THE ANDES FROM NORTH TO SOUTH – 13D/12N
In the northern of Andes, you can appreciate the architecture of the largest and best preserved historic center in Latin America, take the best photographs standing up on 2 hemispheres at the same time, know the wonderful biodiversity of the Ecuadorian cloud forest, visit the largest Andean indigenous market where you can buy clothing, crafts, musical instruments and more, as well as relax in hot springs located at 3500 masl. The central part of Andes awaits you to ascend until 5200 masl to the glacier of the highest active volcano in the world, observe the emerald green lagoon located on the crater of a volcano, practice extreme sports and photograph yourself on the Swing at the End of the World from which you can observe another active volcano. Heading south, visit the First Catholic Church built in Ecuador and cross the Devil’s Nose train ride on board the most difficult train in the world. You can also explore the Inca ruins of Ingapirca, admire the beauty of Cuenca city and take walks through one of the World Biosphere Reserves.
Day 1: Airport – Transfer In
The beginning of your trip will be the Mariscal Sucre International Airport, where one of our representatives receives and gives you a warm welcome to Ecuador. After some general indications, you will be transferred to your selected hotel for accommodation. Depending on the arrival time, you can also explore the city of Quito briefly, always with your accompanying guide. (Meals included: Lunch depending on the arrival time and dinner in all cases)
Day 2: Quito
It’s your opportunity to know the capital of Ecuador. This day begins visiting the Middle of the World, where you can get a photo standing up in the northern and southern hemispheres at the same time, try experiments to prove that you are just on the equator and visit its different internal museums. Upon returning to the city, you will make a city tour through the historic center of Quito, famous for being the largest in Latin America, to appreciate its wonderful architecture while walking along its colonial streets. Also, add to this tour a beautiful panoramic view of the city from the viewpoint of the Panecillo’s Virgin. Optionally, you can try the cableway of the city to complete your day shooting the best landscapes of Quito. (Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 3: Mindo Cloud Forest
This trip starts with a visit to the viewpoint of Pululahua volcano. Next, you go to Mindo where you can appreciate the biodiversity of Ecuador when visiting the Butterfly Sanctuary and the Hummingbirds House. You also have a stop at a chocolate factory for learning about the process of making this artisan product. Later, you take a walk along the “Route of Waterfalls” and end the day enjoying some extreme sport, if you decide. (Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 4: Cayambe – Otavalo – Cuicocha
In the morning, you will go to the north of the country. The first point for visiting is Cayambe, where you can see the Quitsato solar clock, taste its “bizcochos” (a kind of biscuits) and look their manufacturing process. Further on, you will see the beautiful San Pablo Lake and the impressive Imbabura Volcano. When you arrive in Otavalo, you have time for walking through its indigenous market and look or even buy clothing, paintings, handicrafts, musical instruments of excellent quality at affordable prices. The last stop is Cotacachi, where you can walk through its shops dedicated to the manufacture and sale of leather things, prior to your visit to the Cuicocha Lagoon, located on the crater of a volcano with the same name. Finally, you will return to your hotel in Quito for resting. (Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 5: Cayambe Coca National Park – Papallacta
Again you leave your hotel in Quito for going by car to the Cayambre – Coca National Park. Upon entering this natural reserve, your guide gives some indications before starting the walk to the first place for visiting this day, the Loreto Lagoon, where after the explanation about its flora and fauna you can contemplate the landscape and shoot it with your camera. Next, you will be transfer to the Papallacta hot springs, located at 3500 masl, to relax and enjoy the Andean landscape. In the afternoon, on your return to your hotel in Machachi, there is a last stop at the viewpoint of Papallacta Lagoon from where you can look over the ecosystem of the area. (Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 6: Cotopaxi National Park
In the morning, you will continue with your trip to the south of Andes. Upon entering the Cotopaxi National Park, your guide gives you some indications prior to your ascent to the Jose Rivas Refuge, located at 4864 masl. On this site, if you wish, you can taste a hot chocolate, while admiring the landscape. If the physical and climatic conditions allow it, you will ascend until the glacier, located at 5000 masl. Once you have enjoyed taking photographs at this point, you will begin the descent towards the Limpiopungo Lagoon, where your guide explains you about the flora and fauna of the zone. Upon you go to the interpretation center, can taste your lunch. Finally, you will return to the city of Latacunga, where you have the accommodation this day. The rest of the afternoon can be used to enjoy the hotel facilities or walk around the city. (Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 7: Quilotoa Lagoon
Continuing with your trip, in the morning you will go towards Quilotoa to observe the beautiful emerald green lagoon, located on the crater of a volcano. On the way, you will learn about the way of life of local indigenous people, their crafts, clothing and traditions with your visit to an indigenous house, and with the stop at the Art Gallery in Tigua. Further on, you have a panoramic view of the Toachi Canyon, the ideal place for several photographs. Finally, when you arrive at Quilotoa Lagoon, you stay some minutes in its viewpoint, before continuing with the descent to the banks of the lagoon. On this site, you can also practice kayak, as an additional activity. In the afternoon, continue with the route to Baños, where is your site for accommodation. (Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 8: Baños de Agua Santa
