Our Highlights of Ecuador tour combines the best of Ecuador in a 12 day tour! The itinerary includes visits to Quito and Cuenca, both World Cultural Heritage Sites declared by UNESCO. Otavalo is known for its Indian market and proud Otavaleños. Baños is the adventure capital of Ecuador, where you can go rafting or canyoning. You will reach the highest altitudes at Cotopaxi Volcano, Quilotoa Crater Lake and the Cajas National Park. You will also get to ride on the Devil´s Nose train, which back in 1902 was the most incredible feat of railway engineering the world had seen. A visit to Ingapirca, an Inca-Cañari archaeological site, is also included. The trip ends in Guayaquil, located in the Ecuadorian coast region and the biggest city of Ecuador with almost 3 million inhabitants.
This is a private tour and you can start this tour on every day of the year. You will travel together with an English speaking guide who will also be your driver. In case the group is for 4 or more persons you will have a guide and a driver. Since this tour is private the itinerary is flexible, so you can make any changes you prefer! Accommodation is at tourist superior class hotels and haciendas at beautiful locations. During this tour you will visit all the highlights of the Andes region of Ecuador!
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival to Quito
Welcome to Ecuador! Upon arrival to Quito we will pick you up from the airport and you will be transferred to your hotel, which is located in the old town of Quito. Overnight at Hotel Patio Andaluz or similar.
Meals included: -
Day 2: Quito City Tour & Equator
Together with your English speaking guide you will discover the best Quito has to offer! From your hotel we drive to the Old Town of Quito. We will visit the Basilica and afterwards we start our walk at the Plaza Grande where we will see the Presidential Palace, the main Cathedral, and the Independence monument. Than we continue to visit one of the most beautiful churches in Latin America, the Compañía de Jesus church, which façade is carved entirely out of volcanic stone and its interior is completely decorated with gold leaf. Next visit is Plaza Santo Domingo from where we walk through one of the oldest and most historical streets in Quito: La Ronda. We will end our walk at Plaza San Francisco where we will visit the San Francisco church, which is the oldest church of Quito (1534). Drive to Panecillo hill where we can see the statue of the Virgin of Quito and a spectacular view of the city. Than we continue to the Equator, which is located 20 km north of Quito. We will visit the Inti Ñan museum where we will learn interesting facts and experiments which are only applicable at the Equator, like balancing an egg on a nail and we will observe the Coriolis forces. After this exciting day we return to your hotel. Overnight at Hotel Patio Andaluz or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 3: Day Tour Otavalo Market
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel. Our first stop is at Guayllabamba village where we will try the “chirimoya”, which is a local fruit. Than we continue to Cayambe, here you will be able to try the local cheese and bizcochos biscuits. Once we reach Imbabura province we drive to Agato, where we will see master weaver Miguel Andrango. He makes traditional weavings on a back strap loom using handspun wool and natural dyes and products. After this interesting visit we will continue to the famous Indian Market, which is known for its handicrafts, tapestries and textiles. Here you have time to wander around and buy some souvenirs. In the afternoon we will visit Cotacachi village, which is known for its leather products and the Peguche waterfall. The Peguche waterfall is a sacred place for the indigenous people. Overnight at Hotel Patio Andaluz or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 4: Quito - Cotopaxi National Park
From your hotel we drive south through the Pan-American Highway, also called Avenue of Volcanoes, to the entrance of the Cotopaxi National Park. Cotopaxi Volcano is the highest active volcano in the world (5897m – 19347 ft.) and second highest mountain in Ecuador. Once we enter the National Park we drive to Limpiopungo Lake where we can observe Andean birds like Andean gulls and speckled teals. We will hike and learn about the flora and fauna of this unique paramo area. Than we continue to the parking lot (located at 4500m - 14763 ft.), from here we hike to the refuge which is located at an altitude of 4800m – 15748 ft. In the afternoon we drive to Hacienda El Porvenir or similar, where we stay overnight.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 5: Quilotoa Crater Lake - Baños
After breakfast we drive towards the beautiful turquoise Quilotoa Crater Lake. On the way we will make a stop in Tigua, where we will visit the painting workshop of Alfredo Toaquiza; one of the Indian artists from the region who paints the colorful Tigua paintings on sheep skin. There are also interesting local markets in this area; on Thursdays it is possible to visit the market of Saquisili, on Saturdays we can visit the local market in Zumbahua and on Sundays the local market in Pujili. Here we will see the huge diversity of tropical fruits, vegetables, grains and medicinal plants. We will also stop at the Toachi canyon to take pictures. Upon arrival to the Quilotoa Crater Lake (altitude of 3800 m. - 12467 ft.), you can walk part of the crater rim or you can hike into the crater to the lake and hike back up again, which because of the altitude is a great but challenging walk. It is also possible to go kayaking on the lake. Afterwards we drive towards Baños, located at the foothills of the active Tungurahua Volcano and surrounded by beautiful green mountains. Overnight at Hotel La Floresta or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6: Baños: Road of Waterfalls
