Ecuador Esencia Andina | Volcanes, Naturaleza y Cultura Ancestral

Ecuador Esencia Andina | Volcanes, Naturaleza y Cultura Ancestral

Quito · Mindo · Otavalo · Cotopaxi · Quilotoa · Sigchos · Quito

Begin your journey in Quito, the first city declared a UNESCO World Cultural Site. Admire its colonial architecture, the baroque churches such as La Compañía de Jesús and San Francisco, and enjoy the panoramic view from El Panecillo before visiting the Middle of the World.

Continue Mindo, a cloud forest full of birds, orchids, butterflies, and waterfalls. Experience the 530 m (1,738 ft) cable car and discover the art of Ecuadorian artisanal chocolate.

Otavalo, famous for its Indigenous Artisan Market and ancestral Indigenous culture. San Pablo Lake, Andean landscapes and living traditions.

Cotopaxi National Park, Cotopaxi Volcano (5,897 m / 19,347 ft). Ride on horseback through the páramos, visit Limpiopungo Lagoon, and ascend to the José Rivas Refuge.

Finish in the magical Quilotoa Crater, with its turquoise lagoon and mountain views that reflect the essence of the Ecuadorian Andes.

NOTE:
The itinerary may be adjusted according to your needs.
Contact us for more information and let our travel agents help create your ideal trip.

 

RATES

DETAILS	1 PASSENGER	2 PASSENGERS	4 PASSENGERS	6 PASSENGERS
PER PERSON	2,700 USD	1,500 USD	1,400 USD	1,300 USD
TRANSPORT	Sedan Car	SUV	Mini Van	Van

Note: Surcharges apply for Luxury, Honeymoon, or Family suites.

Note: Rates valid for regular season only. Not applicable for National Holidays or local festivities.

Itinerary Ecuador Esencia Andina | Volcanes, Naturaleza y Cultura Ancestral

GUIDES IN SPANISH, ENGLISH, FRENCH, GERMAN, SIGN LANGUAGE

 

DAY 1 – COLONIAL QUITO - MIDDLE OF THE WORLD

Distance: 50 km / 31 miles / 1 h 30 min
Average altitude: 2,850 m / 9,350 ft
Difficulty: Easy

Activities:

Walking tour of the Historic Center: Baroque, Mudéjar, Neoclassical, and Neo-Gothic architecture like Plaza Grande, La Compañía Church, San Francisco.
Panoramic view from the Panecillo monument located above central Quito.
Excursion to the Middle of the World and the Intiñán Ethnographic Museum.

Overnight in Quito – 2,850 m / 9,350 ft

 

DAY 2 – MINDO: CLOUD FOREST - CHOCOLATE EXPERIENCE

Distance: 80 km / 49.7 miles
Altitude: from 2,850 m (9,350 ft) to 1,250 m (4,101 ft)
Difficulty: Medium

Activities:

Cable car across the natural forest: 530 m / 1,738 ft.
Hike to the 7 natural waterfalls in the humid forest (1–2 h).
Community Butterfly Garden with more than 50 species.
Mindo chocolate workshop: artisanal production and tasting.

Overnight in Mindo – 1,250 m / 4,101 ft

 

DAY 3 – MINDO: BIRDWATCHING - QUITO

Distance: 80 km / 49.7 miles
Minimum altitude: 1,250 m / 4,101 ft
Difficulty: Easy to medium

Activities:

Hike in the cloud forest for birdwatching in the high montane forest (2–3 h)
Hummingbird gardens within a bird conservation reserve

Overnight Quito – 2,850 m / 9,350 ft

 

DAY 4 – OTAVALO - SAN PABLO LAKE

Distance: 180 km / 111.8 miles
Average altitude: 2,500 m / 8,202 ft
Difficulty: Easy

Activities:

Indigenous Artisan Market of Otavalo (Plaza de Ponchos), one of the largest and oldest in Latin America (2 h)
Parque Cóndor: rescue center for endangered Andean birds (2 h)
El Lechero viewpoint (ceremonial site) and boat ride on San Pablo Lake with views of Imbabura Volcano and local communities (2 h)

Overnight in Quito – 2,850 m / 9,350 ft

 

DAY 5 – COTOPAXI: HORSEBACK RIDING - LIMPIOPUNGO LAGOON

Distance: 180 km / 111.8 miles
Maximum altitude: 4,800 m / 15,748 ft
Difficulty: Moderate to demanding

Activities:

Horseback ride through Cotopaxi National Park, observing wild horses, llamas, and Andean birds (2 h)
Short hike at Limpiopungo Lagoon for acclimatization at 3,850 m / 12,631 ft (1 h)

Overnight in Mountain Lodge – 3,850 m / 12,631 ft – Cotopaxi

 

DAY 6 – COTOPAXI: JOSÉ RIVAS REFUGE - BIKING

Distance: 180 km / 111.8 miles
Maximum altitude: 4,800 m / 15,748 ft
Difficulty: Medium to advanced

Activities:

Ascent on foot: 1 km / 0.62 miles to the José Rivas Refuge at 4,800 m / 15,748 ft.
Biking: 15 km / 9.32 miles on rural and concrete mountain roads.

Overnight in Quilotoa Lodge – 3,914 m / 12,841 ft

 

DAY 7 – QUILOTOA - BIKING

Distances:
Cotopaxi → Quilotoa: 90 km / 55.9 miles
Quilotoa → Sigchos: 15 km / 9.32 miles biking

Altitude:
Quilotoa: 3,914 m / 12,840 ft
Sigchos: 2,800 m / 9,186 ft

Difficulty: Advanced

Activities:

Descent to the lagoon (40 min) and ascent (1 h) inside a volcano crater formed 800 years ago
Biking: 15 km / 9.32 miles through rural and concrete road Andean landscapes

Overnight in Quito – 2,850 m / 9,350 ft

 

DAY 8 – FREE DAY IN QUITO

Distance: 145 km / 90.1 miles
Difficulty: No demanding walks

Activities:

Breakfast
Transfer to Mariscal Sucre Airport
Check-out at noon

End of services

Map of Tour Location

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