Tours/Quito/Papallacta Hot Springs & Cloud Forest Reserve Private Tour
Papallacta Hot Springs & Cloud Forest Reserve Private Tour
4.9(78)Quito7 hours
VIATOR4.9(28)TRIPADVISOR5.0(50)
+8 photos
At a glance
Duration
7 hours
Price from
$120 / person
Location
Quito, Ecuador
Rating
4.9 / 5 · 78 reviews
Languages
EN, ES
Group
Private
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Hotel pickup
Available
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
Llamingo Travel
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.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
8:00 AM
Next available
Fri, Oct 9
Adult (ages 18–65)
$120
Youth (ages 12–17)
$89
Child (ages 3–11)
$85
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $250.
Larger groups pay less per person.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 8.
Tour Options
Papallacta Hot Springs & Cloud Forest Reserve Private Tour
Pickup included
Itinerary
Termas de Papallacta
Admission not included300 min
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.
60 min
Observe the beautiful mountain lake located in the middle of the steep hills.
Antisana Ecological Reserve
30 min
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.
Papallacta
30 min
You will visit the best hot-springs complex in Ecuador.
What's included
Included
Private transportation
Tour guide
Not included
Lunch
Hot Springs Entrance fee
Tips
Guango lodge entrance fee $10
Pickup Locations & Times
We will pick you up at any hotel in Quito.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
78 reviews
5
75
4
2
3
1
2
0
1
0
How it compares in Quito
Starting price $120 is 14% below the typical $139 for tours of similar length in Quito
Excurgo comparison of 999 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
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
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Papallacta Hot Springs & Cloud Forest Reserve Private Tour take?
Papallacta Hot Springs & Cloud Forest Reserve Private Tour lasts about 7 hours. The itinerary has 4 stops.
How much does Papallacta Hot Springs & Cloud Forest Reserve Private Tour cost?
Prices start at $120 per person for this Quito experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $250. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Papallacta Hot Springs & Cloud Forest Reserve Private Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 8:00 AM.
How much does Papallacta Hot Springs & Cloud Forest Reserve Private Tour cost for children?
Children aged 3–11 pay from $85, adults from $120.
Can I cancel Papallacta Hot Springs & Cloud Forest Reserve Private Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. We will pick you up at any hotel in Quito. Pickup points include Torres de Suites Executive Suites & Residences, Hotel Cumanda.
What languages is Papallacta Hot Springs & Cloud Forest Reserve Private Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Papallacta Hot Springs & Cloud Forest Reserve Private Tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 78 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Llamingo Travel.
Reviews(78)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
A
Anne_L
August 4, 2026 · via Viator
The Best!
Our tour was fantastic!! Christian was so knowledgeable and interesting! No issues with language. A must book for your vacation!!
Operator response
Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a great experience with Christian and that his knowledge and communication made the tour both interesting and enjoyable. We truly appreciate your enthusiastic recommendation and are so happy you chose to explore Ecuador with us. We hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable experience!
A
alexf505
July 25, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Great time in Papallacta.
Great experience! Christian is a fantastic and knowledgeable guide and made sure we had a good experience. The termales are a bit busy but still relaxing and worth the trip.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you had a great experience with Christian and that his knowledge and attention helped make the day special. We’re also glad you enjoyed the thermal baths and found them relaxing despite the crowds. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back to Ecuador for another adventure!
J
Jessica_B
July 25, 2026 · via Viator
This was a great way to...
This was a great way to spend a day in Quito. The hike was wonderful and the spa experience was relaxing and lovely.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you had a wonderful day in Quito and enjoyed both the hike and the relaxing spa experience. It’s great to know that the combination of adventure and relaxation made for a memorable day. We truly appreciate you choosing us and hope to welcome you back to Ecuador for another great experience!
A
Arianna_C
May 3, 2026 · via Viator
Pamela was very...
Pamela was very knowledgeable and friendly. She went above and beyond to make our experience as enjoyable as possible.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that Pamela made your experience so enjoyable. Her knowledge, friendliness, and dedication to going the extra mile are qualities we truly value. We’ll be happy to share your wonderful feedback with her. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Ecuador in the future!
J
Julia_F
April 3, 2026 · via Viator
A lovely day
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.
Operator response
Thank you for your wonderful review and for your valuable feedback. While bird activity always depends on the season and weather, we are delighted that Christian's attentiveness and local expertise made your trip worthwhile. Congratulations again to Christian on his 400th sighting! We are glad you enjoyed the beautiful Papallacta hot springs, and we appreciate you sharing the great advice regarding spa bookings. We look forward to welcoming you back again.
J
J4952OUelizabethl
March 19, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
It was a great experience!
We had a wonderful experience with our family. Daniel was an excellent tour guide— extremely knowledgeable and kind.
Operator response
Thank you for sharing your experience! We're so glad your family had a wonderful time and that Daniel’s knowledge and kindness stood out during your tour. We’ll definitely share your kind words with him. Safe travels to you and your family!
P
petebr777
March 7, 2026 · via Viator
Josue is a very good guide.
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.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your review! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the hot springs and that Josue took such good care of you. He truly has a knack for bird spotting and loves sharing his knowledge of the area. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to him. Hope to see you again soon for another adventure!
Q
Q675VQgabriellas
February 26, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Great time at hot springs!
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!
1 people found this helpful
Operator response
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!
K
kathleenkT3320HA
February 4, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Save your money and go to a spa. Title
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.
Operator response
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.
Q
Q3023OPsashas
January 24, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Relaxing & magical Experience!
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.
Operator response
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!
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Tour
Duration
Rating
Price
Papallacta Hot Springs & Cloud Forest Reserve Private Tour