After breakfast in the hotel, we first visit the Old Colonial Town. We will visit the main sites such as: Plaza de la Independencia, where the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral and the El Sagrario Church are located. Also, se will visit the Church of La Compañía (1605), with its impressive golden altars. This is considered as one of the best examples of baroque art in America. Then we will take you to the church and monastery of San Francisco (1535). This is the oldest Ecuadorian church and the main altar inside we can see a spectacular example of baroque carving. We will also observe an excellent collection of works of art, which includes paintings, sculptures and furniture dating from the 16th century. Finally, we will go to the viewpoint highest in the historic center, the hill "El Panecillo" from where we will have a spectacular view of Quito. Time for lunch (on your own). Then, we will go to the north of the city towards the Middle of the World, this is the site where, in 1736, the expedition of Charles-Marie de la Condamine made the measurements that showed that this was indeed the Equator. Here visitors have the rare opportunity to be in two hemispheres at the same time! Then we will visit Intiñan museum, the perfect place to experience some phenomenon that occurs when you live on the equatorial line. Here our guide will also explain how Andean culture is related to our location in the world. Return to hotel.

Meals: Breakfast 

Overnight accommodations Hotel Ikala

After breakfast, start your journey driving north towards Imbabura Province, also known as the “Lagoons Province” due to the many beautiful lakes that exist here in the low valleys of the northern Ecuadorian Andes. During the 2.5-hour drive, you'll stop in Cayambe to try bizcochos, a delicious biscuit specialty of this area. Then continue to Otavalo, where you'll see San Pablo Lagoon and the steep Imbabura Volcano. Upon arrival, your guide will take you on a walking tour of the famous Otavalo market, considered one of the biggest Indigenous markets in South America. You'll find beautiful textile tapestries, wooden handicrafts, ponchos, and many different colorful products being sold in the market. Afterward, continue driving north for about 20-30 minutes to the charming town of Cotacachi, known for its quality leather goods. The town is beautiful and well-maintained, with a typical ambiance of an Andean village. Have lunch on your own in a nice local restaurant, then go up to the shores of Cuicocha Lake, located inside a volcanic crater at the foot of Cotacachi Volcano in the Ecuadorian highlands. This area is beautiful, and a well-maintained trail offers the possibility of a short hike to enjoy views of the lake and surrounding area while observing beautiful Andean flora.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight accommodations Hotel Medina del Lago - San Pablo

AN AIR BALLOOM EXPERIENCE OVER ANDEAN LANDSCAPES

We start our activities at 5 am, this day we will have 2 options of flight on air balloon: 

Option 1: 

From 6 am along with the sunrise, we take off from the shores of Lake San Pablo, where we will admire all the splendor of the lake and its surroundings, we will be able to observe the impressive Andean landscapes that are drawn at the foot of the lake, we will also have a panoramic view of Taita Imbabura and Mama Cotacachi, the lasting experience of 20 -30 minutes where we will achieve an elevation of 80-100 meters to be able to admire the majesty of the Sierra Andina of the Province of Imbabura. After our experience in the air, we will carry out a tradition known worldwide as the toast and thanks for arriving, after the flight to the arms of Mother Earth.

Option 2: 

We start our activities at 5 am, with the assembly of the aircraft, from 6 am we start with our previously reserved flights, in which you can see Lake San Pablo in all its splendor, observed from the heights, we will have a panoramic view of Taita Imbabura and Mama Cotacachi, in the captive flight the height of 20-25 meters is achieved, it is a controlled flight since it is anchored to the ground by ropes and you can enjoy and live the experience of being in a hot air balloon. 

After our experience in the air, (Option 1 & Option 2) we will have time to take the typical breakfast of the area. On the way to Quito, we will stop at Quitsato Solar Clock. Return to Quito

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight accommodations Hotel Ikala

Morning assistance and transfer from your hotel in Quito to the airport for a short local flight to Cuenca. Upon arrival you will be met by our representative at the airport and transfer to your hotel. 

