Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Quito
Your local guide meets you at Quito airport and takes you by private vehicle to your hotel. During the drive, you'll get an introduction to the city with your guide answering any questions. You'll have the rest of the day to settle in and rest before things get going tomorrow.
- Day 2
Quito City Tour and Equator
Start early heading to Panecillo viewpoint for views of Quito from above, then walk through the historic old city. You'll stop at San Francisco Church, Compañía de Jesús Church, and Sagrario Church, plus see the Presidential Palace and Ecuador's first Gothic church with views toward the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Later, you'll head to Inti Ñan Museum at the Equator Site to learn about the middle of the world and actually stand on the line. After lunch at a typical restaurant, head back to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Panecillo viewpoint visit
- San Francisco Church visit
- Compañía de Jesús Church visit
- Sagrario Church visit
- Presidential Palace lobby visit
- First Gothic Church of Ecuador visit
- Inti Ñan Museum visit
- Equator Site visit
Landmarks/POIs Panecillo San Francisco Church Compañía de Jesús Church Sagrario Church Presidential Palace Inti Ñan Museum - Day 3
Cotacachi - Cuicocha Lake
After breakfast, drive to Imbabura Province with stops for photos along the way. You'll browse Otavalo Indian Market for local crafts like blankets, sweaters, and wall hangings made from llama and alpaca wool, then check out the fruit and vegetable market. Walk through town and stop in Cotacachi, known as the Leather Town, for lunch at a typical restaurant. Next comes Cuicocha Crater lake before driving back to Quito for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Otavalo Indian Market visit and browsing
- Fruit and vegetable market exploration
- Cuicocha Crater lake visit
Landmarks/POIs Otavalo Indian Market Cotacachi Cuicocha Crater Lake - Day 4
Cotopaxi National Park
After breakfast, drive to Cotopaxi National Park, a 99,000-acre reserve with diverse trails, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and an impressive volcano. You'll visit Limpiopungo lagoon at 12,700 feet where abundant flora, fauna, and native Andean birds live, with an option to hike around the lagoon shore. Continue to Cotopaxi Staging Area at 14,850 feet where you might spot condors. From there, it's possible to climb to the basecamp. Drive to Baños for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cotopaxi National Park visit
- Limpiopungo lagoon visit
Optional Activities
- Hiking around Limpiopungo lagoon shore
- Climb to Cotopaxi basecamp
Landmarks/POIs Cotopaxi National Park Limpiopungo Lagoon Cotopaxi Volcano - Day 5
Pailón del Diablo
Early morning mountain bike ride down the Avenue of the Waterfalls with scenic views. You can either cross the River Canyon on a zip line or take the cable car. Continue to Rio Verde village and the Pailón del Diablo waterfall, fed by water from Llanganates National Park. Take time for lunch, then head back to your hotel in Riobamba for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Mountain bike ride on Avenue of the Waterfalls
- Pailón del Diablo waterfall visit
Optional Activities
- River Canyon zip line crossing
- Cable car crossing
- Water rafting
- Canyoning
- Hiking
- Motor tour
Landmarks/POIs Avenue of the Waterfalls Rio Verde Pailón del Diablo Waterfall Llanganates National Park - Day 6
Alausi and Devil's Nose Train Ride
Visit the town of Alausi, a National Heritage site with colonial architecture, colorful houses, and a friendly atmosphere in the Andes. If your travel dates fall Wednesday through Sunday, you'll experience the famous train ride from Alausi to Sibambe, an impressive engineering feat with dramatic mountain views and zigzag tracks. The final section goes through the Devil's Nose, where the mountain's shape resembles a nose. Stay overnight in Alausi.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Alausi town visit
Optional Activities
- Train ride from Alausi to Sibambe (Devil's Nose)
Landmarks/POIs Alausi Devil's Nose - Day 7
Cuenca to Guayaquil
Leave early for Cuenca City, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site since 1999. Explore Calderón Park (the Central Square), the Modern and Old Cathedrals, the Flower Market, and Larga Street with its colonial houses. Check out the Tomebamba River and the famous Broken Bridge, both iconic city landmarks. Stop at the Ethnographic Museum to see unique art collections from across the country. Then start your journey to Guayaquil with stops along the way to see the Andes and Coastal regions. Stay overnight in Guayaquil.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cuenca City tour
- Calderón Park visit
- Modern Cathedral visit
- Old Cathedral visit
- Flower Market visit
- Larga Street visit
- Tomebamba River visit
- Broken Bridge visit
- Ethnographic Museum (Museo de las Culturas Aborígenes) visit
Landmarks/POIs Cuenca Calderón Park Modern Cathedral Old Cathedral Tomebamba River Broken Bridge Ethnographic Museum (Museo de las Culturas Aborígenes) - Day 8
Departure from Guayaquil
Your guide drives you back to Guayaquil's international airport in private transportation, getting you there with plenty of time to check in and prepare for your flight home. Your adventure in Ecuador ends here, leaving you with memories and a deeper appreciation for the country's different landscapes and cultures.
- Meals
- Breakfast
