Day
01
UK - Quito
Board the flight from UK to Quito (Spanish pronunciation: kito), formally San Francisco de Quito, is the capital city of Ecuador, and at an elevation of 9,350 feet (2,800 meters above sea level). Overnight in Quito.
[x] Breakfast [x] Lunch [Y] Dinner
|
Day
02
Quito
On arrival,you will be transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure to acclimatise to the high altitude. Overnight in Quito.
[x] Breakfast [x] Lunch [Y] Indian Dinner
|
Day
03
Quito - City Tour - Mitad del Mondo Ecuator
Today enjoy a full day tour to explore the many places of interest in Quito. Visit Plaza de la Independencia, known locally as the Plaza Grande, this garden-graced square is dominated by La Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral). At the center of the plaza is a bronze and marble monument celebrating Ecuador’s first declaration of independence against its Spanish rulers. Plus the Basilica Church and San Francisco Church, built in the 17th century. Time permitting you can enjoy an optional tour by going up the Quito’s Skyrail - Teleferico and have a splendid view of the surrounding mountains. Overnight in Quito.
[Y] Breakfast [x] Lunch [Y] Indian Dinner
|
Day
04
Quito - Otavalo - Cotopaxi
This morning you visit the animal market and the colourful Ponchos Market one of the most famous markets in Sudamerica. Here you’ll find handmade handicrafts from all over Ecuador, in addition you’ll be able to share some time with this ancestral community and get to know a little bit more about their culture. After lunch you’ll drive to the valley of Cotacachi, famous due to its various leather items from small money keepers till high fashion jackets and shoes. After the short stop in the town you’ll advance to Cayapas Reserve, which is crowned by the inactive volcano Cotacachi where the crater holds the mystic Cuicocha lagoon. Some activities can be done in this magical place, maybe a short hike or a boat ride around the two islets nested into the lagoon. When sunset arrives you’ll leave the warmth of the valley and will be driven south where the Andean mountain chain and its majestic hills dominate the all landscape which will accompany during the following days.
[Y] Breakfast [Y] Lunch [Y] Dinner
|
Day
05
Cotopaxi - Indigenious market – Chimborazo - Riobamba
You start this day early in the morning, first you visit one of the local indigenous markets like Pujilí, Saquisilí or Zumbahua (markets have operational days). You walk around the market to discover new fruits and vegetables which are trade with any kind of products even small animals like chickens or the famous guinea pig or cuy. Back to the bus to take the road, when you’re starting to feel surrounded by fog and it gets colder, you’ll be arriving to the highest mountain in the country, and the closest point from earth to the space, Chimborazo volcano. This inactive volcano is ideal to practice mountain climbing so if you’re an adventure lover you’ll be able to do a short hike to the glaciers of the mountain. Once the visit is over, you’ll continue to the historical city of Riobamba where you spend the night.
[Y] Breakfast [Y] Lunch [Y] Dinner
|
Day
06
Train ride “Devils Nose” - Ingapirca - Cuenca
Today you’ll travel on board an art of engineering, known as one of the most difficult rail roads in the world, the Devil’s Nose train ride criss-cross the Andean mountains. On the way down you’ll descent 800m in zig zag over the rocky surface, this difficult way gives the ride its name, which is allusive to the devil and it has made it one of the most important touristic attractions. After the route of almost 2 hours, your transport will pick you up from Alausi train station and drive you to Ingapirca archaeological ruins; this complex was an important religious center and today is the standing proof of the Andean ancient society’s development, such us the Cañaris and the Incas. At the end of the day you’ll arrive at the city of Cuenca for overnight stay.
[Y] Breakfast [Y] Lunch [Y] Indian Dinner
|
Day
07
Cuenca - City Tour - Panama Hats Factory
Enjoy of a day in the lovely city of Cuenca, walking through its old and narrow streets will bring you back to the times of the Spaniard colony filled with art and legends. Our guide will accompany you during the city tour which includes a visit to the straw hat factory, known as Panama hats. During the afternoon you’ll have free time to get in touch with the city and its habitats, enjoy an Ecuadorian chocolate or coffee in one of the cozy bars and restaurants the city has to offer.
[Y] Breakfast [Y] Lunch [Y] Dinner
|
Day
08
Cuenca - Cajas National Park - Guayaquil
Leaving Cuenca on the way to the Coast region you’ll pass through Cajas National Park. This park shows a complex lake system and an enchanted forest filled with polylepis know as “Paper Tree” ideal scenario to do some trekking where you’ll overview the flora and fauna natives of the area. Afterwards you’ll continue to the Coast and will witness the change of environments from the paramo to the Coast to finally arrive to the cosmopolitan city of Guayaquil. Guayaquil is one of the largest cities and the most important commercial port of Ecuador which makes it an ideal spot for shopping and night life. Our guide will drive you around the city where Las Peñas hill and its particular colourful houses will catch your eye. At the end we recommend you to farewell the city with a delicious dinner in one of the traditional restaurants.
[Y] Breakfast [Y] Lunch [Y] Dinner
|
Day
09
Guayaquil - Quito - UK
Depending on the flight time we catch our flight from Guayaquil to Quito to connect your return flight back to UK. Or alternative extend your tour for 3 nights to Galapagos.
[Y]Breakfast [x] Lunch [x] Dinner
|
Day
10
|