Spend seven days to explore the stunning main sights of Ecuador.
Get the inside scoop on planning the perfect trip to Quito, Cotopaxi Volcano, Otavalo, Devil´s nose train ride, Ingapirca, Cuenca from the local experts at Ecuador
Includes:
- All transfers
- Colonial Quito City Tour
- Otavalo Traditional Market Tour
- 3 hotel night stay at selected hotel in Quito
- 1 night in Otavalo
- 1 night in Riobamba
- 1 night in Cuenca
- Meals as listed (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
Excludes:
- Not listed meals
- Gratuities & tips
- Personal expenses
- Anything not specified
Itinerary
Our guide/representative will be waiting at the airport with a sign that reads your name on it, he or she will greet you and guide you to our vehicle and will accompany you to the hotel of your choice (-/-/-/)
Enjoy the amazing views of Quito and learn about its fascinating history.
Walk around Independence Square and we see the Presidencial Palace and Arch Bishops Palace, La Catedral, El Sagrario, La Companía and San Francisco Churches. Then continue to El Panecillo, the hill that hosts a giant statue of the winged Virgin, where you will have a splendid view of all of old and new town.
In the afternoon, we continue north of Quito. Visit the Equatorial monument dividing the Northern from the Southern Hemisphere. Jump from one Hemisphere to the other and capture the most taken pictures. We continue to visit the “Intiñan” Museum (Solar Museum). Here you learn about tribes, seasons, and tradition of the people of Ecuador.
Return to your hotel. (B/-/-/)
Leave Quito and travel through the epic Avenue of the Volcanoes, admiring the beautiful Andean landscape. We will make our first stop at the Cotopaxi National Park.
During our staying at the National Park we will visit its museum, the natural environment of the place, its animals and plants, stop a the Limpiopungo lake, If the weather allows us we can take a walk up to the Refuge José Rivas to 4800m (15,748 feet). It is the most popular and frequented refuge in Ecuador. (B/L/-D)
After an early breakfast our journey starts trought a beautiful scenic journey along ravines and river gorges, and Indian villages, arriving to the small town of Alausi.
Then it is time to take the spectacular train, considered one of the marvels of train engineering, an 800-metre descent along zig-zagging railway line culminating at the Condor Puñuna museum run by the local Nizag community.
The train returns to Alausi again. Continue by coach to the Inca Fortress of Ingapirca.
Enjoy lunch in the area before proceeding to Cuenca, the colonial jewel of the south. (B/L/-/)
Ecuador’s third largest city still retains its pleasant provincial air. Admire the city’s overhanging houses , its red tiled roofs, cobblestone streets, flowery plazas and museums make an unforgettable experience in your visit to Ecuador.
Walk along and visit the Museum of Modern Art , the Plaza of San Sebastian, a colourful artisans market where you can pick up local handicrafts, the main square is home to the imposing blue-domed Cathedral.
In the afternoon visit a ceramics handicraft shop and the production of Panama hats at a local Factory. Lunch is optional.
Transfer to the airport to take your flight back to Quito. Transfer to Otavalo and overnight. (B/-/-/)
Enjoy the constantly changing Andean scenery of Ecuador, the province of Imbabura is well-known as the region of lakes.
We will visit Otavalo and its famous Indigenous Market, whose multicoloured square offers beautiful textile handycrafts made of wool and cotton, native paintings, straw hats, handmade imitation jewelry and other countless curiosities that display the creativity of Ecuador.
After lunch (optitonal) continue to Cotacahi, here you can buy excellent leather goods for very low prices and see the beautiful Lake Cuicocha. (B/L/-/)
Return to Quito
At indicated time transfer to the airport to take your flight back home or Galapagos Extension (B/-/-/)
