GTGE – 54 – ECUADOR ANDES EXPERIENCES
Quito, Cotopaxi, Baños, Riobamba, Alausi,
Devil’s Nose Train, Ingapirca, Cuenca
Eight Days / Seven Nights – Private
Daily
ITINERARY
DAY 1: Arrival in Quito
On arrival at Quito’s Mariscal Sucre Airport, you will be welcomed by one of our English speaking professional guides who will assist you with the private transfer to your hotel and help you accommodating and giving helpful information for your stay in this world heritage city.
Overnight accommodations Hotel Casona de La Ronda or Casa Gardenia
DAY 2: Quito
Quito City Tour & Museum or Equator Line
This tour will depart early in the morning with a panoramic view of Alameda Park and the Basilica, followed by a walk down the street of the Seven Crosses, then continue with a short visit of the Independence Square. From here, we can admire the presidential palace and the main cathedral. After this, we will visit the amazing La Compañía Church and its gold-plated interior, San Francisco Church and its surrounding area that are the reasons why in 1978 Quito was declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Around midday, the tour will continue to one of the well-known museums, our recommendations are: El Alabado, Men Chapel or City Museum. Another alternative is to take you to the monument at the Middle of the World. You may choose to visit either the Ethnographic or the Inti Ñan Museums, both located near the monument.
There is opportunity to stop for a traditional Ecuadorian lunch (not included). Return to your hotel and our guide will be happy to offer you alternatives for the rest of the day and night. There are many places to enjoy the city.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight accommodations at Hotel Casona de La Ronda or Casa Gardenia
DAY 3: Quito
Cotopaxi National Park
Depart from hotel after an early morning breakfast towards the Cotopaxi National Park, one of the most important visits in Ecuador, it has the highest active volcano in the world. We can observe the endemic flora and fauna of the area like wild horses, deer, llamas and more. We will visit Limpiopungo Lake, located near Rumiñahui volcano, 4757 meters, or go hiking to observe birds.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight accommodations at Hotel Finca Cotopaxipungo or similar
DAY 4: Cotopaxi / Baños – Riobamba
Depart to Baños to enjoy a hiking tour to get to one of the many waterfalls we can find in Baños and enjoy this tiny town with many amazing attractions like white-water rafting or kayaking, canyoning, rock climbing, bridge jumping, trekking, horseback riding, mountain biking, etc.
Then, we will continue our trip to Riobamba, we will pass by Chimborazo to enjoy the landscape and the nature as well as the environment. On arrival in Riobamba we will visit a museum and the important places of the city.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight accommodations at Hacienda Abraspungo
DAY 5: Riobamba / Alausí / Devil’s nose train / Ingapirca / Cuenca
After breakfast, we will depart to Alausí for a ride on the Devil’s Nose Train. This train ride is famous in Ecuador and known as the most difficult railway in the world. There were difficulties when constructing the railway line because of the rough terrain of the Andes the construction ran into a problem when they found the rock known as the” Nariz del Diablo”. The solution they found was to carve in zig zag out of the rock allowing the train to climb the ascent.
The train ride offers beautiful views of the Ecuadorian landscape. On clear days, you will see Chimborazo volcano. We continue our tour to visit the Archeological Inca Ruins “Ingapirca”. These ruins, dating back to the 15th century, are the most important architectural legacy of the Incas in Ecuador, they are a significant part of Ecuador’s pre-Hispanic patrimony. Located in the province of Cañar, about an hour and 45 minutes from Cuenca. Our guide will take you to the ruins, it is supposed it was a religious and administrative center, as well as a fortress. This archeological complex includes what it is supposed to be the Sun Temple, a castle, roofless fortification, courtyards, terraces and houses. The local guides will transport you to the past and how they think it was. After the tour of Ingapirca, our guide will take you to Cuenca and your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight accommodations at Hotel Santa Lucia or similar
DAY 6: Cuenca
Cuenca City Tour
Cuenca is Ecuador’s third largest city; many consider to be the most beautiful Ecuador’s city, it still retains its provincial air. Its red tiled roofs, cobblestone streets, plazas, one of them full of flowers, and museums make it very special. We will have a city tour to discover the beauty and charm for which Cuenca was recognized by the UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site.
This is a walking tour in the colonial downtown area of Cuenca, to enjoy the warmth and hospitality of its people, the colourful parks and plazas, religious monuments and handcraft shops, plus an explanation of Cuenca’s history.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight accommodations at Hotel Santa Lucia or similar
DAY 7: Cuenca – Quito
Morning free to visit museums, stroll through the quaint street of old Cuenca, or to buy some souvenirs or the famous Panama hat. In the afternoon the guide will take you to the airport to return to Quito. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel for overnight.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight accommodations at Casona de La Ronda or Casa Gardenia
DAY 8: Departure from Quito
Private transfer from hotel to airport for your flight to your next destination
Meals: Breakfast
