We start the tour picking everyone up from the hotel at the specified time and then head towards the Basilica del Voto Nacional (entrance not included), where you can appreciate a religious ecclesiastical construction of neo gothic style, and we will have the opportunity to ascend to its towers to enjoy a beautiful 360° panoramic view, where you can appreciate the great dimension of the city of Quito, approximately 80 km (50 miles) long and also appreciate the difference between the modern city and the old city. It is possible to admire the Pichincha volcano attached to this capital, and if the weather is favorable, towards the eastern mountain range you can see some glaciers, such as the Cotopaxi, Antisana and Cayambe volcanoes, which are part of the great diversity of volcanoes in Ecuador. We will be at an altitude of 2,850m (9,350 ft.) above sea level. 

We will continue to the Plaza Grande or Plaza de la Independencia where we will make a walking tour, to appreciate the different important buildings and facades of religious constructions, among which we can highlight the Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace), the Monument to Independence in the central part of the Plaza Grande, the facade of the Cathedral Primada de Quito, the “El Sagrario'' church with sculptural and pictorial details of the 17th and 18th century. We will also visit the “La Compañía de Jesús'' church, also known as the church of gold for its gold leaf laminate in all its internal details, whose construction was carried out in the 17th and 18th centuries, highlighting styles such as Barroco Quiteño (Quito´s baroque), characteristic in most religious buildings in Quito, and many sculptures and paintings will be observed in its majestic and impressive internal decoration.

We continue the tour to the Plaza and Church of San Francisco, very important places since pre-colonial indigenous times, used as a “tianguis” (indigenous market) where the “trueque” (exchange of products) was practiced. We will visit the church where you can appreciate one of the most important sculptures of the Quito School of arts, which highlights the image of the Virgin of Quito, the only image with wings, created by the indigenous artist Bernardo de Legarda, as well as its impressive internal decoration, laminated in gold leaf and sculptures and paintings of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.  

We will take a break to visit one of the Ecuadorian chocolate stores in the Yumbos sector. We will taste different flavors and intensities of cocoa, and then take the transportation to continue to “La Loma del Panecillo” (Panecillo hill).

On this hill is located the largest religious statue of Ecuador, the Virgin of Quito, 41 m. (135 ft.) high at 3,100 m. (10,170 ft.) above sea level, a place that allows us to have a wide view of the old town of Quito and the Pichincha volcano. Afterwards we will have lunch to enjoy the delicious Ecuadorian gastronomy.  We will continue to the Middle of the World, where we have one of the most important museums of Ecuador, “Intiñan”, exact point latitude 0"0'0'0, a place used by our indigenous people. In this place we have a great variety of solar instruments and we will have a clear idea of how the equatorial line was discovered. We will have some demonstrations regarding the Coriolis effect, as well as how to balance an egg on a nail, etc. In the same place we will observe representative houses of the Andean and Amazonian zone, which are part of the local culture.

Finally, we will return to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation.

After breakfast we will head towards the north of the country to the city of Otavalo, which is located 120 km. (75 miles) from Quito, approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes away. On the way you can see some elevations and one of the main indigenous activities (agriculture). On the way you will stop at some viewpoints such as Miralago where you can taste the famous “bizcochos” (biscuits), accompanied by “dulce de leche” (milk jam) and different cheeses from the area. These viewpoints offer a panoramic view of Lake San Pablo and Imbabura Volcano.

We´ll continue to the “Plaza de los Ponchos”, a large indigenous market, considered one of the largest in South America, where you can see different local products, among which are textiles, silver jewelry, hats, paintings and different types of handicrafts. There will be free time for shopping.

The next visit will be to a loom workshop where we will observe the ancestral work and understand about the loom weaving technique. We will also visit another workshop where we will learn about the manufacture of local musical instruments made from a type of bamboo endemic to the area, with a demonstration of the different Andean instruments from countries such as Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador.

We will visit the leather capital city known as Cotacachi, at the foot of the volcano of the same name, where we will have time to enjoy a delicious lunch (not included) and will have time to visit the different stores and buy the high-quality leather products of the sector. After lunch, we will continue the visit to the Cuicocha Lagoon ( 3.200m.s.n.m ) (9.600 feet ), located in the caldera with two central domes where you can appreciate a majestic view of the crater. We will take a short walk to a place of offerings used by the inhabitants of the sector.

Finally return to the capital. Dinner (not included) and accommodation.

We leave Quito in the morning at approximately 8:00 and head south of the country to one of the most important protected areas of Ecuador and one of the most desired by mountaineers in the world, the Cotopaxi volcano and national park (5,897 meters above sea level). 

We continue climbing up to the Jose Rivas Refuge which is at 4850 msnm above sea level. We will appreciate the nice landscape of the valle and we will be closer to the glacier.  

After that we will visit the Limpiopungo lagoon at 3,896 meters above sea level, a place that will allow us to appreciate different species of flora and fauna such us andean teal, andean coot, lapwing birds, cara cara among others. Later, we will arrive at the Mariscal Sucre Visitor Center. In this place, it is important to learn about the phases of the moorland, as well as information about the emergence of springs and various lagoons such as Limpiopungo, among others. Time for Lunch (Not Included)

We will continue towards the ecological reserve "Los Ilinizas" without first visiting the Toachi River canyon. Arrival and dinner in Quilotoa. Accommodation and rest.

