Day 1 Quito
Arrival in Quito, transfer to hotel, accommodation.
Day 2 Quito City tour Middle of the world
In the morning our guide will pick you up at your hotel to accompany you to visit the city Light of America, internationally recognized for having the largest and best preserved historic center in Latin America. We start with an interesting tour visiting one of the markets of Quito, we will observe flowers, fruits, typical food and the daily life of the people who come to this market to make their purchases. We continue to the Basilica del Voto Nacional considered the most important work of neo-gothic architecture of our country and where we can climb its towers, observe its gargoyles and walk through its interiors that are still unfinished according to legend. We advance to the Plaza Grande or Plaza de la Independencia, where the Government Palace or Carondelet Palace, the Municipal building and the Cathedral of the City are located, after a few steps we will arrive to the Church La Compañía de Jesús, jewel of the Baroque architecture and imposing sample of the colonial art of Quito, we continue to the Church of San Francisco which is the first church that is built in the city of Quito in the century. In the surroundings of the square we will have the opportunity to taste one of the best chocolates made with fine Ecuadorian aroma cocoa, we continue to the viewpoint of Panecillo located at the top of the hill of the same name to 3. 035masl, and formerly known as “shungoloma” or heart hill, here is an aluminum replica on a large scale (45mts.) of the Virgin of Quito, sculpted by Quito artist Bernardo de Legarda and whose original is displayed on the main altar of the Church of San Francisco.
Later we will visit a museum that will tell us about the different types of effects caused by gravity, magnetism that happens in the equinoctial line, you will know a little more about the cultures that we have in the Amazon. Finally, our guide will take you back to your hotel.
Day 3 Quito Cotopaxi Quilotoa Baños
Departure early in the morning from our designated hotels, through the “Panamericana Sur” road, appreciating beautiful landscapes and diverse ecosystems, as a clear sample of the majesty of the Andes. We continue to Cotopaxi National Park, arriving at the foothills of the impressive active volcano. We will visit the Museum of the Park, the Limpiopungo Lagoon, and after an interesting hike we will reach the forest of the Chuquirahuas at 4200 m.a.s.l. (weather permitting). We will continue to the Quilotoa Volcano, which has in its crater an impressive turquoise lagoon, making it one of the most beautiful and photographed landscapes of Ecuador. We will take a short hike to appreciate the magnificent view of the volcano (weather permitting). Free time for lunch (not included). Transfer to Baños and accommodation.
Day 4: Baños
The next day, after breakfast, you will enjoy a panoramic tour of the town, where you can observe the elaboration of the traditional “Melcocha”, a candy handmade in a trunk, you will visit the colonial style church, built in the center of town, where the Virgin of Agua Santa is located, to whom many miracles are attributed, visit the Huillacuna Museum with unique objects that have traced the history of the town and you can visit the hot springs pools that are of great tourist attraction for its medicinal benefits. In the afternoon, after lunch (not included), you will have the opportunity to visit the impressive waterfall “Pailon del Diablo” and on the way back to the village pass by the viewpoint “La Casa del Arbol” and take a spectacular photo at the Columpio del Fin del Mundo, admiring an extraordinary view of the Tungurahua volcano.
Day 5 Baños
If you are a lover of adventure sports and prefer to feel the adrenaline, in the morning, you will have the opportunity to go rafting or canyoning (additional payment), according to availability and weather during your visit, in the afternoon transfer to Riobamaba and accommodation.
Day 6 Riobamba -Cuenca
In our adventure we head to the colossus Chimborazo, we arrive at the first refuge by car and then acclimatize in the cafeteria, we will continue our journey on foot to the Laguna Condor Cocha at 5100masl, approximately 1 hour and a half walk and the descent 45 minutes. We will be at the closest point to the sun measured from the center of the earth. We will return to the city of Riobamba to enjoy a delicious lunch in a historic house that was used for rest of the liberator of America, Simon Bolivar, where he wrote his famous poem, “My Delirium in the Chimborazo”, then visit the museum of the Concepts, one of the 7 largest and transcendental works in Latin America, also visit the cathedral of Riobamba and the emblematic park Maldonado. In the afternoon transfer to Cuenca and accommodation.
Day 7: Cuenca Cajas National Park:
Pick up at the hotel (time to be established with the tourists, preferably no later than 9AM) Transfer from Cuenca to Cajas National Park, you will go directly to the lower area of the park called Llaviuco at 3100 masl, this trail is flat and easy to walk through a beautiful Andean Cloud Forest, this tour lasts 45 minutes to 1 hour approx. Then in the vehicle we will go to the highest area next to the road of the park called Tres Cruces (4.160 m.a.s.l. approx.), a short and easy hike of 5 minutes to the viewpoint, from there depending on the weather we will have a beautiful panoramic view of the park and some of its largest lagoons, we will have time for photography and explanations of the guide. After visiting this area you will be transferred by vehicle to the Toreadora Lagoon, from this point you will begin a 2h30 walk at an altitude ranging from 3900 to 3600 meters above sea level. During the walk we will observe beautiful landscapes of pajonal, we will cross the forest of San Luis that has continuing with the we will arrive to the Lagunas Unidas, Totoras and finally to the lagoon Patoquinuas. At the end of the tour we will return to Laguna Toreadora or in the case that we have more than 3 pax in the tour will end at the parking lot of Patoquinuas. Lunch at a local restaurant. Return to the city at approximately 15:30.
Dia 8: Cuenca
09:00 AM Pick up at the hotel. The visit of the beautiful city of Cuenca includes places like the picturesque and traditional neighborhood of San Sebastian, the Museum of Modern Art, the beautiful Plaza de las Flores, and its traditional Central Park called “Parque Calderon” surrounded by important and beautiful buildings such as the Cathedral of the Sagrario (Old Cathedral), Immaculate Conception Cathedral (New Cathedral) considered the largest in Latin America, the Court of Justice, and other buildings of a French Republican style. Also included is a visit to the famous Homero Ortega's Toquilla Straw Hat Factory, where we will observe the elaboration of the finest hats. In addition, we will observe the “Barranco” where traditional and modern architecture is combined with the natural environment on the banks of the Tomebamba River. Finally we arrive at the “Mirador de Turi” from where we can observe the landscape of a valley full of red roofs and blue domes framed by imposing mountains. The tour ends once our guide leaves the passengers at the Restaurant for LUNCH INCLUDED. At the end of the tour passengers must return to the hotel on their own, transfer to Guayaquil and accommodation.
Day 9 Guayaquil
We will visit the Seminario Park, also popularly known as Las Iguanas Park, because of the reptiles that live there. The site has its natural charm with trees and an artificial pond where goldfish swim. We then head to the Metropolitan Cathedral. Then we will visit the Morisco Tower known as the Public Clock Tower and the historical park which represents the history of the city in three different areas: its fauna and flora, its urban architecture and its traditions. The Historical Park is a cultural, environmental, educational and tourist space that refers to the old city of Guayaquil in colonial times and covers almost the entire coastal region. Lunch at a local restaurant. Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 10: Guayaquil
Free time until flight time, transfer to the airport.
