Private tour in Quito Vivian V

Full Day Yunguilla - Heaven On Earth Is Found

5.0

(7) reviews

-
Hours icon 6 hours 30 minutes
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-3 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 6 hours 30 minutes
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-3 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Vivian V.

5.0

Guide rating

553

Reviews

Tours delivered

4 hrs

Avg. response time

For 34 years I have guided, toured and helped people plan everything there is to do in Ecuador from a one day tour to a week or more. I guide not just the Quito area but the entire Andes chain including Otavalo, Mindo, Papallacta, Banos, Cotopaxi, Quilotoa, Ingapirca, Cuenca, Guayaquil and everything in between as well as the Galapagos and Amazon jungle. I guide only my native Ecuador but have been named the current #1 guide in all of South America and the Caribbean. The City of Quito hired me to tour Miami based, world syndicated radio and newspaper travel writer, former Colombia diplomat, expert on South America, Enrique Cordoba Rocha, who wrote I am the best Quito guide and sends referrals from his listeners and readers. I have never missed a tour, never even been late for one. I am 56 years old and was the 4th nationally licensed guide in the history of Ecuador and have toured over 9,000 travelers even for the Ecuador government (the Minister of Nepal, 17 person entourage and police escort - PHEW!) and top travel agencies in Ecuador and abroad. I am the "go to" guide the City of Quito asks to tour VIPs such as a PGA (U. S. golf) pro during the Quito tournament, the second highest ranking Russian official and entourage with body guards (Phew! again), a U. S. State Department official, an Arabian sheik and entourage, "Travel and Leisure" magazine personnel, foreign diplomats, the past U. S. ambassador. I was U. S. sales director for Klein Tours and traveled the world promoting Ecuador for it and Metropolitan Touring, the two largest Ecuador travel agencies and largest Galapagos yacht owners. I also designed tours for each. I have a U. S. (Miami) phone on my Quito desk to assist clients with trip planning. I can help you plan the perfect partial or total Ecuador vacation short or long. I am an Ecuador and a U. S. citizen. The tour guide you choose will be the difference in your day or trip. I have the guide maturity and vast contacts to make my clients secure. I speak, read and write perfect English (and French) because I lived and worked for Marriott in the U. S. , lived a year in France and traveled the world promoting Ecuador. With me there will be no canned or stilted speeches, talks. I am known for my flexibility while touring and can change itineraries even "on the fly" the day of a tour due to weather and other factors, even your whims. I have degrees in tourism and hotel management, and my avocation is Ecuador history. My English, knowledge, happy disposition, energy, experience and reliability make me the perfect guide for Quito or the entire country including the Galapagos and Amazon jungle. I love my work and have more than 4,500 recommendation letters on file without a single bad review, all five stars. I am one of four, elected, unpaid officers who run our National Tour Guide Association. Ecuador National Tour Guide 004 Tour prices quoted here are for up to 3 in my nice, newer SUV. I am a commercially licensed driver without ever an accident. I tour groups up to 50. For 4 or more simply ask me for a quote. I, personally, do not charge more for the guiding, but must, under strict Ecuador transportation law to protect your group, hire a special driver with specially inspected, commercially licensed vehicle, and this adds to the cost. Not all museums in Quito are closed on Mondays, most are now open. If this is your only available day please send me your inquiry, and I will create a customized itinerary.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Vivian V.

Overview of your Quito tour

Heaven on earth may be Yunguilla Ecuador, just one hour drive outside huge, cement Quito for spectacular mountain and valley views from tiny, peaceful Yunguilla village. This is the real deal Andes and indigenous people. Use my high quality binoculars. Watch mesmerizing views as the sun dapples the valley far below and out. This is a mountain Indian commune dating back to colonial times, once a 100, 000 acre, aristocratic estate. All food is grown organically. Take a short, walking tour of the village, see in natural settings gorgeous flowers, workshops where cheese and jam products are produced for Quito; visit their organic vegetable gardens before an organic meal in the new, beautiful, mountaintop restaurant with spectacular views. Included is a stop at the Middle of the World and Pululahua volcano, one of only two active in the world where people live and farm. Ask about staying the night with next day on to Mindo. Price quoted is for up to 3 people. This tour can be for up to 10 people.

