Cochasqui and more - These are not really pyramids--more like grass-covered very big mounds, some with ramps. The story is that Queen Quilago, early 1500's, had the pyramids hidden with grass and dirt so the invading Incas wouldn't find them. The Spanish didn't find them either. A local farmer was plowing in the area and unearthed an artifact. Now it is an archeological dig site with much yet to be explored. That's one of the stories our guide Luis told us. Another is about a couple ditches found in one of the sites. They are thought to be sun and moon calendars. Luis was very good to us: we had a bit of walking to do, and I am slow. He adapted his pace to ours. He brought salt, and when he whistled a herd of llamas who live on the site came running to get some from us. He also took us to a rose farm: Ecuador exports upwards of 25 million tons of roses annually. And we got to stand on the equator. Amazing. The tour ended with lunch at La Dona Hacienda, a beautiful restaurant in a big gorgeous garden. A lovely day.

Best Ecuador Tours is a Must - Luis and Deanna were great and humorous guides! I came across Best Ecuador Tours while searching Cochasqui archaeology site. They have many more trips on their website. The sites we visited were not busy and low key but amazing! Luis provided an abundant of information. The rose plantation was my favorite because it was different and not a "tourist" attraction.

Fun but interesting - We were a bit hesitant to go on this tour because of the one review listed, but it ended up working out. Our guide was very kind, answered questions, and even stopped in Cayambe for bizcochos! The tour around Cochasqui was very cool, and I learned quite a bit (cost $3). Bonus, the llamas were very cute and friendly. The rose plantation was beautiful. I have never seen so many roses (cost $10). The plantation is a family owned business which was interesting to see. I was glad to support them! Lastly, the equator stop was actually super cool. I had not realized before, but there’s a museum you go to. I learned some news things about the world that I hadn’t known (cost $5). Although I enjoyed the tour, there were a few interesting things about it. First of all, the price is pretty high with none of the entrances being included. All of the tours I’ve been on are priced lower with main entrances included. Secondly, no one contacted us about the tour to confirm or say when they were for sure picking us up/confirming the pick up point. We were a bit worried no one would show up because of the lack of communication. Third, the guide we had was interesting. He was very nice and helpful, but it was a unique experience for sure. I can’t remember his name, but he expected me to pay for his lunch. I didn’t mind paying, but he did it in such a weird way that I didn’t know what to do. He gave me the receipt with everyone’s food on it (including his) and said to pay. I’ve never had a guide do this before, so maybe it’s standard. It was just a first for me.

Sad but true - this tour is just great because of Cochasquí - The tour operator company's guide and driver assigned to our group were not exactly what we were expecting. At times we got the impression that we were a burden that day for both of them. At the beginning, heading for Cochasquí Pyramids, the tour guide, Dani, was very talkative. He did explain quite well the history of the archaeological site, but that was it. The 2nd part of the tour we all felt was a "holdup" having to pay US$10 for a rose plantation visit that was short and not worthwhile spending the time there. The plantation guide's walkthrough was less than 15 minutes, and then it was time to go. Sure they gave us a bunch of four roses that has been the most expensive bunch we have bought in our lives for $10 when in Costa Rica they are quite cheap as they are in Ecuador. Finally, the visit to the Equator Line was interesting due to all the knowledge the local Equator Line's guide had in his mind. Yet the place is not that great if compared to Mitad del Mundo or to Monumento de la Mitad del Mundo. After that, being a bit unhappy with the service, all of us decided that it was better to go back to Quito and continue our day without having to ask our guide and driver to stop to have lunch. I cannot regret going to Cochasquí Archaeological site, but the rest was "a great time filler" that can be indeed improved.