Papallacta Hot Springs – Day Tour {Review}
Post Last Modified – December 30, 2022 ¦ gr8traveltips.com
Termas De Papallacta In Ecuador
When traveling most anywhere and if there are ♨ Hot Spring Pools to be found, I am always game to visit natural hot springs pools anywhere, anytime.
As luck had it, on our visit to the City of Quito in Ecuador, we booked a ♨ Papallacta Hot Springs – Day Tour with 🏝 Galatrails.
This was a full day excursion, that was definitely one of the most enjoyable days we encountered on our travels out of Quito City.
Papallacta Hot Springs – Location
On the way to the town of Papallacta, you cross the Andes from West to East, traveling to the highest point on the road at 4.000 m / 13,120 ft.
Papallacta and the geothermal hot springs are located at an altitude of 3.220 m / 10,562 ft. This area is also a gateway to the – Ecuadorian Amazon Region.
Papallacta Hot Springs Pools
Papallacta Hot Springs consists of 9 different geothermal pools, which are kept at various temperatures. Its highly ferrous pools are known to provide relief for numerous troubling ailments.
These natural volcanically-heated hot springs are fed by the nearby {Antisana Volcano}, which is the fourth highest of all of Ecuador.
Galatrails Papallacta Hot Springs Day Tour
Our driver {Julio}, arrived at our hotel in Quito at approximately 9 am. This is a private guided day tour and we were picked up in a very clean and comfortable newer 🚗 sports utility vehicle.
As mentioned, the drive would take about 1 ½ hours, with a leisurely stop at the 🌋 Antisana Volcano lookout and summit of the pass on route to Papallacta.
As luck had it and from what Julio mentioned is a rare occurrence, we were given a glimpse of the top of the volcano on our arrival.
This made for a few great 📸 photos!
There is also an entrance to {Parque Nacional Cayambe-Coca} located at the top of the summit. 
A superb stop for a stretch and some great 📸 photo opportunities as well.
Papallacta Hot Springs {Termas de Papallacta}
There are 2 specific pool areas inside the Hot Springs complex.
You have a choice of entering the public pool complex, or for a higher fee, you can choose the Termas de Papallacta SPA.
Our tour included a visit to the more intimate Spa facility.
In this exclusive area, you will find;
• Thermal pools with different types of hydromassage
• Restaurant
• Thermal Club: treatment area related to health and beauty
• Medical Office for free consultations and advice.
This area has a total of 5 thermal pools equipped with;
1 polar pool
Outdoor seating areas next to the pools.
Towels, Swimming cap, Keys for your private locker are included.
Dressing rooms with heated thermal water floors
Bathrooms equipped with hair dryers
Showers where you will have shampoo and conditioner.
Our guide {Julio} allowed for as much time in the pools as we wished. It was a beautiful 🌞 sunny day and soaking in the various pools {all with different temperatures} outdoors, was so relaxing!
Centro De Interpretacion Nature Hike
After our amazing time spent in the hot spring pools, Julio gave us the choice of lunch first, or taking the nature hike.
We felt so relaxed and if we had lunch right away, it would be difficult to have the energy for the hike afterwards.
Good decision! 😎
Termas Papallacta owns a private and protected area of around 200 hectares, located at the entrance of the Cayambe-Coca National Park. This area is referred to as: ¨Rancho del Cañón.¨
There are a number of nature hikes you can take part in, either with or without a guide.
Julio led us on a superb hike for about 1 ½ hours leisurely walk.
We followed a very picturesque section of the Loreto Papallacta River along a nature forest trail which is surrounded by páramo vegetation.
The trail runs alongside the river, complete with waterfalls and surrounded by farmland and beautiful mountainous scenery.
A perfect afternoon for an easy hike in this beautiful part of Ecuador!
After our hike and time in the pools, we were ready for lunch before heading back to the city.
We enjoyed a nice sit down lunch at a popular eatery just outside the main gates of the hot spring pools.
Lunch is served! 🙂
It was then a nice leisurely drive back to our hotel, arriving at about 3:30 pm. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day to spend out time at these incredible geothermal pools and nature hike in the countryside.
Your complete day tour with Galatrails includes:
✔ Hotel Pick Up/Drop Off;
✔ Comfortable Private SUV Transportation;
✔ Bilingual Driver-Guide – Fluent In Spanish/English;
✔ Entrance fee to Balneario Papallacta;
✔ Entrance fee to Terra Foundation (HikingTrails);
✔ Lunch {Menu Selections}.
Galatrails is a well respected, professionally operated online booking agency in Ecuador. The owner {Juan Elaje} was a pleasure to work with when making our tour bookings.
He responded to all my 📧 email requests prior to and after booking, quickly and efficiently. I would not hesitate to recommend Galatrails for land-based tours, cruises and much more in Ecuador.
Below, I’ve included a ⛓ link to Galatrails official website for your convenience. You can access much more detailed information on all their tours offered, contact resources including online live chat and much more.
😎 Safe and Healthy Travels!
Although our Papallacta Hot Springs Day Tour was in collaboration with Galatrails, rest assured all content and opinions are that of the author and reflect my personal views only.
All personal 📸 photographs on this post are the property of gr8traveltips.com and are copyright protected. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited. 🚫
✨ Did You Know …
🏵 Quito Ecuador In 3 Days {Itinerary}
🏵 Galapagos Islands Cruise {Review}
🏵 Wyndham Garden Quito Hotel {Review}
🍹 Don’t Forget It … Be Sure To Pin It! 🍹
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