Ecuador beaches and Andes - 12 Days

When you arrive in Ecuador, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your charming hotel in Quito.

Accommodation: Hotel Mercure

After breakfast you will visit “Quito”, the most beautiful and colonial city in South America, declared by UNESCO part of the Cultural Heritage of mankind. You will explore the colonial part of the city, starting at the Independence square, with the presidential palace, the city hall, the Sagrario church and the Cathedral. You will then visit San Francisco church and museum-monastery (1535), the San Agustin monastery and the finest example of baroque art in America, La Compañía church (1605) and its breathtaking gilded altars. Your next stop will be at the art & crafts gallery of Tianguez and finally, drive up to the Panecillo hill and enjoy an amazing view of Quito from above. From here, you can admire the only winged-Virgin statue in South America. This is a great spot to take pictures above Quito.

After visiting the Colonial center of Quito you will arrive to the Middle of the World Monument and Museum, located 25 km north of Ecuador’s capital. There you will find the monument on the equatorial line marking latitude 0° 0´0”, where you will have the opportunity to stand in both hemispheres and take wonderful pictures. Here you can also visit the ethnographic museum on site as well.

Accommodation: Hotel Mercure (Breakfast)

Today you will visit the biggest and most colorful indigenous market in Latin America, the famous Otavalo. Its market is 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 this, you will go to the Peguche Waterfall near Otavalo, where you will arrive after a refreshing walk. In the afternoon you will return to Quito, enjoying the rural landscape.

Accommodation: Hosteria Hacienda Pinsaqui (Breakfast)

On this day, you will visit Cuicocha Lake, one of the most interesting crater lakes in Ecuador. This active volcano has a lagoon inside its crater with two small islands. If you like, you can enjoy a boat ride around the crater and listen to the stories and legends of this magical place or take a short hike for a beautiful view. After this, you will continue discovering this amazing area near Otavalo. On your way back to Quito you will enjoy the fantastic agricultural mosaic of rural Ecuador.

Accommodation: Ilatoa Lodge (Breakfast)

Your adventure will start driving south of Quito where to 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 moorlands with its birds or you can start climbing up to the snow line and arrive to the first shelter of the mountain located at 15,744 ft. After lunch you will admire Ecuador’s highest mountain, the snow capped Chimborazo (20,697 ft.) on your way to Riobamba which is the birthplace of Ecuador’s first constitution (1830). You will spend the night in a nice colonial hacienda.

Accommodation: Hacienda Abraspungo (Breakfast)

Chimborazo is the highest volcano and mountain in Ecuador, and the point furthest from the center of the Earth with an altitude of 6263.47 meters above sea level. It is located in the central Andes, next to the city of Riobamba, 150 km southwest of Quito and 145 km from Guayaquil. Due to the Earth’s rotation, the diameter in the equatorial zone is the largest on the entire planet. Thanks to this, if the distance from the center of the Earth is measured, its summit is the most distant point, surpassing by more than two kilometers that of the highest mountain above sea level, mount Everest.

After this you will arrive to the Ingapirca Inca ruins; the most important religious and political complex of the Inca ruins in Ecuador. Afterwards, you will continue your driving to the beautiful city of Cuenca, Ecuador’s third largest city. In the evening you have the night free to wander through this charming city in the south of the country.

Accommodation: Hotel Santa Lucia (Breakfast)

Today you will wander around one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Latin America “Cuenca”. A city located at 2,500 meters above sea level in a valley surrounded by 4 rivers and mountains with a very colorful countryside. Cuenca is famous for its art and history; there you will be able to admire its beautiful marble Cathedral, its cobblestone streets, graceful wrought-iron balconies, flowered plazas and museums. The people of Cuenca are known for their great hospitality.

Accommodation: Hotel Santa Lucia (Breakfast)

Your tour continues with a trip to Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city and one of the most important ports in the Pacific Coast of South America. Visit the living tradition of “Las Peñas” neighborhood, walk around the riverfront Malecon 2000 with its botanic gardens, and monuments with a view to the Guayas River. Walk up to the Santa Ana hill to have a spectacular view of Guayaquil, and drive through the “9th of October” Avenue to see the “Centenario” park and discover the spirit of this cosmopolitan city and Ecuador’s economic center. After lunch you will visit the Natural Historic Park of Guayaquil, a place where it is possible to admire local flora and fauna like Caymans, Iguanas, Arpee Eagles and a beautiful segment of mangrove forest. On the cultural side, visit a replica of a late nineteenth century Guayaquil neighborhood.

Accomodation: Grand Hotel Guayaquil (Breakfast)

Today your trip continues from Guayaquil to Machalilla area. Here you will visit the Machalilla National Park, beautiful place with white sand beaches like Los Frailes Beach, surrounded by primary dry forest that is full of life. You can visit the Agua Blanca archeological museum to learn about pre-Columbian cultures, the local way of life and the natural history of the area.

Accommodation: Hotel Nantu (Breakfast)

Between the months of June through September, Manabí receives the visit of the whales, which come from the Southern Hemisphere to mate in this area. You can see them jumping with all their majesty, offering an unforgettable show and reminding us of the magic of Mother Nature. This occurs on your way to La Isla de la Plata (Silver Island), a beautiful wildlife sanctuary known as the Little Galapagos because it is inhabited by some of the same species as in Galápagos such as the Red, Blue, Frigate birds, Pelicans, Albatross, Masked boobies, seagulls and many other birds. The island is named after the legend of pirate Sir Francis Drake, whom is said to have stolen the gold from the Spanish ships and hid it somewhere on the island in a secret place that has never been found.

Accommodation: Hotel Nantu (Breakfast)

Today you will visit Pacoche Forest; a reserve with an ecosystem similar to that of the Amazon Rainforest. During a short hike you will  meet different species of monkeys and birds. Subsequently, you will visit Montecristi village, famous for the worldwide known “Panama Hats” and other handicrafts. This is the perfect opportunity to buy the last souvenirs. In the late afternoon you will be transferred to the Manta airport for your flight back to Quito, where you will be welcomed and brought to your hotel.

Accommodation: Ilatoa Lodge (Breakfast)

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