We will be in Ecuador next February for a 7 night Galapagos trip. In addition, we will have 2 full days in Quito beforehand and 3 full days afterward. We do not want to do overnight trips from Quito as we will have to store luggage and do laundry when we return from our cruise. I think that on the first 2 days, we can do the hop-on, hop-off bus the first day and a private tour of the old town the next. With shopping and additional sightseeing, our itinerary should be full.

On returning from our cruise, we will have a Saturday, Sunday and Monday before we depart. On Saturday, we would like to visit the Otavalo Market. When is the best time to arrive? On Sunday we would like to head out to the highlands again. On Monday, we can do last minute shopping, touring and packing, plus observe the changing of the guard at 11 am.

In the highlands, we would like to do horseback rides on one or both days. We are experienced and comfortable with trotting/cantering. We are also open to hikes of similar length. On both days, emphasis should be on seeing the local people and taking in the scenery as we are avid photographers. While chilly weather and the altitude could be challenging for us, we are in our late 50's, early 60's and in reasonably good shape.

The standard tours from Quito all seem to be rather structured, with departures that leave too early in the morning and include things that we really might not care to do. I think we do need an English-speaking guide to help with our non-existent Spanish. Can anyone recommend a guide or tour company with private transportation that can provide us with a custom experience that will meet these criteria? Also, how far in advance of our trip do we need to contact them?

Hi Craig!

Congrats on your upcoming trip to Quito! You will absolutely LOVE it there! Here is a link with some of Fodor's top things to do that we think you'll enjoy

http://www.fodors.com/world/south-am...o/things-to-do

Safe Travels!

We recently returned from a month in Ecuador. Quito was not a favorite SA city for us so glad you plan to do day trips from there. I can't help you with a guide as we did not use one in Quito. Try TA if you don't get any recommendations here. You could also check with your hotel. You should be able to easily book someone. On the weather, we had warm, sunny days, and cool evenings, but never cold. The altitiude can be an issue. We gradually ascended to Quito so I was fine there.

The Otavalo market is interesting, but what I found more interesting was the nearby animal market. I've never seen anything like that. We got to the regular market maybe 10ish. After exploring the market we walked to the Cascada Peguche located at the base of the Imbaburu volcano. From there you can walk into Peguche and explore the town. Another town, Coatacachi lies just off the Panamerican Highway, 11 kilometres north of Otavalo. It's known for its leather and is fun to visit.

You didn't mention going to Cotopaxi National Park, but I would explore that. It's quite nice and there are hikes you can do from there.

Our TR hasn't been finished yet, so we don't have info on the Otavalo area in it, but we do cover the 5 nights we spent in Quito.
http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...in-ecuador.cfm
Have a great trip.

Can't help with guides as we didn't use one, but as yestravel suggests, your best bet is probably to ask your hotel.

We arrive in Quito from sea level and experienced some of the effects of altitude, a little breathless but nothing too bad.

Otavalo is best done as an overnight trip as there is so much to see. It takes around three hours to get there by bus but probably around two hours by car. If you did stay overnight, maybe at one of the haciendas, then that would be your best bet for horse riding.

The earlier you get to the market, the better. Like YT I found the animal market more interesting and I would definitely head there first. Lots of colour and activity there for an avid photographer. The main market gets very busy especially when the tour groups from Quito arrive. Lots of textiles for sales but don't expect bargain prices. Again lots of local colour with many of the indigenous ladies in national dress. Do watch your belongings as there is a lot of pickpocketing going on.

A private tour of the old town is a great idea. You could easily spend a day there.

Not sure about the hop on hop on bus as I don't think it existed when we were there in 2013. Given your private tours of the OT I cant think what it could really add though.

Major sights suggested by many of the guides include Mitad deal Mundo and Teleferico. Personally, I wouldn't bother with Mitad del Mundo though Teleferico is worth considering on a clear day for the views Quito. There are also opportunities for horse riding up there. NB It is at an altitude of 4000m +.

Like YT I would suggest you consider Cotopaxi. There are numerous day trips available from Quito. We tried to see it by taking the train to Macachi for the day but sadly the weather refused to cooperate and we had low cloud the whole time so, despite travelling part of the Avenue of Volcanoes, we didn't see one volcano! The train ride was fun though!

You can click on my screen name for my TR or alternatively, the first few entries on our blog cover Quito and Otavalo @ http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...ai/6/tpod.html

Thanks, yestravel and crellston - this is most helpful.

