Private tour in Quito Vivian V

Otavalo market TWO DAYS with lake front or hacienda stay

5.0

(5) reviews

-
Hours icon 2 days
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 2 days
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

This is the most famous of the indian markets in South America, and the reason is its people. Otavaleños are very well-known all over the world for their crafts, culture and music. I take you beyond their market to discover their fascinating traditions. It is worth staying an extra night exploring everything that this area has to offer. I will refer you to , and assist with booking, a 300 year old hacienda, or lakefront hotel. The hacienda is very, very special with guest room fireplaces. You will see how the wealthy, landed aristocrats once lived. There is horseback riding available. The hacienda is still in the original family. You will never forget it or the lakefront hotel for that matter. The lakefront hotel has llamas roaming a pasture behind it and the gorgeous lake and mountain as a backdrop in front.

Recent Reviews

Jim L.United States
February 2026

We enjoyed an amazing 4 days with Vivian on her one day Quito, two day Otavalo, and one day Cotopaxi trips. She is a knowledgeable guide on the nature, the culture, the history, and the people of Ecuador. And she is a fun person to hang out with. We laughed so much and learned so much. She took us into the homes of skilled artisans, shamans, and cooks who we would never have found on our own. She was equally comfortable leading us on mountain hikes, through the streets of Quito, and along backroads that were barely roads. She steered us to wonderful place to stay and to eat. She genuinely cares about her clients and did everything she could help us enjoy our time with her and help us prepare for the rest of our travels in Ecuador. Vivian, and her mama if you are fortunate enough to have her drive you around Quito, will completely spoil you during your time with her.

John L.United States
April 2021

Traveling with Vivian is like visiting a friend. She took time to get to know us and tailor the tour to our interests. We were with her in the midst of a pandemic and the government just that day shut down some areas we planned to visit. Vivian didn't miss a beat and we still had full days. We saw the normal tourist places, but also visited some very interesting local people. With us, having someone who can speak excellent English is important and that is Vivian. Highly recommend her.

Helen B.United Kingdom
June 2019

Excellent tour with Vivian demonstrating both the knowledge and contacts to meet our requirements and able to pitch things just right.

David C.United States
June 2018

Vivian is a great guide! Her English is excellent. She was very responsive in helping us plan our tour and she customized our tour based on our communications before our trip. We were very happy with the tour she arranged. She arrived on time, has a good car, was a good driver, is knowledgeable and pleasant company. We spent three days touring with her and had a wonderful time.

Your Quito tour itinerary

Hotel pickup Stop en route at the REAL equator line with a solar dial Stop en route at a rose farm - 40, 000 produced and shipped per day Have fun bargaining with Otavaleños in their colourful indian market Explore old roads and hidden villages in this beautiful region of Ecuador (did Bob Dylan secretly stay here?) such as Zuleta, famous for beautiful hand embroideries sold in U. S. for many times the price, Peguche weavers and musicians and Cotacachi, famous for leather products. Marvel at an exceptionally well done Andean avian rescue center. If weather allows, watch a wonderful bird show, your only chance to see Andean condors, American Bald Eagles and other great, large birds up close and in flight. Overnight at a beautiful, 300 year old hacienda (Simon Bolivar stayed here) or stay at a lakefront inn on gorgeous Lake San Pablo - your choice that you book with my help. Hike around a most beautiful lake with gorgeous views of mountains and countryside all around 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

Transport will be provided according to the number of people. For 1 to 3 persons a nice SUV will be used. For more than 3 and up to 10 a first class larger vehicle with a safe professional, commercially licensed driver will be used; please ask for a quote.

What's included
Private Guide
Private Transportation
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. Beverages, meals, personal expenses, lodging. Rose farm visit cost - $10/person. Bird sanctuary (think BIG eagles and condors) - $5/person. Peguche waterfall - $.50 (cents)/person. REAL Middle of the World entrance fee - $5
Food Drinks Snacks
Accommodation
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
Family
Bird Watching
Shopping
Nature Wildlife And Safaris
Tour reference number
278743
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 in Quito is perfect for travellers who want to immerse themselves in the rich culture and traditions of the Otavalo market and surrounding areas. It's ideal for those interested in crafts, culture, and music, as well as anyone looking to explore beautiful landscapes and historical sites. Families with children will find it kid-friendly, and it's also suitable for those who prefer a light activity level.

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 2 days
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 2 days
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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