Quito Colonial City or Modern District Quito Unveiled: From Pre-Hispanic Treasures to Modern Masterpieces
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- Tour Plan
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- Additional Info
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What's included
- Lunch
- English speaking guide
- private transportation
- all entrance fees
- Tips for guide and driver
- personal expenses
- drinks
Quito’s best museums, unveiled through 4,000 years of creativity.
Begin in the heart of the Quito Historic Center at Casa del Alabado, then cross the city’s artistic timeline toward the Guayasamín Foundation and The Chapel of Man.
Step into the spiritual and artistic world of ancient Andean civilizations.
The supplied tour material presents Casa del Alabado as a private collection of extraordinary pre-Hispanic and pre-Inca artifacts spanning more than 4,000 years of Ecuadorian cultural history.
Across from San Francisco Square, the museum becomes the starting point for a journey from ancient ceramics and symbolic objects to Quito’s modern artistic voice.
Casa del Alabado
Explore pre-Hispanic archaeology and the spiritual mastery of ancient Andean cultures.
San Francisco Square
Experience the cobblestone heart of Old Town beside one of Quito’s most iconic colonial landmarks.
La Compañía
Connect the museum journey with Quito’s celebrated Golden Church and its colonial artistic heritage.
Guayasamín & Chapel of Man
Enter the world of Ecuador’s celebrated modern master and his monumental tribute to Latin America.
Casa del Alabado reveals history through objects, symbols and ritual.
The tour invites travelers to observe extraordinary archaeological pieces while learning how ancient cultures understood spirituality, art and daily life.
According to the supplied material, photography is generally permitted for personal use in Casa del Alabado, but flash is strictly prohibited to protect ancient pigments.
Quito’s urban landscape becomes part of the museum experience.
Move from the Historic Center toward northern Quito, tracing a visual timeline that connects colonial architecture, public squares and contemporary art.
A modern sanctuary of emotion, memory and Latin American identity.
The afternoon moves to the Guayasamín Foundation, described in the source as the former residence of Ecuador’s most celebrated contemporary painter.
The Chapel of Man is the culmination: monumental murals, powerful human expression and a tribute to the resilience of the Latin American people.
The supplied material notes that exterior photography is welcomed, while photography is usually not allowed inside the main galleries.
We coordinate the museum rhythm so you can focus on the art.
These are the visiting hours stated in the supplied Quito Unveiled material; Samay Adventures notes that it double-checks them before the experience.
A day that moves naturally from ancient Quito to modern masterpieces.
Introduction at San Francisco Square.
Guided tour of Casa del Alabado.
Traditional tasting lunch in the Historic Center.
Visit the Guayasamín Foundation and House.
Immersion in Guayasamín’s monumental murals.
Private transfer to your hotel.
Expert storytelling, curated access and seamless logistics.
The source positions this tour for travelers who want art and archaeology interpreted by knowledgeable guides without sacrificing comfort.
- Full-day (8 hours) or half-day (4 hours) options available.
- Senior-friendly transport and manageable walking paths.
- Pick-up from hotels in Quito or another location within the city.
- Lunch, English-speaking guide, private transportation and all entrance fees are included.
- Tips for guide and driver, personal expenses and drinks are extra.
- No passport is required according to the supplied tour information.
- Altitude: 2,850m / 9,350ft.
- Temperature range: 15–25°C / 55–70°F.
- Bring a jacket for possible afternoon rain.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes and layers.
- Use sun block, a hat and sunglasses.
Art, history and logistics remembered as one seamless experience.
“I’ve traveled all over South America, but the tour with Samay Adventures was on another level. Seeing the gold at Casa del Alabado and then standing inside the Chapel of Man was a spiritual experience. Our guide was a true historian!”
Sarah J. · New York
“Quito can be overwhelming, but Samay made it effortless. From the private transport to the hidden lunch spot in Old Town, every detail was perfect.”
Mark & Elena · London
Book your private Quito art and history journey.
Travel from pre-Hispanic treasures to world-class contemporary murals with Samay Adventures.
- 09:00 AM
- 10:00 AM
- 12:30 PM
- 02:30 PM
- 03:30 PM
- 05:00 PM
Old Town Meetup
Introduction at San Francisco Square.
Ancient Mysteries
Guided tour of Casa del Alabado and its pre-Hispanic archaeological collection.
Culinary Stop
Traditional tasting lunch in the Historic Center.
Modern Art Shift
Visit to the Guayasamín Foundation and former residence of Ecuador’s celebrated contemporary painter.
The Chapel of Man
Immersion in the monumental murals and artistic legacy of The Chapel of Man.
Return
Private transfer back to your hotel.
More about this tour
A Fusion of Colonial Grandeur and Modern Masterpieces
Across from the iconic San Francisco Square, explore the cobblestone beauty of the Old Town before shifting to Quito’s modern district. The afternoon highlight is the Guayasamín Foundation, the former residence of Ecuador’s celebrated artist Oswaldo Guayasamín. The Chapel of Man is presented in the supplied material as a monumental tribute to the resilience of the Latin American people, with story-high murals and views of the Quito valleys.
Discover the artistic heartbeat of the Andes
Explore Quito’s heritage from ancient ceramics to world-class contemporary murals on a private museum-focused journey with Samay Adventures.
Travel Tips for this tour
- Bear in mind the altitude: 2,850m / 9,350ft.
- Temperature range: 15–25°C / 55–70°F.
- Rain is possible in the afternoon; bring a jacket.
- Departures are available every day. On Sundays, entrance to some churches may not be permitted for tourists; coordinate alternatives with your local guide.
- This is a walking tour; wear comfortable shoes.
- The sun is strong at the Equator; use sun block and wear a hat and sunglasses.
- Full-day or half-day tour available.
- Wear layers for Quito’s changing mountain climate.
- This is described as a senior-friendly tour with private transport to minimize strenuous walking.
