Papallacta Hot Springs & Cloud Forest Reserve Private Tour
Description
This private tour allows you to visit the Papallacta volcanic area with thermal-springs located at 3250 msnm (10600 feet). You'll enjoy the hot-pools surrounded by the Andes Mountains. During your bath time you will watch the stunning landscape of the andean forest and the Eastern mountain range, which leads to the Amazon rainforest. This tour also include the visit to Guango lodge, one of the best places in Ecuador for birdwatching. You will explore the reserve with your tour guide to watch the birds like the Turquoise Jay, Torrent Duck, many hummingbirds and plants like giant ferns, orchids, bromeliads, anthuriums, and so on. Important: The cloud forest walk takes place on natural mountain trails that may be muddy, uneven, and slippery, especially after rain. We recommend wearing closed-toe hiking shoes or boots and bringing a light rain jacket.
Tour Options
Itinerary
You will visit the best and most popular hot-springs in Ecuador. A place that won 3 times as the best spa-hotel in the World Travel Awards. You can visit the public baths where there are 8 pools with different temperature water and size including a cold one. Or go to the spa área where you can book a massage and use the prívate pools with less people.
Observe the beautiful mountain lake located in the middle of the steep hills.
You will watch the stunning landscape of the reserve. Even sometimes there is possible to see the amazing Antisana volcano. This place is one of the most importants for the wildlife conservation of the moorlands. There are some endargered species that use this hige area, such as Andean Condor and Spectacled Bear.
You will visit the best hot-springs complex in Ecuador.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We will pick you up at any hotel in Quito.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(75)
Pamela was very knowledgeable and friendly. She went above and beyond to make our experience as enjoyable as possible.
Christian was a lovely guide. Quieter than some others we had, but very responsive when we initiated conversations! Unfortunately for us, the bright sun and abundance of forest fruits in season meant that the birds were not as abundant for viewing. However, Christian made it worth our while, discussing local species and even scoring f his 400th personal sighting with us—hurrah! Papallacta was lovely. Recommend, if you would like an additional service such as a massage, to book in advance.
We had a wonderful experience with our family. Daniel was an excellent tour guide— extremely knowledgeable and kind.
Josue was our guide and he did a good job. He's a good bird spotter and knows the area very well. The hot springs was very enjoyable.
Daniel was a fantastic host. He filled us in on the history of Quito and the wildlife of the surrounding area throughout the drive and at the Guango Lodge. He also let us decide how much time we wanted at the Hot Springs! I would gladly rebook with Daniel if we visit Ecuador again!
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear you had such a great experience with Daniel. His knowledge of the history of Quito and the wildlife of the surrounding Andes really helps make the journey even more interesting. It’s great that you enjoyed your visit to Guango Lodge, a fantastic place to observe hummingbirds and explore the Andean cloud forest. We’re also glad you had the chance to relax at the hot springs in Papallacta, and that Daniel gave you the flexibility to enjoy them at your own pace. Thank you again for your kind words. Daniel will be very happy to hear them, and we would love to welcome you back for another adventure in Ecuador!
We pay $240 to be taken on a short hike where we saw no birds or animals. We had to pay to go in the area where we went on a half hour hike. We then were driven to a Hot Springs and dropped off where we had to pay for the spa and our lunch. Our guide provided little information. We essentially received a ride to a short hike and a spa. I would not recommend this excursion.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are truly sorry to hear that the experience did not meet your expectations. Your comments are very important to us, and we sincerely regret that the information provided was not as clear or helpful as it should have been. We will review this with our team and reinforce the importance of providing clear and complete information to our guests. We would also like to kindly mention that, as this is a natural reserve, wildlife sightings such as animals or birds can never be guaranteed, since nature is unpredictable and these species move freely in their natural habitat. We truly appreciate your feedback, as it helps us continue improving our service and the experience we offer to future visitors.
The trip was amazing— a short hike through the Guango with amazing plants and hummingbirds! Our guide gave us plenty of history about the surrounding area, and we even had a view of Anisanta Volcano on the way! The Papallacta Hot Springs—there was the option to visit the “busier” public side for $10, or the quieter side for $24, and our group Opted for a (delicious!) lunch on the more private side. It was so wonderful to experience the glorious landscape while we soaked in the hot springs: it felt so wonderful after many days of hiking! We all agreed that if we get the opportunity to come back, it would even be worth staying at the hotel there. It’s about 1.5 hours of mountain driving each way, and well worth the trip.
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such an amazing experience exploring the Andes with your guide. It’s great that you enjoyed the hike through the beautiful trails at Guango Lodge, surrounded by incredible plants and hummingbirds. The drive through the mountains often offers spectacular views, and catching a glimpse of Antisana Volcano along the way is always a special bonus. We’re also glad you had the chance to relax in the hot springs of Papallacta—soaking in the warm pools while surrounded by that stunning landscape is the perfect way to unwind after hiking. And we completely agree: staying at the lodge there can make the experience even more magical. Thank you again for sharing your experience, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure from Quito in the future!
Daniel was the perfect guide for us. We told him what we wanted to see, and he tailored the tour accordingly. Daniel knows a lot about birds and nature and is very passionate about it. The whole organization worked out great, and he was also very friendly. We would definitely book another tour with him. This tour is the perfect mix of nature experience and relaxing.
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so happy to hear that Daniel was the perfect guide for your tour. Being able to tailor the experience to your interests is something we truly value, and it’s great to know he created the right balance for you. Daniel’s passion for birds and nature really shines when exploring the beautiful areas around Papallacta, where the Andean forest offers fantastic opportunities to observe wildlife and enjoy the scenery. Finishing the day relaxing in the hot springs is always a perfect way to complement the nature experience. Thank you as well for your kind words about the organization and Daniel’s friendliness. We truly appreciate it and would be delighted to welcome you back for another tour from Quito in the future!
Mauro from Nantu.org was punctual, welcoming and extremely knowledgeable; not only about the Hot Springs and Rainforest flora and fauna, but also the wider history of Quito and the mountains and volcanoes that surround it. We saw Toucan and Torrent Ducks which are rare, as well as Hummingbirds in their natural environment in a hike led by Mauro. The hot springs were a fabulous way to end our holiday and would highly recommend
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear you had such a great experience with Mauro. His punctuality, welcoming attitude, and deep knowledge of nature and local history truly help make each tour memorable. It’s fantastic that you were able to see special wildlife like toucans and the rare torrent ducks during your hike, as well as hummingbirds in their natural habitat. The Andean cloud forest near Guango Lodge is a beautiful place to experience Ecuador’s incredible biodiversity. We’re also glad you enjoyed relaxing in the hot springs of Papallacta, which is the perfect way to end a holiday after exploring the mountains around Quito. Thank you for your recommendation—we hope to welcome you again for another adventure in Ecuador!
Lovely day with expert guiding. Hot pools amazing and very relaxing
Thank you for your kind review! We’re very happy to hear you had a lovely day and enjoyed the expert guidance during your tour. It’s wonderful that you were able to relax in the hot pools of Papallacta—they are truly an amazing place to unwind while surrounded by the beautiful Andean landscape. We appreciate you sharing your experience and hope to welcome you again for another relaxing adventure from Quito!
