Tours/Quito/Papallacta Hot Springs (PRIVATE Day Trip)
Viator · Private tour

Papallacta Hot Springs (PRIVATE Day Trip)

4.6(5)Quito1 hour
VIATOR4.3(3)TRIPADVISOR5.0(2)

Description

Visit the village of Papallacta and spend the enjoying a number of customizable activities at one of the most beautiful thermal hot springs Resort and Spa in this area. Take in the beautiful scenery of the Andes Mountains on a hike and enjoy a relaxing time at the thermal water that have been certified for its medicinal properties that guarantee health benefits.

Tour Options

Papallacta Hot Springs (PRIVATE Day Trip)
  • Pickup included

Itinerary

240 min

You will departure in the morning and start with a drive up the Eastern Cordillera until to reach the highest point at 4000 m, it can be foggy up here but when the weather is clear you will may appreciate the magnificent views of the Antisana volcano and the surrounding paramo area. From this point you will reach Termas de Papallacta which is one most beautiful thermal hot springs Resort and Spa in this area, located in between spectacular mountain forests of the Eastern Andes slopes. Once here there is an option for a short hike thought a nice trail and afterwards you will enjoy the amazing hot springs with optional health and beauty treatments at the SPA area. The spa and hydrotherapy area offers a variety of different sensations from streams of water, water hydro massage or hydro massage with air bubbles. Afternoon after a relax day you will drive back to Quito.

Highlights

Private transportation
Bottled water
Pick up from the hotel, home or Airbnb
Driver/Guide

What's included

Included
Private transportation
Bottled water
Pick up from the hotel, home or Airbnb
Driver/Guide
Not included
Entrance fees
Personal expenses
Gratuities
Lunch

Pickup Locations & Times

The tour is offered private, therefore the pick up time will be from any hotel, apartment, house or office located in Quito.

Traveller Ratings

4.6
5 reviews
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0
3
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2
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Important Information

  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Service animals allowed
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Wheelchair accessible

Reviews(5)

P
Pamela_D
March 26, 2026
Great private tour and we enjoyed the hot springs.

Francisco was an informative guide, skilled driver, and fun person to spend the day with. He told us a lot about Ecuador’s history, terrain, and gave us pointers on what to do. We also enjoyed the hot springs and our deep tissue massages.

Operator response

Dear Pamela. On behalf of ECU-TRANS, thank you very much for your kind feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable experience with Francisco. He will be especially pleased to know that his knowledge of Ecuador’s history and landscapes, as well as his enthusiasm and professionalism, made your day both informative and fun. It’s also wonderful to know that you enjoyed the hot springs and your deep tissue massages—those moments of relaxation are truly special, and we’re glad they were part of your journey. We sincerely appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and hope to welcome you again for another memorable adventure in Ecuador. Warm regards, On behalf of ECUTRANS ECUTRANS Team

J
Julane_A
March 19, 2026
A pleasant afternoon at the thermal pools

Two different reviews here. 1 the transportation 2 the thermal pools. 1) our ride was a half hour late. The company apparently tried to reach us by What’s App the night before telling us the pickup would be at 8:30 not 8 am as indicated. Apparently our driver , Alphonso had only been hired the night before and was told the wrong pickup time. The reservation said it included water but he had to check. He did get us water for the drive home. The car was hard to get into and out of, had film on the windows to protect against the sun which made picture taking difficult. It was a rough ride home. Alfonso was pleasant, professional and knowledgeable and we enjoyed his commentary. 2) Termas Papallacca. A nice enough spa. Towels were provided and you could rent a robe for $2.50. The lockers were large but you had to share for 2 people- men and women together. I’ve never had to share a locker with a man before and in the confusion of the locker room I misplaced my watch. They require that you wear bathing hats that they provide. We had lunch at the spa trout which was very good. Unfortunately our waiter either forgot to place or pick up my order with the result that I sat there 20 minutes watching my partner eat! They appeared to be short of staff. We did book a couples massage -one deep tissue and one relaxing which were excellent. The thermal pools were nice and hot. Good variety of depths. Landscaping was adequate. We’ve seen much nicer at the Arsenal volcano in Costa Rica, for example.

