The marvels of Ecuador and Colombia: colonial cities and haciendas

Quito Airport - Quito Historic Center

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

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

You will spend the night at La Casona de la Ronda hotel in Quito historical center.

Quito Historic Center - Quito - Quitsato - Cayambe - Otavalo - San Antonio de Ibarra

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 visit the "Alabado" museum showing the country's prehispanic history through numerous archeological pieces (more than 5000 pieces for 6000 years of history). It also offers a structured visit allowing to undestand the cosmological vision of the andean cultures.

You will go to Cayambe, famous for its snow-capped volcano.

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.

Otavalo is awaiting for you at a short distance from Cayambe. Let's go... still a little piece of road in these magnificent Andes.

You will take the route towards Ibarra.

You will spend the night at Hacienda Piman. This a an historical place, as a matter of fact, one of the oldest colonial properties of the country, but destroyed during an erathquake in the XIX century. Refurbished, it offers today a perfect frame to have a quiet rest in the north of the country. You will have your room, or inside the old building, or in the recent construction, according availability.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Ibarra - Otavalo - Cuicocha Lake - Cotacachi - San Pablo del Lago

We will go down to Otavalo.

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.

Visit of the Cuicocha lake in the ecologic reserve of "Cotacahi - Cayapas" , one of the most beautiful in Ecuador with a shiny blue water.

At the centre of a former crater at 3064 meters, the nature lovers will enjoy a very various vegetation (orchids, "elephants ears"...) with more than 400 species identified there.

You will make a stop 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.

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.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Otavalo - Cotopaxi Park - Lasso

You will then get back on the road to pass Quito and reach Cotopaxi National Park.

Today visit of the Cotopaxi national park with Ecuador's second highest summit at 5897 meters. It is also the highest active volcano in the world although it mainly shows a few fumaroles from its ice covered crater. But sometimes it launches a huge column smoke and ashes right upon its center.

Afterward, you will walk around the Limpiapungo laggon with stunning view on the Cotopaxi. You will appreciate the flora and some fauna, typical of the "paramo", those wide plains swept by the cold winds of the Andes.

After driving up to the car park at 4600 meters you will continue by foot to the José Rivas hut 200 meters higher.

The most motivated can also go and reach the snowline.

Due to the eruptive process of the volcano Cotopaxi initiated on August 14th, 2015, this information can be reviewed at any time, in accordance with the safety requirements of the Ecuadorian Coordination Ministry of National Security and our agency.



Optional according to weaher conditions, road and your vehicule. You will discover de site of Salitre. You will be able to see how was a fort inca ( they were called Pucara), it is built in a mountain with the purpose of having a perfect view of the surroundings.

Horseriding for 2 hours around the San Agustin hacienda property, with the Cotopaxi volcano on the background.

The horse for your guide is included.

You will spend the night at Hacienda San Agustin in Lasso.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Lasso - Quilotoa - Zumbahua - Banos

Journey on the Panamerican road which used to be called the Volcanoes Avenue by the explorer Alexander Van Humbolt who visited it in 1802. Turning to the West you will reach the small Andean village of Quilotoa.

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.

Journey to the South and once in Ambato city, you will change your course toward the east, the Amazon region. Therefore you will go down to Baños, a thermal city, in which it is very pleasant to pass by, in spite of the threatening presence of the Tungurahua volcanoe which, sometimes, spits some lava, spectacle that maybe, if you are lucky, you will see from one the of surrounding spots of the city.

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.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Banos - Penipe - Riobamba

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.

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...

Free time in Banos to wander around this nice small town. The Basilica of "Nuestra Señora de Agua Santa" is worth the visit, as well as a swim in the town's baths. Different sport activities are also available: mountain biking, rafting, canyoneering...

The road to Riobamba follows a fertile and green valley where you can observe recent lavas from the Tungurahua.

You will spend the night at Abraspungo hotel in Riobamba.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Riobamba - Balbanera & Colta - Ingapirca - Cuenca

On the way to Ingapirca, you will have a stop at the Colta lake and the Balbanera church, the first built in Ecuador in 1534.

Ingapirca means "inca stone wall" in the canari language, and indeed a site where the rock is full of legends and history. Ingapirca was founded by the Inca Huayna Capac in the XVth century. The impressive fortress used to contain a temple, sheds and an observatory with amazing exemple of mortar free stone constructions. It was though to be a tambo (relay) along the Inca way from Quito to Cuenca. The locals also see a puma's shape in the ruins. After a visit of the site you will find the Inganahui after walking a bit away. This Inca face rock sculpted by the wind and the rain may had inspired the Incas to found Ingapirca there.

After returning to the main site, you will have the opportunity to visit the museum dedicated to this place discovered by the french scientist La Condamine.

You will travel to the beautiful city of Cuenca by vehicle, following a scenic road in the middle of the Andes with views over the colored fields and the mountains around.

You will spend the night at Santa Lucia hotel in Cuenca.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Cuenca

The city of Cuenca (2 550 m) is undoubtedly as charming as its former name of Guapondelic reveals: "the valley as great as the sky". This colorful and lively city with superb historic buildings was classified as a World Heritage by the UNESCO since 1999. The best way to feel the warm colors of Cuenca is to walk around its paved streets, along the white houses with roman tiled roofs and flourishing wrought iron balconies. Colonial art treasures can also be discovered in Cuenca in the churches and convents from the XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries. The visit of the cathedral, the El Turi viewing platform, the flouring spaces, the churches and the covered market will gradually take you closer to the local life. Visit of a Panama hats workshop (except on Sundays) established in Cuenca for more than 60 years where you can observe the different stage of its fabrication, an Ecuador's specialty.

Behind the museum of the Central Bank you will find the Archeological Park of Pumapungo. You can walk among the vestiges of the ancient Inca settlement which was dismantled by the spanish conquerors in order to build Cuenca. There is also a garden with endemic plants. The Temple of the Sun and the convent of the virgins of the Sun were a part of one of the most impressive and magnificent cities of the former Inca Empire.

You will spend the night at Santa Lucia hotel in Cuenca.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Cuenca - Guayaquil

Journey to the West and the Pacific Ocean to get to Guayaquil, Ecuador's biggest city and economical capital. You will follow up the Western cordillera and cross the Cajas park where you will enjoy stunning views over the many lakes of this protected area.

Back down from the mountains you will then pass by fertile lowlands with huge orchards and banana plantations before arriving to Guayaquil.

In Guayaquil you will firstly visit the main streets, the neo gothic cathedral and the Simon Bolivar Park next to it, where you can find a hundred of green iguanas freely wandering around the park, some being a meter long. We will continue the visit to the Malecon 2000 and then reach the colonial area of Las Peñas, to admire there the architecture and the many art galleries. From the Santa Ana fort you will enjoy a scenic view over Guayaquil and the Guayas River.

You will spend the night at Mansion del Rio hotel in Guayaquil.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Guayaquil Airport - Bogota

Private transfer with your guide to Guayaquil airport.

Free connection with your international flight.

International flight Guayaquil - Bogota