Discover the beauty of the Ecuadorian Andes and cloud forest regions. Enjoy extreme biodiversity such as butterflies and bird watching. Experience the cloud rain forest with beautiful waterfalls and relax at a luxury hot springs resort. Venture back to the highlands to visit Chimborazo Volcano and the famous indigenous market of Otavalo; and then, live a unique experience sharing an organic lunch prepared, side by side, with local people in the heart of the Andes. Visit the Cotopaxi National Park and admire the highest active volcano in the world.
Immerse yourself in the cultural and natural wonders that make Ecuador one of the most unique countries in South America. We promise you will never want to leave!
10 Days / 9 Nights
Day by Day
- Day 1 Arrive to Quito, Illa Experience Hotel
Welcome to Quito! America’s largest, best-preserved colonial city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano.
- Day 2 Quito city tour – chocolate experience Guayasamin Museum tasting wine, Mashpi Lodge
Explore a truly unique experience in the heart of Quito city and discover its history from a local eye; walk around its narrow streets visiting the most iconic architectural buildings such as; the Golden Church, San Francisco Square, the Main Square. After that, we will continue to Quito modern to visit a chocolate distributor, where you can take a tour of the process of the cocoa, from harvesting the seed to the final product, like as a delicious brownie or a cup of real hot cocoa. Finally, we will visit the Foundation Guayasamin, one of the Latin America´s most celebrated art house.
- Day 3 Quito – La Companía roses showroom – Sacha Warmi Indigenous company, La Mirage Garden Hotel & Spa
We take an early departure from Quito and drive north through the majestic Andes. Our first visit will be to the Hacienda la Companía that is a family treasure near Cayambe, 75 minutes north of Quito, it offers a fabulous showroom, full of flowers produced at the farm. After that we continue for the north to visit us on our way, we will stop at a viewpoint to admire the Imbabura Volcano and Lake San Pablo. We will head to Pijal, a small village located in the heart of the Andes to visit one of the AJ sustainable projects called Sacha Warmikua.
- Day 4 Otavalo – Cotopaxi National Park, San Agustín del Callo
Today we are going to the highest active volcano in the world, Cotopaxi. The snow-capped volcano is surrounded by the national park, home to abundant plant life, rich fauna, and Inca ruins. We will begin our visit at the interpretation center at the entrance of the park, before continuing our drive across the paramo to the Limpiopungo Lake. During a short walk around the lake, we would birdwatching. Afterward, we will stop at “Chilcabamba Lodge” to have lunch and a wine pairing spot in the middle of the Andean paramos with one of the best views of the Cotopaxi Volcano. In the afternoon we will have the chance to see the colorful Andean fields until reaching the traditional and historical San Agustin de Callo Hacienda is located at the foot of Cotopaxi volcano to rest and admire all the beauty of its Inca history and decoration.
- Day 5 The road of waterfalls – Baños outdoor town, Luna Volcan Spa
After breakfast, we will reach Baños City, one of the most charming, versatile, and magical cities. Here, we will hike down to the highest waterfall in Ecuador, the Pailon Del Diablo, and some others. In the late afternoon, we will arrive at Baños, located right on the foothills of the Tungurahua Volcano, which has been active since 1999. in Baños we can also visit The Swing of the End of the World, where the winner of the 2014 National Geographic photo contest took his photo, you will have some time to take the amazing picture of the stunning landscape in the front. In the evening will be waiting for the fabulous Luna Volcan Adventure SPA, a romantic Hotel for couples, family or friends locates on a little hill in Baños.
- Day 6 Baños – Full day, Luna Volcan Spa
- Day 7 Baños – Chimborazo Palacio Real experience, Hacienda Andaluza
After breakfast, we head south to visit a local community known as Palacio Real. It is believed to have been a resting place for Simón Bolívar and holds significance in inspiring his famous poem. The community shares insights into the history and uses of llamas, which have been vital for the locals throughout the ages. Afterward, we continue to Riobamba City for our overnight stay.
- Day 8 Riobamba – Cuenca City – La Chicheria, Hotel Itza Boutique
Today we will drive from Riobamba to Cuenca, a charming city in southern Ecuador known for its colonial history, beautiful architecture, and culture. In the afternoon, we will visit the archeological site called Ingapica the most impressive Inca ruins in Ecuador. Later we will come back to Cuenca to learn about the Panama hat and have some drinks.
- Day 9 Cuenca cooking class Warmi Kun, Hotel Itza Boutique
We’ll start by taking the tranvia to visit a guitars and stringed instruments workshop. Then, we’ll participate in a cooking class that combines traditional Ecuadorian cuisine with ancestral techniques. In the afternoon, we’ll explore the nearby towns of Chordeleg, known for its silverware, and Gualaceo, famous for its colorful market and traditional crafts.
- Day 10 Departure day
In the morning, at the appropriate time, we will drive to Guayaquil, located on the south coast of the Pacific, on the banks of the majestic Guayas River and crossed by several estuaries such as El Salado. Finally, we will drop you off at the airport to take your international flight home. In case you want to back to Quito, we can organize a domestic flight Cuenca-Quito to take your international flight home. End of the services.