Operator response

Dear Julane, Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback about your recent experience with Ecu-Trans and your visit to Termas de Papallacta. We sincerely apologize for the confusion and delay regarding your pickup time. While we did attempt to notify you of the schedule change via WhatsApp the evening prior, we understand how frustrating this situation must have been—especially after receiving different information in your original reservation. We are currently reviewing our internal communication processes, particularly in situations involving last-minute driver assignments, to ensure this does not happen again. We also appreciate your comments about the vehicle and ride quality. Your feedback helps us improve both comfort and overall guest experience, and we will address these concerns with our team. Regarding the included water, we regret the uncertainty and will ensure that all drivers are clearly informed about what is included in each booking. That said, we are very pleased to hear your kind words about Alfonso. We will be sure to pass along your compliments—his professionalism, knowledge, and positive attitude are qualities we truly value in our team. We also appreciate your honest feedback about your experience at the thermal spa. While the spa operates independently, your observations regarding facilities and service are very helpful, and we will share them with their management team as part of our ongoing effort to partner with providers who meet our guests’ expectations. Thank you again for your valuable feedback. We hope to have the opportunity to provide you with a smoother and more enjoyable experience in the future. Warm regards, Ecu-Trans Team

M
Marc A
February 18, 2026
Excellent outing, with a superior tour guide.

The Springs were nice and rejuvenating. As part of the tour, our guide Rocco also led us on an approximately one hour hike of the area. Rocco had a detailed knowledge of the flora seen on the trail, and provided many interesting insights along the way. Additionally, on our drive up and back from Papallacta, we were treated by Rocco to information on Ecuadorian history, things to see and other valuable pieces of interest.

Operator response

Dear Marc, Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We’re very happy to know that you enjoyed the hot springs and found them truly rejuvenating. It’s great to hear that the guided hike was a highlight of your day and that Rocco’s extensive knowledge of the local flora and surroundings made the walk both engaging and informative. We’re also pleased that the insights he shared during the drive to and from Papallacta helped deepen your understanding of Ecuador and enhanced the overall journey. On behalf of Ecu-Trans, we sincerely appreciate your feedback and your trust in our team. We look forward to the opportunity to welcome you again in the future. Best regards, Ecu-Trans Team

T
TeamAngelLester
February 11, 2026
A fabulous way to see Papallacta

Excellent communication from the company. Alessio was by far the best driver we had in Ecuador. Reliable, friendly and excellent value. Highly recommend.

Operator response

Dear Client, Thank you very much for your kind words and for sharing your experience with us. We are pleased to hear that you found our communication excellent and that our driver Elias (Not Alessio) made such a positive impression during your travels in Ecuador. Being reliable, friendly, and providing great value are standards we strive for, and it is wonderful to know we met your expectations. On behalf of Ecu-Trans, thank you for your high recommendation. We truly appreciate your trust and hope to assist you again on a future trip. Best regards, Ecu-Trans Team

F
Felicia_M
January 8, 2026
Fantastic experience with friendly people

We booked this trip last minute, and it was wonderful! They were extremely friendly and knowledgeable, and personalized the trip for our family. It was a lovely day and our guide gave us helpful tips for how to get the most out of our time at the hot springs. We would definitely recommend them to anyone!

Operator response

Dear Felicia, Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are delighted to hear that, even with a last-minute booking, you had a wonderful day and enjoyed a personalized experience tailored to your family. It is especially rewarding to know that our team’s friendliness, knowledge, and the guidance provided at the hot springs helped you make the most of your visit. Your recommendation truly means a lot to us. On behalf of Ecu-Trans, thank you for trusting us with your trip. We would be more than happy to welcome you and your family again in the future. Best Ecu-Trans Team

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