Otavalo

Early in the morning you will be picked up to start your journey up north to the province of Imbabura. On the way you will make a stop in Cayambe, a town famous for its bakery good “Bizcocho”, a type of crunchy bun. Your next stop will be the viewpoint Miralago, from which you have a perfect view over the lake San Pablo and the volcano Imbabura. This place is perfect for pictures.

After this relaxing drive, you will get to Otavalo, where you will find the famous indigenous market at the Poncho square. This market is one of the most important indigenous markets of the region and a “must-do” on your trip through Ecuador. Its vivid colors and diversity in handicrafts draw the attention of visitors and locals. The gallery and handicraft shop Peguche Wasi is an interesting place to learn about the crafting of the various products that are sold on the market. During this roundtrip of about 1 hour, you will see the different tools that are being used for weaving and learn about the lifestyle of this unique indigenous community. As part of the experience you will have the opportunity to do a bit of weaving yourself and who knows, maybe this will become your next hobby.

Our next stop will be Cotacachi, known as the city of leather, due to the many shops fabricating and selling leather items. This town is also known for the Ecuadorian delicacy “cuy”, grilled guinea pig served with salt and an herb sauce.

This town is on the way to the lagoon Cuicocha, the lagoon of the guinea pigs, which is of volcanic origin and is located in the natural reserve Cotacachi – Cayapas. You will have the chance for a small hike or take a trip on one of the small boat around the lagoon.

In the afternoon you will return to Quito.

• Accommodation: City Art Hotel Silberstein
• Breakfast included

Cotopaxi

Today we will start your journey to the South of Ecuador, driving on the Avenue of the Volcanoes and making our first stop only 2 hours outside of Quito, at the National Park Cotopaxi, home to the famous volcano carrying the same name.

The lagoon of Limpiopungo is your first visiting point. It is located at 3800 meters and is a good place for sighting birds, lamas and other mamals. From here you can spot several mountains surrounding the area, such as the Rumiñahui, Sincholahua, Cotopaxi and the Yanahurco. After a small walk, we will be awaited at a lovely small ranch on the foot of the volcano Rumiñahui, where you can enjoy a hot Canelazo and prepare for your afternoon activities.

In the afternoon our plan will make us reach for the sky, starting with a small introduction into climbing techniques. The circuit for this activity rises up to 6 meters and will challenge your balance through climbing obstacles and hanging bridges that will make your adrenaline go up.

To end this adventurous day, you will have the opportunity to a horseback ride through the beautiful Andean landscapes.

• Accommodation: Hacienda El Porvenir
• Breakfast included

Quilotoa – Baños

Today your trip continues to the Quilotoa, an impressive lagoon of volcanic origin considered one of the most beautiful lagoons of the world. Here you have the chance to take a little hike around the lagoon or just enjoy the amazing view from its viewpoint.

In the afternoon the trip continues further South and on your way you will notice changes in the vegetation while you continue your way to Baños, the city known as the door to the Amazon. With not only a change in vegetation, but also a rise in temperatures you will enjoy a warm evening at the foot of the volcano Tungurahua in this city highly visited by tourists all over the world.

• Accommodation: Hotel Sangay
• Breakfast included

Baños – Riobamba

Today´s adventure starts with a visit to the “Pailón del Diablo”, the devil´s pan. This is a waterfall of approximately 80 mts and known as one of the most attractive visiting sites in this area. On the way you will see the extraordinary flora of this ecosystem, like bromeliads and orchids. Once we get to the waterfall, it will take us about 30 minutes walking to reach a hanging bridge from where the shots for pictures are perfect. If you are looking for a bit more adrenaline, you can hike to a balcony hidden behind the waterfall and which can only be reached climbing through cracks and narrow caves.

The day continues in Baños, where we start your city tour with a small walk to the waterfall of the angel´s hair, a place inside the town from where you will reach a viewpoint and learn more about this enigmatic place. The next stop will be a spring of mineral water and the thermal baths located there. Afterwards we will do the walk of the sugarcane and try some fresh sugarcane juice and see how the emblematic sweet “melcocha” is fabricated right on the sidewalks of this street.

To finish our day we will continue our journey heading further South back to the Andean mountain range.

• Accommodation: Hacienda Abraspungo
• Breakfast included

Train of the Devil´s Nose – Ingapirca – Cuenca

Early in the morning we will start our trip to the small town of Alausi, from which we will take the famous train od the Andes to the Devil´s Nose, one of the biggest engineering masterpieces of its time. Located at 2346 meters, this track is considered one of a kind due to the zig-zag shape bordering the Andean mountains and offering to its passengers a landscape that will be impossible to forget. The trip lasts about one hour until we arrive in Sibambe, a small village where you can rest and enjoy some activities with its local community.

Back in Alausi, our transport will be waiting for us to take us to Ingapirca, the most important archeological complex of Inca times yet to be found in Ecuador. It is located in the province of Cañar, at 3180 meters and its Quichua name means the wall of the Inca, as it was one of the most important religious, political, scientific, military and administrative centers of the Inca culture. It is also the most fascinating finding of Cañari and Inca culture of our country. The visit here will take about 45 minutes.

In the late afternoon, we will reach Cuenca, where we will have a good rest for our next adventure.

• Accommodation: Hotel Carvallo
• Breakfast included

City tour – Cocoa plantation – Guayaquil

Cuenca is the third largest city in Ecuador and one of the most important tourist and economic centers. The day starts with a city tour through the beautiful streets of this unique place, whose old town was declared cultural heritage by the UNESCO in 1999. Its parks, churches, ruins and squares are part of the day to day life of its inhabitants and offer a special flair to its visitors from all over the world. After this tour we will stop at a panama hat factory, where you can admire the detailed handmade elaboration of these famous hats.

After this impressive morning, we will continue our journey to the Pacific coastline of Ecuador, to the city of Guayaquil, main port of the country. On the way the change in vegetation will absorb your total attention and the stop in one of the main cocoa fields will show you where the finest cocoa in the world has its origins.

The day will end with a well-deserved rest in the hotel of your choosing.

• Accommodation: Grand Hotel Guayaquil or similar
• Breakfast included

Transfer to the airport

After breakfast we will take you to the airport to start your trip back home or enjoy your next adventure.

• Breakfast included