About this tour
When Delphine from the crew did this half-day tour through Quito's Old Town, she found herself slipping past the tourist crush into working convents and colonial interiors most visitors miss. The guide steers you through narrow cobbled streets, baroque churches, and actual cloisters where nuns still live—you'll see hand-carved religious art, climb up to domes for city views, and have the chance to buy products the sisters make. Four hours of proper exploration in one of South America's best-preserved colonial cores, bilingual guide included, at the pace of someone who actually knows where the unlocked doors are.
Highlights
- Interior access to active convents, not just external facades
- Climb dome staircases for sweeping Quito valley views
- Meet nuns and buy their handmade crafts directly
- Bilingual guide fluent in local history and building secrets
- Dodge the main-plaza crowds via smaller plazas and passages
- Late-colonial baroque detailing up close in churches
- All entrance fees wrapped into the price upfront
What to expect
You'll start in the atmospheric heart of Old Town, where the guide walks you through gates and archways most guidebooks don't mention. Expect tight staircases, some steep climbs, and uneven cobbles—this isn't a flat stroll. The real appeal is access: you'll step inside working convents (genuinely quiet, genuinely reverent), see ornate altars and cloisters, and chat with the nuns if they're about. The dome climbs are the cardio moment—several flights of stairs with tight landings, but the payoff is a proper 360° Quito panorama. The pace is contemplative rather than rushed, and Delphine reckoned the bilingual commentary made the colonial history stick without feeling like a lecture.
Bring water because there's no food stop built in, and wear proper shoes—trainers with grip are essential on the stone. The tour wraps by mid-afternoon, leaving time to grab lunch in the lower old town or head elsewhere.
What travellers say
- Access to working convents closed to casual visitors
- Bilingual guide makes colonial history tangible and specific
- All entrance fees included; no hidden costs at doors
- Small-group feel, unrushed pace through major plazas
- Direct support for nuns via handmade craft purchases
- Multiple staircases and steep climbs; poor fit for fitness concerns
- Cobbled streets and uneven ground demand good footwear
- No food stops; plan lunch separately or bring snacks
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is the rare tour that actually unlocks doors tourists don't usually see, and you're directly supporting the nuns' work by buying their wares. The bilingual guide means no language fumbling, and all entrance fees are upfront—no surprise charges at doors. Suits anyone keen on colonial architecture, religious history, or dodging the packaged-tour feel of Quito's main plazas.
It's genuinely strenuous—multiple flights of stairs, uneven ground, and steep climbs to domes. Not suitable if you have spinal issues, heart concerns, or poor fitness. Early starts often mean it feels rushed if you dawdle. No food included, so budget for lunch separately. Cobbles can be slippery in rain. Peak times (weekends, holidays) might draw larger groups, diluting the intimate vibe. Accessibility is limited—no lifts, narrow passageways, and steep stone stairs throughout.
Wear sturdy walking shoes, bring 1–2 litres of water, and a light layer (churches are cool). Expect 4 hours on your feet. Groups vary but stay smallish. Public transport is nearby if you're not doing a pickup.
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.