My daughter and I are going to Quito for a week in June (along with other destinations during our multi-week journey) and have some of the same items on our itinerary. I have been in contact with two local guides who have glowing reports for day trips on Trip Advisor: Lincoln (lincolnjabra at hotmail dot com) and Christian (c.palomeque at hotmail dot com).

I have not yet used their services but they are responsive by email. One guide has half of the week in June already booked, and we have booked the three days that he has available.

We are taking a day trip to Mindo for the cloud forest, hummingbirds, and ziplines. We are taking an overnight trip to Otavalo (two days there with a guide) and a side trip to Colombia to see the Santuario de Las Lajas near Ipiales. The animal market is a must-do for us, but we want to go to artisans' workshops rather than do business at the market. (Just our preference.)

Incidentally, have you chosen a land-based tour or a cruise? My husband and I took a last minute Galapagos cruise last year, which is why I'm returning with my daughter this year. It's stunning! We're also having out in Puerto Ayora for a week to work at a local school and visit friends who live there.

Have fun!

We are doing a cruise on a 16 passenger catamaran. Have fun on your June trip.

The workshops in some of the villages outside Otavalo are very nice and interesting to visit. The market in Otavalo is huge, but I can't say that I saw anything different or particularly interesting.

Sounds like if we get up early and get out by say 6:30, arrive at the animal market at 8:30 and afterwards, spend a brief time at the main market before we head to some of the villages outside - maybe a horseback ride, if that can be arranged?

That should work. Sorry can't help with the horseback ride.

Maybe crellston can help with that, LOL>..

Very amusing mlgb! ��

I spoke too soon. My wife has just expressed an interest in horse riding for our next trip (given my past experiences maybe she is sending me some sort of message!) A little research and I came up with this http://www.otavaloguide.com/eng/tour...anda-lake.html

The website is difficult on my ipad but it seems they have several option including Mojanada lakes which would be great on a horse as that area is very high - approx 4000 m. Also to Peguche. Seems you can choose a varying lengths form a couple of hours to a couple of days.

We just returned from Ecuador yesterday. For our post-Galapagos highland portion we stayed outside Otovalo at the Hacienda Cusin. I recommend rethinking staying in Quito for that portion. The drive to the highlands is tiresome and motion sickness producing and long. I would not want to do it multiple times a day. I ended up giving my family the leftover scopamine patches from the Galapagos to help with the drive. We went on several trail rides from the Hacienda of various lengths. They have nice stables there and beautiful flower-laden grounds.

Are you staying overnight in Puerto Ayora before leaving the Galapagos? If so, your hotel may have laundry facilities. We stayed at Finch Bay and they did.

Have a great trip. We loved Ecuador.

Mrs. crellston wants to add to "the list" no doubt.

taitai, I would also not want to drive back and forth to Quito multiple times each day, but perhaps that is not what you meant . We totally do not have the luxury of additional overnight stays in Puerto Ayora or anywhere else. With 3 nights beforehand and 4 nights afterward, we are just looking to maximize our extra 5 full days within Equador, without moving constantly. I am willing to sacrifice some sleep to get to Otavalo before the tourists arrive and then move on to the leather town, etc. but the question is where can we do some horseback riding as well? I heard from a friend that the shopping in Quito is pretty good, if you stick to the upscale places which could suck up some time. We are really looking for two good day trips from Quito.

crellston, it is not clear where the transport for those rides originates from, but thanks for posting...

Sorry, I didn't mean multiple times a day. I meant daily. The drive into Quito is a hassle and I would minimize that as much as possible.

As I said, we stayed at the Hacienda Cusin about 15 minutes from Otovalo. We did several rides of various lengths using the stables and guides available at the Hacienda. I would investigate that as an option for the post Islands portion of your trip.

Happy Planning!

Craig , I am guessing they would normally pick up from a hotel in Otavalo but I noticed that they also have a private transport facility and an office in Mariscal, Quito. They could probably arrange the full day to Otavalo from Quito to include the markets and horse riding.

If my wife can pesuade me to get back on a horse, we will probably use them and, if so, I will report back.

For shopping in Quito don't miss Olga Fisch Folklore. I thought she had really lovely, high quality merchandise. Best museum for us was the Guayasamin Museum.

Keeping an open mind and looking at the Hacienda Cusin, which would be a nice place to stay I think. I found out that there is a left luggage facility at the Quito airport, so that would help. I have inquired directly with the Hacienda Cusin about laundry services. Looks like there are many options for daytime activities and horseback riding.