Inka trail and traditionnal markets of Ecuador

Quito Airport - Quito

Reception at the airport by an english-speaking guide (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Private transfer with spanish-speaking driver from Quito airport to your hotel.

You will spend the night at Sierra Madre hotel, close to La Mariscal turistic area.

Quito Historic Center - Quito - Quito Airport

Quito, Ecuador's capital, is a real treasure between the volcanoes of Pichincha, Cayambe and Antisana. At an elevation of 2830 meters, it is the second highest capital in the world.. It was the first city classified by the UNESCO in 1978 and its historic centre is the biggest and best maintained in Latin America.

Departure at 8:30am: to get a good idea of the city, we will firstly go to the Panecillo, a small hill over the city with a statue of the Quito' Virginp, with a splendid 360º view.

You will then have a visit of Quito's colonial centre:

• the church of the Compañia de Jesus;
• the church of San Francisco;
• the Grand Place where are located the Presidential Palace (Carondelet) and Quito's Cathedral.

You will go to the market of Santa Clara, a typical place where you can fin fruits, vegetables, fish and meat. This is a perfect moment to mee people and discover the local life. You will have lunch at the same place. The "hornado" (pork slowly cooked in a oven) is really delicious!

Free time in the ecuadorian capital. You have multiple choices of activities according to what you have already visited and the free time you dispose of:

- handcrafts market in La Mariscal for your last gifts, or on Amazonas street;

- museums, according openning time: Alabado arqueological museum in Historic Center, Modern Artist Guayasamin museum in Bellavista area, Mindalae handcrafts museum in La Mariscal, Weilbauer arqueological museum in the Catholic University;

- Botanic garden in La Carolina Park with its magnificent collection or orchids;

- arqueological sites inside the city as Rumipamba or La Florida;

- a last walk in the Historic Center (ex.: La Ronda street);

- free time for thinking at a terrace of a bar in La Mariscal quarter.

You will spend the night at Sierra Madre hotel, close to La Mariscal turistic area.

Transport with an english-speaking guide from your hotel to Quito's airport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Rucu Pichincha - Quito - Cochasqui - Cotacachi - Quito Airport

RUCU PICHINCHA TREKKING:

In the ascension to Rucu Pichincha you will climb the cable car from Quito to Cruz Loma, this mountain has an approximate height of 4100 meters, from this point you will begin your trekking to reach the Rucu.

You will have a panoramic view of Quito that is truly amazing, you will see the whole city and its elongated shape, from the colonial Quito, to the new and modern buildings.

If the weather is favorable, you will be able to see all the volcanoes in the distance, such as Cotopaxi, Cayambe and Antisana.

Then you will return by the cable down to Quito where is parked your car.

Duration : 4 to 5 hours - Slopes: +590 /-590m - Max. altitude: 4690 meters (15.390 feet).

Refer to the attached map to have an idea of the covered paths.

You will get out of Quito direction to Otavalo, passing through one of the regions where they grow the famous ecuadorian roses and you will appreciate a beautiful landscape made of numerous summits of the northern Andes.

Visit of the Cochasqui pyramids, classified as World Heritage and considered as the most important archeological site North of the Equatorial Andes. The site is composed of 15 pyramids and 20 funeral mounds built by the Quitus Cara Indians in the IXth century. There are different interpretations concerning the function of the pyramids: ceremony places, houses for important people or even astronomical observatories. The site still keeps many mysteries... which we will try to learn more about.

You will spend the night at Hacienda Pinsaqui. This historical sport has been built in 1790 so as to be a textile workshop, employing at that time 1000 persons. This place is an invitation to share its magical and romantic atmosphere. Across the centuries, Pinsaqui received many famous peoples, among them the General Simon Bolivar, Ecuador's libertador, who stayed there for its trips to Colombia. In those times, the peace treaty between Colombia and Ecuador has been signed and is known as the "Pinsaqui treaty". The actual hacienda keeps the genuine character of this period, as well as the antique furniture. It remains a perfect stage for antiques lovers.

