Ecuador & the Avenue of the Volcanoes

The tour begins upon arrival in Ecuador, a specialized driver will pick you up at the airport in Quito to accompany you to the hotel, where you will rest. Overnight in Quito.

After breakfast, you will discover the largest colonial city in America, characterized by eclectic architecture ranging from the most modern neighborhoods to the old historic neighborhoods. The “Basilica del Voto Nacional” church and Independence Square are flanked by the Presidential Palace and the Archbishop's Palace, dating from the 17th and 19th centuries. But the spirit of Quito can also be felt when strolling through its streets, surrounded by excellent evidence of the Spanish Renaissance. The path of the seven crosses, the Sagrario church, the baroque Jesuit temple, and the Plaza de San Francisco, a true open-air museum. In the afternoon, departure to the "Middle of the World", 45 minutes north of Quito, here is where the equatorial line passes, marking exactly the latitude 00° 00'00. You will visit the Ethnographic Museum where interesting photographs of the local fauna and flora, uses, and customs of the different ethnic groups are kept. In the afternoon, you will transfer to Mindo.

Our guide will pick you up from your hotel. Prepare to be amazed by the colorful attractions of Mindo, where you will visit a beautiful waterfall and then a butterfly farm where you will encounter hundreds of different species of native butterflies. Afterward, you will enjoy a tasty chocolate-making tour where you will see the steps to make chocolate and the products that are derived from it. Overnight in Otavalo.

You will visit the famous and colorful indigenous market in downtown Otavalo. Here you will find everything your heart desires: from clothing to jewelry to typical food. You will continue your journey to Cotacachi, then to the beautiful Cuicocha Lagoon, a crater created some 3,100 years ago by a volcanic eruption. In the afternoon, you will return by the avenue of volcanoes, you will admire the beautiful scenery of Lake San Pablo or Cayambe Volcano, and stop in the town of Cayambe to taste the famous bizcochos (cookies cooked over an open fire). Return to Quito.

Early in the morning after breakfast, you will visit Cotopaxi National Park. One of the highest snow-capped volcanoes in the world, the symmetrical cone of Cotopaxi rises from a vast plain that is home to llamas, condors, and herds of wild horses. This incredible adventure includes hikes and scenic drives through the park's majestic landscape. You will also learn about the different fauna, flora, and history of the park. Cotopaxi has unpredictable weather, so be prepared with warm clothing. Overnight near the Cotopaxi National Park.

Enjoy the beautiful views of the Andes on the way to the Quilotoa lagoon, where you will pass through the ancient Zumbahua Canyon and many villages and farmlands. You will continue to visit an indigenous house where you will interact with the local people. The excursion concludes with the option to hike through the crater of an extinct volcano to the Quilotoa Lagoon, a unique and shimmering emerald lake. The return hike is steep and takes approximately one hour. After the activity, we continue the tour to the south of Ecuador to reach Baños de Agua Santa.

Our guide will pick you up from your hotel. Beautiful waterfalls and lush forests surround the tranquil town of Baños. Baños de Agua Santa is a town in the east of the province of Tungurahua, in central Ecuador. Baños is one of the most popular cities for adventure and tourism. It is known as the "Gateway to the Amazon", as it is located on the Pastaza River in the Upper Amazon basin. The city is an important religious center, as most Catholic believers say that the Virgin Mary appeared near the waterfalls to protect the city from natural disasters. The city is intimately linked to the Tungurahua volcano, which is very active. Baños has a beautiful central park and waterfalls including the magical "Pailon del Diablo". In the afternoon, you will arrive at Riobamba.

After breakfast, you will head to the Chimborazo Fauna Production Reserve, which is 6286 high. Measured from the center of the earth it is bigger than Everest, and is the closest point to the sun, here you will do some hiking in the altiplano where you can observe different memorable landscapes, then you will continue to the town of Guamote where you will rest.

Today you will leave Guamote in the morning and head to the most important Cañari-Inca archaeological complex in Ecuador: Ingapirca, which means "Wall of the Incas”. The complex has patios, terraces, temples, and a "castle". You will visit the site museum and admire the stone fortress that has several thresholds, as well as the stone walls that perfectly match each other. After lunch, you will continue to the city of Cuenca. (If Thursday, you could also visit the indigenous market).

Today you will enjoy the city of Cuenca. In your visit to the Historic Center of the city, you will visit San Sebastian, a picturesque and traditional neighborhood of Cuenca that houses the Museum of Modern Art, where the famous International Biennial of Painting takes place permanently. In addition, you will visit Calderon Park (central park), the “Plaza de las Flores”, and the Church "del Carmen". You will also visit the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, better known as the "New Cathedral", considered one of the largest churches in Latin America, and the Cathedral "El Sagrario", popularly known as the "Old Cathedral", the first cathedral of the city. Afterward, you will take a tour of a Paja Toquilla hat factory, where you will observe the process of making the best hats. The route continues with "El Barranco", which combines architecture and the natural environment. The visit ends at Turi where the landscape of a valley full of red roofs and church domes is framed by imposing mountains.

After breakfast, you will visit Cajas National Park. This Park comprises more than 200 interconnected high-altitude lagoons. The Cajas is not only the source of many rivers but even connects to the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. After a hike around the most prominent lagoon, you will continue your journey and arrive at the city of Guayaquil.

According to your international flight, you will be picked up at your hotel in Guayaquil and taken to the airport for your flight back home.