Private tour in Quito Vivian V

Otavalo Indian Market and more!

5.0

(64) reviews

-
Hours icon 11 hours
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 11 hours
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

Most famous of the indian markets in South America, and the reason is its people. Otavaleños are well-known all over the world for their crafts, culture and music. We go beyond their market to discover their fascinating traditions. Use my Nikon binoculars to get up close to beautiful scenery and wildlife. We can tour a rose farm, difficult to gain entrance but I can, that produces 40, 000 per day for export as well as a beautifully done, large (think eagles and condors) bird sanctuary where, weather permitting, you can watch them released to fly out of sight over gorgeous mountain scenery and, amazingly, return. We will also shop the large indian market, visit a weaving cottage, a musical instrument making cottage and a neighboring town famous for its leather. Very interesting, beautiful, day trip.

Recent Reviews

Ephraim B.
June 2025

Vivi was just great. Knowledgeable, accommodating, speaks fluent easy-to-understand English, flexible - all you can ever dream off with a tour guide. Perfect 10.

Ann L.United States
December 2024

Vivian was an absolute gem and a true Ecuadorian historian! She took me to off the beaten path areas and to some gorgeous countryside and visited true family craftsmen. She is patient, kind, funny, and wants to give her guests the best possible visit of her beloved country. She is 12 out of 10 in my books and I highly recommend her!

Kate P.United States
November 2024

Can I give higher than 5-star? Vivian was amazing! She was prompt, personable, warm, efficient, knowledgeable, flexible. We visited her favorite Bizcochos shop (YUM) were we watched them make the treats and sat to eat them in the traditional way, with cheese and a sweet spread. She arranged a private visit to an old weaver in his home - such a treasured visit. Vivian was eager and willing to make this the tour we wanted in every way... and she succeeded.

Don J.United States
October 2024

Vivian was an excellent guide for both my tours. Saw interesting markets, rose farm, and scenery. Highly recommend.

Jeff H.United States
July 2024

We got extra time. left at 7:30am and returned at 7:00pm We saw everything we were promised by a great guide. We had our choice of restaurants for lunch and Vivi picked a great one. Every stop was outstanding except for the Otavalo market. Every shop sold the same stuff and most of it was junk. Although the market is presented as the best market in South America our group of 14 was not impressed. This is not Vivi's fault but Equador Tourist Office.

Howard S.United States
November 2023

We have traveled many places in the world and have had many group and individual tour guides. We can honestly say that none has ever been as wonderful as Vivian was today! She has a lovely demeanor and is a pleasure to be with. She is enthusiastic, professional, and a safe driver. She shares her tons of knowledge willingly and joyfully. We did everything we thought we wanted to do and then some. We did so many wonderful local things in addition to the market. On a scale of 1-5 stars, she is an 8!

Your Quito tour itinerary

Hotel pick up Stop en route at the only REAL mark of the equator line in the country where a solar dial gives the exact time. Were you ever curious where the most and best roses in the world grow? In Ecuador! You can visit a rose farm and learn first hand the whole process before they get to your flower vase. Have fun bargaining with the Otavaleños in their colorful indian market also known as "plaza de ponchos" Explore this beautiful region of Ecuador and visit Peguche to see its weavers and musicians and Cotacachi, famous for its leather products. You can visit a wonderful Andean bird aviary where you may see large birds released to fly out over beautiful mountains and, amazingly, return You can have lunch at a beautiful, relaxing, mountain backdropped, lakefront restaurant or old hacienda or locals' restaurant The route to and from Otavalo is beautiful, scenic and interesting Return to your hotel about

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

$245 price includes transportation for up to 3 people in my, Vivian's, nice, new, SAFE SUV. Vivian is a commercially licensed driver with never an accident in 32 years of guiding. For 4 or more please ask for a quote because Ecuador law to protect tourists requires Vivian to hire a commercially licenaed driver and commercially licensed and inspected vehicle of appropriate size.

What's included
Other: Price is with me, Vivian, driving my nice, new, safe SUV for up to 3 people; HOWEVER, on highway to Otavalo, for safety, not recommended I drive. We should use a professional driver paying attention to the road at all times ask for a quote. For up to 10 people please ask for a quote for comfortable, safe, quality, commercially licensed, professional driver and SUV or touring van or small bus transportation appropriately sized for your group. Because of traffic safety concerns I do not normally drive this trip; instead I like to use a professional paying 100% attention to the road. This is a gorgeous trip!
Private Guide
Private Transportation
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. Lunch, shopping. Middle of the World entrance fee, rose farm entrance fee entrance fee, Andean bird sanctuary entrance fee.
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
Bird Watching
City Highlights
Off The Beaten Path
Shopping
Day Trip
Family
Tour reference number
268656
Languages
Spanish
English
Activity level
Light
Accessibility
Kid Friendly

Traveller reviews

5.0

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Quito best suited for?

This private tour is perfect for travellers who want to explore the rich culture and traditions of the Otavalo region north of Quito. It's ideal for those interested in crafts, culture, and music, as well as anyone who enjoys beautiful scenery and wildlife. The tour is also suitable for families with children, as it is kid-friendly and involves light activity.

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 11 hours
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 11 hours
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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