Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
You'll arrive at Quito Airport and head to your hotel in the city center. After settling in, spend the afternoon walking through Quito's historic center, which sits at 2,850m/9,350 ft altitude and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The narrow streets and plazas give you a real sense of the colonial architecture. Check out La Compañía, a baroque church with its remarkable gold-covered interior, then walk down La Ronda, one of the oldest streets in the city. Before heading back, climb up to Panecillo Hill for 360-degree views of Quito and the surrounding landscape.
- Start point
- Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre (UIO), Vía Tababela - Yaruquí Lote 18, Quito, Pichincha 1709, Ecuador (Quito Airport Arrivals Hall)
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Ikala)
Included Activities
- Explore Quito's historic city center
- Visit La Compañía church
- Walk down La Ronda street
- Visit Panecillo Hill for city views
Landmarks/POIs La Compañía Church La Ronda Street Panecillo Hill 
- Day 2
Quito to Otavalo and Peguche
Head north to Imbabura province and start your day at Otavalo's market, one of South America's largest. You'll browse through traditional clothing, handmade jewelry, and local crafts. After that, visit the nearby indigenous town of Peguche where local families show you their workshops producing alpaca and llama wool textiles, accessories, and musical instruments. Take part in a hands-on cooking class to learn about authentic Andean cuisine and try making traditional dishes. Later in the afternoon, you'll drive back to Quito.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional Andean cooking class)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Ikala)
Included Activities
- Visit Otavalo market
- Visit Peguche indigenous town
- Visit local family workshops
- Traditional hands-on cooking class
Landmarks/POIs Otavalo Market Peguche - Day 3
Cotopaxi National Park
Travel to Cotopaxi National Park to see Ecuador's second-highest peak, the active Cotopaxi volcano at 5,897m/19,347 ft. Pack several layers since the weather and altitude shift considerably throughout the day. Your guide points out native birds, wild horses, and Andean plants across the rugged terrain, and you'll stop at Limpiopungo Lagoon to spot local species. After that, you'll get on horseback for a 2-hour ride through dirt roads and wild páramo landscapes (basic riding instruction provided first).
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Ikala)
Included Activities
- Explore Cotopaxi National Park
- Visit Limpiopungo Lagoon
- 2-hour horseback riding through páramo landscapes
Landmarks/POIs Cotopaxi Volcano Limpiopungo Lagoon Cotopaxi National Park 
- Day 4
Papallacta Hot Springs
Spend the day at Papallacta's therapeutic hot springs, located between the Cayambe and Antisana volcanoes. The eco-friendly resort offers spa services and thermal water soaking for a couple of hours. You can try treatments like chocolate body wraps and wine therapy, plus get a massage to really relax. By evening, your driver takes you back to Quito for your last night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Ikala)
Included Activities
- Relax in Papallacta hot springs
- Soak in thermal waters
Optional Activities
- Chocolate body wrap treatment
- Wine Therapy treatment
- Massage service
Landmarks/POIs Papallacta Hot Springs - Day 5
Departure from Quito
Take a leisurely morning in Quito before your driver picks you up and takes you to the airport for your onward flight. You'll leave Ecuador after experiencing Quito's colonial streets and the surrounding highlands over the past few days.
