Ec0050 – Ecuador Mainland Luxury 12 Days ✔️

Welcome to Ecuador! Upon your arrival in Quito’s airport, our representative will be waiting for you, to transfer you to your Hotel in Quito.

Join an informative tour around the old town in Quito. Stop at the Basilica del Voto Nacional and then walk to the Plaza Grande through the Archbishop's Palace, where you can take a break while enjoying an ice cream. Continue on and get to know churches like La Compania and San Francisco. La Compañia is one of the best-known churches in Quito. Famous for its gold, gilded plaster and wood carvings, it is the best example of the extraordinary artistic ability of the Ecuadorian artisans and is a must-do stop when visiting Quito's old town. The church is open to the public and can be visited and viewed in its entire splendor.

End your old town visit at one of the most popular neighborhoods in Quito, La Ronda, to enjoy the local Drink, Canelazo, and a hot empanada.

Then travel north of the city for around 45 minutes to arrive at the Middle of the World monument, which was built during the 17th century when a French expedition defined the location of the equatorial line. You will have some free time to explore this monument, and the many souvenir & handicrafts shops that surround it. Just a few steps away, you will also visit the Inti Ñan museum, where you can be part of different experiments that will prove that you are indeed at the Center of the Earth. This museum was built on the exact spot where the Equator line crosses, so feel free to use your GPS to verify that! Also join a guided tour around the exhibits, which focus on the native tribes of Ecuador.

Included Activities
• Intiñan Museum Visit
• La Compañia Church Visit
• Mitad del Mundo Visit

Travel along the Avenue of the Volcanoes to get to Cotopaxi National Park. From the entrance you will get to see the impressive Cotopaxi, an active volcano at a height of 5,897 metres. During our stay in the national park we will visit its museum to learn about the natural environment of the place, its animals and plants. Make a stop at the Limpiopungo lagoon, before reaching the parking area, where you will start a 1.5 hour hike to the first refuge while enjoying the spectacular views.

Included Activities
• Cotopaxi Tour

Located at an altitude of 3,800 mts above sea level, this turquoise water lagoon is one of the most popular in Ecuador thanks to its amazing views. Take some time at the viewing point to cherish the spectacular landscape. Once you have acclimatized, start your hike down to the lagoon, but be careful as it is a steep and sandy path. The hike down will take around 45 minutes, and the hike back up around 1.5 hours. After your hike, feel free to visit the handicraft market and enjoy a delicious meal at one of the local restaurants while you warm up.

Continue to the South until Baños, a beautiful town near the jungle.

Included Activities
• Quilotoa Hike

20 minutes ouside of Baños town, you will find the entrance to the Devil´s Cauldron Waterfall, one of the most visited waterfalls in Ecuador. It will take a 20 minute hike down to the rIver's level to get there. Be sure to have a waterproof jacket or poncho with you, as you will probably get sprayed while approaching this stunning waterfall. Continuing with the waterfall’s route, next you will visit El Manto de la Novia waterfall.

Located around 40 minutes from Baños, visit the Tree House to enjoy the views from one of the highest points in Baños. Get a chance to use the "Swing at the End of the World" while also enjoying the stunning views of nearby Tungurahua volcano.

Included Activities
• Pailon del Diablo Visit
• Manto de la Novia Visit
• Tree House Visit

Departure in the morning through the South to visit Ingapirca Ruins. Walk around the largest Inca ruins in Ecuador and enjoy the panoramic views. These ruins stand out for the extraordinary stone blocks that make up its walls, and its originality in the design of its main structure. The visit will take around 2 hours. Then we will continue to Cuenca.

Included Activities
• Ingapirca Ruins Visit

Enjoy a tour around one of Ecuador's most charming colonial cities. Take some time to get to know Cuenca's history, people and architecture while you explore its cobblestone streets, churches and rivers. It's no surprise this European like city has been declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Visit a famous hat factory and make a stop at the local market before exploring Cuenca's many churches and museums. Another great thing about Cuenca is that everything is within walking distance!

Included Activities
• Cuenca City Tour

Enjoy Cuenca from another point of view with this 3-hour walking tour inside the old town. Led by a true Cuencano guide, you will visit some of Cuenca's most impressive houses and learn about the lifestyle of different times. Get to see how European tendencies influenced Cuenca's architecture and how styles have changed with the passing of time.

The rest of the afternoon you will have some free time.

Included Activities
• Cuenca Old Houses Route

Transfer to Cuenca airport to catch your flight to Quito. Then take your private transport to go to the north of the country.

Peguche is considered a sacred place for the Otavalo community. Take a walk along the cobblestone pathway that will take you to the top of the river to enjoy the spectacular view. Peguche Waterfall is an important site for the Kichwa people, as it is where purification takes place before the Inti Raymi festival.

Just minutes away from Otavalo, you will find the famous artisan town of Cotacachi. Stocked with a wide variety of leather goods, it is the ideal opportunity to pick up some great souvenirs sold by the area's own local producers.

Included Activities • Cotacachi Visit
• Peguche Visit

In Imbabura you will find one of the biggest and best Indigenous markets in South America. Once at the market, take some time to shop around. You will find all types of handicrafts, souvenirs and clothing, all made in Ecuador. After you have explored the Otavalo market.

Included Activities
• Otavalo Tour

Heading west from Cotacachi you’ll visit a stunning lagoon cradled in a collapsed volcanic crater. The lagoon features two mounded islands that look like the backs of two guinea pigs, hence the name: Cuicocha means guinea pig lake. Take one of the paths to several viewpoints to observe and appreciate the scenery.

Return to Quito.

Included Activities
• Cuicocha Visit

There are no activities planned on this day. We will pick you up from hotel according your international flight schedule.