• Guided city tour through the colonial center of Quito (UNESCO World Heritage Site), among others, including visits to these sites: the Parliament of Ecuador, the Independence Square, Cathedral (16th century), Presidential Palace, the Baroque La Compañía de Jesus Church, the church of San Francisco (16th century), Panecillo Hill

• Stroll through the famous colorful Market of the Otavalo Indians in Otavalo, including stopovers in Cayambe and Lago San Pablo

• Visit the lagoon Cuicocha

• Ride up Mt. Cotopaxi until 4,500 m above sea level, the world’s highest active volcano; hike to the Rivas refuge at almost 5,000 m and Lake Limpiopungo

• Road of Waterfalls near Baños, incl. Agoyan, Puerta del Cielo, Manto de la Novia, La Merced, San Jorge, Pailón del Diablo

• Ride on the spectacular Andes Railway from Riobamba to Alausi (incl. the “Devil’s Nose”), still today the steepest train track in the world

• Walk through the historic Inca ruins of Ingapirca

• Cuenca (UNESCO World Heritage Site) – guided and unguided walks (El Turi Hill, New Cathedral, Flower Market, Rotary Market (traditional handicrafts), factory of the famous Panama Hats, Tomebamba River, etc.)

• Visit Vilcabamba & Podocarpus National Park

• Hike through the marvelous Cajas National Park (Paramo landscape with many lakes)

• City tour Guayaquil

 

 

Day 1: Arrival Quito, Ecuador
Welcome to Ecuador! You arrive in the bustling capital of Ecuador: Quito. At the airport your English-speaking guide welcomes you and takes you to your Hotel Mercure ****.
The city of Quito is surrounded by snow-capped volcanoes and is located only 22 kilometers from the equator. Besides that it is the highest located capital of the world with an altitude of 2,850m. Quito was also given the nick name “Monastry of America” because of its many churches and abbeys. Today you enjoy a city tour through the colonial neighborhoods. Quito’s historic center was declared as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1978. The city is considered as the location with the largest accumulation of art treasures in South America. You visit Plaza de la Independencia, view the unique Jesuit Church La Compañía de Jesús, and those among us free from giddiness have the opportunity to scale the basilica’s tower over ladders – a braveness rewarded with a legendary view over the entire city of Quito! Then you head to the Panecillo which is a 200 m high volcanic hill. Here you also have a breathtaking view over Quito and if the sky is clear you can even marvel at the volcanoes Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Cayambe and Antizana. The statue of the Virgen de Quito with its 45 m is also located on top of the Panecillo. (-/-/-)

 

Day 2: Indian market Otavalo & Lagoon Cuicocha
Today you will head to the famous Indian market in Otavalo, probably the gaudiest Indian market in South America.  Along the “Ruta de los Lagos” you will discover many interesting places. Right from the beginning, archaic landscapes, crater lakes and volcanoes mark the exciting scenery of your ride north. You will pass Cayambe and Calderón where you can have a look at the famous figures out of bread. At the viewpoint Lago San Pablo you can enjoy a beautiful view. Stroll through the famous colorful market of Otavalo which catches you with its bustling market atmosphere of native Indians and there is surely an opportunity for you to buy extraordinary weavings and other typical crafts. Besides exotic fruits, vegetables and delicious food, you can also buy ponchos, blankets, tapestry, table cloths and other artfully woven fabrics as well as traditional music instruments or jewelry of the most varying kinds. After sufficient time for shopping, you continue your trip to the lagoon of Cuicocha. Optionally, you can go for a boat tour here or go for a little hike around the lagoon. After this day full of different impressions you will finally head back to Quito. (B/-/-)

 

Day 3: Cotopaxi National Park
Right after breakfast, you start your trip to the Cotopaxi National Park which awaits you with an overwhelming view of imposing mountain scenery. On your way driving on the Panamericana down south you already cross fascinating landscapes. The famous volcano Cotopaxi (5.897 m) is the highest active volcano of the world, however it is also one of the most ascended mountains of the country.
After paying a visit to the National Park Museum, you pass Lake Limpiopungo and ride up the active volcano. From the parking space at 4,500 m a. s. l. you walk up to the José Rivas Refuge at 4,800 m. Provided with good weather conditions, you will enjoy a truly unique view. After a short side trip to the volcano glacier and a packed lunch, you continue your trip to Baños. On your way you stop at the Salasaca Community and the market to get an impression of their way of living. You spend the night in the Hotel Spa Luna Runtun **** in Baños. (B/BL/-)

 

Day 4: Baños and Road of Waterfalls
Today’s program includes an impressive bicycle tour along the road of waterfalls. You will pass the waterfalls Agoyan, Puerta del Cielo, Manto de la Novia, La Merced and San Jorge. Certainly, the "Pailón del Diablo" will catch your special attention: large masses of water of Rio Verde plunge to the depths; you may even climb behind the waterfall. Your ride back to Baños will be in a traditional Chiva or a light truck. You will spend the night in the hotel you already know from the previous day. (B/-/-)

 

Day 5: Relaxation and Ride to Riobamba
Today it is your choice to decide how to spend your morning time. Optionally, you may locally book the following activities: rafting, canyoning, canopy, bridge swinging, horseback riding, hiking, thermal springs, SPA and so on. In the afternoon, you continue your trip to Riobamba, the capital city of the Chimborazo Province. You will spend the night in the Hostería Abraspungo ***. (B/-/-)

