Middle of the World with Birdwatching and Quito City Tour| 1-Day Adventure

Duration:

From: $100 per person

Description

Ready for a unique Middle of the World experience with birdwatching and Quito City highlights? 🦜

We’ll depart early from Quito, with a short 45-minute drive to northwestern Ecuador. We’ll begin the tour with birdwatching in a natural setting near Quito, in the heart of the Choco Andean cloud forest.

We’ll then head north of Quito to visit the Middle of the World Monument, one of the most iconic places near Quito.

At the Monument, you can stand on the equator, with one foot in the northern hemisphere and the other in the southern, enjoying a unique experience.

Close the day exploring Quito’s historic center, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.

Visit the majestic Basilica of the National Vow, Santo Domingo Square, one of Quito’s churches, and the Panecillo, from where you can enjoy an incredible panoramic view of the city.

A complete experience designed for travelers short on time but eager to experience something unforgettable!

Inclusions

✔ Pick up / Drop off

✔ Private Transportation

✔ Certified Bilingual Guide

✔ Lunch

✔ Birdwatching

✔ Water Bottle

❌ Personal Expenses

❌ Middle of the world monument entrance

❌ Quito Church entrance

❌ Tips

Highlights

Birdwatching in the cloud forest: Enjoy hummingbirds, tanagers, and more in their natural habitat just minutes from Quito.
Visit the Middle of the World Monument: Take a photo with one foot in each hemisphere and visit the museums and shops at this iconic site.
City Tour of Quito's Historic Center: Visit iconic sites such as the Basilica of the National Vow, the Panecillo, Plaza Grande, and one of Quito's churches.
Comfortable transportation and a local guide: Enjoy the tour with an expert guide.

Itinerary

Birdwatching

Just 45 minutes from Quito, you can immerse yourself in the magic of the cloud forest while observing colorful hummingbirds, tanagers, and other exotic species in their natural environment.

The biodiversity of the Choco Andean makes this experience a paradise for nature lovers, photographers, and birdwatchers of all levels.

Middle of the World Monument

The Middle of the World is a place that allows you to experience being right on the equator, with one foot in each hemisphere.

This iconic monument marks the point where the world divides into north and south and is one of the most visited places in Ecuador.

Explore the small surrounding town, full of museums, craft shops, cafes, and interactive activities.

It's a perfect place to enjoy and take home an unforgettable memory of your time in the Middle of the World in Ecuador.

Basilica of National Vow

Afterwards, we'll head to Quito's Historic Center. Here, we'll visit the Basilica of the National Vow, one of Quito's most impressive architectural gems and the largest neo-Gothic church in South America.

Its design will remind you of the great European cathedrals. In this iconic Basilica, instead of traditional gargoyles, you'll see sculptures of emblematic animals such as iguanas, condors, and turtles.

From the Basilica of the National Vow, you'll have one of the most spectacular views of Quito's historic center.

Church of Quito

On the next stop on our itinerary, we'll visit one of the 16 churches that are part of Quito's valuable colonial heritage.

Although you'll only visit one of them on this tour, you'll appreciate the architectural and spiritual richness that makes Quito one of the most charming cities in South America.

Santo Domingo Square

One of the most iconic public spaces in Quito's Historic Center. Surrounded by history and colonial architecture, this plaza is located in front of the Santo Domingo Church and has been a meeting point since colonial times.

Here you can observe the comings and goings of Quito city and appreciate the architectural details of the surrounding buildings. It's an ideal stop to connect with Quito's historic soul.

The Panecillo/ Virgin of Quito

The Panecillo, one of Quito's most iconic viewpoints, is located 3,000 meters above sea level.

From its summit, you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Historic Center and the volcanoes surrounding Quito.

Also at the top of El Panecillo is the statue of the Virgin of Quito, a religious and cultural icon for Quito residents.

This is a perfect place to take photos and admire the scenery before this spectacular combination of birdwatching and a tour of Quito concludes.

Price 2026

Group Size	Private Tour	Small Group	Shared Tour
1 passenger/ Price per Person	$ 286	Not available	Not available
2 passengers/ Price per Person	$ 172	Not available	Not available
3 passengers/ Price per Person	$ 134	Not available	Not available
+4 passengers/ Price per Person	Not available	Not available	$ 100 No tickets/ No lunch - Check availability first

GALLERY

The best photos of our guests

Frequently asked questions about the bird watching tour 🔍

Is previous birdwatching experience necessary?

