DAY 1: ARRIVE IN QUITO

When you arrive in Ecuador’s capital of Quito — which lies at 2,800 meters above sea level at

the foot of the Pichincha Volcano — you will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel.

Day 1: Arrive in Quito Day 6: Quilotoa Crater Lake

Day 2: Quito City Tour & Middle of the World Tour Day 7: Spectacular “Nariz del Diablo” Andean Rail Journey –

Cuenca

Day 3: Otavalo Indigenous Market Day 8: Cuenca City Tour

Day 4: Cuicocha – Papallacta Hot Springs Day 9: Cuenca – Cajas National Park – Guayaquil

Day 5: Papallacta – Cotopaxi National Park Day 10: Guayaquil – Transfer to the airport

DAY 2: QUITO CITY TOUR & MIDDLE OF THE WORLD TOUR

AM: This morning we will explore Quito’s colonial center: the best preserved historic district in the

Americas. Here, you can learn about Quito’s history and artistic legacy while admiring the

stunning architecture of its colonial buildings and the uniqueness of its pieces of religious art.

We will visit, Basilica Church, La Compañia church, main square Quito, San Francisco and

Panecillo Hill.

PM: This afternoon, we will continue to the famous “Middle of the World” complex on the

equatorial line, where you’ll be able to straddle the planet’s two hemispheres. A great photo

op..!!. We will continue to visit Intiñan Museum.

DAY 3: OTAVALO INDIGENOUS MARKET

The Otavalo Market day tour is a wonderful way to discover and combine the famous artesian

indigenous market in Ecuador and some of the amazing views outside Otavalo.

This tour begins with a scenic drive north of Quito through the Sierra highlands. We will go to Cayambe

where we can taste and learn about the town’s famous bizcochos. From that point, we will continue to the

famous market of Otavalo where you’ll have the option to purchase local handicrafts. The main market day

in Otavalo is Saturday; however, this tour can be operated throughout the week (Tuesdays). Our

professional guide will provide you an explanation of the indigenous people of this area, such as the Quitu,

Cara and other pre-Inca groups, and some extra information of the city.

Afterwards, we’ll go to the beautiful Laguna Cuicocha, which is located in a volcano crater and contains 2

green islands. Our last stop will be Cotacachi, a town famous for its leather garments. Before strolling

through this town we receive lunch in a local restaurant. Afterwards, we continue to you hotel in Otavalo.

DAY 4: PEGUCHE – PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS

Depending on your interests, you can add to this excursion by learning about indigenous weaving through

a visit to a home workshop in the nearby village of Peguche. Here, a family of weavers has amazing wares

and will actually demonstrate how they weave on their traditional back-strap looms and how they make

striking colors from local plants. Around the corner from there lives a family of musicians, where you’ll get

a feel for Andean music and watch as perfectly tuned Andean flutes are crafted in minutes.

Then we will continue to Papallacta, once we reach Papallacta, you can swim, play and relax in

the medicinal hot springs of the exceedingly natural environment of the Termas de Papallacta

Resort & Spa.

During your visit to the Termas de Papallacta, if you wish, you can enjoy addition optional activities that

include bird watching, hiking where you can enjoy beautiful scenic hike and trials and the massage of your

choice at the spa, their most popular treatments are cochoclate body wrap, hydro-massage baths, hot

stones massages, wine therapy, pressure massages, aromatherapy and therapeutic massages, face and

body treatments, and more!). In the afternoon, we will return to Quito.

DAY 5: PAPALLACTA – COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK

In the morning, after breakfast, we will leave the hotel and head south along the famous “Avenue of the

Volcanoes” until reaching Cotopaxi National Park. We will reach the main entrance of Cotopaxi National

Park, a spectacular ecological reserve covering 139 square miles (36,000 hectares). Within this area is the

magnificent Cotopaxi Volcano, which rises 3.66 miles (5,897 meters) above sea level. Your guide will

explain the culture and natural history of the Andean ecosystems here.

