Description:

Start in historic Quito, the capital, spend some time in the north at the colorful market in Otavalo then take a magnificent train ride to the south of Ecuador and spend two days exploring Inca ruins and the colonial city of Cuenca.

Activites:

Cultural Exploration, Train Expedition

Itinerary:

Day 1: Quito

We will meet you at the airport and drive you to your chosen hotel. Guide assistance and airport tips are included.

Day 2: Tour of Quito

Breakfast. In the morning, we will take a comprehensive city tour including visits to residential neighbourhoods at the northern end of the city, visiting the a lovely lookout over the valley in the north of the city, the Mirador de Guápulo, and driving south on Avenida 12 de Octubre up the the museum at the Casa de la Cultura and the Legislative Palace (Congress) where the rock murals that are related to the history of Ecuador can be seen.

The tour will then continue into the historical part of town, the Centro Histórico, to the Basilica with more breathtaking lookouts of this Andean capital city.

Walking through the colonial streets, we will then stop at the historic Plaza de la Independencia where we can enjoy the Cathedral, the Government’s Palace, and the Archbishop's palace. Then we will visit La Compañia Church with its adornments and gold altars. The Sagrada Church and San Francisco, built in the XVII century are next (entrances are not included). Then we will head to the “Panecillo Mirador” (entrance is included), the hill to the south of the city with the Virgen del Panecillo, the angel looking out over most of Quito.

After spending some time touring the Panecillo and enjoying the view, we will head back north to the equator, the 'middle of the world' - Mitad del Mundo (entrance is included) where you will see the monument that divides the Northern Hemisphere from the Southern Hemisphere. It was built during the XVII century when a French Expedition defined the precise location of the equatorial line. The Ethnographic Museum can be also be visited (entrance is not included).

Day 3: Otavalo Indian Market

Head north out of Quito on the Pan-American Highway. After a brief stop at Calderon, a town where the famous masapan dolls are made, we will pass through Guayllabamba town with its typical fruit cherimoyer, we will quickly stop at a lookout on the way to Cayambe to admire and take pictures of the beautiful landscape and snow-capped mountains in this region. Crossing the equatorial line at Cayambe, we will pass an old equator monument at Guachala. Before we head up to Otavalo we will make a stop at Mira Lago to take pictures of the beautiful San Pablo Lake. The tour then continues to Otavalo. This famous market features a variety of different handcrafted and woven items all week long. Continuing the trip, we will go to San Antonio de Ibarra, famous for its wood artisans. Finally, a visit to the leather shopping stores at Cotacachi is planned before returning to Quito through the Cajas-Tabacundo road.

Day 4: Excursion to Riobamba & Train

Departure from Quito through the ¨Avenue of the Volcanoes¨ admiring the beautiful Andean landscape. This is a great opportunity to take pictures, and briefly stop at the Cotopaxi National Park, where you can admire the fascinating area flora and fauna as well as the Cotopaxi Volcano, the highest active volcano in the world. Lunch is included. In the afternoon we will arrive in Riobamba and stay in a typical hacienda of the region where we will also eat dinner.

Day 5: Train passing by the Devil´s Nose to Ingapirca Ruins

We will go to the train station to travel from Riobamba to the ¨Devil’s Nose¨ breathtaking ride through the cliff-like Andes peaks. The train ride is around 7 hours and box lunch is included. The tour will continue to the Ingapirca Ruins, a cultural and ecological glimpse of ancient Inca history. Lunch will be served. We will stay at the Mercure Dorado Hotel

Day 6: Cuenca City Tour

Enjoy the beautiful city of Cuenca, declared a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO. We will tour the main churches and plazas, walk through the cobblestone streets and see the artisans who weave Panama Hats. We will stay at the Mercure Dorado hotel.

Day 7: Transfer back to Quito

Day 8: Departure

We will take you to the airport in Quito in plenty of time to catch your international flight.

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