Transport with an english-speaking guide from your hotel to Quito's airport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Otavalo - Cuicocha Lake - Cotacachi - San Antonio de Ibarra - San Clemente - Quito Airport

Visit in the morning of the famous Otavalo's Indigenous market, the most significant in the Ecuador's Andes, where you can meet the "Otavaleños" with their espadrilles, their brown felt hat and blue ponchos. They are the wealthiest indians in Ecuador and excellent sellers.

The main market is on Saturdays with the cattle market just outside town. On other days the market is also hold on the Los Ponchos square.

CUICOCHA TREK:

You'll go in the ecological reserve "Cotacachi - Cayapas" to perform a walk (5h) around the lagoon Cuicocha appointment of nature lovers with a variety of flora (orchids, elephant ears ...). You'll start at 2936 m and pass through the viewpoint, the highest point at 3486 meters where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the crystal clear waters before returning to the lake level. On a clear day you can see the snow-capped Cotopaxi and Cayambe volcanoes and craters of volcanoes Cotacachi and Imbabura.

Estimated duration : 4 to 5 hours - Slopes : -550m/+550m - Max altitude : 3486 m

Stop in Cotacachi, Ecuador's leading artisanal manufacturers of leather goods which are exported around the world.

You will take the route towards Ibarra.

Visit of San Antonio de Ibarra, a town known for wood crafting where you may visit a sculptor in his workshop.

You will get to San Clemente autochtonous communiy, down the Imbabura volcano, where you will spend the night. A family will welcome you and invite you to share not only their house and food, but their customs and way of living. Many surprises await you, as the live-stock farming of guinea pigs or lamas, and the medicinal plants path maintained by their own users.

Transport with an english-speaking guide from your hotel to Quito's airport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

San Clemente - Quito Airport

ASCENSION IMBABURA

Go and climb the Imbabura in the morning and enjoy amazing views over all the Northern part of the Sierra. The feeling is very aerial. The trek starts around 3200 meters in the middle of the paramo and finishes around 4600 meters in a rocky landscape, to walk around the crater and reach the highest point. This 8 hours long ascent requires a good fitness. We can adapt the trek depending of the group's fitness and motivation. So, what are you waiting for!

You will get to San Clemente autochthonous community, down the Imbabura volcano, where you will spend the night. A family will welcome you and invite you to share not only their house and food, but their customs and way of living. Many surprises await you, as the live-stock farming of guinea pigs or lamas, and the medicinal plants path maintained by their own users.

Transport with an english-speaking guide from your hotel to Quito's airport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Ibarra - Otavalo - Peguche - Mojanda - San Pablo del Lago - Quito Airport

We will go down to Otavalo.

You will visit the village of Peguche, with its sacred fall and its Andean music instrument fabrication workshops. You may see a local music session and the weaving process, an art well established in the area.

MOJANDA & FUYA FUYA TREK:

You will go to the lake of Mojanda, which is located at 3700 meters of high. From here you will enjoy beautiful views of the valleys around and the landscapes of the Cerro Negro and Fuya Fuya.

Estimated duration : 3 to 4 hours - Slopes: +600m/-600m - Max altitude : 4265 m



You will spend the night at Hacienda Cusin, close to San Pablo lake, in Otavalo's region. This place keeps the atmosphere and the authenticity of those old times, with a warm and familiar welcoming.

Transport with an english-speaking guide from your hotel to Quito's airport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Otavalo - Cayambe - Quitsato - Quito - Tababela - Quito Airport

You will go to Cayambe from Otavalo, observing the beautiful landscape of the mountains.

TREK UP TO CAYAMBE REFUGE:

You will go by car to Cayambe and then go to the winding road that takes you to the waterfall "Los Mirlos" where you'll start the hike. You will walk through the dry forest and climb to the wet paramo to the refuge "Berge-Oleas Ruales" on the Cayambe volcano.

The trail is marked and it will take you to 4700 meters at the base of the glacier. You will have time to admire the view and recover before calmly descend by the same route to the vehicle.

Estimated duration: 3 to 4 hours - Slopes: +400m/-400m - Max altitude : 4700 m



You will stop at the latitude 0º, where a circular platform of 54 meters of diameter materializes a huge sundial and the equator line. The phenomena observed in the place will be explained to you, as well as how the local peoples used to integrate them in their dayly activities. An opporetunity to reconnect with what is an agriculture agenda, and what it means, between the sky and nature.

