Private Tour
Papallacta Hot Springs: Relax in Ecuador’s Eastern Andes
Overview
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
Looking for the perfect way to spend your last day in Quito? Escape the city and relax in the famous Papallacta Hot Springs, a natural sanctuary high in the Andes. Located on the road to the Amazon, Papallacta sits inside an ancient volcanic caldera where geothermal waters have flowed for thousands of years. These mineral-rich hot springs are known for their relaxing and therapeutic properties, making them the perfect place to recharge after your travels.
Surrounded by beautiful Andean landscapes, you will enjoy views of the páramo ecosystem, clear mountain lagoons, and unique high-altitude plants. Papallacta lies between the Cayambe-Coca and Antisana Ecological Reserves, two of Ecuador’s most important natural areas.
The highlight of this tour is soaking in warm thermal pools while admiring the dramatic Andean mountains and volcanic landscapes, one of the most beautiful natural landmarks near Quito.
Perfect for nature lovers and wellness seekers.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Escape to the Andes on this Papallacta Hot Springs Tour from Quito, one of the most relaxing and scenic day trips in Ecuador. Visit the famous Termas de Papallacta, where natural hot springs are surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes, offering the perfect combination of wellness and nature. Enjoy a scenic drive through the Andes with opportunities to stop for photos of the impressive Antisana Volcano and high-altitude landscapes, weather permitting. Upon arrival, unwind in the thermal pools, known for their mineral-rich waters and therapeutic benefits. Enhance your experience with a peaceful walk through a preserved high Andean forest, home to unique flora and fresh mountain air. For an extra touch of relaxation, optional spa treatments and therapeutic massages are available at the resort. This Papallacta day tour is ideal for travelers seeking relaxation, nature, and unforgettable views just a short distance from Quito.
What‘s Included
Professional Guide/Driver with private transportation
Pick up from Quito or airport
Entrance fee to Papallacta Hot Springs
Travel Insurance
Body Treatments or therapeutic massages
Lunch and tips
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Papallacta Hot Springs: Relax in Ecuador’s Eastern Andes
Pickup included
Reviews
17 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Our guide made the entire...
alinda d,May 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide made the entire trip! He stopped so many times on the way for us to take photos and was so knowledgeable.
A great relaxing experience
Kristin S,Feb 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We couldn’t have been happier with this tour. Eduardo arrived at our hotel promptly and whisked us out of the city and into the mountains. He thoroughly explained the cultural and historical significance of where we passed. The trip to the spa lasted a bit over an hour and his stories and explanations kept us entertained. The hot springs and spa were excellent. Eduardo helped us make reservations for some treatments, made some helpful suggestions, then gave us a time to meet for the return to Quito. The ride back to our hotel was great and we were safely returned to our hotel. It was a perfect way to spend our first day in Ecuador.
Relaxing and recharging
Tony N,Aug 28, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Relaxing and calm. Did the small hike and enjoyed the day at the spa for this trip it was a great way to end a trip to Ecuador
Spa day
Marco P,Aug 17, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Loved it. It was really beautiful. The spa was reasonably priced. Get there early before the crowds.
Great exploration of nature, plus hot springs
Timothy I,Aug 17, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Eduardo is an excellent and extremely knowledgeable guide. This tour will pick you up early and zip you out of Quito before traffic gets too bad. Then, depending on weather and your preferences, you'll do the following in the order that works for you... - Papallacta Spa: OPTIONAL set up an appointment for later - Papallacta Spa restaurant: have breakfast - Papallacta Hot Springs: soak in the hot baths! - nature hike Papallacta Hot Springs / Termas De Papallacta are a whole resort complex that contain a spa, the soaking pools, and three restaurants, plus hiking paths. Depending on fog and cloud cover, and your energy level, you could do a longer hike or shorter hike. We ended up spending about 2.5 hours in the hot springs themselves. Keep in mind that (like most trips out of Quito) you'll have to drive at least 90 minutes one way, so budget for about 3 hours in a car! Theoretically, you could spend a LITTLE less if you just wanted to hire a ride to and from Papallacta and soak in the hot springs all day. But with Eduardo, you get the driving and a nature hike and information on indigenous history and every flora and fauna in the area. I literally pointed at a dozen cool plants and asked "What's that!?" and he knew every single one, by heart, in great detail. Definitely a great option for a day trip from Quito, just keep in mind drive times!
Excellent and relaxing tour. Eduardo is amazing!
Monica O,Aug 5, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an excellent time. Eduardo was an excellent tour guide- very patient and flexible with planning. Amazing knowledge and English is perfect. Papallacta is a great 1 day excursion 45 minute drive from the airport hotel. We chose the Banos side- which had more pool options and was posh enough for us. The Spa-side restaurant for lunch was excellent. Children enjoyed the relaxing time away from the busy city of Quito.
Amazing
Hilda M,Jul 30, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Eduardo was an amazing tour guide, had all and any answer to all our questions! Had a fun car ride and hike, sang for good weather and got it! Eduardo made sure we had checked everything and if we wanted to stop and see something he would get us to a better spot! The springs were so relaxing perfect way to end the day!
Termas de Papallacta
andreakO9259PK,Jul 20, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Eduardo was an amazing tour guide! He was very knowledgeable about Ecuador, the altitude, and local culture. We stopped at a roadside stand for breakfast and herbal tea with beautiful mountain views. We also went on a bird watching hike in Quijos. Papallacta was relaxing and rejuvenating. I would highly recommend visiting Ecuador and booking this tour!
Nature meets relaxation!
Bianca G,Apr 18, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour was amazing! Our guide Eduardo was very knowledgable about this history and ecology of both Quito and Papallacta. I loved listening to his stories and facts during the drive. The experience at the hot springs was unlike anything I've ever seen. It was so relaxing and beautiful. It was very enjoyable to cap off the tour with a refreshing hike and a scenic drive back to Quito.
Very unique, informative and safe
X7215GOrital,Apr 10, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If You wish to experience a bit of uniqueness of Ecuador and have not much time, I highly recommend this tour guided by Eduardo. He will bring You to the unique journey through the Andes, followed with explanations of its specificity concerning the ecosystems, its variety and synergies in-between, historian background, and will answer any of your question on demand. He will stop at a unique local tortilla baking place where You will taste it with a cup of local coffee. Then he will guide You shortly through the unforgettable peace of nature at the entrance to Amazon rain forest, full of unique species of plants, living in synergy. You will see the wild plants, river and amazing species of birds with full explanation. And you will finalize this by spectating amazingly colorful different species of colibri birds' feeding their self. Finally You will take a cup of tea in local gazebo and move forward to volcanic hot springs at Papallacta, which are heaven for Your soul and body. After relaxing in volcanic SPA, you may taste a very delicious typical Ecuadorian food at the same place. Very exceptional almost full-day experience, highly recommended to go with Eduardo - very informative and safe!
Related Experiences
Operated by Galapagos My World