Artisans and artist in the Andes of Ecuador

Upon arrival at Quito Airport, you will be met by your guide, who will transfer you to your hotel. Nestled among Andean peaks, Quito is the world’s second-highest capital and boasts one of the most stunning settings globally. Originally settled by the Quitu tribe in the first millennium, Quito was an important part of the Inca Empire before being destroyed and refounded by Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Benalcázar in 1534. The colonial center declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, is one of the largest and best-preserved in Latin America, featuring excellent museums, churches, and art galleries.

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Photo: mehdi33300

Today, you will meet your guide in the hotel lobby and head to Tumbaco Valley to visit the Barroquema Art Gallery. At the gallery, you will enjoy a display of pottery, meet the artists, and witness a sculpture modeling demonstration. You will also create a hand-molded bowl with red clay, which will be ready in three days—don’t worry, we will pick it up for you!

Next, you will travel to Cumbayá, one of Quito’s most exclusive districts, where you will enjoy a gastronomic experience at the 3500 restaurant. Here, while dining, you will experience a work of art not only in the presentation but also in the combination of flavors, blending traditional Ecuadorian cuisine with the most avant-garde techniques of world cuisine.

Photo: sergiimostovyi

After lunch, you will continue to Quito’s downtown area to visit an art gallery. On this occasion, you will meet Mrs. Carole Lindberg. During your visit, she will share her story with you. The Galleria/Taller is a six-room gallery located on the ground floor of a 25-room colonial residence in the San Roque neighborhood of Quito’s historical center. The house, built in the mid-1800s, was formerly owned by the famous woodcarver and designer Neptali Martinez.

Carole will give you a private tour of the gallery and house, explaining the development of her artistic expression and the restoration process of this historic residence. The gallery area has recently been restored by Carole Lindberg and houses a permanent collection of her work. Various adjoining studio areas are used by Carole and other artists.

Later in the afternoon, you will return to the San Marcos neighborhood, known for its artisans. Your first visit will be at Casa Coraje, where two magnificent artists work and live: Illowaski Guanchala and Pamela Suasti. Illowaski is a contemporary realistic painter. He captures scenes from the streets or views from his window, and his work, while seemingly simple, reveals intricate details upon closer inspection. Pamela’s work features wool embroidery, creating figures of such high quality that she has been invited to exhibit in various galleries nationwide. She also illustrates children’s books with this art.

Continuing the tour, the next stop will be at the Watercolor Museum, where you will learn about the renowned Ecuadorian painter Muñoz Marin. Return to the hotel for the evening.

Overnight.

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© Carole Lindberg

This morning, you will depart for Otavalo, famous for its artisan market. On the way, you will stop in Guayllabamba to taste a typical fruit called chirimoya and in Cayambe for bizcochos (a mix between a cracker and bread).

In Otavalo, you will visit the textile market located at the “Plaza de los Ponchos,” one of the most famous markets in South America. Here, you will find all kinds of handicrafts, including tapestries made on both the Spanish and indigenous backstrap looms. You will have some free time to bargain and shop with the friendly Otavaleños.

Later, you will visit Mr. Miguel Andrango’s workshop in Agato. There, you will observe a weaving demonstration by three generations of the Andrango family. You will see how raw wool is turned into thread and used with looms, along with the tools and natural dyes they use. After the demonstration, you can visit the store and purchase items if you wish.

You will have lunch at Hacienda Pinsaqui, a historic hacienda. After lunch, you will return to Quito for a night city tour. Explore the bustling streets and squares of the largest historical center in the Americas, visiting some of its most important churches, including the impressive Cathedral, the majestic Compañía, and the iconic San Francisco. At the San Francisco convent, you will enjoy a private tour and learn more about the congregation, concluding with a tasting of their original craft beer, made from a recipe dating back to the 16th century.

Overnight.

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© GoRaymi

Your day begins early as you leave Quito with your guide, heading south to the Ecuadorian Andes’ destination: Quilotoa Lake and Tigua. This town is renowned for its artisans, drums, festive masks, and paintings. If you’re lucky and the day is clear, you might catch a glimpse of the magnificent Cotopaxi Mountain.

