Quito, Ecuador, is practically overflowing with artisans, traditions and skills, many passed down through generations and generations. From painting to planting and nurturing native plants and flowers to applying gold leaf to decorations, everything is done with care. One can appreciate them from afar or stepping into a shop, but to actually understand the effort and time it takes to perfect such skills, trying your own hand at them is a different experience entirely.

Metropolitan Touring offers a special one-day tour exploring Quito’s artistic heritage and local crafts. The tour brings travelers through Old Town Quito, starting at Quito’s oldest market. Here, you’ll meet traditional healer Rosita Lagla, who will share the benefits of local fruits and medicinal plants, many used for centuries to relieve ailments.

© Aoife O’Riordan

Then you’ll head over to Gonzalo Gallardo’s workshop. Gallardo has restored beloved figurines and icons for decades, continuing the practice from his father. Inside, you’ll see a plethora of religious iconography, reflecting locals’ deep faith. You also understand just how much work goes into each piece.

If you ever walk into one of Quito’s historic churches, you will more than likely see gold in one form or another adorning the walls or around paintings or on the ceiling. Gold-leafing is not only eye-catching, but extremely technical and time consuming. The tour will take you into Compañia de Jesús church, where you will first admire the craftsmanship of gold leafing everywhere before then trying it yourself with an experienced artisan.

© Aoife O’Riordan

Before lunch, you’ll plant geraniums to learn about the city’s efforts to bring back more native plants to the city.

The tour concludes in San Marcos in Bolívar Araujo’s Colonial-era studio, where you’ll be guided to create a museum-worthy painting of a Quito location.

Learn more about this tour and book here.