Recent Reviews

Deanna D.United States
June 2025

Amazing day with Vivian! We explored the real equator, got a beautiful view of a volcano, spent some time in Yunguilla and learned about this amazing self sustaining community (the cheese and marmalade were amazing!), saw a beautiful rare bird, fed some hummingbirds and had a relaxing and delicious lunch at a coffee farm/plantation. Vivian was very knowledgeable and the best host; we loved our day with her!!!! She tailored things to our needs and did a great job sharing her local knowledge with us. It was a FULL day packed with things we would have never have been able to find on our own. We were definitely off the beaten path and that’s how we love it! Highly recommend a tour with Vivian!

Elizabeth H.United States
March 2025

Our day with Vivian was spectacular. We chose her Yunguilla itinerary to see the countryside outside Quito. This included stops at Pululahua Reserve (volcano, green valley, natural area with orchids), Calacali for the true equatorial line (NOT at Mitad del Mundo), hummingbird viewing, great stops for lunch & coffee. Her selection of sights and information went far beyond the typical tourist spots. She knew the best places for viewing the mountains and valleys, spotting orchids and bromeliads, interacting with hummingbirds, enjoying local foods and coffee. Our stop at Yunguilla was magical—such an interesting community. It’s hard to express how much we enjoyed our day with Vivi, but she was so knowledgeable, interesting, flexible and simply delightful. We highly recommend you spend time with Vivian on your trip to Quito.

V Callaway H.United States
September 2023

Vivian is an excellent tour guide. Great personality, exceptional English and very knowledgeable. Asks what you want to see and fulfills those desires.

Alexandra H.United States
April 2023

I super super super recommend this tour for anyone coming to Ecuador. This was perhaps my favorite part of my whole trip. Vivian was very friendly and knowledgeable and we were able to do lots of fun things in the area. The community at Yunguilla was incredible. There were stunning views and it was wonderful to learn about the sustainable efforts this community is making and the ways they are working together for a sustainable and fulfilling future. And the food was delicious!

Ursula S.Canada
November 2021

Vivian picked us up in Mindo and had customized this tour to our interests and the change of start. Vivian is very accommodating and her knowledge of the area's activities and places to visit is vast. We had an interesting visit in a museum to learn about the history of the Yumbo people that used to populate the area. Visited the place of 00 line of the Equator in one of her friend's backyard. Indulged in some Equatorial goodies. She recommended restaurants in our hotel area. She is a real gem.

Robyn G.United States
July 2021

Vivian is the best guide. She genuinely cares about her tours and the culture in Ecuador. If you want to have the best day in Ecuador- choose Vivian!!

Your Quito tour itinerary

Vivian picks you up at your hotel at 8am. One hour drive to Yunguilla for morning visit when sun is more assured Tour of mountaintop village area and gardens with native guide Lunch in new, spectacular, Yunguilla, dining room with drop dead views you will never forget. Stop at Pululau volcano rim Stop at Middle of the World site Vivian drops you at your Quito hotel, or pay $50/person to stay the night in very nice accommodations with three good meals included and have me pick you up the next morning and go on to Mindo for the day. See my Mindo day trip description and cost here in TBL. This is a wonderful, low cost overnight out of the city you will never, ever forget. This is really seeing, experiencing, the Andes and its gentle, local people of the land. Return to your Quito hotel.

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Private Transportation / Category: Suv

Transportation for up to three in Vivian's nice, SUV. 4 to 10 people? Ask for quote with Vivian and safe, commercially licensed driver (required by law) and large, comfortable, spacious SUV, touring van or small bus appropriately sized depending on number of people. Ask me to prepare a Tours by Locals Custom Tour with the quoted price for you.

What's included
Private Guide
Private Transportation
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. Incidentals, road snacks, lunch, entrance fees, local guide fee. About $15 per person
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location

Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador

Airport, hotel, or any other location specified by tour guide or client.

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
Off The Beaten Path
Day Trip
History
Nature Wildlife And Safaris
Tour reference number
352203
Languages
Spanish
English
Activity level
Minimal
Accessibility
Kid Friendly

Traveller reviews

5.0

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Quito best suited for?

This private tour in Quito is perfect for travellers who want to experience the breathtaking natural beauty of the Andes and connect with the local indigenous culture. It's ideal for those who appreciate organic food, stunning mountaintop views, and a peaceful escape from the city. Families with children will find it kid-friendly, and it's also suitable for small groups looking for a personalized experience.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in Quito be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

What languages is this tour offered in?

What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?

Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 6 hours 30 minutes
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-3 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 6 hours 30 minutes
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-3 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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