Across the Ecuadorian Andes
Quito, Otavalo, Mindo, Quilotoa, Banos, Chimborazo, Devil’s Nose,
Ingapirca, Cuenca, El Cajas NP
11 Days

Along the Ecuadorian Andes you will admire wonderful sceneries such as snow caped mountains and volcanoes, lakes, waterfalls, exotic flora and fauna, valleys, colorful towns with a variety of indigenous communities and historical cities. There is a wide range of cultural and adventure options you can do across the Ecuadorian Andes.

Overview itinerary:
Day 1: Friday: Arrival to Quito
Day 2: Saturday: Otavalo indigenous market
Day 3: Sunday: City tour of Quito + Equator monument – Mindo cloud forest
Day 4: Monday: Mindo cloud forest – Cotopaxi area
Day 5: Tuesday: Quilotoa crater lake – Baños
Day 6: Wednesday: The route of the waterfalls - Banos
Day 7: Thursday: Hiking at Chimborazo Mountain
Day 8: Friday: Devil’s Nose Train ride + Ingapirca ruins
Day 9: Saturday: Cuenca city tour + Gualaceo & Chordeleg
Day 10: Sunday: Hacienda Totorillas & Horse riding
Day 11: Monday: El Cajas National Park – Ride to Guayaquil

Itinerary

Day 1 – Friday: Arrival to Quito
Arrival to Quito, the capital of Ecuador and an urban jewel designated by the UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Overnight at selected hotel.

Day 2 – Saturday: Otavalo indigenous market
We drive to Otavalo for about 2 hours to visit this famous indigenous market that shows visitors many kinds of textiles and handicrafts (ponchos, scarves, blankets, wall hangings, woven belts, hats, handbags) and more. Here Otavaleños barter in silence, in marked contrast to the raucous noise of other markets; take your time to negotiate the best bargains.  Then, proceed to Peguche, an Indian village very near Otavalo that is home to the artisans who do the weaving in their homes; guests can learn about their culture and everyday life.  Back to Quito for overnight. - L -

Day 3 – Sunday: City tour of Quito + Equator monument – Mindo cloud forest
Quito lies at 2800m above sea level. Quito’s colonial quarter, the largest and best preserved of South America, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sunday is the best day to visit it as it is closed to traffic, so we walk to the main attractions such as: The Independence Plaza, The metropolitan Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Temple of La Compañia de Jesus and its gilded interior, Monastery of San Francisco one of the great religious buildings of the New World, among others.

We then continue along the modern town to the Equatorial Monument, 25 Km north of Quito, which marks the exact Middle of the World, latitude Oº, where you can stand with a foot on each hemisphere. Besides you can visit the ethnographical museum or the Museo del Sol. In the afternoon we drive to Mindo for overnight. – L,D –

Day 4 – Monday: Mindo cloud forest - Cotopaxi area
Today we could have an early wake up to enjoy the natural beauty of Mindo, especially the abundant species of birds that you will find around our lodge, as well as beautiful butterflies and a green landscape full of wildlife and rivers. Towards the afternoon, we drive to Lasso area for overnight, at the foothills of the Cotopaxi (5910m), the highest active volcano in the world. –L,D-

Day 5 – Tuesday: Quilotoa crater lake – Baños
On the way from Lasso to Quilotoa, we will witness some large fertile areas cultivated by locals. We pass Zumbahua, an Indian community famous for the colourful Tigua paintings, located in the very same border of Quilotoa crater. We go down to the crater to witness the color changing of the crater sulfur lake, from deep blue, to light blue, green and turquoise. After a box lunch, we will go up (mules available).  Drive to Baños for overnight, enjoying some of the most amazing views of the so-called “Avenue of the Volcanoes”. –L-

Day 6 – Wednesday: The route of the waterfalls & Baños
Today we drive back to the Andes along one of most impressive roads in the country up to the town of Baños. During the ride you can enjoy of the most beautiful tropical forest and visit any of the attractions on route: Wildlife Refuge Yanacocha, ethno botanic park Omaere, Orchid Farm where you can see hundreds of orchid species and other exotic rainforest plants, Ecopark Monte Selva, among others. We continue our journey to the village of Rio Verde, where you can hike down to the well-known Pailon Del Diablo waterfall.  Late in the afternoon we will arrive to Baños at the foothill of active Tungurahua volcano. Here you can enjoy some hot springs and the lively night life of this special town.  Overnight. - L -