After a few more minutes of travel, we will make our way to the edge of Lake Limpiopungo to admire a

variety of birds and occasionally even wild horses. On clear days, you can spot the magnificent cone of

Cotopaxi, which appears like a postcard-perfect sight. A short walk around the lake will also allow you to

admire the Andean plant and animal life of the area.

DAY 6: QUILOTOA CRATER LAKE

After breakfast we will go to Quiotoa, the tour will take us to Zumbahua, a small colorful town consisting of

just 40 families. Ten kilometers farther lies the blue and green Quilotoa Crater Lake, one of the most

beautiful volcano lakes in the Ecuadorian Andes. From the crater, you can see various snow-topped

volcanoes in the distance. After a 1-1/2 to 2 hour hike down to the bank of the lake with the option of

kayaking when you arrive You will enjoy a traditional lunch

Finally you can explore local indigenous markets – Saquisili (Thursdays), Zumbahua (Saturdays) or Pujili

(Wednesdays & Sundays). Then you will return to Quito

DAY 7: SPECTACULAR “NARIZ DEL DIABLO” ANDEAN RAIL

JOURNEY – CUENCA

After breakfast, you will go to the Riobamba train station to begin a breathtaking rail journey through the

mountains to Chanchán. The railway line was completed in 1902 and is the steepest railroad in the world a

true technical masterpiece! The train travels through beautiful countryside, with the highlight being the

stretch known as the “Nariz del Diablo” (the Devil’s Nose). You will disembark at the station in Chanchán,

and from there we will travel to the charming city of Cuenca.

On the way, we will stop at the famous archaeological site of “Ingapirca” (Kichwa for “stonewalls of the

Inca”), the most important and best preserved Inca ruins in Ecuador. Here, you can wander around this

fascinating site and visit the small museum. Afterwards, we will drive for another two hours until reaching

Cuenca and your hotel.

DAY 8: CUENCA CITY TOUR

After breakfast, we will begin a tour that explores the colonial center of Cuenca. The third largest city in

Ecuador (after Guayaquil and Quito), Cuenca is considered by many as the artistic and cultural center of

the country. This visit to Cuenca’s historic district will give you a chance to see its remarkable colonial and

republican architecture, as well as its sacred art museums and markets, particularly the flower market.

Cuenca is a good place to purchase another famous Ecuadorian souvenir: the “Panama” hat (which actually

originated here in Ecuador). These hats are sold at fair prices in several government-approved franchise

shops in town. Cuenca is also a good place to buy ceramics, embroidery, leather goods and baskets.

In the afternoon, we will visit Chordeleg (from chorro de oro, meaning “waterfall of gold”), where you’ll

learn about the production of fine filigree jewelry as well as handmade ceramic pottery. We will continue

to Gualaceo, where you’ll have the opportunity to wander through local fruit and vegetable markets

brimming with fresh produce, as well as learn about it delicious fruit.

DAY 9: CUENCA – CAJAS NATIONAL PARK – GUAYAQUIL

This morning we will drive from Cuenca to Guayaquil, in route stopping to visit Cajas National Park. Here,

you will find a network of around 200 lakes left over from the Ice Age. Connecting these lakes is a series

of small rivers that eventually flow into either the Pacific or the Atlantic oceans.

Arrival in Guayaquil and check-in at your selected hotel. You will be given a city tour of Guayaquil, the

largest city in Ecuador, and the nation’s financial and economic center. The tour includes a visit to the

Cathedral, the famous Iguana Park (where land iguanas live in the trees), the city’s fairly recently

developed Malecon 2000 riverside boardwalk, the Municipal Palace, and the oldest section of the city –

known as Las Peñas. In the late afternoon, we will return to your Guayaquil hotel.

DAY 10: GUAYAQUIL – TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT

After breakfast (included at the hotel), you will be transferred to the airport.