- QUITO FULL DAY
The day starts with a short trip to the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve. Afterwards we visit the Middle of the World monument that divides the northern and southern hemisphere. In the tourist complex, we will visit the Ethnographic Museum that will teach us about the distinct Ecuadorian cultures. After a typical lunch, we will drive to the Teleférico of the rocky giant, Pichincha, where the modern gondolas will carry us to the mountain’s moor which offers a spectacular view of Quito, its valleys and the main surrounding volcanoes. In the afternoon, we will visit Panecillo, a large, famous monument to the Virgin of Quito, from where we can observe the historical center and a beautiful sunset. Lastly, we will descend to the center and tour its ancient streets and lighted parks, churches and historical monuments. Here is where the day will end with an optional dinner. .
- QUITO MUSEUMS AND CHURCHES
This option is ideal for those who enjoy history and art. We start in the Independence Plaza from where Government Palace, the Archbishop Palace and the Cathedral can be seen. We will walk and visit some of the churches by means of the “seven crosses” street; we will enter the Cathedral churches, the Sacred church, and the beautiful Company church. We will continue our tour until we arrive at the San Francisco Plaza and visit its church, convent and religious museum of its congregation. Once we leave the museum, we will eat lunch in a cozy restauran and after a short rest, we will continue walking to visit the Santo Domingo Plaza and church, from where we will proceed to the famous street, La Ronda, known for its traditional spirit of Quito. Finally, we will drive to the Panecillo monument, a great sculpture of the Virgin of Quito, where we will have a beautiful view of the mixed colonial and modern influence.
- QUITO BY NIGHT
The Historical Center in the night, with its gorgeous lights becomes a beautiful scene that desmonstrates the beauty of its monuments, churches and plazas. We start in the Independence Plaza from where Government Palace, the Archbishop Palace and the Cathedral can be seen. We will walk and visit some of the churches by means of the “seven crosses” street; we will enter the Cathedral churches, the Sacred church, and the beautiful Company church. We will continue our tour until we arrive at the San Francisco Plaza and visit its church, convent and religious museum of its congregation. From here, we will drive to the Panecillo monument, a great sculpture of the Virgin of Quito that will show us a beautiful view of the mixed colonial and modern influence. There is also an optional trip in the car to enjoy dinner in a traditional restaurant.
- COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK
Cotopaxi National Park is one of the most visited reserves in the country because of its volcano, whose summit sets at 5,987 m / 19.347 ft elevation and is one of the most important natural relics of the world. Besides the volcano, there are other unique natural wonders that accompany Cotopaxi: the Sincholagua, Rumiñahui and Quilindaña mountains, and the Limpiopungo and Santo Domingo Lakes, which offer views of the volcanic plateaus and demonstrates the volcanic history of this quiet giant. On Thursdays, there is the additional opportunity to visit the Saquisilí market, where the central Sierran indigenous people gather to sell and exchange their goods and handmade crafts
- OTAVALO AND ITS ARTESIAN MARKET
Cotopaxi National Park is one of the most visited reserves in the country because of its volcano, whose summit sets at 5,987 m / 19.347 ft elevation and is one of the most important natural relics of the world. Besides the volcano, there are other unique natural wonders that accompany Cotopaxi: the Sincholagua, Rumiñahui and Quilindaña mountains, and the Limpiopungo and Santo Domingo Lakes, which offer views of the volcanic plateaus and demonstrates the volcanic history of this quiet giant. On Thursdays, there is the additional opportunity to visit the Saquisilí market, where the central Sierran indigenous people gather to sell and exchange their goods and handmade crafts
- PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS
Very close to Quito, in the western Andean mountain range, on the edge of the Ecuadorian Amazon, lies Papallacta, a complex of thermal pools and spas surrounded by mountains and gorgeous landscapes. It is without a doubt, the ideal place to relax and enjoy nature.
