- Country
Ecuador - Departure
Quito - Arrival
Quito - Theme
Cultural
Day 1. Welcome to Ecuador
- Destination
Otavalo - Hotel
Medina del Lago - Attractions
Mitad del Mundo
You will be met at the airport in Quito by our trained staff who will escort you to Otavalo. On the way you will visit the Quitsato Sundial, just north of Quito. Learn more about the position of the equator at La Mitad del Mundo and enhance your astronomical awareness of the pre-Hispanic culture. You will enjoy a short stop in Cayambe to taste one of the local specialties, biscochos de Cayambe, a crumbly buttery biscuit. Overnight stay in Otavalo.
Day 2. Local traditions of Ecuador: Otavalo Market
- Destination
Quito - Hotel
Mercure Alameda - Attractions
Otavalo Market
Today you will explore the colorful Otavalo Market where traditional crafts and textiles are brought to life. A great place to find souvenirs including tapestries, ponchos and jewelry. Stop by Peguche, where the locals are known for their music and traditional dances. Visit the markets and see some of the Andean musical instruments up close. Explore Cotacachi, a town nestled between two volcanoes and famed for the fine quality leather products available. Return to Quito for your overnight stay.
Day 3. City tour of Quito
- Destination
Cotopaxi - Hotel
Hacienda Santa Ana - Attractions
Quito City Tour
After breakfast you will tour the historic center of Quito, designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. There are many beautiful buildings in the city center and today you will have the opportunity to visit the Church of San Augustin, built in Spanish Baroque architecture and the Church of La Compania de Jesus, one of the best known churches in Quito. The tour will continue to the Basilica del Voto Nacional, through the traditional streets of Calle La Ronda, up to the viewpoint of El Panecillo to see the monument to the Virgin Mary and will end with a tour of the Intinan Museum which focuses on the native tribes of Ecuador. Overnight stay in Cotopaxi.
Day 4. Cotopaxi National Park
- Destination
Baños de Agua Santa - Hotel
Luna Runtun - Attractions
Cotopaxi National Park
After breakfast, you will have the chance to visit Cotopaxi National Park, a protected area, and the impressive Cotopaxi volcano, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. Learn more about the Andean wilderness, the flora and fauna which inhabit the area and take in a spot of bird watching. You may even catch a glimpse of the wild horses that live in the park. Enjoy lunch in these beautiful surroundings and relax as you walk around the nearby lagoon. Overnight stay in Baños de Agua Santa.
Day 5. Baños: waterfall circuit
- Destination
Riobamba - Hotel
Quindeloma - Attractions
Cauldron of the Devil
This area of Ecuador has much natural beauty. Baños de Agua Santa is located on the northern foothills of the Tungurahua volcano and named after the hot springs located in the town. Today you will have the chance to visit the Pailon Diablo waterfall (the Cauldron of the Devil) and enjoy a relaxing volcanic stone massage. Overnight stay in Riobamba.Bolivian region.
Day 6. Train ride on the La Nariz del Diablo – Inca ruins of Ingapirca
- Destination
Cuenca - Hotel
Carvallo - Attractions
Devil’s Nose
Departing Riobamba, you will travel by road to Alausi and board the train to travel through the section of the railway line knows as the Devil’s Nose utilizing a number of switchbacks to clamber down the 500m drop, providing you with spectacular scenery at every turn. Your afternoon adventure continues with a visit to Ingapirca to see the Inca ruins located nearby. The Ingapirca ruins are the largest Inca ruins in Ecuador. Transfer to Cuenca with an overnight stay in this city located in the highlands of Ecuador.
Day 7. City tour of Cuenca
- Destination
Cuenca - Hotel
Carvallo - Attractions
Cuenca City Tour
Your city tour through Cuenca, Ecuador’s third largest city, provides many opportunities to explore the picturesque surroundings. Today you will visit the old cathedral and the new cathedral, built as a replacement when the older one became too small. You will also have a chance to see beautiful parks, the bright flower market, the Pumapungo museum with its colorful dioramas and the Panama hat factory. Despite its name, the Panama hat originated in Ecuador and traditionally made using the leaves of the jipijapa palm. Next we travel to Chordeleg, known for its fine jewelry. You will have the chance to visit the main square and do a bit of shopping before you head to Gualaceo, a river front town. Here you will have time to explore the markets and learn about the traditional weaving methods known as ikat.
Day 8. City tour of Guayaquil
- Destination
Guayaquil - Hotel
Grand Hotel Guayaquil - Attractions
Guayaquil City Tour
Today you will go on a city tour of Guayaquil to see Parque Centenerio, the largest park in the town center and the Iguana Park to see hundreds of iguanas. You have the opportunity to feed the iguanas but we don’t recommend picking up these dragon-like creatures as their claws are extremely sharp. Your tour will continue on to Plaza San Francisco and then to Puerto Santa Ana and Malecon 2000 providing stunning waterfront views. You will visit the artistic Barrio Las Penas, the lighthouse (El Faro) and stop at the artisan market to browse the local wares. Overnight stay in Guayaquil.
Day 9. Cacao Nursery – Native Community of Shuar
- Destination
Guayaquil - Hotel
Grand Hotel Guayaquil - Attractions
Cacao Nursery
After breakfast you will visit Las Canas, the biggest cacao nursery in the nation, to learn about the harvesting and production process of bananas and cacao. After lunch you will visit the native Shuar community and the hot springs managed by them, returning to Guayaquil for tastings of yogurt, cocoa, chocolate and other local foods. Overnight stay in Guayaquil.
Day 10. End of the tour
Transfer to the airport for your return flight. We hope you have enjoyed your 10 day Ecuador Magic adventure.
usd 2150
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