best of ecuador - trip details

Day 01 - Quito 

Arrival in Quito. At an altitude of 2.800 metres, Quito is the second highest capital city in South America. 

Day 02 - Quito 

Half day city tour of Quito. The colonial old town was the first location in the world to be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Continue to the Equatorial Monument “Middle of the World”, where you can stand with a foot on each hemisphere. 

Day 03 - Quito - Otavalo 

Transfer to Otavalo to visit a school project in Peguche and the Otavalo handicraft market, the most famous indigenous market in South America. Time at leisure for some local handicraft and souvenir shopping.

Day 04 - Otavalo - Papallacta 

Visit of the Cuicocha lagoon and the little village Cotacachi. Drive to the small Andean village Papallacta, which is  famous for its thermal baths. Enjoy the pleasant effect of the warm, odourless thermal water surrounded by a wonderful landscape. Overnight in Papallcata.

Day 05 - Papallacta - Cotopaxi 

Drive along the “Avenue of the Volcanoes” to the South. Visit to the Cotopaxi National Park, walking tour at Laguna de Limpiopungo and visit of a beautiful flower plantation.

Day 06 - Cotopaxi - Riobamba 

Enjoy the diversity of an original market and continue to the volcanic lake of Quilotoa with stunning views of the lake and the mountain ranges. Transfer to Riobamba.

Day 07 - Riobamba - Cuenca 

Train ride to the Devil’s Nose, which offers spectacular Andean scenery along the way. Visit to the largest Inca site of Ecuador, the pre-Columbian Ingapirca ruins.

Day 08- Cuenca 

Half day excursion to visit the main sights including the flower market and a Panama hat factory. Guests explore the cobblestone streets,  handsome plazas and churches of the city.

Day 09 - Cuenca - Guayaquil 

Transfer to Guayaquil incl. visit of a cacao project enroute. Short panoramic sightseeing tour upon arrival.

Day 10 - Guayaquil 

End of the roundtrip and departure flight or post-tour.