Custom Services: Michelle & Noel Extra Days in Quito

Quito, Ecuador

Ho
Heart of Travel
  • Email address verified
162 reviews
Mar 14 - 16, 2024
Group size: 1 - 4
Custom Services: Michelle & Noel Extra Days in Quito
Quito, Ecuador

Heart of Travel
  • Email address verified
162 reviews

Mar 14 - 16, 2024
Group size: 1 - 4

About this trip


Thursday, March 14th, 2024 - Arrive in Quito

Arrive at Quito and spend the night at Casa Aliso in the charming Floresta area. The Floresta

area in Quito is a vibrant and eclectic neighborhood that combines historic charm with a

contemporary atmosphere. Nestled in the heart of the city, Floresta is known for its tree-lined

streets, lively cafes, and an array of cultural attractions. The neighborhood is a hub for arts and

creativity, hosting numerous art galleries, theaters, and cultural centers. With its mix of

colonial-era architecture and modern developments, Floresta provides a unique blend of

old-world charm and urban energy.


Friday, March 15th, 2024 - Day in Mindo Cloud Forest

A day in Mindo promises an enchanting journey into one of the world's most biodiverse regions.

Nestled within lush cloud forests, Mindo is a natural paradise 2 hours from your hotel, where the

convergence of the Andes Mountains and the Chocó-Andean biozone creates a haven for both

birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. Begin your day at the Mariposario de Mindo, a captivating

butterfly garden that showcases the incredible diversity of these winged creatures. Then,

choose between two exciting options: a guided tour of a local chocolate factory, where you'll

discover the art of chocolate-making from cacao bean to bar, or an outdoor adventure, set out

on a trek to explore one of Mindo's stunning waterfalls. Following your morning activity, head to

one of Mindo's renowned hummingbird observatories. These sanctuaries offer a close

encounter with dazzling hummingbirds, including various species like the Violet-tailed Sylph and

Booted Racket-tail. Lastly, recharge with a delicious lunch at the Mariposario de Mindo, known

for its excellent cuisine, before heading back to Casa Aliso to rest.


Saturday, March 16th, 2024 - Papallacta Hot Springs

Spending a day in Papallacta offers a delightful escape into the heart of the Andes Mountains,

known for its pristine natural beauty, rejuvenating hot springs, and captivating landscapes. The

drive from the hotel takes approximately 1 hour, offering breathtaking views of the Andean

countryside along the way. Upon arrival, you can head straight to the renowned Papallacta Hot

Springs, famous for their therapeutic and relaxing qualities. Spend your morning soaking in the

mineral-rich thermal pools while surrounded by lush cloud forest and mist-covered mountains.

After your relaxing soak, enjoy lunch amidst the breathtaking Andean scenery. Savor local

Ecuadorian delicacies while taking in the fresh mountain air and serene surroundings. A half a

day in Papallacta immerses you in the pristine beauty of the Andes, offering relaxation and a

deep connection with nature. Then head back to Quito to freshen up and join us for the official

welcome dinner of our tour!

Cancellation Policy

Please be sure to take a moment to review our cancellation policy below before finishing your booking. 


TRIP CANCELED by Client

In the event, a Heart of Travel trip is not canceled but you have chosen not to join the trip for whatever reason, including COVID-19, the following policy will apply:

  • Cancellation 151+ days before the trip start date: Fully refundable 
  • Cancellation 91 - 150 days before the trip start date: Loss of deposit, the rest of the trip payment is fully refundable. 
  • Cancellation 60 – 90 days before the trip start date: 50% Refundable 
  • Cancellation 59 or fewer days before the trip’s start date: No refunds are guaranteed, however, you could apply 70% of your payment towards a future trip to the same destination or 50% towards a Heart of Travel trip to an alternate destination. 

*If you can’t make it on a trip but someone else can go in your place we are happy to transfer over your registrations and dues paid to this person’s account. However, in some instances, there may be a domestic flight or another type of reservation with a third-party supplier that can only be transferred to a new person with a transfer fee. In this case, the new participant would be responsible for covering this fee. 


TRIP POSTPONED OR CANCELED by Heart of Travel


In the event, a Heart of Travel trip is not possible due to COVID-19 (be it due to border closures or because we’ve determined the trip is not in the best interest of travelers and/or employees) we will notify participants immediately of the cancellation or postponement of the trip.

  • If the trip is canceled with 75 days of notice or more, travelers will have the option to receive a full refund, join the trip on the postponed dates, or transfer the amount paid to an alternative trip. 
  • In the event the trip is impacted 74 days or less before the start date of the trip, it will not be canceled, but rather postponed. In this case there will be no refund, however, you will receive a full 100% credit for the amount paid. This credit can be used towards any other Heart of Travel trip to any destination at any time, or you may wait to go on your original trip at the new dates. 

