BASIC ECUADOR – QUITO – CUENCA – GUAYAQUIL

DAY 1 – QUITO

Transfer Airport / Hotel

DAY 2 – QUITO / OTAVALO INDIGENOUS MARKET, COTACACHI & CUICOCHA TOUR

Breakfast.  Departure from our designated hotels in Quito through the Pan-American North Highway until arriving to Cayambe, where the passengers will have the opportunity to taste the delicious “Bizcochos de Cayambe”, a type of cracker or bread baked in a clay oven (greatly paired with local cheese or caramel sauce).  After admiring Lake San Pablo, we will arrive at the Otavalo Market, the largest in America, where the indigenous people of the area, known as “Otavalos”, one of Ecuador’s most recognized ethnic groups, make and sell their textiles and handicrafts.

Passengers may choose between to stay in this area and enjoy more time from the market and our bus will pick them up at the end of the tour (they will not have the visit to Cotacachi and Cuicocha) or continue with the journey to the town of Cotacachi, recognized for leather clothing and crafts. On the way to Cotacachi, we will visit an Andean instrument workshop “Ñanda Mañachi” located in the area of Peguche, to spend some special moments with the local people and understand the Andean culture.

In Cotacachi you have enough time to visit the village, the shops of leather goods and free time for lunch, (not included).  Later we will visit the Ecological Reserve where the Cuicocha lagoon is located, inside the crater of the Cotacachi Volcano, which originated after a volcanic explosion thousands of years ago. And if the weather permits it will be possible to make a walk by the lagoon, that is to say sailing in the crater of the volcano in small boats (with additional cost).

** Bus will wait for 10 minutes in Otavalo to pick up passengers that stayed there, and after that will return to Quito and their respective hotels or starting point.

DAY 3 – QUITO : THE ORIGINAL QUITO CITY TOUR IN TROLLEY + AUTHENTIC MIDDLE OF THE WORLD TOUR

Breakfast.  We will visit the historic center, the largest and best preserved in South America, in one of our original trolleys, which are a replica of the trams that circulated in Quito in the last century.

Visit to the Basilica del Voto Nacional Church, where we will make a brief stop for an explanation of its facade, to later move towards the Panecillo viewpoint, an iconic place in the city, renowned for its beauty, and where is a giant statue of the “Winged Virgin”, where you can admire a beautiful landscape of colonial and modern Quito. Later we will continue to the Plaza de San Francisco, one of the representative places of the city and full of history, from where we will walk to the Plaza Grande, historical and political center of the city, surrounded by innumerable attractions including: the Cathedral, the Palace of Government, the Archbishop’s Palace and the La Compañía church.

We continue our tour meeting the traditional La Ronda neighborhood, in whose romantic setting we can find workshops where our visitors will learn with a group of authentic artisans, how their works are elaborated, and trades of yesteryear that keep alive the cultural traditions of this charming city, in this emblematic street you will have the opportunity to visit an ice cream shop where you can find very traditional flavors of Ecuador, as well as a visit to one of the artisan workshops: Panamá hats or joinery or tinwork or products made from honey bee. (Entrance to churches are not included).

We will stop at the “Zona Rosa” of the city, approximately an hour and a half to have free time for lunch (not included), and later we continue with our excursion “Authentic Middle of the World Tour”.

We go to the “Middle of the World City”, where you can see the monument that divides the northern hemisphere from the southern hemisphere of the planet. It was built during the XVII century when a French Expedition defined the precise location of the equatorial line that divides the world, and it is a must-see place for those who visit Quito. Includes entrance to the Middle of the World complex ,where you can live experiences that defy the laws of physics and occur only in this part of the world. After visiting this privileged place and registering it in your passport, you will always see Ecuador and the Middle of the World in a different way.

DAY  4 – QUITO / RIOBAMBA

Breakfast. Excursion through the Avenue of the Volcanoes.  Departure early in the morning from our designated hotels, through the Panamerican Highway admiring the diverse ecosystems of the route, as a clear sign of the majesty of the Andes.  We continue to the Cotopaxi National Park, arriving at the foot of the impressive active volcano.   Visit the Museum Park, the Limpiopungo Lagoon and through an interesting hike will reach the forest of chuquirahuas to 4200 meters. (If the weather permits).

We reach the Quilotoa Volcano, which has in its crater a stunning turquoise lagoon, making it one of the most beautiful and photographed landscapes of Ecuador.  We take a short hike to appreciate the magnificent view of the volcano (if weather conditions allow). Free time for lunch (not included). In the afternoon transfer to Riobamba and accommodation.

DAY  5 – RIOBAMBA / CUENCA

Breakfast. Transfer to the city of Alausi, passing through the towns of Colta, Guamote and Palmira, getting to know a little of the indigenous communities that live here. Stop for a typical lunch in Alausí (not included), and continue to Cuenca, with a visit to the Ingapirca Inca Ruins (entrance not included). Accommodation in Cuenca.

DAY 6 – CUENCA

Breakfast. City Tour Cuenca.  We will travel through the city visiting the Calderon Park, the New and the Old Cathedral, the Flower Market, Modern Arts Museum. We continue the tour to the Homero Ortega Panama Hat factory to observe the complete process of manufacturing. We will also observe the “broken bridge” and finally visit the tourist balcony of “Turi” where we can see a panoramic view of the whole city of Cuenca. Free afternoon

DAY 7 – CUENCA/ GUAYAQUIL

Breakfast. Transfer Cuenca / Guayaquil.  We leave from Cuenca to “Cajas National Park” known for its glacial lakes and high mountain vegetation. Here we will walk through this beautiful place to see some of the lakes and primary forest. We will also visit “3 Cruses” which forms the continental water division. We will walk to observe this curious place. From this point we will begin a dramatic decline to reach the coast of Ecuador. Starting we will begin observing the Andean Mountain scenery and then ending up seeing totally different vegetation of the Ecuadorian Coast with large plantations of bananas and cocoa beans. Arrival to Guayaquil.

DAY 8 – GUAYAQUIL

Breakfast. Transfer Hotel / Airport.

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• Transfer airport / hotel
• 3 nights’ accommodation in Quito with breakfast
• The Original Quito City Tour in Trolley + Authentic Middle of the World Tour
• Otavalo Indigenous Market, Cotacachi & Cuicocha Tour
• Cotopaxi + Quilotoa Ful Day Tour
• 1 night lodging at Riobamba with breakfast
• Traslado Riobamba / Cuenca, visiting the Ingapirca Ruins.
• 2 nights lodging in Cuenca with breakfast
• City tour in Cuenca
• Transfer Cuenca/Guayaquil
• 1 night lodging in Guayaquilwith breakfast
• Transfer hotel / airport in Guayaquil
• Hotel taxes

** In Quito and Guayaquil Municipal tax of US$ 2,75 in Quito, and US$ 2,50 in Guayaquil, per room per night is not included. Passengers must pay directly.

** Does not include hotel insurance in Quito, optional direct payment per passenger.