DAY 1 - EXPLORING THE CLOUD FOREST- MINDO

This day is full of adrenaline; your guide will pick you up at 09:00 in the morning to take you to the Mindo cloud forest. Once you get there your personal guide will take you on a journey of 2.150 meters throughout the canopy. There are a series of zip lines connected by short walking trails. We have six cables of different lengths that range from 100m to 560m.

These cables have different characteristics that allow tourists of all ages to enjoy different sensations and emotions throughout the canopy. Our guides are fully trained to offer you pure adrenaline during your canopy tour. Lunch will be served in Sachatamia.

The afternoon is yours to explore the incredible surroundings of Sachatamia. One night, one room (double occupancy), including breakfast, hotel tax and service charge.

DAY 2 - MINDO & QUITO

Early In the morning you must be ready for bird watching through the tropical cloud forest or if you prefer you can participate in the exotic fruits workshop known as "The world of organic fruits and vegetables health benefits of natural juices". Later on you will depart from Sachatamia to Bellavista Reserve where you will have lunch and will see from 8 to 14 species of hummingbirds at the feeders, all them visible at incredibly close range!. We guarantee you will be astonished looking the colorful hummingbirds around you. Late in the afternoon return to Quito.

DAY 1 - COTOPAXI FULL DAY TOUR

Today you will be met by your guide early in the morning for a drive of about 60 km south of Quito along the Pan-American Highway - also named the Avenue of the Volcanoes by Alexander Von Humboldt. In this area you will find Cotopaxi National Park, an ecological sanctuary of 88,920 acres, which is home to the magnificent Cotopaxi Volcano, which rises 5897 meters (19,347 feet) above sea level, and is considered the highest active volcano in the world! You will have an opportunity to take short hikes and learn about the flora and fauna of the Paramo region, Also, depending on the weather conditions, you can visit the "refuge" (4.800m - 15.840ft).

Lunch is at Tambopaxi base camp with a fantastic view of this most scenic volcano. In the afternoon, transfer to Hacienda LA CIENEGA. One night, one room (double occupancy). Breakfast, lunch and local taxes included.

DAY 2 - COTOPAXI – RIOBAMBA

After breakfast head out of the national park and visit one of the local markets in the area. On Sundays, people come in from the various surrounding villages to sell and exchange their goods in these markets. Your guide will explain what the various items are and help you to bargain with the locals. After the market tour, visit the Chimborazo National Park where you can see the only wild llamas in Ecuador, the vicunas. Eat lunch in a local restaurant before heading south to Riobamba and the Abraspungo Hotel. One night, two rooms (double/triple occupancy) including breakfast, hotel tax and service charge.

DAY 3 - RIOBAMBA – DEVIL'S NOSE – CUENCA

This day you will wake up very early to be on time at the train station. Train journeys in Ecuador are a sure adventure, the Trans-Andean Railroad is a spectacular tourist attraction for the variety of climates and fantastic natural and cultural scenery along the journey. Moreover, the trains themselves are a colourful part of the landscape. On your way to the train station in Alausi, drive by Cajabamba and the Colta lagoons, and the small Guamote village then climb to a little picturesque town in the highlands called Alausi, which is the beating heart of the rehabilitation of the Ecuadorian Railway Company in the last years. Great effort has been made to restore the 100-year old train to its old glory and romance. From Alausi comes the most exhilarating part of the journey; said to be one of the most spectacular portions of railway in the world. The train zigzags up and down 45 degree gradient called "Devil's Nose" in a breathtaking way. The train goes backwards on the way down, arriving to the station of Sibambe where you will have some time to wander around. The trains then goes back up the Devil's Nose to return to Alausi. After lunch we will continue driving wouth towards Cuenca with a stop at the Ingapirca Fortress. We will arrive to Cuenca where we will stay at the Santa Lucia Hotel. One night, one room (double occupancy), including breakfast, hotel tax and service charge.

Note: If the train is not available on this day, we will continue the tour by car.

DAY 4 - HALF DAY CITY TOUR OF CUENCA AND FLIGHT BACK TO QUITO

Cuenca was declared as a World heritage Site in 1999. It is the third largest city in the country and it is called the Athens of Ecuador for its many contributions in the literature field. The city is located in the south of the country and is crossed by four rivers which give it a unique landscape. The historic centre is the most visited site in the city because it comes from the 16th century. Its architecture is an eclectic mix of European styles, mainly those of the Spanish and French. Stroll through the cobblestone streets to visit the various squares housing churches, flower markets, and Panama Hat makers!

