The jewel of the Andes tour

Upon arrival at Quito airport, you will meet your guide, who will transfer you to your hotel.

Situated among Andean peaks, Quito is the world’s second-highest capital, with arguably one of the finest 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 re-founded by the Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Benalcázar in 1534.

The colonial center, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978, is one of the largest and best-preserved in Latin America. It is home to excellent museums, churches, and art galleries.

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Photo: mehdi33300

Middle of the World, Latitude 0° 0′ 0″: Early in the morning and right after breakfast, you and our local guide will start the tour in the downtown area, known as Quito Colonial. Your journey begins along the “churches’ trail” with a visit to the cathedral. In the cathedral, you will learn about its history, and the guide will explain its internal design, including the influence of the Mudéjar style, the area with three longitudinal wings, and a small transversal wing behind the choir.

After finishing the tour of the cathedral, we will take a short walk to La Compañía Church with the guide’s expertise. The guide will enlighten you with the history and interesting facts about La Compañía. Its decoration features Mudéjar elements, and the altars are covered with gold leaf, including carved faces and birds. It is considered an architectural jewel of the American Baroque style and has religious significance as it houses the remains of Saint Marianita of Jesus, who is believed to be the city’s protector.

Afterward, we will visit San Francisco, known for the Cantuña legend. San Francisco is famous for its legends and stories, which contribute to its cultural richness. At San Francisco Church, there is a local craft store called Tianguez, where you can find a variety of items from Ecuadorian culture, including postcards, books, Ecuadorian music, natural products, and even enjoy a coffee with Humitas (sweet corn tamale) at the local Café Cantuña located at Plaza San Francisco.

Around midday, you will head to “Mitad del Mundo,” a monument at the equator line passing through our country. You may choose to visit either the Ethnographic Museum or the Inti Ñan Museum, both located near the monument. Along the way, we will stop for a traditional Ecuadorian lunch (optional and not included).

Overnight.

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Photo: jkraft5

Your day begins exploring the bustling streets and squares of the largest historic center in the Americas, providing a unique adventure for the senses. Together, we will uncover the traditions, history, and local life of this enchanting city.

Our route takes us through the Street of the Seven Crosses, where we will enjoy views of old colonial homes and churches on our way to Independence Square, where the Government Palace is located. As we continue through these historic streets, we will meet a local family that makes their living creating traditional sweets called Colaciones.

We will delve deeper into the heart of Quito, passing historic buildings made of volcanic stone. The stunning views of the sculpted Compañía Church will leave you longing to visit its interiors. To learn more about this and other churches, we will visit the workshops of the master craftsmen from “The Escuela Quiteña”. These artists preserve the secrets of colonial art in Quito’s churches and museums. They will share their techniques with us and allow us to try our artistic skills to create our crafts.

Our next stop will be La Ronda, a historic and bohemian neighborhood known for its art, crafts, gastronomy, and fun. It is the oldest street in Quito. There, we will visit a traditional café to try interesting ice cream flavors or a traditional sweet (depending on the weather).

Finally, you will visit the Panecillo hillside with its breathtaking views of the old and modern city surrounded by the rolling Andes Mountains. At the top is one of Quito’s most iconic monuments, the Virgin of El Panecillo. Made with nearly seven thousand pieces of aluminum, this representation is unique because it is the only Virgin Mary with wings in the world.

Photo: Adobe Stock – Pablo Fernández

After an early morning breakfast, depart for Cotopaxi National Park. The Cotopaxi Volcano is one of Ecuador’s most important landmarks as it is the highest active volcano in the world. Observe lush endemic flora and fauna, including the Chuquiragua (also known as the mountaineer’s flower), wild horses, deer, llamas, and more. In the National Park, you can also visit Limpiopungo Lake, located near Rumiñahui Volcano (4757 meters), or hike. After this experience, you will stay overnight at a colonial Andean hacienda.

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Photo: PatricioHidalgoP

Travel to Baños, a natural gateway to adventure and relaxation. Visit the town, engage in adventure trips, explore waterfalls, and enjoy the bohemian yet calm nightlife.

Overnight.

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Photo: pajarosvolandophotos

Spend the day exploring the beautiful landscapes of the Chimborazo province around Abraspungo. There are many trails perfect for hiking and expeditions through various ecosystems such as páramos, lakes, mountains, and Andean forests. Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest mountain at 6,310 meters (20,697 feet) above sea level, derives its name from Quechua: Chimborazo (chimbo, likely from chimbana meaning “to cross”) and razu (snow).

Observe lush endemic flora and fauna, including the Chuquiragua (also known as the mountaineer’s flower), llamas, and several bird species. Experience the unique environment of the Andean paramo.

Overnight.

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© Cotopaxi travel

On this day, you will first visit Guamote, a small mountain village in central Ecuador, about an hour south of Riobamba. The majority of the village’s inhabitants are indigenous, and Kichwa remains one of the main languages spoken. Tradition plays an essential role in daily life, with colorful and traditional clothing worn at the market. The market has two sections: one for large animals such as sheep, cows, bulls, and pigs, and another for smaller animals like chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits, and piglets. Witness the lively bargaining and comparisons of animals.

Afterward, continue on the Pan-American Highway to visit Ingapirca. These ruins are the most significant architectural legacy of the Incas in Ecuador, dating back to the 15th century and representing a crucial part of Ecuador’s pre-Hispanic heritage. Located in the province of Cañar, about an hour and 45 minutes from Cuenca, Ingapirca is believed to be both a religious and administrative center as well as a fortress. The extensive archaeological complex includes a roofless fortification, courtyards, terraces, temples, houses, and a “castle,” possibly the Temple of the Sun. A museum at the site features both archaeological and ethnographic displays, including ceramics and jewelry.

Finally, depart from Ingapirca and head to the historic city of Cuenca for the night.

Photo: DanFLCreativo

The City Tour begins at Plaza de San Sebastián, marking the western boundary of Cuenca’s colonial city. Next, visit the Museum of Modern Art, which houses many contemporary works. Stroll through the historic downtown area to visit the San Francisco Market, the flower market, the House of Culture, Abdon Calderón Park, and the Cathedral. Proceed to the New Cathedral, the largest in the country, and observe its famous golden leaf flag.

The tour continues to the Homero Ortega hat factory, where you can observe the entire process of making Panama hats, which originated in Ecuador and are of great significance to the country. Later, visit the “Canyon” with its colonial-style townhouses along the Tomebamba River. Drive up to the Hill of Turi to admire the city and, on our final stop, discover the flavors of the famous “Tortillas de Trigo” (wheat tortillas). After the City Tour, return to your hotel for the night, and the guide will suggest traditional dishes you can enjoy in Cuenca.

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Photo: El País – John Coletti (Getty images)

DAY 9: FLIGHT TO QUITO

On this day, you will fly back to Quito. Depending on your flight departure time, additional experiences may be arranged.

Overnight: Quito

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DAY 10: TRANSFER OUT

Transfer Out: The journey comes to an end. We thank you for choosing our services and trusting in our extensive experience.

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Photo: 123RF – danflcreativo