Get inspired in one of the most diverse regions of Ecuador in just 9-day tour. Let yourself be enveloped in the history and culture of the famous and well-preserved historical centres in Americas. Enter one of the largest lacustrine complex on southern of Ecuador and finally descend until you reach out the Pearl of the Pacific Ocean.
DAY 1:
ARRIVAL DAY IN QUITO
A friendly local representative will welcome you at the International Airport of Quito,
South America. Received the necessary information so that you can feel familiar in the Quito city where are living almost three million inhabitants. Quito is the political and administrative capital of Ecuador. Do the check-in at the hotel after 40-minute drive on a modern highway. Rest very comfortable in your room and recover your energy in order to discover the famous and well preserved old town in the Americas next day.
Do not forget that Quito is the highest capital in the world for this reason when arriving in the city we must walk calmly and drink a lot of water.
Try a delicious food in the restaurants around hotel.
DAY 2:
CITY TOUR IN QUITO –
MIDDLE OF THE WORLD
Quito opens its doors to show us up churches and convents which have an incalculable cultural worth. Most of these churches were built in the XVI century with the effort of spanish, indigenous and mestizo people who translate their skill on divers artistic works.
At 40-minute far from the old town of Quito will find the Middle of the world. Two museums fight over visitors; The middle of the world city and the Intiñan. the first one is a enormous photographic monument built in 1976 and the second one is a museum on- site where accompanied by a local guide you will enjoy more about this tourist attraction.
Return to the hotel in Quito to package to travel next day to the south of the Andean ecuadorean region.
DAY 3:
QUITO - COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK – BAÑOS CITY
Adventure the Cotopaxi National Park that is located on a range of 12 795 - 19 337 feet high. This park was declared the first protected area on Ecuador Mainland in 1975. The Cotopaxi eco-system homes a wide range of flora and fauna including a unique combination of pine vegetation. Wolves, pumas, Andean spectacled bears, southamerican foxes, wild horses, rabbits and the Andean Condor are part of this natural region.
The highest active volcano can be seen from the lagoon. Around this majestic snow-capped volcano are other extinct volcanoes such as Rumiñahui, Sincholagua and Quilindaña. We will continue traveling towards the Province of Tungurahua to stay over in Baños city.
DAY 4:
TREE HOUSE - WATERFALL ROUTE – BRIDE'S VEIL - DEVIL´S CAULDRON
Visit “La Casa del Arbol” This attraction is the best place to spot the Tungurahua Volcano, located asl. Move back and forth on the swing of the end of the world and feel the emptiness of the cliff
Walk the popular waterfall route to see several stream flows over a precipice. Small villages, tangerine and tree tomato plantations will be seen by the main highway that links Baños with the amazon region.
The first stop will be in the “Manto de la Novia” or Bride´s veil waterfall to cross from one side to the another one by means of a cable car or Tarabita.
Drive further to visit another awe-inspiring waterfall known as “The Devil´s Cauldron”. This intimidating place has a noisy waterfall that can be seen from various points at the moment that people are walk-down on the path.
The city of Baños also has bars, pubs and restaurants that are visited during the night.
DAY 5:
BAÑOS – CHIMBORAZO RESERVE - RIOBAMBA
Visit a Faunistic Reserve situated at the botton of the Chimborazo volcano. Chimborazo is the highest mountain in Ecuador with 20 000 feet and is surrounded by an immense sandy area with a rather dry grassland.
The reserve provides water to the three provinces where it sits: here are the sources that feed the Ambato, Chambo and Chimbo rivers. The waters of the Chimbo end in the great Guayas River, this icon is represented in the National Ecuadorian shield.
Chimborazo reserve houses an important population of vicuñas reintroduced from Peru and Chile in 1988.
Llamas, alpacas and domestic animals are part of the Andean landscape. The reserve was created to protect these animals and their historical heritage, as well as the strange grassland of which they are part. arrival in the capital of the Ecuadorian railway.