After lunch your guide will transfer you at the airport of Cuenca on time for your flight back to Quito. Arrive in Quito and transfer to the boutique JW Marriott Hotel. One night, one room (double occupancy), including breakfast, hotel tax and service charge.

DAY 1 - IMBABURA PROVINCE

This whole area is the full of beautiful landscapes all decorated by the presence of the Andes. Today your guide will take you to Cotacachi – Cayapas National Park, to thrill at the beautiful paramos (the ecosystem of the Andes). Follow on to the lake of Cuicocha. From here, you will be able to hike in this area where your guide will explain the flora and fauna of this location. After your hike, take a brief visit to Cotacachi (the leather town) and then continue to have lunch in a Hacienda. Late in the afternoon you will go back to the Hacienda Cusin. One night, one room (double occupancy), including breakfast, hotel taxes and service charge.

DAY 2 - OTAVALO FULL DAY TOUR AND PAPALLACTA

As we pass into the highlands, we're treated to a sweeping view of Imbabura and Cotacachi Volcanoes rising above San Pablo Lake. We can first visit the animal market in Otavalo, you will be able to see people trading their animals (llamas, ship, pigs, chicken, etc…) then you will visit the main market which dates back thousands of years and is famous throughout the Andes for its handicrafts, textiles and tapestries. After the market you'll visit the village of Peguche where native weavers demonstrate their craft, as they have for centuries. In the afternoon you will be transferred to PAPALLACTA THERMAL SPRING. One night, one room (double occupancy). Breakfast, lunch and local taxes included.

DAY 3 - RETURN TO QUITO FROM PAPALLACTA

The Papallacta River crosses both the hacienda as well as the high section of the valley, and it offers to the visitor a spectacular view of the Antisana Volcano. In this beautiful area, we offer walks along the ecological paths, where nature lovers can appreciate the local flora and fauna. This area is a treasure for ornithologists, with more than 160 different species of birds, including hummingbirds, tanagers and occasionally the great Andean Condor. Afterwards, enjoy the Hot Springs of Papallacta, whose thermal waters emerge from deep geological layers through fissures up to the surface. This will be a day of nature, health and relaxation. After lunch you will go back to Quito.

Half or full day tours available

This interesting and renovated city tour starts with a visit of the Itchimbia neighborhood, which is a place that offers an spectacular view of the old and new city. Then you will visit the old colonial Quito starting in Santo Domingo Plaza walking through one of the oldest streets in the town “La Ronda Street” where you will see how the colonial houses were built and how the Quitenos lived in the sixteen hundreds. Your walk takes you through the city museum to San Francisco Plaza, making a quick stop to try the typical sweets of Quito. San Francisco is the oldest church in Quito and it is full of history and legends.

Before visiting the church we highly recommend to visit the USHINA jewelry, a place where you will find fine art and exclusive designs made of silver, definitely a must in our city tour. After this, a visit to La Merced church is organized to see the arabesque and baroque style that was used to decorate this church. Finally a visit to the main square…. Where the presidential palace, the main cathedral and some other important buildings can be appreciated. La Compania de Jesus church is one of the most beautiful churches in South America or perhaps the world, this is the last treasure to be visited in our program before your guide takes you back to the hotel or just continue the day to a visit of the Equator.

5 hours.

Your tour starts after sunset, you take a panoramic tour of the colonial city of Quito; the city looks amazing at night when the lights are on. You will walk through the independence square and you will see the most important buildings of the city like the White house, the main Cathedral and the Archbishop palace which now holds a number of restaurants and cafes inside. Then you will continue your walk through La Compania church and will end up at San Francisco square.  Then your guide will take you to one of the most traditional restaurants in Quito where you can enjoy a nice dinner with live music.

Half and full day tours available

This tour is for those people who love to collect information and learn deeply about cultures and traditions of the places their visit. The Equator lies just 20 km north of Quito. You will visit the historical point where the French Geodesic Mission measured the circumference of the earth in 1736 and found the latitude cero. You will also visit the ethnographic museum and complex, and then visit the INTI ÑAN site museum which contains interesting explanations of natural facts applicable only at the Equator. The Central bank museum at the Ecuadorian Cultural House and the Guayasamin museum are optional and can be included to your tour at an additional cost.

