Ecuador Express (LFEX-05)

	Duration: 5 days Departing: Daily
	Itinerary Day 1 Transfer In. Day 2 Historical City Tour in Quito & Middle of the World – Otavalo. Day 3 Otavalo Indian Market, Cotacachi & San Antonio de Ibarra Day 4 Cotopaxi National Park. Day 5 Transfer out.
	Package Descriptions

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1

Upon your arrival to the capital of Ecuador, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your charming hotel in Quito, where you will receive your full itinerary and information about Ecuador and your trip.

Day 2 - Quito City Tour

After breakfast, your will visit “Quito” the most beautiful and colonial city in South America declared by UNESCO part of the Cultural Heritage of mankind. Your visit starts in Ecuador’s House of Congress where you will appreciate its stone-carved façade depicting scenes from Ecuadorian history. Explore the Independence square, with the presidential palace, the city hall, the Sagrario church and the Cathedral. Visit San Francisco church and museum-monastery (1535), San Agustin monastery and the finest example of baroque art in America, La Compañía church (1605) and its breathtaking gilded altars. Visit the art & crafts gallery of Tianguez and finally, drive up to the Panecillo hill to have a spectacular view of Quito and to see the only winged Virgin in South America.

After visiting the Colonial center of Quito you will arrive to the Middle of the World Monument and Museum, which is located 25 km north of Ecuador’s capital. There you will find the monument on the exact equatorial line marking latitude 0° 0´0”, where you will have the opportunity to stand in both hemispheres, take a picture of yourself jumping from one hemisphere to another and you can also visit the ethnographic museum on site. In the afternoon you will continue your trip to Otavalo for an overnight stay. Accommodation (B)

Day 3 - Otavalo Indian Market

After a delicious breakfast you will discover the biggest and most colorful indian market in Latin America, the famous Otavalo and its ponchos market, famous around the world for its colorful tapestries, hand-knitted wool sweaters, native paintings, wood carvings, silver jewelry, woolen and straw hats, and much more at bargain prices. After great shopping, you will arrive to Cotacachi known for its leather works and San Antonio de Ibarra for its excellent woodcarvings. Lunch will be served at a typical nearby hacienda or country inn. On your way back to Quito you will enjoy the fantastic agricultural mosaic of rural Ecuador. Accommodation (B – L)

Day 4 - Cotopaxi National Park

Your adventure will start driving south of Quito where you will admire the Cotopaxi (19,347 feet) the highest active volcano on earth, and its National Park. Upon your arrival to the park you will visit the interpretation center, where you will find history about the last Cotopaxi eruption as well as information about the flora & fauna of this beautiful national park. Afterwards you will visit the Limpiapungo Lake and admire the Andean highlands with its exotic birds, or you can start climbing up to the snow line of the majestic Cotopaxi and arrive to the mountain’s first shelter located at 15,744 ft. Lunch will be served at a typical nearby hacienda. On your way back to Quito you will admire the highlands of Ecuador. Accommodation (B - L)

Day 5

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home. ( B )