AND SQUARE OF SAN FRANCISCO
The imposing Church and Monastery of San Francisco is reached from the spectacular plaza of the same name, via a beautiful stone round staircase and atrium. The inside is mostly Baroque with a rich Moorish coffered ceiling, gold leaf altars with ornaments made of silver and mirrors. The main figure is the winged "Virgin of Quito" by Legarda. This is one of the oldest churches of the city, founded by Franciscan Priests from Belgium who founded the first schools of art, music and dance in Ecuador. 

Information Price per Person (USD) 1 person 25.00

Quito Ecuador Tours & Hotels

Quito, ethereal city of translucent vitality

The capital of Ecuador has a setting that few cities can match.  During the 13th century it was the prosperous center of the Kingdom of the Quitus.  It later became the northern capital of the Inca Empire.  In the 16th and 17th centuries, Colonial architects built formidable temples, monasteries and mansions, creating an urban jewel designated by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site.  Quito's artistic creativity awaits the visitor in cosmopolitan galleries and boutiques filled with contemporary paintings, sculptures and exquisite traditional crafts. 

The stay in Quito must include a visit to the Colonial sector, the old and charming city with  400 years of Spanish heritage.  Also, visit the Middle of the World, the very center of the earth, at latitude 0°, and enjoy a performance of the JACCHIGUA Folklore Ballet featuring a troupe of brilliantly costumed dancers reenacting traditional rituals and celebrations.