Lunch at the restaurant "Balcon 2 Hemisferios", almost on the Ecuador line.

You will return to Quito from Cayambe through this beautiful mountain scenery. You will observe the inhabitants of this region, with typical clothes, on the edge of a path that is a symbol of modernity in contrast to practices inherited from the pre-Inca civilizations.

You will spend the night at Posada Mirolindo in Tababela, close to the airport.

Transport with an english-speaking guide from your hotel to Quito's airport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Quito - Pasochoa Park - Tababela - Quito Airport

Journey to the South by the famous Volcanoes Avenue, to arrive to the Pasochoa natural park.

PASOCHOA TREK :

The hike starts at 2800 m in the wet forest with mouss covered trees, bromeliads, bamboos and orchids. You will walk up to 3200 m to the transition area between this typical forest and the paramo. More than 120 bird species live in this place. This is a perfect opportunity to watch hummingbirds and maybe even a majestic condor.

Duration : 5/6 hours - Desnivel : (-800m / +800m) - Altitud max : 3800 m

You will spend the night at Posada Mirolindo in Tababela, close to the airport.

Transport with an english-speaking guide from your hotel to Quito's airport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Saquisili - Isinlivi - Quito Airport

Visit in the morning of the Saquisili market (only on Thursdays) considered as the country's most important indigenous market. Many natives come to this local economical centre to sell and buy anything from cattle to cotton. The market spreads over 8 squares with each one a speciality.

Back on the road and after a few saddles you will arrive at the heart of the Andes with amazing views before reaching the small Andean village of Isinlivi.

Night and dinner at the Llullu Llama hotel in Isinlivi. Please note that you will have a private room but with shared toilets.

Transport with an english-speaking guide from your hotel to Quito's airport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Isinlivi - Chugchilan - Quito Airport

Trek Isinlivi-Chugchilan:

You will start from the shelter in Isinlivi, authentic and full of beauty , you will be able to see the people who are going to cultivate their fields, which paint colorful mountains . You will descend through the canyons to a small town where you'll visit Itualo's school with permission of the Principal. Our journey continues to the Toachi river before going to Chugchilán.

Today you will have a Box Lunch.

Day in liberty to discover Chugchilan and surroundings. You can visit a fabric of cheese, or meet with the apprentices of a cabinetmaking, go for a horseriding until Quitlotoa o just walk around on the endless paths that will have you amazed by these spectacular views that offers this singular region.

You will spend the night and take the dinner at Mama Hilda hotel in Chugchilan.

Transport with an english-speaking guide from your hotel to Quito's airport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Chugchilan - Quilotoa - Zumbahua - Quito Airport

After breakfast, you will descend to the Rio Sigui to go towards the lagoon of Quilotoa. On the way we will see some ruins, the valley of the Toachi river and some farmers who start working, even some llamas and alpacas. You will not regret the 5 hours of walking when the emerald green waters of the lagoon will be offered to you.

Lunch at the comunitarian local restaurant in Quilotoa, just in front of the laguna

The emerald colored Quilotoa lake (3854m) lays in a still active volcano, its color being due to the presence of sulfur. According to a legend, the Inca Atahualpa had hidden his treasure in the lake... You can go for a 2 hours walk down to the crater and back (option to rent a mule for the trip, for less than 10 u$d) or simply enjoy the view from the top of the crater.

Visit in the morning of the very typical Indian market of Zumbahua (only on Saturdays), the opportunity to observe how traditions have been conserved with the Andean Indians. You can find there anything from washing powder ti spices, chicken feet, fruits and vegetables, ponchos etc... the lower part of the market is dedicated to the sell of cattle: llamas, pigs, sheeps are negociated and sold to the best offer.

Night and dinner at the Alpaga Quilotoa.

Transport with an english-speaking guide from your hotel to Quito's airport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Quilotoa - Tigua - Pujili - Quito Airport

Last day of trek in the Cordillera. You will walk between the lake Quilotoa and the Tigua village through the canyon of the Toachi river. As you descend the canyon you will notice the change of ecosytem. The high canyon walls will surround you all the time.

