Quito & the Galapagos - side trips?

[kaymoz]

We'll cruise the Galapagos with Celebrity next summer on the Xpedition, but wonder what others on these voyages have done around the environs of Quito before departing?  (We hate to rush home from a cruise!)  I'm aware that a popular combination is Machu Picchu, or some visits to the Amazon, but we're interested in Quito-based explorations you've enjoyed. 

[HskrCrsr]

We took a tour of the Cloud forest the day after returning from the Galapagos on the 11-day package. You can ask the Celebrity guide when you are in Quito if you have not arranged something in advance.

[kaymoz]

7 hours ago, HskrCrsr said:

We took a tour of the Cloud forest the day after returning from the Galapagos on the 11-day package. 

Did you visit the Reserva Geobotánica Pululahua or Reserva Tandayapa or something else?

[HskrCrsr]

56 minutes ago, kaymoz said:

Did you visit the Reserva Geobotánica Pululahua or Reserva Tandayapa or something else?

 

I wish I remember the names of where we went. Mostly I recall seeing the hummingbirds at the Mindo Cloud Forest, stopping at a local coffee lodge, visiting a butterfly sanctuary or farm, touring a chocolate factory, eating at a small, authentic Ecuadoran restaurant, and seeing how the native plants changed as we drove through different ecologic zones. It was a full day tour where the driver would adjust to whatever we wanted as the tour progressed. We learned of the tour company through the Celebrity host at the beginning of the trip, set up the tour for just DW and I, then added a couple we met on the cruise. It was very well done. Are we allowed to name tour companies on here? I would need to get the name from DW if that's allowed and of interest.

 

[Essiesmom]

Yes, you can name shore excursion companies/guides.  EM

[HskrCrsr]

10 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

Yes, you can name shore excursion companies/guides.  EM

Thanks!

 

We used CarpeDM Adventures. DW says ask for Paul. I believe we took the Mindo 1-Day tour. Their website is easily found and they also use WhatsApp. We were very pleased with their responsiveness since our availability was spotty.

[elmaexec]

Quito itself is worth a day exploring the old city. We once did a moonlight horseback ride in the  Pululahua crater and it was amazing!!  There were lightning flashes (St. Elmo’s Fire) over the volcano’s peak and fireflies everywhere. The company we used is gone now but horseback rides are still offered there. 
 

We spent several days in Mindo. Lots to do there!  There’s a nearby national park with hiking trails to waterfalls where you can swim. There’s a chocolate farm, a chocolate making course, bird-watching trips, an evening frog-singing “concert”, zip-lining, etc.

[kaymoz]

Thank you elmaexed and HskrCrsr for this feedback.  I'm looking up Mindo and CarpeDM right now!