Quito City Tour and Middle of the World

Quito Old Town - The adventure begins in the historic center of the capital, offering a chance to admire the grand basilica cathedral and Plaza Grande, a charming square surrounded by significant historical buildings like the government palace and the iconic cathedral. The tours are adaptable, allowing customization to suit preferences, with options to visit various historical sites such as the San Francisco Plaza and monastery, the church ‘La Compañia,’ and the vibrant La Ronda area.

El Panecillo - The next stop is the ascent to Panecillo hill, providing a stunning panoramic view of Quito and the majestic Andean volcanoes in the background, perfect for capturing memorable photos. The tour allows for a flexible pace, ensuring a full experience of the city.

Mitad Del Mundo - The journey continues to the Mitad del Mundo monument, where there is time to explore the area or the Inti Ñan Museum, offering a unique insight into the indigenous Quitus culture and their intriguing understanding of sun cycles. Additionally, there’s an opportunity to visit the Pululahua volcano crater.

Cotopaxi National Park

Laguna de Limpiopungo - The second day of the journey towards Cuenca begins with a departure from Quito, heading to the magnificent Cotopaxi volcano. Standing at 5,897 meters, it is Ecuador’s second-highest peak and a major highlight. Upon entering Cotopaxi National Park, there is an opportunity to observe and learn about the unique páramo biodiversity and its ecological importance. The Cotopaxi adventure starts with a short walk around the beautiful Lake Limpiapungo, followed by a continuation to the parking lot, where the day’s most thrilling part begins.

Cotopaxi Volcano - Embark on a spectacular hike to the first refuge of the volcano, located at an altitude of 4,810 meters above sea level. Upon reaching the base camp, there is ample time to recover from the incredible hike and celebrate the achievement with a hot cup of soup. For those eager to climb further, there is an option to continue to the glaciers, weather permitting. Health and preferences are prioritized, allowing for a tailored experience.

Amazon Rainforest

Cascada Hola Vida - A delightful lunch awaits at a local restaurant near the Mirador, where one can try Allampaco, a traditional dish featuring steam-cooked tilapia wrapped in bijao leaves. After lunch, the next natural wonder is the Hola Vida waterfall, perfect for relaxation and a refreshing swim. Before reaching the waterfall, a short walk through the jungle offers a chance to admire diverse trees and enjoy the incredible sounds of the local birdlife.

Puyo - The day concludes with a visit to a local cacao farm, where the fascinating process of transforming cacao beans into flavorful chocolate can be witnessed. There is also an opportunity to taste the results.

Baños - Route of the Waterfalls

La Casa del Arbol - Departing from Baños de Agua Santa, the tour highlights the breathtaking waterfall route. The day begins with a short hike to ‘La Casa del Árbol,’ or ‘Tree House,’ a site where a National Geographic photo contest winner was taken, offering stunning views and photo opportunities on the swing overlooking the valley.

CASCADA EL PAILON - The next destination is El Pailón del Diablo, a magnificent giant waterfall among Ecuador’s top 10 largest. A beautiful 2-kilometer hike leads to incredible views of the waterfall from various perspectives.

Cascada el Manto de la Novia - Continuing along the waterfall route, several stops allow for witnessing and admiring miraculous waterfalls, including ‘Manta de la Novia,’ a paradise for adventure seekers. Here, one can experience a cable car ride through the green valley toward the enormous waterfall or participate in spectacular zip-line activities.

Riobamba - After a day of incredible nature and exciting activities, the journey continues to Riobamba, located about half an hour from Baños. Here, rest is ensured for the night in preparation for a special day ahead.

Devils Nose Mountain and Ingapirca Ruins

Ingapirca Ruins - The journey continues to Cañar, where the impressive and best-preserved Inca ruins of Ecuador, the Ingapirca Archeological complex, await. Here, the fascinating history of the ancient Cañari and Inca civilizations, including their sophisticated architecture, engineering, and rituals, is explored. Discover the Inca-constructed Temple of the Sun and the Canari-constructed Temple of the Moon, delving into the beliefs and spirituality of each culture. After exploring Ingapirca, the journey continues to the breathtaking city of Cuenca, a place full of fascinating architecture, surrounded by mountains. The journey to Cuenca lasts approximately 1.5 hours, a ride well worth it for the beautiful landscapes.

Cuenca - After exploring Ingapirca, the journey continues to the breathtaking city of Cuenca, a place full of fascinating architecture, surrounded by mountains. The journey to Cuenca lasts approximately 1.5 hours, a ride well worth it for the beautiful landscapes.

Cajas National Park

Laguna La Toreadora - The day begins with a visit to one of Ecuador’s most stunning national parks: Cajas. After a brief but beautiful drive from Cuenca, a moderate 2.5-hour hike (depending on the group’s pace) through the highlands with its moorland ecosystem of wetlands and lakes begins. A naturalist guide will point out some of the endemic flora and explain key facts about the area’s geology, history, and culture. The hike leads to the unique forest of polylepis trees, considered some of the highest-growing trees in the world.

El Cajas National Park - After returning from the hike, a stop at a local restaurant offers relaxation and a delicious lunch. The specialty is trout, but other options such as chicken or beef are available. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals are also accommodated.

Cuenca Half Day City Tour

Plaza Abdon Calderon - The final day of the Ecuador adventure is spent in the stunning city of Cuenca. The tour begins in the San Sebastian neighborhood, a traditional area marking the city’s western colonial border. There is an opportunity to visit the Modern Art Museum, home to the famous Bienal International of Cuenca, part of a select group of major art events in Latin America and the Caribbean. The tour includes exploring the exhibits and the historical house with its traditional architecture. Next, it’s time to explore the San Francisco market, the flower market, Abdon Calderon Park, the cathedral “El Sagrario,” known as the “Old Cathedral,” and finally, the “New Cathedral,” one of the largest churches in Latin America, featuring the famous gold leaf altar.

Homero Ortega - The tour continues to a Panama hat factory, where the fabrication of a fiber called “Paja toquilla” is observed and learned about. The guide explains the process of making these hats, the story behind the name “Panama Hats,” and their importance to the local economy. The hats range from classic simple designs to colorful, elegantly crafted, and costly ones.

Mirador de Turi - To conclude the journey, a visit to the beautiful Barranco neighborhood and “Mirador de Turi” offers a scenic viewpoint with a stunning vista of the Cuenca landscape. It’s a perfect moment to reflect on the journey and share memories. All passengers are assured safe drop-off at their accommodation, the airport, or the bus station.

• 6 Nights accommodation (Double or triple rooms)
• Private transportation
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Guide (English, Spanish)
• All fees and/or taxes
• Activities, entrance fees and tickets as listed in itinerary
• Breakfast
• Lunch

• Meals not specified
• Travel Insurance

Embark on a week-long adventure in Ecuador with our 7-day itinerary, journeying south from Quito to Cuenca along a stunning route. Discover the top attractions of the Ecuadorian Andes, engage with indigenous communities, and marvel at the awe-inspiring waterfalls as you venture into the Amazon Rainforest. Explore the captivating history at the country’s largest and best-preserved Inca ruins. This itinerary offers a perfect mix of nature and culture.

If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.