Today you will have a Box Lunch.

Stop in the village of Pujili to visit its colorful and hardly touristical market (on Wednesdays and Sundays). Many indigenous come to this market to sell and buy anything from cattle to cotton.

You will spend the night at "Tigua Farm", a traditional farm that makes its own cheese and other "homemade" culinary specialties that you will have the opportunity to enjoy during dinner.

 Thanks to the warm welcome of Margarita and her sons, this is an opportunity to get a closer look at rural life in a simple and comfortable setting.

Transport with an english-speaking guide from your hotel to Quito's airport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Tigua - Salcedo - Riobamba - Calpi - Quito Airport

You will go south on the volcanoes Avenue to Salcedo, famous for its ice creams.

You will make a stop over for about 2 hours to visit a plantation of the famous ecuadorian roses. Ecuador is indeed one of the first exporters of roses and those are famous all over the orld to be the prettiest. Produced at more than 2500 meters of altitude, the roses have real intense and strong colors. The minerals that come down from the volcanoes make the rose buttons grow bigger. To be close to these mountains allows access to partucularly pure and of hugh quality water. At Nevado plantation you will have the opportunity to learn how thay are tainted and to see and taste multiple products based on these flowers, in particular the organic lunch for you based on rose petals.

Riombamba is also known as the "Sultana de los Andes", it's a peacefull and quiet city that had to be rebuilt after the earthquake of 1797. You will visit the park "Pedro Vicente Maldonado" and the cathedral also. You will also stop in the market that is very colorfull before going to Quitoloma from where you can observe the Chimborazo.

Interesting stop at this museum that presents the relationship between the andean communities and the lama. You will eventually know the difference between a llama, an alpaca, a vicugna and a guanaco.

You will spend the night at "Bambu Hosteria" hotel in Riobamba.

Transport with an english-speaking guide from your hotel to Quito's airport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Chimborazo Park - Quito Airport

Visit of the Chimborazo natural reserve.

In this "paramo" landscape typical of this Andean area, you are likely to see some vicugnas out of the 2300 specimens reintroduced in 1990. After driving up to the Carrel hut at 4800m you may get closer (optionnal, you can stay at the hut level if you consider not being in the proper cphysical conditions to climb) to the Ecuador's highest summit (6310m) by walking to the second Whymper hut at 5100m, not far from the snowline. Because of the extra earth's diameter on the Equator line, the Chimborazo summit is the most distant to the earth's centre.

You will take the route towards the community of "Casa Condór" that is located next to the Chimborazo volcanoe. Then you will visit the community where you will see how people breed alpacas, create beautiful crafts and you'll learn about the project of reforestation.

You will spend the night at Chimborazo Lodge inside the Chimborazo National Park.

Transport with an english-speaking guide from your hotel to Quito's airport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Riobamba - Banos - Quito Airport

The road to Baños follows a fertile and green valley where you can observe recent lavas from the Tungurahua seen beautiful viewing points.

Banos is a nice, small but appropiate town to wander in its streets. The Basilica of "Nuestra Señora de Agua Santa" is worth the visit as well as a swim in the town's baths or a walk up to reach Luna Runtun for a view over the city. You can also visit a Tagua workshop. The Tagua is a vegetable ivory and thus a fantastic alternative to the animal ivory. The material, the size of a big egg is from a small palm tree which is dried and sculpted after the bark had fallen. Many artists make superb pieces which really look like ivory after being polished. Many sport activities are also available: mountain biking, rafting, canyoneering...

Visit of a Tagua workshop. The Tagua is a vegetable ivory and thus a fantastic way to replace the animal ivory. The material, the size of a big egg, comes from a small palm tree which is dried and sculpted when the bark falls. Many artists realise superb pieces which really look like ivory after being polished.

You will spend the night at Samari hotel in Banos.

You can relax in the spa or enjoy the swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna or turkish bath at your disposal. Possibility to have a massage to reserve on site.

Transport with an english-speaking guide from your hotel to Quito's airport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Banos - Pailon del Diablo - Puyo - Ahuano - Quito Airport

Trip from Banos to the Oriente, that is to say to Amazon region. Following the "Ruta de Cascadas" (waterfalls road) along the deep and vertical gorges of the Pastaza river, you will observe a change in the ecosystems from 1800 to 950 meters, with spectacular views over the upper Amazon and a dozen of waterfalls.

