GT-100 – DISCOVERING QUITO & OTAVALO

ITINERARY:

DAY 1: Arrival in Quito

Welcome reception at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Private services. English speaking guide.
Overnight accommodations at selected hotel

DAY 2: Colonial Quito City Tour & The Middle of the World

Breakfast at the hotel. The tour begins from your hotel with a visit to the Independence Square, where the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral and El Sagrario Church are located. We will also visit the Church of La Compañia (1605), with its amazing gilt altars. This is considered as one of the finest examples of baroque art in America, and the Moorish influence can also be noted in the intricate designs carved on the magnificent red and gold columns and ceilings. Afterwards we will take you to the church and monastery of San Francisco (1535). This is the oldest Ecuadorian church and the main altar inside is a spectacular example of baroque carving. There is also a fine collection of artwork, including paintings, sculptures and furnitures dating back to the 16th century. Finally, we will drive up to the highest viewpoint of the city, “El Panecillo” hill from where we will have a spectacular view of Quito.
After just 30 minutes from Quito is the location of the Equator at La Mitad del Mundo (“the middle of the world”.) After visiting in the morning the colonial and modern areas of the city of Quito, a 30-minute drive will take us to “La Mitad del Mundo” (“the middle of the world”) with its 30-metre-high monument marking the equatorial line, and an excellent ethnographical museum.
Entrance fees included.
Overnight accommodations at selected hotel (B)

DAY 3: Otavalo Indian Market

Breakfast at the hotel. Driving northwards from Quito, your trip begins in the town of Calderon, where the famous bread-dough figures and decorations (“masapan”) are made. We will then head for Cayambe, where we invite you to try the local specialty: biscuits or “Biscochos” before we arrive in the province of Imbabura, also known as “the Province of Lakes”. As we approach Otavalo, you will have stunning views of the San Pablo Lake with the high peak of Imbabura Volcano behind it. Our next stop is the town of Otavalo, home of the largest indigenous market of its kind in South America. You’ll arrive just in time to bargain for beautiful tapestries, local paintings, hand-knitted wool sweaters, socks and gloves, wood carvings, silver jewelry, embroidered blouses and straw hats, to name only a few of the items on offer.
After lunch (on your own) in one of the local haciendas, we’ll head for Cotacachi, a town renowned for its handmade leather goods. If time allows, we’ll also visit Cuicocha, an ancient, eroded volcanic crater famous for the deep lake found within it. Return to Quito.
Overnight accommodations at selected hotel (B)

DAY 4: Depart Quito

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport in Quito for your flight to your next destination (B)

RATE PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY – FROM: $488.00
Please check with us for the best international air fare in combination with this tour.

Combine our GT-100 tour with our extensions to Cuenca, the Amazonia or the Galapagos Islands

Based on double occupancy at Hotel Fuente de Piedra $488.00
Based on double occupancy at Boutique Hotel Anahi: $536.00

INCLUDES:

All transfers between airport and hotel listed in the itinerary on private basis. Hotel accommodations and hotel service charges and taxes. Daily breakfast. Baggage handling at airports and at hotels. All tours and excursions indicated in the itinerary on private basis. English speaking guides. All entrance fees and transfers needed to operate tours and excursions. All meals indicated in the itinerary.

NOT INCLUDED:

Expenses such us beverages on meals, tips, laundry, phone calls and other personal expenses are not included.