"Happy Gringo were excellent and really went above and beyond to help me. I was very impressed and would recommend you to anyone. Thanks so much!" Emily Fett, Australia

Quito Reality Day Tour

The concept of this ½ day trip is to show tourists the alternative or "real" side to Quito life, in other words some of the sites that tourists do not usually get to see.

The day starts with panoramic city views from the Ichimbia Park, followed by a trip to a local fair-trade chocolate factory ... and of course a chance to sample some of the delicious chocolate that is made there! From there we head to the colourful San Roque market to witness the hustle and bustle of locals buying the huge array of tropical fruits, grains, vegetables and even guinea pigs! We finish the tour off with an artsy angle visiting both the workshop of a woodcarver who makes traditional spinning tops, and the Capilla del Hombre art gallery which displays the finest works of Ecuadorian artist Guayasamin famed for his moving representations of the struggle of Latin America's indigenous people.

We are the only agency in Quito that runs this unique trip so if you are looking for something different and original then come and sign up!

"A really interesting and unique tour of offbeat Quito. Great opportunity to see Quito from a local perspective. Muchas gracias!" (Peter & Jan Martin)

"The Quito reality was fantastic! From the delicious chocolate to the intense artwork of Guayasamin - we loved every minute of it" (Liz Porter & Michael Walker)

"A quirky little tour that really opened our eyes to some of the hidden highlights of Quito. Keep it going!!!" (Brad Cohen)

The Equator Day Tour

The city of Quito lies just 22km from the equator so it makes a perfect ½ day add-on to your trip.

We visit three different sites: The pictoresque Pululahua Volcanic Crater; The official equator monument for perfect photos with one foot in each hemisphere; and the Inti Ñan Museum where you are able to perform fascinating scientific tests which only hold true at the equator such as balancing an egg on a nail and witnessing the coriolis Force that sends falling water in different directions in each hemisphere.

"Excellent tour - good, informative tour guides and enjoyable museum" (Yvonne & William Poppen)

"Awesome fun from start to finish - thanks!" (Blaire Nelson)

"Nice way to spend 1/2 day out of Quito - recommended!" (Marcus Brent)

Otavalo Day Tour

The indigenous town of Otavalo is famous across South America for its handicraft market and colourful inhabitants, but the area also offers far more besides!!!

The Happy Gringo daytour of course takes you to the famous handicraft market and allows freetime for shopaholics to explore the many wares and splurge, but we also like to take our tourists a little further off of the beaten-path ... so we also find time for a visit to a fascinating weaving workshop, lunch at the spiritual Peguche waterfall, sampling the delicious bizcochos biscuits and cheese at Cayambe, as well as time to see an indigenous family who make and play traditional musical instruments.

An action-packed combo of the best culture, nature and shopping in the Otavalo area!

"Thanks for everything - a really interesting trip!" (Yvonne Vogel)

"Of course we loved the market, but the highlight for us were the off-the-beaten-track visits, especially the weaving family. Highly recommended!" (Rens Pannekock)

"There's a whole lot packed into the day that we would never have been able to see by ourselves ... a good variety of activities and all-in-all a wonderful day" (Brent Waters)

Mindo Day Tour

Mindo is a tiny town set amidst some of the most beautiful and peaceful countryside in the entire country. It is a centre for both nature and for adventure activities - Happy Gringo run two separate itineraries which focus on each area.

The Nature trip first visits a butterfly farm where you will also be able to see orchids and an array of colourful humming birds for which Mindo is reknowned. The rest of the day is spent trekking through the cloudforest with the reward of freetime for lunch, swimming and enjoying the peace and tranquility upon arrival at the picturesque waterfall.

The Adventure trip includes both the adrenalin-rush of a network of flying-fox canopy runs between towers high in the forest canopy, and a more relaxing afternoon floating on a giant inner-tube down the river. Both are completely different ways of taking in the beautiful cloudforest scenery.

"Loved the adventure trip - we searched for ages in many Quito agencies and this is by far the best Mindo daytrip that we found!!!" (Danny Perch)

"It was wonderful to escape from the city into nature for a day" (Lorraine and Carol Springer)

"A really enjoyable trip to somewhere we otherwise would not have visited - thanks for such a memorable day" (John Court)