You will stop in Pailon del Diablo, the country's most famous waterfalls which you will be able to see from closer from a sightseeing platform. Further on the road, following the inca style, you can use a suspended basket called locally tarabita to cross the Pastaza and reach a waterfall called "Manto de la Novia".

In Puyo, you will visit the botanical garden. Of each six species of orchids in the world, one is in ecuador. It is not hard to see that in just one place, you can see so many orchids. It has lasted 30 years to renovate the hectares of tropical forest. This site belongs to Omar Tello, and allows us to have a guided visit of this beautiful place.

On the route you will stop near Puyo, where you will visit a center of rehabilitation for monkeys of the Amazone, "Paseo de los Monos", where you will be in contact with the animals. Six species of monkeys are present, the objective of the center is to help some of them who are sick or isolated with the purpose of liberate them in the future.

You will arrive in the afternoon to the Lodge where you'll have a first trek to the jungle. Then your dinner at the Sacha Sisa Lodge where you will have your first night.

Transport with an english-speaking guide from your hotel to Quito's airport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Ahuano - Quito Airport

In the morning, going along with an indigenous guide, you will walk through the jungle to discover many species of medicinal plants and their properties.

Keep your eyes open, with no doubt you will see monkeys and birds in their natural habitat.

Depending on weather conditions and the group's wishes we can plan the program of the day.

After lunch you will visit the Indian community, and where you will have the opportunity to learn about their customs, their way of life and its various plants: banana trees, papaya, pineapple, oranges, sugar cane ...

You will discover likewise what is "chicha", a traditional beverage, and the making of chocolate as has been done for generations.

Dinner and second night in the Lodge.

Transport with an english-speaking guide from your hotel to Quito's airport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Ahuano - Misahualli - Papallacta - Quito - Quito Airport

After breakfast you will go for an observation of the prehistoric birds "hoatzin" and then you will pay a visit to the kids of the community before eventualy return to your vehicle.

Following the road to Tena and Baeza which climbs all the eastern cordillera up to 4000 meters, you will observe the evolution of the ecosystem from the tropical environment to the Andean paramo.

After the warmth of the jungle the hot pools will relax your body and mind. They are the most luxury and best maintained baths in the country.

Rest in the hot springs of Papallacta. A bath in the warm waters with a stimulating air can only win colors.

Keep in mind, however, that sometimes it can be cold and that if you are afraid of sudden changes in temperature, it will be better to abstain. In this case, a restaurant-cafeteria will serve as a refuge to admire the beautiful vegetation of this corner.

Free time and then back to Quito, passing by a mountain pass that will make you discover an impressice landscape of paramo.

You will spend the night at Vieja Cuba hotel in Quito.

Transport with an english-speaking guide from your hotel to Quito's airport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Quito - Quito Airport

Suggestion of visit :

Discover the "Man Chapel" from the Ecuadorian artist Oswaldo Guayasamín. This painting of the chapel was designed and partly realised by Guayasamín to honnor Mankind. Several of his art pieces are exhibited there.

(Entrance fees : 8 USD per person, free for children less than 12 years old)

Free time in the ecuadorian capital. You have multiple choices of activities according to what you have already visited and the free time you dispose of:

- handcrafts market in La Mariscal for your last gifts, or on Amazonas street;

- museums, according openning time: Alabado arqueological museum in Historic Center, Modern Artist Guayasamin museum in Bellavista area, Mindalae handcrafts museum in La Mariscal, Weilbauer arqueological museum in the Catholic University;

- Botanic garden in La Carolina Park with its magnificent collection or orchids;

- arqueological sites inside the city as Rumipamba or La Florida;

- a last walk in the Historic Center (ex.: La Ronda street);

- free time for thinking at a terrace of a bar in La Mariscal quarter.

Private transfer with spanish-speaking driver to Quito airport.

Transport with an english-speaking guide from your hotel to Quito's airport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Free connection for your international flight from Quito. According to your flight schedule, you will dispose of more or less free time.