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9 Day itinerary in Ecuador, South America

Ecuador Volcanoes Route

There are destinations that remain forever in the heart, famous for their culture, for their people, for their biodiversity. Places that awaken your senses with colors, smells and flavors, peculiar cities full of music, nightlife and Ecuador that has it all. This small country is located in South Am... Read More

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Karem

By Karem

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Light
help_outline

Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English, Spanish

GUIDANCE

Driver as a Guide

starting point

Quito

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Hiking

Visit markets

Meet local people

Outdoors & Nature

Start/End

Night

Highlights

1

Quito Unesco´s Heritage city

2

Chocó Cloud forest

3

Indigenous market

4

Andes volcanoes

Itinerary

TOURIST CLASS expand_more

Day 1

place TRANSFER IN

Our tour starts at the time of arrival in Ecuador, a specialized guide will pick us up at Mariscal Sucre airport on the outskirts of the city of Quito to accompany us to our hotel.

Day 2

place CITY TOUR QUITO & INTIÑAN – MINDO

After a delicious breakfast, we will take a city tour through the beautiful and magical Quito Colonial capital of Ecuador that has outstanding architecture in addition to the largest and best-preserved historic center in South America. We will visit the Basilica, one of the best representations of the neo-Gothic, the church of San Francisco, the Company of Jesus, the Cathedral and The Big Way, after these visits we will have time for lunch and continue to the Middle of the world, to visit the interactive museum Intiñan. We continue our journey to Mindo

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3

place MINDO CLOUD FOREST – OTAVALO

After breakfast, we will start to explore Mindo, a cloud forest that is located on the edge of the chocó bio-region, just two hours from Quito, which is the perfect place for adventure, relaxation, bird watching and to enjoy the subtropical flora. In this area, you can find a wide variety of birds including Tangara's, toucans and hummingbirds among other prominent species. During our tour, we will be able to visit the butterfly, the waterfalls and for those who enjoy the sweet, we will be part of the chocolate process. Then we will continue our journey to Otavalo to rest.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4

place OTAVALO MARKET & CUICOCHA - PAPALLACTA

After breakfast we will start to explore the beautiful city of Otavalo, where we will visit the most famous artisan market in South America, where we will find handmade garments and accessories by the communities that will surprise them in their manufacture and color, we will continue our tour with the visit to Cuicocha and Cotacachi. During these visits, we will have time to have lunch. We will continue our journey to Avenue of the Volcanoes to Papallacta where we can rest after a beautiful day.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5

place PAPALLACTA HOTSPRINGS - COTOPAXI

Enjoy a relaxing day in the Andes. We will walk around the Papallacta river, where we will be able to observe the flora and fauna of the place. Next, you can relax in the hot volcanic pools of Papallacta. This outdoor thermal place has various benefits. Due to its minerals, these waters will help you gently exfoliate your skin and relax your body. You can enjoy additional services such as facials, massages and aromatherapy (for an additional cost). At the end of this experience, you will have lunch at a local restaurant and then we will go to the Cotopaxi to rest.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6

place COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK

In the morning we will be ready to start our exploration of the Cotopaxi Volcano which is the highest and most active in the world. We will start our visit by heading to the Limpiopungo Lagoon for a hike around it. We will be able to observe the typical vegetation of the mountains and local birds such as the Andean hummingbird and the condor on some occasions, we continue with the ascent to the parking lot in the vehicle and then on foot to the Jose Rivas Refuge (optional) where we can enjoy a privileged view on a clear day and tasty chocolate. Then we will continue our journey to Quilotoa to rest.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7

place QUILOTOA LAGOON

Early we will head to visit the Quilotoa Lagoon, first, we will enjoy the view of the Lagoon and the Crater from the view point, then we will continue with the descent to the base of the lagoon where we can enjoy the flora of the place, in addition, they will have the opportunity to enjoy activities such as kayaking (optional), after a relaxing time on site we will start the ascent again the same as you can do on foot with the guide or rent a mule with the community (optional). We'll have time for lunch and then continue to Baños de Agua Santa.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8

place BAÑOS DE AGUA SANTA

Located in a valley of waterfalls and hot springs, the city of Baños has much to offer its visitors. After breakfast, Beautiful waterfalls and green areas surround the quiet village of Baños. We start our day with the tour of the Route of the Waterfalls until we reach the imposing fall of the Pailón del Diablo. Afterward, we will have time to enjoy the thermal baths to relax and swim (optional). The day would not be complete without looking at the active Tungurahua volcano. After a great day, we will continue to Quito.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 9

place TRANSFER OUT – QUITO – INTERNATIONAL CONECTION

We end our program with the transfer to the airport.

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Meals expand_less

  • Breakfast (8)

Transport expand_less

  • Private transportation

Activities expand_less

  • Bilingual English/Spanish guide
  • Entrance fees and taxes to tourist sites as per itinerary.

Not Included expand_less

  • Domestic/international airline tickets
  • Travel insurance
  • Extra meals
  • Personal expenses
  • Other expenses not specified in the program.

About Karem

TEAM LEAD

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Expertise: 

Hiking

Snorkeling/Diving

Visit markets

Meet local people

Indigenous culture

Kayaking

Rafting

Outdoors & Nature

Hi, I am Karem, your local expert for your next adventure in South America! I´ve worked and lived in various locations in Ecuador including Galapagos and the Amazon Jungle. Lately, I enjoy connecting with Nature by peaceful trekking in the mountains

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