CERAMICS CLASS & CITY TOUR

Start discovering the charm of Cuenca and its surroundings. Cuenca is famous for its artisan ceramics. Enjoy a one-hour ceramics class led by the famous ceramist Ivan Encalada. The local artisan opens the doors of his house, with its beautiful gardens, to welcome you and teach you his secrets and some ancestral techniques. Let your imagination fly and capture it in a ceramic piece.

After this ceramics class, we tour the Cobblestone City of the Four Rivers – Cuenca! Visit the traditional and picturesque neighborhoods of Cuenca. The tour also includes the visit to a famous “Toquilla” Straw Hat Factory (Panama Hats), where you will observe the elaboration of the finest Ecuadorian hats. You will explore the majesty and charm of El Barranco. Finally, you will visit the “Turi” viewpoint. Return to the hotel. 

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Overnight accommodations  at selected hotel

 
IMPORTANT: The ceramics class is in the morning. If passengers want to take the completed ceramic piece with them, please remember that takes at least 3 days to complete the process: drying, trimming, cleaning up, firing.

Enjoy a visit to a park of glacial valleys and dazzling lakes. A traverse that will introduce you to a seemingly infinite landscape. 

El Cajas National Park offers a glimpse of the impressive cloud forests and Andean “páramo” landscapes and ecosystems. The mysterious, mountainous silence invites you to explore its marvelous lakeside trails. Enjoy a close encounter with nature in this unique part of the Ecuadorian Andes. Lunch at local restaurant, return to Cuenca.

OPTIONAL TOUR

After enjoying an incredible hike in the Andes, we recommend you visit a local “Hot spring water Spa” 15 minutes ride from the city. The area calls “Baños” (Baths in English). The hot springs are famous for their medicinal benefits. For reservations and quotes of this optional tour please let us know.

 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight accommodation at selected hotel

 OPTION A: TOUR TO INGAPIRCA

After breakfast, we will depart to Ingapirca which is without doubt , the most Archaeological Complex in Ecuador. The complex is located 70 kilometers (43 miles) to the north of Cuenca and sits at 3180 meters (10,430 feet) above sea level.

Lunch in a local restaurant. Return to Cuenca. In the evening you will have dinner at a local restaurant with Ecuadorian fusion food

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, dinner

Overnight accommodations at selected hotel

OPTION B: TOUR TO GUALACEO & CHORDELEG

The tour begins with the trip to the picturesque town of San Bartolomé, famous to produce guitars.  There are several workshops along the main road.  We´ll visit one of the shops as well as the central park and its church.

On the way we´ll observe the famous “Cholas Cuencanas”, women who weave Panama hats while they walk or wait for the bus.  We arrive at the district of Chordeleg; work in gold, silver, filigree, wood, ceramics, and more will catch your attention.  We visit the central park and its church and allow free time for shopping. Continuing the tour, we´ll visit the typical Food Market of Gualaceo, where you may opt to try the delicious Chancho Hornado (Roasted Pork). We´ll have lunch. Finally, we´ll arrive at a workshop of Chales or “Macanas”. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, dinner

Overnight accommodations at selected hotel

After breakfast, you will be picked up at a hotel in Cuenca. We will take the road towards Guayaquil. Prepare ourselves for an amazing journey through different ecosystems, the transition of landscapes is spectacular from the foothills of the Ecuadorian Andes at its highest point at 4167 meters (13,670 feet) above sea level, observing a beautiful landscape of mountains and lagoons until the coastal plains.

The adventure includes a visit to a small “Hacienda” where you’ll observe some tropical fruit crops such as bananas, coffee, and the cultivation of the famous Ecuadorian Cacao. You will be able to touch, to taste the fresh cacao beans, and of course to make your own chocolate. Lunch in the Hacienda. After this activity we will continue our trip to the city of Guayaquil. 

We will arrive on time for your evening flight departure back to the USA. If you require an additional night overnight in Guayaquil, we will arrange it for you and adjust your tour rate accordingly.

Meals: Breakfast , Lunch at the Hacienda