No, the tour is designed for everyone. Guides often provide tips on identifying birds and getting the most out of the experience.

Is it necessary to be in good physical shape for the tour?

Exceptional physical fitness isn't required. Birdwatching is easy; however, the Quito City Tour may include some moderate climbs, such as at Panecillo, but the entire route is accessible and suitable for most travelers.

Can I take photos during birdwatching?

Of course! Photography is one of the most common and recommended activities during the tour. If you have a camera with a telephoto lens, you can capture incredible images of the birds.

Can I take the tour if I'm short on time in Quito?

Yes, the tour is ideal if you only have one day to explore the city. The tour is designed to offer a complete experience in a single day, from birdwatching to a Quito city tour and a visit to the Middle of the World. However, if you have less than a day, some parts of the tour can be adjusted.

What Travellers Say About Real Dreams

Verified reviews · Real Dream Tours

Great tour company. Amazing tour guides. Safe driver !

We had the BEST time with Real Dream tours. Our tour guide was Andrés and our driver maybe (Javier) was the ABSOLUTE BEST. We went to the hot springs. Got there safely. We hiked a beautiful trail. Andres took some photos of us and pretty much took care of everything when we arrived at the spa. Andres was also very knowledgeable about the country. Educated us on some fun facts. We were traveling as a family of 5. The company is great! They personalized everything for us. They can customize anything you need. Even dropped us off at the airport after our relaxing day. Such great people. highly recommended! Will use them again.

tktun20906

washington dc

June 11, 2025

Quilotoa -day trip

Quilotoa is a beautiful place it’s worth the long trip from Quito. I would totally recomend. The views are just stunning.

Also our tour guide was Pedro. 10/10

Carol

Puerto Rico

March 10, 2025

Vielen Dank Pedro!

Ich hatte eine tolle Zeit mit meinem Guide Pedro. Vom hoch gelegenen Cotopaxi, über die im perfekten Sonnenschein schimmernde Quilotoa Lagune, zum abenteuerlichen Banos und schliesslich in den abgelegenen Regenwald in der Itamandi Lodge, hat Pedro alles gegeben um meine Reise perfekt zu machen.

Martin

May 21, 2025

Great company-book with confidence.

Andres made the day! We have hired many many different guides in many many different countries and Andres was one of the best we have had. He perfectly split the difference between information and giving us our space. He was attentive to our 10 year old…especially important on such a very long day. Keeping the little one going made for a successful day for all of us.

He and the driver spotted a toucan along a road and halted everything, hustled us out of the car and made sure we all saw it and got pictures. Well done!

We combined this tour with visits to both equator exhibits and while this was no fault of the tour company (they had informed us of road closures and we were not upset) it took us much longer to get back than planned and we nearly ran out of time. We got the photos we wanted so no harm no foul, but we cut it very close. I’m thankful for the good driver we had!

maureenehess

Bogota, Colombia

June 20, 2025

Fantastic trip to local market and beautiful nature.

Very nice trip to a very nice market. This is South America's largest outdoor market. Also got to stop at the original center of the world, and taste very good biscuits 😁

Helge B

July 12, 2025

Otavala Market

Great trip to the Otavalo market. Andrés was a wonderful guide who shared so much history and stories about Equador and the area. A great day tour from Quoto.

Martedal

July 9, 2025

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Get in touch with us!

Looking for a personalized experience? Tell us your travel dates, group size, and interests, and our local experts will help you design the perfect tour in Ecuador or the Galápagos Islands. This request is completely free and without obligation — we’re happy to adapt the itinerary, pace, and activities to match your travel style.

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 519 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Sonja R 
 
 
 
 Verified The perfect day
I spent a glorious day with the dream team: Jimmy, the alert, cautious, and responsible driver, and Andres, the super kind, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic tour guide. The day exceeded my expectations: I saw and experienced everything I had heard about Cotopaxi and Banos - and then some. I learned a lot and felt extremely well taken care of. I highly recommend this trip to anyone who wants to see these two famous places in Ecuador in just one day. And if you’re lucky enough, you’ll be driven by Jimmy and guided by Andres.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Voyager212497 
 
 
 
 Verified Ecuador with Andres and Jimmy!!!!
Andres and Jimmy were awesome guides!!!! First time to Ecuador and loved every minute. Andres and Jimmy made the most of our day and introduced us to many local places. Just what we were looking for!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Angela C 
 