Your first stop is Tigua, where indigenous artists create handicrafts depicting rural life and community customs. Tigua’s crafts, including traditional festive masks and paintings, make perfect souvenirs when visiting Quilotoa Lake.

Next, you will head to Quilotoa Lake, a large volcanic crater with mesmerizing emerald green water, ideal for outstanding photographs. Continuing the tour, you will visit Hacienda San Agustín del Callo, built on the site of an Inca palace and one of Ecuador’s most important archaeological sites. The Hacienda also hosted the French Geodesic Mission, which contributed to determining the true shape of the planet. Other notable visitors include the brilliant German scientist Alexander von Humboldt and English mountain climber Edward Whymper.

At the Hacienda, you will enjoy lunch and dinner, and in the evening, you can partake in a series of activities offered by the hacienda.

Overnight.

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Photo: SL_Photography

After enjoying a delightful breakfast at San Agustín Hacienda, you depart south toward Riobamba. Before reaching Riobamba, you will have a cultural immersion at the La Moya community, where you will meet two indigenous artists. First, you will get to know Mrs. María Aguallo. Since childhood, she has been spinning llama and alpaca wool, creating various products and handicrafts. She then sells these items to visitors of the community. Among her creations are ponchos, scarves, hats, and more.

Next, you will visit Mr. Miñarcaja’s house and learn why he is called “El Bocinero” or “the guy who plays the trumpet.” He will explain his Bocina, a type of trumpet made from several bovine horns joined together, forming a semicircle with a long bamboo or guadúa cane tube. This Andean and indigenous instrument produces a deep, resonant, melancholy, and powerful sound. It plays a crucial role in the festivities and celebrations of central Ecuador’s indigenous communities. Before leaving, both artisans will share two ancient tales with you.

Photo: Alamy – Raquel Mogado

Continuing the tour in Riobamba, you will meet Arcángel Valdiviezo, the fourth generation of Riobambeños dedicated to preserving tinsmithing, an antique artisanal technique that is rare today. This tradition began in 1940 when Arcángel’s grandfather started creating tin masks, a key element of the attire for the famous Rattle Devil, one of the many characters in the Riobambeño Pase del Niño. In this workshop, you will participate in this ongoing tradition.

Afterward, you will visit the Somos Foundation and Art Gallery, where you will learn about the foundation’s work, its origins, and meet some of the staff who teach art. You will also enjoy exploring the gallery.

Finally, in the evening, you will experience an extraordinary meal at ShamuiCo. This restaurant prides itself on respecting the flavors of each ingredient, combining textures exquisitely, and presenting each dish impeccably. Samuel, the chef and owner of ShamuiCo, works with his family and collaborators to revive and celebrate traditional products, aromas, and flavors of the Ecuadorian Andes. In the 1990s, seeking better education and opportunities, Samuel and his family emigrated to Catalonia, Spain. His culinary skills and dedication led him to intern at El Celler de Can Roca, a three-Michelin-star restaurant. His outstanding performance earned him a position at El Bulli, renowned for experimental cuisine, with world-renowned chef Ferran Adrià. Samuel’s European experience taught him the value of time, responsibility, and daily innovation.

With this extensive experience, he returned to Ecuador to realize his dream of opening his own restaurant, first in Saraguro, his native community, and now in Riobamba. You will undoubtedly enjoy a unique and unforgettable dining experience.

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Photo: flickr – Roberto Urrea

This morning, you will visit Guamote, a small mountain village in central Ecuador, about an hour from Riobamba. The village is predominantly indigenous, with Kichwa still spoken. Local traditions play an important role, especially during the market on Thursdays, where you will see colorful traditional clothing and a variety of animals for sale.

