Ecuador is the smallest country in the rugged Andean highlands, Ecuador is among the most rewarding travel destinations in South America. With its array of vibrant indigenous cultures, well preserved colonial architecture, otherworldly volcanic landscapes and dense rainforest, it packs its perimeters with more points of interest than many countries twice its size.
Day 01 Arrive Quito
Arrival at Quito airport meet, assist and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 Quito – Middle of the World – Pululahua (31 kms / 50M appx.)
After breakfast, proceed to this tour starts early in the morning to visit the Panecillo Hill, place to have a panoramic view of the city. The tour will then continue from the Basilica Church, where we will make a brief stop and next, the “San Juan Mirador” from where you will have a beautiful sight of The Colonial Centre of Quito. After walking through the colonial streets we will then stop at the Independence Plaza admiring the Cathedral, the Government’s Palace and a Ronda Street. Furthermore, we will visit The Company Church, the Sagrario Church and San Francisco Church which was built during the 17th century. Later we will visit the current equatorial line and straddle the two hemispheres. In addition you’ll have a chance to participate in several experiments on Intinan Museum (such as watching water go down a drain in a different direction only inches away from either side of the equator, or balancing an egg on a nail, or using an ancient sun dial, etc). In the Middle of the World city’s complex, you will be able to visit a fascinating ethnographical museum that gives a great overview of the many distinct cultures of this small country. You will also enjoy of the amazing landscape in Pululahua inhabited crater just 5 minutes from the latitud cero inside of the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 Quito-Otavalo-San Pablo-Cuicocha–Quito (246 kms / 5H appx.)
After breakfast, proceed to early in the morning from your hotel in Quito. We will take the north Panamerican up to our first stop in San Pablo lake, where you will enjoy of a nice view of the volcano and the lake. Then we will visit an indigenous weaving worshop in Peguche. We also will know the natives from Otavalo, indigenous people rich in traditions and customs that permits the tourists enjoy the typical, multicolored handcrafts. We will visit an indigenous family that will show us how to make andean music instruments and how to play them. Then we will go to Cotacachi, best known for its leather goods. You can find leatherjackets, boots, hand bags, just about everything. The quality is very good and its fairly inexpensive. After that and we will head up to Cuicocha lagoon (Guinea Pig Lagoon). Cuicocha Lake is in the crater of an extinct volcano that last erupted 3000 years ago. It fell in on itself, and the dome makes a big island in the middle of the lake. During the solstice the natives go to the middle of the lake to make offerings finally, return to Quito. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 Quito – Papallacta (71 kms / 1H 15M appx.)
After breakfast, proceed to a full day tour that goes through the valley of Tumbaco and reaches Papallacta Hot Springs, just in the southeast side of the Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve famous place by its thermal water pools in Napo province; then we will walk about 1 1/2 hours from a private cloud forest reserve where we can admire the beauty of nature rich in flora and fauna.
After hiking we will go back to the thermal waters and enjoy a delicious bath taking advantage of the medicinal benefits that this place spring offers. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05 Papallacta – Cotopaxi (193 kms / 3H appx.)
After breakfast, proceed to reach the Cotopaxi National Park in Cotopaxi province where we will visit the Interpretation Center and Limpiopungo lagoon; posibility to take a short hike in the surrounding of Limpiopungo valley. Then if the National Park allows us we can get up to the glazier. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06 Cotopaxi–Quilotoa-Banos de Agua Santa (232 kms/4H 15M appx.)
After breakfast, proceed to we will depart to Quilotoa and we will stop to visit and indigenous local house from the “Paramos”, we will observe their clothes and customs, but the most important thing is that we are going to be with them in a typical indigenous house made of straw. we will sharing with them a short moment talking, watching and learning from them, about their life and how they prepare the soil to sow. We will also visit the town of Tigua, famous for its naive paintings. We will continue up to the Quilotoa volcano, where you will be able to descend to the lake located inside the crater or just walk around the crater. Prepare yourself to enjoy an unforgettable experience by mule back riding. Enjoy of the most beautiful landscape in the highlands and traditional indigenous villages. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 Banos de Agua Santa – Alausi (167 kms / 3H appx.)
After breakfast, proceed to full day of exploration of the town of Banos and the picturesque Valley of the waterfalls. We will visit Pailon del Diablo, the largest and most spectacular Ecuador´s falls. Also we will have the opportunity to visit the stunning Manto de La Novia waterfall. After that you could visit the hotsprings which the town has been named. Our driver is at your disposal for the whole day to give you maximum flexibility in the visits that you would like to make such as: Visit to The House Tree, rafting, rest in the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 Alausi–Ingapirca (BY Train)/Ingapirca–Cuenca (157 kms/3H appx)
After breakfast, proceed to early in the morning we depart to Alausi, just less than 100km (62 miles), beautiful old town with one hundred houses. Time to take the spectacular train, considered the most difficult train of the XX century. You will descend gradually from the highlands to the lowlands, at times zigzagging, or hugging the cliffs. In the descending at the lowest point the incredible devils nose an interesting rock will appear in the horizon. The train descends and then returns to Alausi again. Then we will depart to visit the indigenous market of Canar before reaching the ruins of Ingapirca for a complete tour of the ruins and archeological museum, during the visit you will see the vestiges of. After that we will go to Cuenca. Overnight at hotel.
Day 09 Cuenca – Parque Nacional del Cajas (46 kms / 55M appx.)
After breakfast, proceed to we’ll head to Cajas National Park, which is located 30km east of Cuenca. In this area there are about 200 recreational lakes propagated between 3,150 m 4,450 m. The lakes are connected by small rivers and crystal clear waters flowing into the Pacific. After a walk through the mountains, we’ll return to the city of Cuenca. City tour in the afternoon. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 Cuenca – Guayaquil (198 Kms / 4H appx.)
After breakfast, proceed to early in the morning we will depart to Guayaquil (4 hours) in the afternoon, we will have a walking tour around “Malecon 2000” and “Las Penas” neighborhood. In the afternoon we will visit Parque Historico. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11 Depart Guayaquil
Departure transfer to onward destination.
| City | Nights | 5* Hotels |
| Quito | 03 | Casa Gangotena |
| Papallacta | 01 | Termas de Papallacta Lodge & Spa |
| Cotopaxi | 01 | Hacienda San Agustín |
| Banos | 01 | Luna Runtun Spa |
| Alausi | 01 | Posada de las Nubes |
| Cuenca | 02 | Hotel Boutique Santa Lucia |
| Guayaquil | 01 | Hotel Oro Verde |
- Accommodation as per the program.
- Meals as per the program.
- Entrance fees.
- Local English speaking guide.
- Train Tickets for Alausi – Ingapirca
- All transfers, sightseeing, excursions.
- All taxes
Branding
– Logo branding on Vehicles.
– Color and logo branding Merchandise.
– Departure gifts with company’s branding.
- Personal Expenses.
- Camera / Video Camera Fees.
- Medical Aid.
- Tips.
- Travel Insurance.
- Visa (If any).
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.