Just an hour and a half north of Quito lie the lush volcanic highlands. This land is rich in friendly and colorfully attired indigenous people, historic working haciendas, and towering volcanoes with verdant slopes. Our destination is the Otavalo Indian craft market. As we pass into the highlands, we’re treated to a sweeping view of Imbabura and Cotacachi Volcanoes rising above San Pablo Lake. Our first stop is Calderon where the locals make bread dough figures as part of a big tradition of the country. Then it’s on to the Otavalo market, which dates back thousands of years and is famous throughout the Andes for its handicrafts, textiles, tapestries and local traditions. Although the main day of the market is on Saturdays you can enjoy of a less crowded plaza from Sundays to Fridays.

Lunch will be served at one of the local haciendas built between the 17th and 18th centuries with a typical Andean ambience. After lunch we’ll visit the village of Peguche where native weavers demonstrate their craft, as they have for centuries. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

full day tour (8 hours)

Adventurous spirits will enjoy a tour through the high plateau of the Andes. This is the habitat of the condor, the puma, bears, and other species, which belong to this area.

The "Termas de Papallacta" (Papallacta Thermal Springs) owns the "Rancho del Cañón", a protected area of 250 hectares (625 acres) located at the entrance of the ecological reserve Cayambe-Coca.

The Papallacta River crosses both the hacienda as well as the high section of the valley, and it offers to the visitor a spectacular view of the Antisana Volcano (5.704 meters / 19,800 feet above sea level). In this beautiful area, we offer walks along the ecological paths, where nature lovers can appreciate the local flora and fauna.

This area is a treasure for ornithologists, with more than 160 different species of birds, including hummingbirds, tangaras and occasionally the great Andean Condor. Afterwards, enjoy the Hot Springs of Papallacta, whose thermal waters emerge from deep geological layers through fissures up to the surface. This will be a day of nature, health and relaxation.

Note: Over night at Thermas de Papallacta can be arranged upon request.

Full day tour (8 hours)

Today we start an early day driving about 60 km south of Quito by the Pan-American Highway also called the avenue of the volcanoes by Alexander Von Humbold. In this area we find  Cotopaxi volcano (5.897m - 19.460ft), considered the highest active volcano in the world. We will learn about the flora and fauna of the Paramo, depending on the weather conditions, we go up to the refuge (4.800m - 15.840ft). Lunch is at Tambopaxi base camp.

Note: Over night at Hacienda can be arranged and the next day we visit an indian market available.

Only on Thursdays.

Saquisili is probably the most colorful market in the Ecuadorian Andes, an early morning drive about 90Km south of Quito through the avenue of the volcanoes will take you to this interesting cultural place where you can see the animal market and people trading their llamas, horses, sheep, etc... and its 7 plazas. Enjoy walking around just feeling the culture or have fun shopping a diverse variety of local handicrafts. Lunch at La Cienega.
Note: Over night at Hacienda can be arranged and the next day we visit Cotopaxi National Park.

Only on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Capital of Cotopaxi Province a place where the abundance of light gray pumice has been artfully employed, offers this colorful market with local people trading fruits, vegetables, meat and a bit more. Visit the food market; it is interesting to see what the locals eat. If the conditions are good we can see the 9 volcanic cones around Latacunga. The colonial character of the town has been well preserved.

Note: Over night at Hacienda can be arranged and the next day we visit Cotopaxi National Park.

3 days, accommodation and all meals.

Located at 1800 m.a.s.l we find this beautiful small town at the feet of Tungurahua Volcano. The town brings tourist from all over the world, well known for its thermal springs and warm weather, we can also see some of the cloud forest and its vegetation with beautiful waterfalls as we get in to the jungle, this town offers a lot of activities around.

Day 1: We leave Quito early in the morning and we visit Cotopaxi National Park, we learn about the flora and fauna of Paramo. We have lunch at Hacienda and then continue with our journey to Baños.

Day 2: Today we explore the surrounding areas of Baños. Hiking biking, rafting and horse back ridding available upon request.

Day 3: Today we have a tour of Baños and we visit a balsa wood craft shop and also a Tagua (vegetable ivory) craft shop, we will see our artisans working their crafts by hand, we have lunch in Baños and go back to Quito.