We will visit the Road of Waterfalls, with beautiful scenic views. We stop at Manto de la Novia waterfall, where we go across the Pastaza river canyon in a cable car. After this you can do the Superman or watch or do puenting, which is bungee jumping from a bridge (optional). Than we hike to the Pailon del Diablo waterfall, which is the most impressive waterfall in the area. We will also go to La Casa del Arbol, which is the famous “swing at the end of the world”. When it is clear you will be able to enjoy a view of the Tungurahua Volcano. The rest of the afternoon you have free time to wander around Baños. It is also possible to go rafting in the Pastaza River (with level III or III/IV rapids) or to do a canyoning excursion in the morning (optional activities). When time permits you can visit the road of waterfalls in the afternoon after the excursion. Overnight at Hotel La Floresta or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 7: Baños - Riobamba
Today you can choose between a visit to the Chimborazo Reserve and a visit to the local market in Guamote (on Thursdays only). The Chimborazo Volcano is the highest mountain of Ecuador, having an elevation of 6310m. From the parking lot we will hike to the refuge, which is located at 5000m. In the Chimborazo reserve we also can observe wild vicuñas, a relative of the llama. The other option is to visit the colorful indigenous market in Guamote (on Thursdays only), which is one of the biggest traditional markets in Ecuador. This is a non tourist market, where the local indigenous come to buy and sell vegetables, fruits, grains, etc. We will stay overnight in Riobamba at Hacienda Abraspungo or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 8: Devil´s Nose Train - Ingapirca Ruins - Cuenca
In the morning we drive from Riobamba to Alausi. In Alausi, you will start the Devil´s Nose train ride. During the ride you will be able to observe the famous switchback on the Devil´s Nose mount. After the train ride we drive further south to Ingapirca, where we will discover this Inca-Cañari archaeological site. After this interesting visit we continue our drive to Cuenca, which is the third most important city of Ecuador. Overnight at Hotel Santa Lucia or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 9: City Tour Cuenca
After breakfast we will do a walking tour to see the Old Town of Cuenca. We will visit the New Cathedral with its beautiful blue domes, the colorful flower market, and we will see a Panama hat shop. We will continue to the "Barranco" neighborhood with its colonial style terraced houses located next to the Tomebamba River and we go to the 10 de Agosto local market, where you can observe all kinds of fruits, vegetables and local food stalls. Overnight at Hotel Santa Lucia or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 10: Cajas National Park
We drive to the Cajas National Park, where we are going to do a beautiful hike. Cajas is a glacier valley located at an altitude of 4000m and has more than 200 lakes. Here you will be able to observe the beautiful flowers and plants around the area. In the afternoon we drive back to Cuenca, where you have the rest of the day free time to wander around Cuenca. Overnight at Hotel Santa Lucia or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 11: Cuenca - Guayaquil
Today we will see beautiful landscape changes while driving from Cuenca to Guayaquil, which is the biggest city of Ecuador with 3 million inhabitants. First we will pass Cajas National Park, which is located around 4000m. From here we descend to the coast region of Ecuador. During the ride we will see incredible changes from the Andes to cloud forest and then finally the coast plateau where we see rice fields, banana and cocoa plantations. Upon arrival we will do a walking tour of Guayaquil, also known as the “Pacific Pearl”. We go to the Iguana Park, where we can see many iguanas and where we will observe the cathedral of Guayaquil. Then we continue to the Malecon 2000 where we will take a nice walk along the boardwalk next to the Guayas River. At the end we will see the oldest neighborhood of Guayaquil, Las Peñas. Here we will walk up 444 steps to reach the summit of the Santa Ana hill from where we observe a view of Guayaquil. Overnight at Grand Hotel Guayaquil or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 12: Transfer to the airport
Transfer to the airport of Guayaquil for your flight back home.
Meals included: Breakfast
• 3 persons: USD 1954 p.p.
• 2 persons: USD 2420 p.p.
• 1 person: USD 4176 p.p.
• Children until 11 years receive a 10% discount
• This tour includes accommodation at Tourist Superior Class hotels. Contact us for for the price of this itinerary including Tourist Class or First Class hotels or let us know if you want to add some days / activities or if you want to do just a part of this tour.
• Accommodation at hotels mentioned or similar
• Private transfers to/from the airports
• Private transportation
• English speaking guide
• Local guide at Cajas National Park
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
• Activities as mentioned in the itinerary
• All entrance fees to the mentioned sites and museums
• Devil´s Nose train tickets
• Chirimoya fruit tasting
• Local cheese and bizcochos biscuits
• Meals not mentioned
• Beverages
• Tips
• Personal expenses
• Additional activities
• This tour can be adapted to your wishes and preferences.
• This itinerary includes accommodation at Tourist Superior Class hotels. Contact us for for the price of this itinerary including Tourist Class or First Class hotels or let us know if you want to add some days / activities or if you want to do just a part of this tour.
• The operator reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather, National Park regulations or notifications and unforeseeable circumstances.
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