If it is not Thursday, you can still visit the market, though it will be smaller. The guide will suggest alternative activities. After this visit, you will continue on the Pan-American Highway to Ingapirca, the most significant Inca architectural legacy in Ecuador. These ruins, dating back to the 15th century, were both a religious and administrative center and a fortress of the Cañaris and Incas Empire. You will be taken on a guided tour of the complex, including a museum with archaeological and ethnographic displays. Finally, you will head to Cuenca, where you will spend the night.

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Photo: DanFLCreativo

Cuenca, Ecuador’s third-largest city, retains a charming provincial air with its red-tiled roofs, cobblestone streets, and flowery plazas. Today, enjoy a full-day city tour to discover the beauty and charm that has earned Cuenca its World Cultural Heritage status. The tour includes a walking exploration of the colonial downtown, with opportunities to experience local hospitality, parks, plazas, religious monuments, and craft shops.

You will visit art galleries and workshops, including Homero Ortega Store, where the finest Panama straw hats are made (Panama Hats actually originated in Ecuador). Another stop is Art Dawi, showcasing works by emerging and renowned Ecuadorian and Latin American artists.

You will also meet Miguel Illescas for a private visit to his gallery. Miguel is a self-taught plastic artist known for his two- and three-dimensional works using materials like iron, wood, and mixed media. His art, ranging from anthropomorphic to zoomorphic themes, is both mystical and magical, blending ancestral and contemporary styles.

The tour continues with a visit to the hill of Turi for a panoramic view of the city and a final stop to enjoy “Tortillas de Trigo” (wheat tortillas). Dinner will be at La Matilde, located in the heritage house “Casa del Parque.” The restaurant offers an exquisite dining experience with international cuisine and local flavors, and its Turquoise Tea Room and Bar 1880 provide additional unique experiences.

Overnight.

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Photo: El País – John Coletti (Getty images)

In the morning, you will visit the communities of Gualaceo and Chordeleg. Chordeleg is renowned for its ceramics, jewelry, shoemaking, fabrics, and toquilla straw hats. The town has developed its artisan initiatives and customer service policies linked to tourism. Known as the land of jewelers, Chordeleg offers a wide range of jewelry options.

Afterward, you will drive for about half an hour to Gualaceo, a town that has preserved traditional Andean characteristics and colonial architectural elements. It is an important area for folklore in Ecuador. The guide will suggest some restaurants for traditional lunch. After lunch, you will return to Cuenca for a final visit to a historic convent. The Religious Art Museum of the Nun Convent is renowned as one of the best religious art museums in Ecuador, celebrated for the quality and value of its collections. During your visit, you will admire various artworks and gain insight into the faith of the Ecuadorian people. It will be a fascinating and memorable experience.

In the evening, you will have free time to enjoy Cuenca’s culinary offerings at some of its marvelous restaurants.

Overnight.

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© Casa de La Cultura

Just after breakfast, the tour will depart for Cajas National Park. This national park is a network of 786 lakes, lagoons, and ponds connected by crystal-clear streams. A carpet of sponge-like plants absorbs water and releases it slowly over weeks and months. Frequent rains and moist clouds ensure that this cycle continues. From these water springs springs life: that is why the moors and the cloud forest are teeming with mammals, birds, and unusual plants.

You will visit the Interpretation Center located at La Toreadora Lake (the largest and most important lake in the entire complex). Here, you can view exhibits and presentations about the park. Next, you will take a short walk around La Tejedora to learn more about this ecosystem and understand why the water in the park is vital for all of Ecuador.

Cajas has long served as an important natural passage between the coastal and Andean regions of Ecuador. Evidence from pre-Inca times shows that roads and trading routes were established here, which the Incas further developed under their empire. Today, Cajas National Park hosts 28 different archaeological sites, demonstrating that there was some degree of settlement in the area during those times.

After this tour, you will head to the airport and take a flight from Quito to Cuenca.

Upon arrival in Quito, you will check into the hotel and have the opportunity to enjoy one of its renowned experiences: watercolor painting.

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Photo: ivstiv

After breakfast, you will be met by your guide for a transfer to Quito Airport in time for your Galápagos or international flight.

Photo: helovi