On our first full day in Ecuador, we will adjust to the altitude by enjoying a fun and low-key day in the city of Quito, but first, we will enjoy a 2-hour Spanish class at the hotel before hitting the pavement. 

During our city tour, we will visit a variety of historical points such as La Compañia de Jesus Church, Plaza Grande, La Basilica, Middle of the World City, and the Intiñan Museum along with lunch in the hip La Floresta neighborhood. 

We will also visit the equator line this day as we straddle both sides of the world and return to the Casa Gardenia in the evening to rest up for tomorrow’s journey higher into the Andes.

Enjoy breakfast and a 2 hours Spanish class at the hotel before beginning the short 2-hour journey to the nearby town of Otavalo. We will stop at a rose farm along the way to learn more about one of Ecuador's top exports before arriving in Otavalo.

Otavalo is a charming part of Ecuador rich in culture as well as natural beauty. The town and surrounding areas serve as an agricultural and handicraft hub.

Once in Otavalo we’ll spend the next two days leisurely doing the following activities:

• Visit our friend and local medicine man, Mario, and his wife, Rosalinda. In addition to working as a local healer, Mario and his wife are also weavers and tend to a small farm. 
• Family of local musicians to listen to music and learn more about how Andean instruments are made.
• Visit our friend Antonio’s home for a traditional lunch.
• Visit the local craft market in the town center.
• Visit our friends at Cava Caran for a yummy meal and craft beer.
• Visit the Cava Caran brewery outside of town to learn more about craft beer in Ecuador.
• Visit a father/daughter duo and their organic farm and homestead.
• 3-hour hike around Cuicocha Lagoon.

You’ll spend this evening just outside of town at the beautiful Hacienda Pinsaqui. This hotel was once a large hacienda that at times served as a rest stop for Simón Bolivar, among other figures in South America’s fight for independence. The rooms are impressive, the grounds are beautiful and the staff is super friendly.

Continued activities in Otavalo from the list shown on Day Three.  We will work out the exact order of the activities as we get closer to the date and factor in artisans’ schedules and weather into our planning. 

After an adventure-filled day, we will return to Hacienda Pinsaqui for 1-hour Spanish class and another cozy evening by the fire!

After breakfast, we will finish our morning activities in Otavalo before starting the 3-hour journey to the Cotopaxi National Park. We will stop along the way to have an incredible lunch at the gorgeous San Agustin del Callo Hacienda.

After lunch, depending on how the group is feeling, and taking into account the higher altitude, we can choose from a variety of activities at the base of the Cotopaxi volcano, such as horseback riding, hiking around Limpiopungo Lake (2 hours), or a more strenuous trek (3 - 3.5 hours). 

We will then arrive at our charming hacienda for a two-hour Spanish class and an evening of relaxation by the fire and homemade dinner! 

After breakfast at our gorgeous mountainside hacienda, we will have a three-hour Spanish class in the garden.

We will then stop by a local elementary school to meet with the directors and students. The Heart of Travel will be donating a portion of the trip proceeds to purchase items requested by the school director. 

If you’d like to donate additional funds or supplies to this cause (such as pencils, pens, notebooks, jackets, etc.) it would be greatly appreciated, but of course, it is not obligatory. Feel free to reach out to us for more information on this aspect of the trip!

After our visit to the school, we will make the 2-3 hour journey to Baños as we travel from the Andes mountains to the cloud forest. Once we've arrived in Baños we will settle in for the evening and enjoy a group dinner!

Today will be packed full of adventure in Baños, known by many as the Gateway to the Amazon. Here we will visit the End of the World Swing, hike, and marvel at the cascading waters, ziplining and so much more! If people have different interests we can divide the group into two to three smaller groups to maximize your time in Baños! 

Enjoy a 2-hour Spanish class in Baños before we make the journey back to Quito, stoping at the Papallacta hot springs for lunch and a dip along the way. 

Back in Quito we will enjoy a farewell dinner together to celebrate lessons learns and lifelong friendships and memories made!

Your shuttle will pick you up to take you to the airport for your outbound flight. 

For those looking to extend their stay, we highly recommend adding on a 4 day/3 night stay or a 5 day/4 night stay at an Amazon lodge or a 6 day/5 night visit to the Galápagos Islands.