BREAKFAST 

Departure for the recognition of the beautiful colonial city of Quito. This city, classified since 1978 as a World Heritage Site, will dazzle us with its architecture and history.

The visit includes the entrance to the Church of San Francisco, the Church of La Compañía de Jesús, the Independence Square, with a tour of the magnificent monuments that are around it as the Cathedral (exterior visit), the Archbishop's Palace and the Government Palace (exterior visit) and the Municipality. 

In the afternoon we will visit the site known as the "Middle of the World". Located 30 minutes from the historic center north of Quito at 2483 meters | 8146 ft

A monument of impressive stature, it commemorates the work of the French mission. Near the monument is a site museum called "Intiñan", a word that means "path of the sun". It makes us interesting and unforgettable our passage in the Middle of the World. Several experiences are conducted with you to test your passage through this emblematic place, let's play with our feet in both hemispheres! Then we will continue our journey north to the province known as "Los Lagos" or province of the lakes. Arrival in Otavalo. 

ACCOMMODATION

BREAKFAST

Early departure to visit the handicrafts market in the "Plaza de Ponchos". A spectacular place for the variety of colors and fabrics. You can admire and purchase ponchos, handicrafts, paintings, hats, jewelry, pottery, etc.. The vendors are mostly from the same ethnic group called Otavaleños, famous for their traditional dark-colored, but very elegant clothing. The market of Otavalo is composed of three well identified sectors: the animal market which is located outside the city center (this part works only on Saturdays), the traditional food market with fruits and vegetables that decorate the different stalls with magnificent colors and the handicraft market, more touristy but this is the time to find and buy handicrafts to take home beautiful souvenirs. 

In the afternoon visit of Peguche, a community dedicated to the weaving of tapestries, few families still work with the old looms. We will discover the work of   

the wool, the natural dyes and the weaving.

Then we will go to the Cuicocha lake located at the foot of the Cotacachi Volcano (4,944 m | 16,220ft). Return to Quito and arrival at the hotel in the late afternoon.

ACCOMMODATION

BREAKFAST

Early departure to the south of the city of Quito, this beautiful adventure begins with the passage through the famous "Avenue of the Volcanoes": Pichincha (4,784 m | 15,695 ft), Atacaso (4,463 m | 14,642 ft), Corazón (4,790 m | 15,715 ft), Ilinizas (5,248 m | 17,217 ft), Pasochoa (4,200 m | 13,779 ft), Sincholagua (4.873 m | 15,987ft), Rumiñahui (4.721 m | 15,488 ft), Cotopaxi (5.897 m | 19,347 ft), until we arrive to Cotopaxi National Park. It will take us about 1h45 minutes to be at the entrance of the park, where the most important attraction is precisely one of the highest active volcanoes in the world: Cotopaxi, with a height of 5,897 meters | 19,347 ft.

This magnificent volcano, which name has been translated as "Moon Neck", will watch over us throughout our journey through lunar landscapes and typical high Andean valleys. We will stop at the edge of the Limpiopungo lake where we will make a gentle walk of about 1 hour where we will observe the flora of this typical ecosystem of Ecuador called paramo, easily observe some species of birds, wild horses and hopefully we will see the condor, the paramo fox, deers, which also inhabit this type of ecosystem.

In a 4x4 vehicle we will be able to reach 4500 meters | 14,763 ft of altitude and from there we will be able to make a walk of approximately 1 hour to arrive at 

the 4,800 meters | 15,748 ft of altitude where the José Rivas refuge is located. 

Cotopaxi is one of the points that can not miss in your itinerary, it is the second most visited national park in Ecuador after the Galapagos Islands. In the afternoon and after having enjoyed these beautiful landscapes and very interesting hikes, we will continue our journey south until we reach Baños which is located at 1800 meters 5,905 ft. Baños is known as the gateway to the Amazon.

ACCOMMODATION

* NOTE: Climbing to the refuge depends on the weather and the physical conditions of the participants.

BREAKFAST

We will leave for the road that leads to the Ecuadorian Amazon. Landscapes so different from those of the highlands that fill us with different sensations, it seems we are in a totally different world. This adventure begins with a stop at the Agoyán waterfall, from here we will continue descending to the edge of the Pastaza River canyon, deeper forests, higher vegetation and we enter the so-called "Route of the Waterfalls". We will stop at the Manto de la Novia waterfall, and we will be able to climb the Tarabita, a 500 meter (1,640 ft)long cable that crosses the Pastaza canyon that will give us the possibility to have the best images of the waterfall and the canyon. Return to our point of origin and continue to Rio Verde. 

It is the Verde River, which precipitation gives rise to the Pailon del Diablo waterfall, walk 1 km downhill (round trip about 1 hour) to get to have the view in front of the waterfall. Return to Baños, we will walk through its streets and visit the workshop of Tagua, material with which our artisans work different handicrafts and jewelry.  Because of the color of the seeds, this natural material is known as "vegetable ivory". In the afternoon we will continue to Riobamba.

ACCOMMODATION

BREAKFAST

We will continue south, on our route to Cuenca. 

We will have time to admire the beautiful landscapes of the Ecuadorian highlands. Fields that bring together varied ranges of colors, given by products sown in these lands of height. We will see reflected the work of the communities that live here. On the way we will stop to visit the Balbanera Church, which was the first one erected by the Spaniards in Ecuador.

Then we will make a detour to visit the archaeological site of Ingapirca, this ceremonial center is the largest and best preserved of the presence of the Incas in the territory of present-day Ecuador. Tour of approximately 1 hour.

After this interesting visit we will continue our route to the city of Cuenca. Cuenca is the third largest city in Ecuador, after Guayaquil and Quito. Cuenca was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

ACCOMMODATION

BREAKFAST

This morning we will go out to meet this beautiful colonial city of Cuenca, which will open its doors to discover some of the monuments and colonial and republican buildings.

The city was founded by the Spaniards in the 16th century, who established it on the ancient ruins of the city of the Incas, Tomebamba. Some of these stones of undoubted Inca style can be seen in the walls of some buildings in the center of the city. 

We will make an interesting tour visiting the Cathedral, the Calderon Park, the flower market and the long street with its neighborhood of El Barranco with its houses on the edge of the Tomebamba River. The visit also includes a tour of the toquilla straw hat factory or "Montecristi" with its generalized name as "Panama Hats", but of Ecuadorian origin. 

Continuation to Guayaquil, the descent from 4164 meters above sea level | 13,661 ft down to the agricultural lands. After approximately 3 hours of travel we will begin to observe the great plains of sugar cane, rice, banana, cocoa, among others until arriving to Guayaquil. 

Guayaquil is the economic capital of Ecuador and the most populated city as well. Upon arrival we will take a walk along the Malecon 2000, a boulevard along the Guayas River to reach the Barrio Las Peñas and have a panoramic view of the city.

ACCOMMODATION

Depending on flight schedules, our guide will pick you up at the hotel to transfer you to the airport. END OF SERVICES