About this tour
When Maz from the Global Hobo crew pedalled through Quito on two wheels, we ditched the gridlocked minibuses and saw the city properly — from the sleek modern quarters down to the historic centre, one of Latin America's best-kept old towns. This half-day ride strings together iconic spots without the carbon guilt or traffic headaches, adapting to whatever fitness level you're at. You get a helmet, gloves, the bike, and a traditional welcome drink plus chocolate tasting thrown in. Four to six hours on saddle, depending on pace and stops.
Highlights
- Pedal from glitzy modern Quito straight into centuries-old colonial lanes
- Skip gridlocked traffic — bikes move where cars get stuck
- Traditional chocolate and sweet tasting at a proper pace
- Route adjusts to your legs, not some one-size-fits-all slog
- See the historic centre from street level, not a bus window
- No carbon emissions guilt — sustainable travel that actually works
- Views shift from high-rise to baroque architecture mid-ride
What to expect
You'll start in Quito's contemporary neighbourhoods where cafés are shiny and the streets feel modern, then gradually roll towards the old town — a proper descent into history. The guides keep things social and unhurried; they'll adjust the pace if someone needs a breather or wants to linger. Expect cobbled streets, some hills (but nothing brutal if you can walk up stairs), and plenty of photo stops at plazas and church fronts. The chocolate tasting happens mid-tour or at the end depending on the route, and it's genuinely good — local stuff, not tourist gimmick chocolate. Weather in Quito's unpredictable (you're high altitude here), so morning runs often have clearer skies. The ride feels less like "guided tour" and more like exploring with someone who knows the shortcuts and stories.
What travellers say
- Flexible pacing — guides match your fitness, not a set itinerary
- Zero traffic stress — bikes beat minibuses through crowded streets
- Authentic chocolate and sweets, not watered-down tourist fare
- Covers colonial Quito brilliantly from a bike's-eye view
- Safety kit provided — actual helmets and gloves, not afterthoughts
- Early mornings essential — not ideal for sleep-in types
- Cobblestones and hills rough on unpractised riders' backsides
- Basilica of the National Vote excluded from the standard route
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
If you can ride a bike without thinking too hard, you'll have a solid half-day. The route customisation means families, solo riders, and mixed-fitness groups actually work. No sitting in traffic watching exhaust. The helmet and gloves are proper kit, not sketchy rentals. Chocolate and sweets tasting lifts it above a generic pedal-around.
The tour skips the Basilica (it's grand but separate), so if that's your must-see, plan separately. Early starts mean you'll be rolling when the city's still waking — great for photos, rough if you're not a morning person. Cobblestones are lovely until your bum starts complaining on hour three. Not suitable if you're pregnant or have dodgy cardiovascular fitness. Bring water, sunscreen, and something to strap a camera or phone to — your hands are busy. Helmets and gloves included. Small groups work best. Peak tourist season (June–August) gets busier.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original Global Hobo summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.