GTLT-30 – QUITO
Flavors, Aromas, Nature & Traditions
Quito, Otavalo & Mindo
Daily
HIGHLIGHTS
A tour that gives participants a complete life experience on ancient places and typical meals and aromas.
Afternoon tour of Middle of the World Monument and Intiñan Museum
Full day tour of Otavalo colorful native market and surrounding villages
Full day tour to Mindo cloud forest rich in orchid variety, hummingbirds, butterflies and nature
A selection of Hotel Illa Experience (Deluxe Boutique) or Patio Andaluz (First Class Boutique)
ITINERARY
DAY 1: Arrival in Quito
Private transfer from airport to selected hotel
Once you arrived at Mariscal Sucre airport, our local guide would take you to the hotel where you would stay during your time in Quito. The guide would be your personal translator, as well as the person in charge of carrying your luggage and would assist you until arriving at the hotel. On your way to the hotel, the guide would tell you about our wonderful city and country.
Overnight accommodations at selected hotel
DAY 2: Quito
Six Senses Tour and Middle of the World – Private services
Six Senses Tour Quito is a unique and innovative program made up by psycho-sensory experiences in which every perceptive human sense is involved. The Six Senses Tour was born as an innovative experience program by Latin Trails, in which psychology and sensitive methods are combined; giving to our guests a complete life experience on ancient places and typical meals in the marvelous City of Quito. Enjoy a city tour of Quito that offers more than just postcard pictures in your mind.
After having the Lunch, our local tour will continue up north to the Equator line, where you would visit the “Middle of the World” park and its monument. Here you can choose between the Ethnographic museum or the Intiñan museum, both located near by the monument of the Equatorial line. Return to Quito for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight accommodations at selected hotel
DAY 3: Quito / Otavalo
Full day tour to Otavalo and surrounding artisan villages – Private services
This morning you will leave Quito with your tour guide, heading to Otavalo, the town famous for its weekly artesian market. On route on the Panamerican Highway we will stop at Calderon, a town where the famous masapan dolls are made, continuing on through Guayllabamba town where you can sample its typical fruit the cherimoyer. We will also stop on the highway to admire the beautiful landscape and snow-capped mountains in the area. We continue on, making a short stop at San Pablo Lake before arriving in Otavalo. Here we will visit the textile market located at the “Plaza of Ponchos”; this is one of the most famous markets in South America. You will find all kinds of handcrafts including tapestries made on the Spanish weaving loom as well as the indigenous backstrap loom. After which you will enjoy some free time for bargaining and buying with the friendly Otavaleños.
In the early afternoon we will visit a colonial hacienda where the lunch will wait for you, before going to the small artisan village of Cotacachi and then we will return to Quito late afternoon/ early evening and you will be taken to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight accommodations at selected hotel
DAY 4: Quito / Mindo
Full day tour to Mindo Cloud Forest – Private services
We plan to arise early for breakfast before departing Quito northwest towards Mindo on the Nono-Tandayapa-Bellavista Road. We will take the old scenic road, famous for the many birds that can be spotted en-route. Around midday we will stop for an optional lunch.
Once there, we will visit the exquisite orchid garden to see many beautiful and diverse species of this delicate flower. In addition to hosting the orchid garden, Mindo is a prime place for bird-watching, as it is frequented by many hummingbirds and butterflies as well. We will see some of this unique flora and fauna using the town’s cable car. In the late afternoon we will return to Quito, transferring you to your hotel for dinner and free evening.
DAY 5: Depart Quito
At the appropriate hour transfer from hotel to airport for your flight to your next destination
Meals: Breakfast