DAY 6:
RIOBAMBA – PALMIRA DESSERT - INGAPIRCA INCA RUINS - CUENCA CITY
Take the Devil´s Nose Train in the local railroad station. Enjoy a train ride on a sinuous railroad that falling 500-meter ramp of altitude approximately.
A complicated engineering plan took place at the beginning of the XX century, since the mountain had to be drilled in order to set the railroad up.
The american Ing. Archer Harman who was the CEO of this project designed and built the railroad like a sig sag line to allow the locomotive loaded with people and commodity thus, the train ramps up and down to arrive in Quito or Guayaquil.
Explore the most significant archeological Inca site in Ecuador. The ruins represent a fusion between Cañari and Inca architecture, since these group of structures were built by the Cañari cultural group as a religious and housing centre.
DAY 7:
WALKING TOUR IN CUENCA
The “Athens of Ecuador” opens its doors. Cuenca City was declared a cultural heritage of humanity by the Unesco in 1995.
Cuenca possess the largest church in Ecuador. This massive religious structure was designed and constructed by the Brother Redemptorist Juan Bautista Stiehle.
The catholic church has a renaissance gothic style with three domes that were assembled in the roof as a replica of the Basilica of Saint Peter from Rome. The two frontal towers in the beginning also were designed with domes but due to architectural failures they were not built.
The cathedral´s construction began in 1885 and ended 90 years later in 1975. It accommodates 8000 people inside and attracts hundreds of catholic worshippers day after day.
The city of the four rivers offers other activities that you can discover according with you likes or enthusiasm.
A walking tour show us other city beauties. Taste the gastronomic delights that are prepared in Cuenca.
DAY 8:
CUENCA – CAJAS NATIONAL PARK - GUAYAQUIL
Head out on the west of Cuenca to visit the Cajas National Park. The Park is within the Andes western mountain range. The altitude range is 10 354 – 14 600 feet high. Rivers, creeks, ravines and streams complement each other to forme out a big interconnected lacustrine system.
The average temperature is 36°F - 64°F. In the Park exists several archeological sites or roads such as Capac Ñan (The Andean Inca Trail), which links different regions on the highlands and the coastal region. These sites were part of the Pre-Columbian and Inca period and were used for trading the Spondylus Shell, it is object was considered a local currency for economical transactions.
Upon your arrival in Guayaquil, we enjoy the Malecon 2000, known as Simon Bolivar as well. This boardwalk is visited for Ecuadorians and foreigners. The area comprising a pedestrian Street by 2.5 kilometers along the Guayas River, with well-tended gardens, restaurants, shops, clothing stores and a dock.
Admire from the boarwalk the imposing guayas river that is a symbol of union for Ecuadorean people.
DAY 9:
GUAYAQUIL – DEPARTURE DAY
Departure transfer in the morning. You will be transferred to the airport so that you can take your flight at home or continue your travel around the world.
From Guyaquil city many flights departure to different cities in South America. If your flight is to visit Galapagos Islands you will be transferred to the domestic airport departures in the morning.
HIGHLIGHTS:
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The old town of Quito City.
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The Middle of the World.
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Cotopaxi National Park.
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The Adventure Capital of Ecuador, Baños.
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The Swing of the End of the World, Tree House.
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The Waterfull Route, includes; The Bride's Veil.
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The Devil's Cauldron
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Chimborazo Volcano & Reserve.
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The Largest Inca Complex by Cuenca
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The Unesco City of Cuenca
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The Cajas National Park.
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The Pearl of the Pacific Ocean, Guayaquil City.
What’s included?
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Bilingual Guide: An English-speaking Naturalist Guide-Driver
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Accommodation: Double, triple or single room at 3-star hotel
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Pick-up Arrival transfer
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Meals: 8 Breakfast and 1 box lunch
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Activities: Hiking (moderate level), cultural, photography
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Cotopaxi National Park Fee: Form registration
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Devil´s Nose Train Fee: Standard class
What’s not included?
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Travel Insurance: Mandatory for all participants
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Entrance fees not mentioned For optional activities
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Tipping Customary