Day 1: QUITO
Arrive at Quito’s International airport, where you will be meet by our representative. You will then be transfer to the Hotel. Overnight and stay at the hotel
Day 2: QUITO- MINDO
Breakfast included at the hotel.
Pick up from your hotel for private guided City Tour of Quito; visit the colonial area to enjoy the Independence main Square with its awe Cathedral, the Government Palace and Archbishop Palace. Visit the beautiful gold church of “La Compañia” (1606), which has the most ornate and richly sculptured façade and is considered a finest example of the Baroque architecture in America. You will also see the church of San Francisco (1535).
Continuing the tour to the north of the city where the Equatorial Line is located, you will find a monument marking the latitude 0º0'00''. This tour includes a visit to Inti-Ñan solar museum and lunch at local restaurant. Then, drive northwest to Mindo Cloud Forest.
Day 3: MINDO - OTAVALO AREA
Early in the morning opportunity to enjoy the “Cock of the Rock” ritual, then return to the Lodge for breakfast and explore Sachatamia Lodge Cloud Forest Reserve; walk on the differed trails to observe the flora and fauna of the area. Lunch included. In the afternoon drive northeast to Imbabura province.
Day 4: OTAVALO MARKET
After breakfast, full day private guided excursion to Otavalo and its famous indigenous market just in time to bargain for hand-knitted wool sweaters, colorful tapestries, wood carvings, silver jewelry, native paintings, woolen and Panama hats, and much more. Then enjoy a visit to Cotacachi, an entire town dedicated to selling fine leather products and handicrafts. Continue to Cuicocha crater lago.
Day 5: OTAVALO - COTOPAXI
Breakfast included at the hotel and transfer to visit Antisana National Reserve en route this area is a good place to see a condor!! Lunch included at local restaurant, opportunity to do horse riding (payable locally). Then drive to Lasso area, overnight at Hosteria La Cienega, Cotopaxi B/L
Day 6: COTOPAXI N. P.
Breakfast included at the hotel
You will depart from Quito in the morning for a scenic drive along the Pan-American Highway to Cotopaxi National Park. This is an ecological sanctuary of 36,000 hectares (88,920 acres) surrounding Cotopaxi, the second highest volcano in Ecuador, especially attractive for nature lovers, with the treeless vegetation of the Andean moorlands or paramo. Bird life includes: Andean gull, ducks and with some luck, the condor. The tour includes a drive through the surrounding parkland with its paramo vegetation, wonderful views, birds and flowers to Limpiopungo Andean lagoon at about 3,800 m above sea level or the opportunity to walk to the refuge below glacier.
Day 7: COTOPAXI - BAÑOS
After breakfast, transfer to Baños city to visit the town and the route of the waterfalls including “Pailón del Diablo”.
Day 8: BAÑOS
After breakfast, day at leisure, activities available or enjoy the hotel SPA.
Day 9: BAÑOS - RIOBAMBA
After breakfast transfer to Riobamba city, visitv en route Chimborazo Resereve.
Day 10: RIOBAMBA - CUENCA
After breakfast, private transfer to Cuenca city, riding on the train , visiting on route “Ingapirca” Archeological Site, the most important Inca and pre- Inca ruins in Ecuador. Arrival to Cuenca city named as World Cultural Heritage.
Day 11: CUENCA
After breakfast, private guided walking tour of Cuenca, an encounter with the magnificent sunlit domes of the cathedral, the quiet convents and museums and the city’s romantic Tomebamba river, flanked by overhanging houses all contributing to a delightful experience. Then visit the Homero Ortega Panama Hat factory.
Day 12: CUENCA - GUAYAQUIL
After breakfast, private guided transfer to Guayaquil visiting en route “El Cajas” National Park, renowned for its lakes, flora and fauna.
Day 13: GUAYAQUIL
Breakfast included in the hotel.
Private transfer to the airport of Guayaquil for Galapagos connection flight