Day 7 – Thursday: Hiking at Chimborazo mountain
Our journey continues driving from Baños up to the Chimborazo mountain, the highest in Ecuador (6310m). We will drive close to the first refuge known as Whymper Hut (5000m). Then, following “Edward Whimper’s Route we will try a moderate hiking up to 5200m enjoying the breath taking glaciers of El Chimborazo. In the afternoon we’ll have lunch with an indigenous community at the local village of Calpi.  Overnight accommodation at Lodge Estrella del Chimborazo, located at Totorillas valley at 4000m, at the foothills of the majestic volcano. - L, D - 

Day 8 – Friday: Devil’s Nose Train ride + Ingapirca ruins
After an early breakfast we go to the train station in Guamote, this train station was built at the beginning XX century and has a neoclassic style.  The Devil’s Nose train ride is a famous portion of the Ecuadorian railway accessible from here, where in order to descend a sheer mountain face, the railway engineers decided to build a zigzag track where the train descends backwards for over 2 Km. The train station of Alausi is the last stop, from here the trip continues south along the Pan-American Highway, with another stop to visit Ingapirca, the main Inca ruins in the country.  We then continue to the charming city of Cuenca for a late afternoon arrival. - L -

Day 9 – Saturday: Cuenca city tour + Gualaceo & Chordeleg
Today we do a walking tour of the old town will take us through magnificent churches, beautiful old buildings, flower and handicrafts markets, art galleries, workshops, vantage point of Turi, the ancient houses perched on the river bank above and all the wonders that Cuenca, with its colonial style and pleasant atmosphere, offers its visitors. In the afternoon we go to the Gualaceo and Chordeleg villages, where you can observe hand-woven shawls, ponchos and lots of fruits and vegetables on sale, workshops specialized in jewelry - mainly gold and silver - with fine filigree work; hand made ceramic pottery and the chance to observe people weaving Panama hats and other items made of toquilla straw.  – L -

Day 10 – Sunday: Hacienda Totorillas & Horse riding
After a half hour drive from Cuenca, we reach Totorillas, a charming farm in an amazing natural spot, located in the area known as the mountains of Tarqui. This journey is aimed at passengers that would like to witness and experience daily countryside life. Horse riding is definitely one of the specialties and little experience is required. On the horses, we will ride along countryside trails through indigenous and private farming sites, areas of primary forest, the ancient Inca trail and small hidden villages. Optionally we can participate on activities involved in farming duties (agricultural, animal raising or dairy processing) do rural walks, biking or simply relaxation and enjoyment in a pleasant environment. We will have dinner and overnight at Hacienda Totorillas for an ecuadorian home touch experience.  - L, D -

Day 11 – Monday: El Cajas National Park – Ride to Guayaquil
Today we drive from Cuenca to Guayaquil for about 3 hours. This scenic road crosses El Cajas National Park.  On our trip, we do a moderate hike for about 3 hours through some of its 230 glaciers lakes, the walks are in very different environments, admiring the moorland vegetation with amazing micro flora and the cloud forest zone rich in plant life and abundant in species of birds, some patches of Quinoa primary forest and spectacular rocks formations. For lunch we go to a local restaurant or we take a packed lunch. In the afternoon we drive from El Cajas National Park to Guayaquil.- L -

Included
Private transportation, bilingual professional certified guides, accommodation on double basis at selected tourist superior and/or first class hotels, lodges & haciendas, all breakfasts and meals as listed on itinerary, all excursions mentioned above, entrance fees and equipment used on activities.  

Not included
International flights and airport taxes, personal drinks, travel insurance & personal expenses.

See others offers:

The 4 Worlds Of Ecuador – Andes, Coast, Amazon & Galapagos, 19 Days

Wonders Of The World Galápagos – Machu Picchu & Titicaca Lake, 16 Days

Exploring Southern Ecuador – Guayaquil, Cuenca, Saraguro, Vilcabamba & Zaruma,11 Days