- MINDO CLOUD FOREST
To the northwest of Quito is a paradise because of its biodiversity. Mindo is known worldwide as one richest zones of the planet for its diversity, especially of birds and butterflies. This place allows us to observe landscapes that are ideal for adventures and unforgettable experiences.
- 2 DAY LAKES PROVINCE
Imbabura is located in northern Ecuador and is known as the Lakes Province because of its various water systems, such as cascades and ancient lakes. One of the most important is found in the Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve, which also happens to be the main natural resource of the zone. Another one of its great treasures is the culture due to the indigenous people that inhabit the area, especially those from Otavalo who maintain many traditions and have a very important type of handmade crafts that are known worldwide.
The tour is recommended to leave on Fridays and Saturdays.
- 2 DAY CHIMBORAZO VOLCANO AND BAÑOS
In the center of the Andes lies the majestic Chimborazo, the tallest mountain of Ecuador with 6.310 m of altitude, which makes just being on its outskirts an experience that you won’t forget. This is the starting point of a seemingly endless descent through sand and forests to the city of Baños, considered to be the “door to the Amazon”. It is also where the Avenida de las Cascadas (Cascade Avenue) begins. This route is full of beautiful cascades, forests and a great diversity of life.
- 3 DAY COTOPAXI VOLCANO AND QUILOTOA LAKE
This option is ideal for someone who wants to see the most beautiful central Sierran natural attractions and learn more about the indigenous Andean cultures. You will visit Cotopaxi National Park, the magical Quilotoa Lagoon and the Saquisilí market (only takes place on Thursdays) and the communities of Zumbagua and Quilotoa with their colorful handmade goods.
This tour is recommended to leave on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays.
- 3 DAY CENTRAL SIERRA
This tour will take you to the heart of the Andes to the magical Chimborazo Province, full of natural treasures such as the silent giant, Chimborazo Volcano, and many cultural attractions because it is the province with the greatest number of indigenous communities in the country. The next day we will travel to Alausí, a small village in which we will catch a train that will take us to the Nariz del Diablo (Devil’s Nose), on a zigzagging rail that passes by incredible rock formations and landscapes. Finally you will get to visit Baños, also known as the “door to the Amazon” and the beginning of the Avenida de las Cascadas (Cascade Avenue). This route is full of gorgeous cascades, forest and great diversity.
This tour is recommended to start on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
- 4 DAY NORTHERN SIERRA
To the north of the Ecuadorian Andes, we will find a great diversity of natural attractions located inside of the Cotacachi Cayapas and El Ángel Ecological Reserves. Besides these magical nature scenes, we will be able to experience and learn from the traditionally rich culture of the indigenous of Otavalo and the Afro-Ecuadorians of Chota.
The tour is recommended to leave on Fridays and Saturdays.
- 4 DAY SOUTHERN SIERRA
The southern region of the country is full of cultural, natural and historic attractions. This loop starts in the tallest mountain in Ecuador, Chimborazo. We will pass through Riobamba, sourra beautiful mountains, such as El Altar, Carihuairazo, and Tungurahua. Afterwards, we will continue our adventure on a train to Nariz del Diablo (Devil’s Nose), a zigzagging rail that passes by incredible rock formations and landscapes. Later, we will arrive at Cuenca, a beautiful city declared by UNESCO to be the cultural patrimony, and we will visit its surrounding sites, such as: Cajas National Park and its beautiful lagoons, the town of Chordelec with its handmade goods, and Ingapirca which is an Incan temple with a very interesting history.
This tour is recommended to leave on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
- 6 DAY VOLCANO AVENUE
This tour will take you from the northern to the southern parts of the Andes mountain range, where we will view the greatest changes in elevation, such as Chimborazo, the Illinizas, Cotopaxi, Cayambe and Antisana as they allow us to see the majestic landscape known as “La Avenida de los Volcanes” (Volcano Avenue). Besides the drastic changes in elevation, lagoons and forests, there is great cultural importance that we will have the opportunity to experience along the way.
This tour is recommended to leave on Saturdays.
