Itinerary

Suggested Itinerary

This is a suggested itinerary for guests who would like to explore Quito before the wedding. Please adapt it to your arrival date, energy level, mobility, and interests—rest is part of the plan, especially at altitude.

Monday · March 8

Altitude advisory: take it easy, hydrate, and avoid heavy meals or alcohol while acclimating.

Morning

Arrive at Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) and transfer to Old Town. The drive is usually 45–60 minutes, with official airport taxis around $26 and the airport express bus around $8. Keep the day simple, check into your hotel, and drink plenty of water as your body adjusts to Quito’s altitude.

Afternoon

Settle into your hotel, unpack only what you need, and give yourself permission to rest. Quito sits high in the Andes, so even a short walk may feel different on the first day. If you want fresh air, take a gentle stroll near Plaza Grande and keep plans flexible.

Evening

Choose an easy dinner near Plaza Grande and call it an early night. For the first evening, avoid alcohol and very heavy meals; hydration and sleep will help more than sightseeing. If you feel energetic, enjoy the lit façades of Old Town from nearby streets before heading back to the hotel.

Tuesday · March 9

Altitude advisory: take it easy, hydrate, and avoid heavy meals or alcohol while acclimating.

Morning

Keep the pace gentle with a self-guided Old Town walk: Plaza Grande, Iglesia de La Compañía de Jesús, San Francisco, and Calle La Ronda. La Compañía has a modest entry fee and a dazzling gold-leaf interior; San Francisco is free to enter. Pause often, enjoy the plazas, and treat this as acclimatization rather than a marathon.

Afternoon

For lunch, consider Mercado Central, where simple plates often run about $5–10. It is a good place to try Ecuadorian flavors without a formal meal. Afterward, wander Calle La Ronda or return to the hotel for a nap if the altitude is catching up with you.

Evening

Choose a light dinner and try locro de papas, a comforting potato soup that is gentle at altitude. Keep alcohol optional or skip it entirely while you are still acclimating. A relaxed evening now will make the rest of the week much more enjoyable.

Wednesday · March 10

Morning

Head about 26 km north to Mitad del Mundo, roughly a 45-minute taxi ride from central Quito. The equator monument is typically open weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM with about a $5 entry fee. Nearby Museo Solar Inti Ñan offers playful equator demonstrations and gravity experiments if you want a second stop.

Afternoon

Return to Quito by early afternoon and choose your pace. Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal has roughly 200 stalls with textiles, hats, and souvenirs, while Capilla del Hombre offers a powerful introduction to Oswaldo Guayasamín’s art for about $8. Either option pairs well with a restful hotel break.

Evening

For dinner, consider La Floresta, one of Quito’s most creative dining neighborhoods. URKO and Chez Jérôme are often recommended for a special meal; reserve ahead if possible. If you prefer something simpler, keep dinner casual and save energy for the full-day outing tomorrow.

Thursday · March 11

Morning

Depart around 7 AM for Mindo, about two hours northwest of Quito. The cloud forest is lush, green, and full of birds, with more than 450 species recorded in the area. A local guide can make birdwatching much more rewarding, especially in the cooler morning hours.

Afternoon

Take a chocolate tour at El Quetzal de Mindo, usually around $10, and enjoy a lunch of fresh trout. In the afternoon, choose your adventure: butterfly garden, ziplines, or river tubing depending on weather and comfort level. Keep dry layers handy, since cloud forest conditions can change quickly.

Evening

Plan to be back in Quito around 7 PM. After a full day outdoors, keep the evening simple with room service, a quiet café, or an easy dinner near your hotel. Tomorrow includes high-altitude views and the welcome gathering, so rest is the best final activity.

Friday · March 12

Altitude advisory: take it easy, hydrate, and avoid heavy meals or alcohol while acclimating.

Morning

Go early, ideally between 8 and 9 AM, for the clearest TelefériQo views before clouds build. The cable car climbs to about 3,945 meters, and round-trip tickets are typically around $8.50. Move slowly at the top, sit if you feel lightheaded, and skip strenuous hiking unless you are fully acclimated.

Afternoon

Keep the afternoon intentionally open. This is a good window for a spa appointment, a quiet lunch, steaming outfits, or simply resting before wedding weekend begins. If you still need errands, choose places close to your hotel and avoid crossing the city late in the day.

Evening

Gather for welcome drinks or a rehearsal dinner at Hotel Plaza Grande or another designated Old Town venue. Details will be confirmed closer to the date. Expect a warm, easy evening focused on greeting family and friends before the wedding day.

🎉 Wedding Day

Saturday · March 13

Morning

Enjoy a slow morning with brunch, water, and plenty of time to get ready. Keep the schedule simple, especially if you are staying in Old Town. Formal or cocktail attire is encouraged, with shoulders and knees covered for the church ceremony.

Afternoon

The ceremony begins at 3:00 PM at Basílica del Voto Nacional. Please plan to arrive about 30 minutes early, since Old Town traffic and parking can be unpredictable. The Basílica is grand and cool inside, so a light layer may be helpful.

Evening

The reception begins at 6:00 PM at Hotel Plaza Grande, about an 8-minute walk from the Basílica. Guests may stroll together if the afternoon is calm, or take a short taxi if preferred. We cannot wait to celebrate with dinner, music, and joy in the heart of Quito.

Sunday · March 14

Morning

Sleep in and enjoy brunch at the hotel or a nearby Old Town café. If you have energy, take one final gentle walk around Plaza Grande and let the morning stay unhurried. It is a good day for goodbyes, coffee, and one last view of Quito’s historic center.

Afternoon

Plan 45–60 minutes for the drive to UIO, plus extra time for international check-in. Taxis to the airport are often around $22–26, depending on pickup point and provider. Confirm your transfer the day before if you have an early flight or a tight connection.

Evening

Some guests may continue on to the Galápagos, Cuenca, or the Amazon. If you extend your trip, build in enough time for domestic flights and changing climates. Ecuador is compact but wonderfully varied, so a few extra days can feel like an entirely new journey.

Alternate arrival plans

Arriving later in the week? These shorter options keep the pace gentle so you can enjoy the wedding day.

Arriving Wednesday, March 10 (4 nights)

Use Wednesday for arrival and rest. Make Thursday your gentle Old Town acclimatization day. On Friday, choose either Mindo for nature or Papallacta hot springs for a slower recovery day, then keep Saturday focused on the wedding.

Arriving Thursday, March 11 (3 nights)

Treat Thursday as arrival and rest, with only Plaza Grande if you want a short walk. On Friday, do a compact two-hour Old Town tour and, if energy allows, Capilla del Hombre. Skip TelefériQo because there is not enough acclimatization time.

Arriving Friday, March 12 (2 nights)

Arrive, hydrate, and conserve energy. If you want to stretch your legs, walk only around Plaza Grande and return early. Make Saturday the priority so you can be fully present for the ceremony and reception.