Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
Your flight lands in Quito and you'll have time to settle into your hotel and rest after travel. Once you're comfortable, take the evening to relax and decompress. Later your guide will meet with you to go over what's coming up on the tour and answer any questions you might have before the real adventures kick off tomorrow.
- Start point
- La Pradera, Quito - Pichincha, 1705, Ecuador (Hotel Ibis Quito (meet at the lobby), 18:30)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Ibis Quito )
- Day 2
Quito
Start the day by walking through Quito's historical center and heading to viewpoints like Panecillo Hill and the cable car that takes you up to 15,600 feet above sea level. You'll grab a typical Ecuadorian lunch and then drive out to the Intinan Museum in the Middle of the World, where you can see various experiments and actually stand on the equator line itself.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Ibis Quito )
Included Activities
- Visit Panecillo Hill viewpoint
- Cable car ride at 15,600 feet above sea level
- Typical Ecuadorian lunch
- Visit Intinan Museum in the Middle of the World with equator line experiments
Landmarks Panecillo Hill Intinan Museum - Day 3
Quito
Head out early toward Guagua Pichincha Volcano with a quick stop in the town of Lloa. From there it's a vehicle ride to Cruz Loma and then to the volcano itself. You'll have a box lunch with views of the Andes Mountains and then drive back down to Quito by afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Ibis Quito )
Included Activities
- Stop in town of Lloa
- Vehicle journey to Cruz Loma
- Guagua Pichincha Volcano hike
- Box lunch with Andes views
Landmarks Guagua Pichincha Volcano - Day 4
Pululahua
Drive out to Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve. From the Ventanas viewpoint you'll hike down into the Pululahua crater, moving through native Andean forest with good photo spots along the way. Next you'll head to Pan de Azúcar Hill for lunch and then hike to Niebli Farm hostel in the crater where you'll spend the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Cottage (Niebli Farm)
Included Activities
- Drive to Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve
- Hike from Ventanas viewpoint to Pululahua crater
- Observe native Andean Forest vegetation
- Box lunch at Pan de Azúcar Hill
- Hike to Niebli Farm hostel in crater
Landmarks Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve - Day 5
Pululahua to Otavalo
After breakfast you'll drive to Imbabura Province with several stops for photos. Then comes a 4-km hike starting from el Lechero Tree Trail down to Otavalo city, taking about 2 hours and passing by Peguche Waterfall. Once in Otavalo you'll walk through the Indian Market looking at handmade blankets, sweaters, and wall hangings made from llama and alpaca wool. Check out the fruit and vegetable markets and wander around town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive through Imbabura Province with photo stops
- Hike el Lechero Tree Trail (4 km, approximately 2 hours)
- Observe Peguche Waterfall
- Visit Otavalo Indian Market with handmade crafts
- Explore fruit and vegetable markets
- Walk through Otavalo town
Landmarks Peguche Waterfall Otavalo Indian Market - Day 6
Otavalo
Drive to Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve at 10,000 feet above sea level. You'll hike around Cuicocha Lake for 8 miles, which takes 3 to 5 hours, and you might see Condors flying near the cliffs. There's a box lunch break partway through. After finishing the hike you'll drive to Cotacachi's Leather Town to shop for handmade leather items and then return to your hotel in Otavalo.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive to Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve at 10,000 feet
- Hike around Cuicocha Lake (approximately 8 miles, 3-5 hours)
- Box lunch during hike
- Visit Cotacachi's Leather Town for handmade leather shopping
Optional Activities
- Observe Condors flying near cliffs
Landmarks Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve Cuicocha Lake 
- Day 7
Otavalo to Papallacta
It's about a 3-hour drive to the Termas de Papallacta resort and then you'll head to the entrance of Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve. You'll do a 4-mile hike back to your hotel. By afternoon you can enjoy the hotel's pool and take it easy after the day's traveling and hiking.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Pampallacta )
Included Activities
- Drive to Termas de Papallacta resort
- Continue to Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve entrance
- 4-mile hike back to hotel
- Use hotel pool
- Relax at hotel
Landmarks Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve - Day 8
Papallacta to Cotopaxi
After breakfast you'll drive to Cotopaxi National Park, which covers 99,000 acres and has lots of trails, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and Cotopaxi Volcano. You'll visit Limpiopungo lagoon at 12,700 feet where there's plenty of wildlife and hike along the shoreline to see native Andes birds. Then head to the Staging Area at 14,850 feet where Condors often show up.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hacienda La Ciénega)
Included Activities
- Drive to Cotopaxi National Park
- Visit Limpiopungo lagoon at 12,700 feet
- Hike around lagoon shore
- Observe native Andes birds
- Visit Staging Area at 14,850 feet
- Observe Condors in flight
Landmarks Cotopaxi National Park Limpiopungo Lagoon Cotopaxi Volcano 
- Day 9
Cotopaxi to Quilotoa
On the way to Quilotoa Volcano you'll make several stops to see the landscapes and visit an Indian family to learn how they live. You'll pass through Pintores de Tigua, known for local artists' paintings, and Zumbahua before getting to Quilotoa. You can choose to walk down into the crater to see the lake and take a mule ride back up. Later you'll check in at Hacienda Posada de Tigua for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Posada de Tigua)
Included Activities
- Drive with landscape viewing stops
- Visit Indian family
- Pass through Pintores de Tigua
- Pass through Zumbahua
- Arrive at Quilotoa Volcano
Optional Activities
- Walk into Quilotoa crater to see the lake
- Mule ride back to top of Quilotoa crater
Landmarks Quilotoa Volcano - Day 10
Quilotoa to Quito
This morning you can pick from different farm activities at the hacienda like helping milk the cows, taking a walk for some views, or just relaxing with a book by the fireplace. Later you'll head back toward Quito city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Hotel)
Included Activities
- Hacienda farm activities (choice of cow milking, walking, or relaxing)
- Day 11
Quito
Your tour wraps up today and you'll head to the airport for your flight home. The operator mentions they have other tours available in Galápagos and Peru if you're interested. If you want to extend your trip you can add another night in Quito or elsewhere in Ecuador, and the operator offers free advice to help you figure out what else to see.
Optional Activities
- Additional night in Quito City
- Extend stay elsewhere in Ecuador
