At 9 AM, our guide will pick you up at your hotel to take you to the historic center of Quito. To get an overview of the city, you’ll first visit El Panecillo Hill (3000 m / 9900 ft), where the statue of the virgin of Quito is waiting for you. Its convenient location in the center of the city offers you one of the best views of the old town and newer city parts to the north and south.

Afterwards, you’ll go down to explore the historic center of Quito more closely. First, you’ll examine the neo-Gothic church Basílica del Voto Nacional and notice its special gargoyles that represent the Ecuadorian animal kingdom. Then you will walk around Independence Square – the heart of Quito, which is surrounded by the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace, and the City Hall.

You’ll continue on to Sagrario Church and after that, visit the interior of la Compañía de Jesús church which is completely covered by gold leaves. You will proceed to San Francisco Square to admire the church and convent of St. Francis and learn about its legends.

After lunch, you will travel almost 30 kilometers (19 miles) north to Mitad del Mundo – Middle of the World. Here, you’ll visit the interactive Inti Ñan Museum where you’ll learn about different Ecuadorian cultures and experience through different experiments what it is like to be at the equator. Later you will stop at the historical monument that symbolizes the French Geodesic Mission during the 18th century and its contribution to world history.

Return to your hotel in Quito.

Meals included: breakfast

On Day 3 you you will have the possibility to choose one of two exciting tour options. Click on each option below to read about the day’s activities that will be in store for you!

OPTION 1: MINDO CLOUD FOREST TOWN

Meet your guide and the rest of the group at a meeting point close to your hotel at 7 AM. You’ll travel north and then west for about 2 hours until arriving at Mindo town (1250 m / 4100 ft). While Mindo is still part of the Andean region, its climate and ecosystem are very different to the ones in Quito. It lies in a transitional area and features abundant vegetation (cloud forest). You will visit the butterfly farm to observe hundreds of butterflies up close and even watch some emerge from the chrysalis. Afterwards you’ll walk to a waterfall and have the opportunity to take a tarabita or canopy ride (zip line).

After lunch, you’ll head to the chocolate factory where your guide will explain and show you the process of how a chocolate bar is made from cacao beans.

Return to Quito.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch

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OPTION 2: OTAVALO MARKET AND CUICOCHA LAKE

Meet your guide and the rest of the group at a meeting point close to your hotel at 7 AM. You’ll travel north towards Otavalo town (2530 m / 8300 ft) for about two hours. Otavalo is home to a world-famous handicrafts market where the locals sell textiles, art, and other handicraft souvenirs. Many Otavaleños still wear the traditional clothing of the Otavalo ethnic group.

On the way to Otavalo, you’ll stop at a viewpoint at San Pablo Lake, which lies at the foot of Imbabura volcano. In Otavalo itself, you’ll have time to shop for souvenirs or just stroll around and watch the market life.

After lunch, you will continue on to Laguna Cuicocha – a beautiful lake that was formed inside a caldera. The lake’s name translates to “guinea pig lake” and derives from the islets in the lake. Then, you’ll visit Cotacachi town, famous for its leather goods. On the way back to Quito, you’ll stop at Cayambe town to try the local specialty – “bizcochos” and visit the solar clock on the equator.

Return to Quito.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch

Meet your guide and the rest of the group at a meeting point close to your hotel at 7 AM. You will travel south along the Avenue of Volcanoes to the Cotopaxi National Park. You’ll stop at Limpiopungo Lake which lies at the foot of Cotopaxi volcano. Here, your guide will tell you about the national park’s flora and fauna and you’ll have the chance to take pictures of the majestic Cotopaxi volcano. You will continue to the parking lot at 4600 meters (15,100 ft) and from there you’ll hike up to the refuge of the volcano (4800 m / 15,800 ft). After hiking back down to the parking lot, you’ll have the option of riding down to Limpiopungo Lake by mountain bike. You will then head out of the national park again and have lunch at a local restaurant. Instead of returning all the way to Quito, you stay in a hotel in an Andean village south of Quito.

Accommodation in Machachi.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch
 

After breakfast, you’ll travel south on the Panamerican highway and enjoy the view of the surrounding Andean landscape. After almost an hour, you will leave the highway and continue west through various indigenous villages. You’ll stop at a traditional indigenous market to see how the locals negotiate. Then continue to Quilotoa from where you will walk down to the shore of the beautiful Quilotoa Lagoon. The lagoon lies inside a volcanic crater and is a great photo motif because of its emerald-green water. You can either hike the crater up again or rent a mule to return to the car. After lunch, you’ll visit the Tigua community of farmers and painters who are known for their bright paintings of the Andean life. At the end of the tour, your guides take you back to Quito.

Accommodation in Quito.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch

Your driver will pick you up and take you to the airport at a suitable time for you to catch your flight.

Meals included: breakfast