Ok, here's what I've got so far for Quito day trips and touring.
pre day 1 ( full or more likely 1/2 day): We are planning a pre night at the JW Marriott and have the whole day before we go with
ABD, so my TA is suggesting a car with driver ( no guide) for 10 hours $200 ( for 6 of us) Our plan is to have him take us to Teleferiqo (sp?) for a ride up to the Pichincha volcano for views over Quito,(about 15 min ride out of Quito, then possibly to the Museode la Ciudad in Old Town which is a restored building with historical exhibits and chapel and catacombs and/or Museo Banco del Centro del Ecuador, which is human & natural history and art of Ecuador. We think this would give us a good "overview" both literally and culturally of Ecuador before we head out with ABD.
We are also pricing a 1/2 day driver, 10 hours after the long flight in the thin air seems unlikely to me! These quotes won't include any meals, formal guiding, or entrance fees, but would provide a driver with passable English and a car at our demand. Although we could piece these things together with taxis, we feel that the driver provides a measure of comfort ( wait in the car if tired) and security (no waiting for a taxi or finding a safe one on the street) for our party of 6 which includes two elders and 2 teen girls!
Post day 1 car and driver from JWM to either Mindo Cloud Forest (2 hours each way) or Bella Vista (1 hr 45 min) for $115 pp inclusive of travel, driver, lunch and entrance fees which include guided activities. We are debating which to do...
any advice from those who have been to either would be most helpful! Heres my impressions and thinking for each-
BV: is more " wild" possibly rougher hiking, with fewer other activities, but less touristy, a more prisitne nature experience. Thinking the paths may be more challenging for my mother.
Mindo ( which I think is called El Monte): has more " activities" such as butterfly farm, hike to water falls, rafting and hiking. Seems like the trails here are less wild, more accessible. So this is tempting for appealing to the greater group, even if the nature experience is a little less pristine and more touristed.
Post day 2: Old Town Quito 3 hour tour with car and guide inclusive of entrance fees $100 pp (I need to ask about this, the multiple on 6 people seems high to me!) But I have read that guides in Ecuador are legally required to be educated etc, so costs are high for them, and should be worth it for a good one. So will check with the TA about that price and weigh if 3 hours is worth $600 bucks! Or should we go with another driver and just self tour (our Spanish is passable, but I think we will miss a lot!)
The next day we head home...probably exhausted!
So that's what we are thinking...any ideas? Thoughts? Will keep updating progress on our plans
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I'm going to push back on that price and see what happens! Also, I could book something through that on line company (if I could remember the name )that runs " excursions" all over the world. Someone on this board mentioned them for Ecuador tours, but I've forgotten the name now! Thanks for the advice!
We also have chosen to upgrade our cabin on the cruise around the islands to one with a balcony. I'm glad so many kids are booked for the trip. We have gone with Tauck Bridges on various trips and had only a handful of kids.