The day starts with your visit to Manto de la Novia Waterfall, where you will have time for your photographs, or even for the canopy activity offered in the area, if you wish. The next is at the Tree House where you can get photographs of yourself on the Swing at the End of the World. Next, you take a walk towards the Pailon del Diablo Waterfall, after crossing hanging bridges and caves you finish under this waterfall of huge presence. In the afternoon, you go to Baños city, for visiting its church, museum, tasting its sweets and finishing the day from the viewpoint of the city. Afterwards, you will be transferred to your hotel inside the city (Food included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 9: Baños de Agua Santa – Colta – Alausi
Very early you will transfer to the hot springs, where you have a couple of hours to relax and enjoy. Next, you visit the zoo and serpentarium of the city. In the afternoon, you continue with the tour towards Colta, where you visit the First Catholic Church built in Ecuador (1534) and you can also admire the Colta Lagoon. On the way, you can also shoot the best photographs of the highest mountain in the country, the Chimborazo; its top is also considered the furthest point from the center of Earth. The route ends in Alausi, your place for accommodation. (Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 10: The Devil’s Nouse Train Ride – Ingapirca Ruins
In the morning, you board the train to the Devil’s Nose, known as the most difficult railway route in the world, you cross incredible cliffs and mountains until get Sibambe, visit its museum and share with indigenous people of the zone. In the afternoon, you visit the Ingapirca Ruins, an important vestige of the Inca culture in Ecuador. The tour of this day ends in Cuenca city, where you can admire the beautiful view of its historic center at night, while heading to your selected hotel. (Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 11: Cajas National Park
Very early you will transfer to the Cajas National Park, World Biosphere Reserve, for walking around the zone, look its wonderful lake complex and its Andean flora and fauna. You can also visit its interpretation center, before your return to Cuenca city, where you can enjoy walking along its streets or taking advantage of the hotel facilities. (Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 12: Cuenca – Quito
Start your day with a city tour, visiting the emblematic places of this city, such as the Broken Bridge, the Calderon Square, the Cathedral, the Church of San Blas, and the Flowers Market. In addition, you will enter to the Hat Museum, for learning about the process for making straw hats, known internationally as “Panama Hats”. After lunch, you have free time for walking along the streets by yourself and make purchases, if you wish, before heading to the Mariscal Lamar International Airport, to take your assigned flight to Quito city.
One of our representatives will be waiting for you at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport to transfer you to the selected hotel for this last night of accommodation. (Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 13: Quito – Transfer Out
Depending on your flight time, one of our representatives will be waiting outside of your hotel for picking you up and tranfer to the Mariscal Sucre International Airport, site from can continue with your trip plans.
*END OF OUR SERVICES*
Domestic Flights
Flight Cuenca – Quito
Accommodation
Double rooms in 3-star and 4-star hotel, in different parts of Ecuador.
Guide
Expert Bilingual Guide, with certifications, and local guides.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner according with the description of the itinerary for each day. (A la carte dishes with values until $10)
Transportation
Land tourist transportation, comfortable and private.
Transfer in/out
Additional activities
Entrance fee to: Butterflies Sanctuary, Hummingbirds House, Factory of chocolate, Route of Waterfalls, Middle of the World, domes of La Compañía Church, Voto Nacional Basilic, Virgin of Panecillo viewpoint, Quitsato solar clock, Boat ride in Cuicocha, Papallacta Hotsprings, Pailon del Diablo Waterfall, Swing at the End of the World, Museum in Baños de Agua Santa, Zoo and serpentarium in Baños, the Devil’s Nose Train Ride, Ingapirca Ruins, Cuenca’s Cathedral, Hat Museum in Cuenca.
International Flights
The flights before and after the tour are not included, you can organize your flights by yourself from anywhere in the world.
Activities outside of the itinerary
Entrance fees for extreme sports and additional activities.
Extra services
Meals and/or beverages not specified in the itinerary.
Additional city tours.
Insurance
You can purchase insurance according to your needs.
Important for considering:
In cases of force majeure and / or fortuitous event, the Operator reserves the right to make the respective modifications in the itinerary, trying to change as little as possible the travel proposal initially presented. Cases of force majeure are those unforeseen situations external to the nature of the tour, such as: natural disaster, adverse weather conditions, fires, floods, damages caused by landslides or earthquakes, pandemics or epidemics, popular demonstrations, road closures and / or factors of risk before which a state authority prohibits the entrance to a certain zone, etc.
It is recommended to purchase travel insurance according to your needs.
In case of cancellation, the penalty is 30% of the total value if it’s made 20 days before the start of the tour and 100% if it’s made 5 days before the tour.
Our tourist packages are adjustable to requirements of tourist.
Rates valid for the Year 2019, apply for holidays.
2 pax 3 pax 4-5 6-9 10+
$: 4250 – 3420 – 3010 – 2715 – 2445
Children (0 to 1 year 11 months) do not pay, Children (2 to 11 years 11 months) pay 50%, seniors (over 65 years) pay 75%.
To reserve the following information is necessary: copy of passport, email, food restrictions and allergies.
The 50% of the total tour value must be paid at the time of reservation, and 100% of the value 20 days before the start of the tour
If the payment is made with a credit card, you must pay an additional 10% to the total value, for the transaction made.