 

Day 6: Alausi – “Nariz del Diablo” Train Ride – Ingapirca Ruins – Cuenca
You leave the hostería early in the morning (around 6:00 a.m.) for the railway station at Alausi. From there, you will undertake a thrilling ride with an old steam engine or a diesel railcar (or railway) crossing the spectacular landscape between the Sierra highlands and the coastal region, passing the legendary "Devil’s Nose". There, at Nariz del Diablo, an adventurous zigzag will take you down to the valley! You will enjoy a truly unique panorama during your ride on this last train route preserved in Ecuador.. Back again at Alausi, you ride on to Cuenca, one of the most beautiful colonial cities of Ecuador. En route, you will visit the country’s only well-preserved Inca ruins of Ingapirca (entrance fee not included), situated on the Ecuadorian part of the Inca trail. In the Cañari language, Ingapirca means “stone walls of Incas”. They are the most important monument of pre-Hispanic cultures in Ecuador. After another two hours of travel, you will arrive at Cuenca. Tonight you stay at the Hotel Boutique Mansión Alcazar ****. (B/-/-)

 

Day 7:  City tour Cuenca & Visit hat factory
After breakfast, you discover the historic colonial center of Cuenca. During your city tour, you will learn interesting details about the history of this important trading town and visit some of its imposing buildings, such as for example its Cathedral in Calderon Park. After that, you visit a Panama hat factory, where you will have the opportunity to get yourself such a fancy hat. You will spend the night in the same hotel in Cuenca again. (B/-/-)

 

Day 8:  Cuenca – Saraguro Community - Vilcabamba
This morning you continue your trip to the South of Ecuador. On your way to Vilcabamba you will visit the Saraguro Community. Here live the unique Saraguro people, an indigenous culture known for their well-preserved way of life, their traditional clothing and crafts, their Quichua language, and their gastronomy. Here you can experience their way of living and take part in handcrafted workshops where the typical Saraguro clothing or legendary jewelery is made. After a delicious lunch in the Saraguro community, you head on to Loja and finally arrive in Vilcabamba. Tonight you stay in the Hostería Madre Tierra **** in Vilcabamba. (B/L/-)

 

Day 9: Vilcabamba & Podocarpus National Park
After breakfast you visit the Podocarpus National Park. In this national park you can find many lagoons, waterfalls and a diversity of mammals and plants. Podocarpus National Park owns an exceptional flora and therefore has been considered the “Botanical Garden of America” Here you go for a 3-hour-walk on the “El Mirador Path” to observe the beautiful flora and fauna. In the afternoon you have some time to rest. You spend the night in the same hosteria as the day before. (B/BL/-)

 

Day 10: Vilcabamba
Today it is your choice to decide what you want to do. For example, you can go for a little hike, go horse riding  or rent a bike to explore Vilcabamba and its surroundings. You stay in the same hosteria as the nights before. (B/-/-)

 

Day 11: Vilcabamba - Cuenca
After breakfast you head back to Cuenca. On your way you enjoy a great stay at the hot springs of “Piedra de Agua”. Relax in the swimming pool or hot springs, take a turkish bath or enjoy a relaxing massage. You return to the Hotel Boutique Mansión Alcazar **** in Cuenca. (B/-/-)

 

Day 12: Cajas National Park and Ride to Guayaquil
Early in the morning, you head to the near-by Cajas National Park. This tundra-like highland reserve is mostly situated above the timberline and includes a topographically very irregular area of 29,000 hectares and around 240 mysterious dark lakes. The Cajas’s highest elevation is Mt. Arquitectos, topping 4,450 m a. s. l., while its lowest point is Lake Llaviuco with an altitude of 3,150 m. You hike the marvelous highland Paramo reaching a lagoon, admiring and enjoying the endemic flora and fauna. Your hike through the Cajas National Park will be of approx. three hours. Then we ride on to Guayaquil where you stay at the Hotel Boutique Orilla del Rio ***. (B/BL/-)

 

Day 13: City Tour Guayaquil
Today you visit the historical park of Guayaquil and go for a city tour. Here you visit the Seminario as well as the Centenario park and undertake a little walk to Malecón 2000, a unique former pier that has become a riverside promenade in the meantime. Today it is a gigantic ensemble of restaurants, museums, galleries, shopping malls, movie theaters and, last but not least, offers a romantic river view. You spend the night in the same hotel as the day before.  (B/-/-)

 

Day 14 – Guayaquil - Departure
The time has come to say good-bye to an exciting and diverse country. After breakfast you are taken to the airport in Guayaquil where you will start your return trip with many unforgettable memories. (B/-/-)

 

 

 

Services Included

 

• English-speaking guides from Quito / to Guayaquil

• All rides (partially in public busses), and transfers, excursions, etc.

• Accommodation in good 3 *** and 4**** hotels & hostels typical for the country

• Meals as stated in tour description

 

Not Included

 

• Meals not listed and all drinks

• National park fees and other entrance fees (approx. 30 USD) as well as international exit and airport tax (approx. 45 USD)

• Personal expenses and optional activities

 

Please note

• Participants must have a valid international health insurance.
• We reserve the right to change the tour program due to force majeure, weather or organizational reasons.