After breakfast, we’ll start the day going down to the lagoon in about 30 minutes and walking up in 1 hour or it is up to tourist walk or we have the option to start with a short but breath-taking hike around the Quilotoa volcano caldera, a volcanic crater renowned for its stunning emerald-green lagoon at the bottom. During the hike, we'll enjoy panoramic views and the natural beauty of this unique geological formation. Afterwards, we’ll head to the charming town of Baños de Agua Santa, known for its thermal baths and spectacular waterfalls.

Lunch Time (not included) in Baños: In Baños, we'll have free time to enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants the city has to offer. The area is known for its diverse culinary options, ranging from traditional Ecuadorian dishes to international cuisine. Take this opportunity to try local specialties, such as cuy (guinea pig), or choose from a variety of other options to suit your preferences.

Visit to the Tree House and the Pacha Mama Hands Viewpoint: After lunch, we'll take you to the famous Tree House, an iconic spot in Baños known for its swing at the edge of the cliff, offering stunning views of the valley and surrounding mountains. You'll also have the chance to explore the Hands of God Viewpoint, a unique structure featuring massive stone hands extending out over the void, providing a spectacular perspective of the landscape and an unforgettable experience. Dinner (Not included) and accommodation. 

After a delicious breakfast, we’ll proceed to the waterfall route along the Pastaza River, with its various tributaries such as Agoyán, Río Negro, Río Blanco, and Río Verde. Along this route, you can see several waterfalls, including Manto de la Novia and the famous Pailón del Diablo. We’ll have the chance to descend to 1,300 meters near the waterfall, where there’s a small rocky section similar to a cave that provides an impressive view of this majestic natural creation.

We’ll have time for lunch and then return via the same route, passing over a cable car across the Pastaza River near the “Manto de la Novia” waterfall, which is approximately 200 meters high.

There’s also the option to participate in extreme activities like Canopy over the Pastaza River, with a 25° incline and a length of 1,000 meters above the river.

We’ll visit the Basilica of the Virgin of Baños de Agua Santa, a new Gothic-style building constructed by the Dominicans. The interior decoration deviates from the new Gothic style, featuring various colorful paintings representing the miracles of the Virgin, and the entire construction is made of volcanic stone.

We'll continue to the city of Riobamba, the capital of the Chimborazo province, where we will have accommodation.

After breakfast, we will prepare to continue our journey to one of the most important glaciers in Ecuador and the world: Chimborazo, which stands at 6,268 meters above sea level. Due to its geographic position, it is considered the closest point on Earth to the Sun. Chimborazo is located within one of Ecuador's protected areas, the Chimborazo Faunistic Production Reserve. We will ascend by vehicle to 4,600 meters and then continue on foot along a moderately difficult trail to reach the Condor Lagoon at 5,100 meters. Afterward, we will descend and head south through Ecuador. On the way, we will stop at an indigenous village called Chunchi, known for its local cuisine. We will then proceed to one of the most significant archaeological sites from the pre-Incan and Incan periods: Ingapirca Ruins, famous for their construction style and social activity distribution, particularly the Temple of the Sun, where rituals were performed for the “God Inti” during the equinoxes. We will walk along an easy trail to a natural formation on a nearby hill where the face of the Inca is depicted.

We will continue south and, after a 90-minute journey, arrive in Cuenca, known as Santa Ana de los Cuatro Ríos, where we will stay.

After breakfast, we will begin our tour of the city, starting in the El Vado neighborhood, one of the oldest areas near the Tomebamba River. Here, we will see colonial homes made from various materials, including the famous “adobe” and local marble. We will then proceed along Calle Larga to the 10 de Agosto Market, where we can explore local products such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, flours, meats, and seafood, and enjoy the famous hornado in the food area.

Next, we will visit San Francisco Plaza, a hub for Andean traders offering textiles made from sheep, llama, and alpaca wool, as well as a small artisan market. We will then continue to Flower Plaza, where we can admire a variety of flowers, including the rose, Ecuador's main flower export. This plaza is located next to the Conception Monastery. We will also visit the modern cathedral, an impressive 20th-century construction made from various materials including local marble, Chimborazo marble, brick, oak, cedar, and cypress, which remains incomplete to this day. We will explore Abdón Calderón Park, named after a historical figure declared one of the heroes of the country's independence.

We will then visit the old cathedral, a colonial ecclesiastical building, and have time for lunch in the area. Following lunch, we will head to Turi Hill, a 200-meter natural formation offering breathtaking views of the city.

Finally, we will visit one of Ecuador's important workshops where the famous toquilla straw hat, often mistakenly called the Panama hat, is made. Here, we will learn about the hat's origin, production process, and the technological aspects of this iconic Ecuadorian product.

Drop off at your hotel. 

Transfer out Hotel Cuenca - Airport