What’s included

  • Airport pick up
  • 2 nights accommodation
    3-start boutique hotel Casa Aliso in a twin room, with breakfast included
  • Mindo Tour
    Private pick-up and drop-off, entrance fee & activities, bilingual guide, lunch
  • Papallacta Tour
    Private pick-up and drop-off, Entrance fee for the private hot spring and pool area, lunch

What’s not included

  • Tips
  • Additional SPA services
    We can provide assistance booking additional services beforehand, just let us know which one you're interested in!

Available Packages

Custom Services Total
$490

Who’s Going

Your Organizer


Ho
Heart of Travel
162 reviews
The Heart of Travel was born out of a deep-rooted love and passion for travel, art, history, food, nature, culture and adventure as well as a call to give back to the communities and people that had already provided us with so much. The travel industry has long been bombarded with double decker tour busses, beach front resorts and cruise ships, often at the expense of the local communities. As a response to this failing system, we began a boutique travel company that allows clients to explore new places in an authentic and non-touristy way, offering travelers a more intimate and unique experience all while removing the stress and hassle of researching, planning, bargain hunting, reserving and more that goes along with planning a trip or vacation.

Reviews

Very intentional and thoughtful itinerary packed with cooking classes, tours, and opportunities to connect with locals and learn about the culture and history through their eyes and experiences. Highly recommend!
By Becky S for Urban Beats to Forest Retreats: Escape to Medellín 2025 on Feb 15, 2025
Our trip was amazing -- great guides who developed an itinerary according to our needs/wishes, including interesting historic areas, along with some adventurous outings. We enjoyed delicious food, gorgeous vistas, meeting with local artisans, etc. Thank you, Heart of Travel! We're spreading the word among friends and family, and look forward to traveling with you in the future.
By patricia c for Custom Travel Services: Patty and Shalako on Feb 13, 2025
We spent about ten days in Cuba with a wonderful guide named Daniela, who introduced us to the country in an amazing way. We learned about its history and diverse society. The trip went as planned, with a few deviations here and there, but we must highlight the dedication of Daniela and Emanuel, the person in charge of Cuba, who took care of any issues and ensured our satisfaction. We definitely recommend this reliable company.
By Josef F for Custom Travel: Josef & Rachel Friedlander on Feb 11, 2025
Our visit to Cuba was nothing short of amazing. Our guide (a history teacher) was so knowledgeable about Cuba, its history, and its relationship to the United States and the world. He worked hard to accommodate every request and ensure our comfort and safety. The country is incredible - from the architecture to the food to the art to the rich nature. I highly recommend a Cuba trip with Heart of Travel!
By Sherry W for Custom Trip Services: Sherry & Friends on Feb 06, 2025
Fabulous educational experience.
By Nancy R for Dolphin Dive with Heart: Nancy Ryman on Feb 04, 2025
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References

I highly recommend Heart of Travel! I have traveled with them several times, and their customer service is exceptional. They consistently exceed my expectations. Their staff is not only friendly but also pleasant and wonderful to work with. Their pricing is fair and transparent, making it an excellent value for the money. I cannot wait to go on another trip with Heart of Travel!
By Janet H on 28 Jan, 2025
I cannot recommend Heart of Travel more enthusiastically! We took a trip to Guatemala to see the Giant Kite Festival in Sumpango. It was important to us to learn about Guatemalan culture, people, history, food, and have authentic experiences where we could get to know people. From my very first conversation with the team, I felt confident in their experience and that our values aligned. They absolutely exceeded expectations - everything was perfect! The travel arrangements, hotels, restaurants and activities were all impeccably well executed. The variety and intimate nature of all our activities was superb, as was our amazing guide, Selvyn. His passion for his country and people is heartwarming, his knowledge of culture and history is encyclopedic. He is a consummate professional, taking care of everything we could possibly have needed or wanted. He is also a tremendously warm and wonderful person who we felt really fortunate to get to know. The work by the entire team behind the scenes to ensure a magically seamless trip is impressive. We fell in love with Guatemala; the beauty of the country, warm smiles of the people, amazing food, rich history, and an incredibly well-planned tour led by an expert guide - what's not to love?! You will love Heart of Travel!
By Angela D on 20 Nov, 2024
Heart of Travel is the best for magical and ethical vacations! Chelsea and her incredible team first won me over in Guatemala in 2023 as they planned a beautiful trip that allowed us to see and experience so many different places, people, and things. A helicopter ride, a volcano hike, spa day, meeting the most badass Mayan weaver!!, a once-in a lifetime sunset tour in Tikal - done. I'm still trying to get over this trip lol. They knocked it out of the park again in Cuba for NYE! Chelsea and the spectacular Paloma had us dancing multiple nights away, eating the BEST food, and seeing ALL the sights while also giving us ample opportunity to support the Cuban people and educating us on why that is so important. You will leave their trips with new memories, new friends, and possibly, some new perspectives. Do it!!!
By Amber S on 08 Feb, 2024
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