 
 
 Verified Perfect Equador Tour!!
Our guide, Miriam was absolutely amazing!! She shared all of the unbelievable information about her country and let us decide what we wanted to do on the tour.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Stefano P 
 
 
 
 Verified Wonderful experience en la Sierra
Esperienza indimenticabile. La nostra guida Ayrton è sempre stato disponibile, attento sia alle nostre necessità che alla nostra sicurezza. Sin dal momento del pick up ci ha dato innumerevoli informazioni sui luoghi che stavamo visitato, facendoci immergere completamente nella cultura Ecuadoriana. Prezzo del tour non economico, ma ne vale la pena.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   sv 
 
 
 
 Verified parfait
camping parfait rien a dire sauf l'accès compliqué a la plage
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Jacki R 
 
 
 
 Verified Cotapaxi tour
Andres was a wonderful, engaging, knowledgeable and very friendly tour guide. Both he and the driver, Diego, provided us with a highly memorable tour. This was our favorite tour out of our 4 days in Quito. A large part of it was due to Andres. We highly recommend Andres and Diego!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Victoria K 
 
 
 
 Verified Great experience and company!
This tour was absolutely wonderful from the adventure to the company of Ayrton. This walk was intense but totally worth it, i will do the summit next year. I’m very happy with the tour, from the pick up until the drop off! Ayrton is very friendly, knowledgeable, and he knows how to take the best photos that’ll last a lifetime ☺️ I’m very pleased, thank you so much for a great experience!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Tani Davis 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing views
Andrés was an excellent tour guide. His knowledge of the zone, the fun facts, the trivia questions and the cool attitude made this experience one of a kind! Ciro was an excellent driver and got us back and forth safe. Thank you! The tour was just enough to get good photos from both places, grab lunch and head back. If you want to take a longer experience on either place, probably book a full day per location.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   L C 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing experience
I did a tour/hike of Cotopaxi with guide Andres and driver Jimmy. The scenery was gorgeous! The hike was challenging just due to the altitude but worth it for the views and seeing the Refugio. Guide Andres had so much great information about the history, people, geography and animals in the area. He was friendly and helpful and answered any questions I had about the area. Highly recommend this tour.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Maddy C 
 
 
 
 Verified Book it – you won't regret it!
Absolutely incredible experience – 10/10! I cannot recommend this tour enough! I booked a private day trip from Quito to Chimborazo, and it was truly one of the highlights of my nearly two months exploring Ecuador. I honestly can't believe more tourists don't visit Chimborazo — it is absolutely breathtaking, and such an amazing place to experience. I was picked up directly from my apartment, we stopped for breakfast, and then headed out toward Chimborazo. Irene was an absolutely FABULOUS guide — incredibly knowledgeable, warm, and genuinely passionate about Ecuador. I learned SO much from her throughout the day, and that is saying something, as I've already spent nearly two months exploring Ecuador! She shared so much fascinating information about the landscape, history, culture, and the area around Chimborazo. Jimmy was our driver and was equally wonderful. He has such a great sense of humor and was an excellent, very safe driver. He also came along on the hike with us, which was such a nice surprise! He also recommended a delicious restaurant for lunch. Irene and Jimmy were both so kind and made the entire day feel easy, fun, and comfortable. As a 22-year-old woman traveling alone, I also want to emphasize how truly safe and secure I felt the entire time. I was completely comfortable with both Irene and Jimmy, and they took such great care of me throughout the day. I never once felt worried or uncomfortable traveling so far from Quito on my own. And, the PHOTOS! Irene and Jimmy took FABULOUS pictures of me — genuinely better than anything I could have taken myself. They knew exactly where to stop and how to capture the scenery, and I came away with so many incredible photos and memories from the day. The hike itself was also amazing. I personally found it less difficult than hiking Cotopaxi, although the altitude is definitely challenging and should not be underestimated! The landscape is absolutely surreal, and being up there surrounded by that incredible scenery is an experience I will never forget. If you're considering doing this tour, book it! Especially if you're traveling alone, I could not recommend Irene and Jimmy more highly. They were knowledgeable, funny, kind, professional, and made the entire experience unforgettable. This was one of the best days I've had in Ecuador, and I am so grateful to them both! It's so worth it.