Classic Ecuador 11 days.
Price per person from: $ 1 750:-
During this tour we visit the most famous sights in Ecuador!. The tour starts in the capital Quito where we visit the famous Indian market at Otavalo. We then continue to the countrys most well know volcano Cotopaxo and visit the adventure town of Baños. A ride with the famous Devils nose train at Alausi is next which brings us to Ingapica and the ruins there. After visiting the city of Cuenca we travel out to the Pacific coast and the harbor city of Gayaquil. Yes this tour really takes you to the most classic sighs in Ecuador.
Tip! Combine this tour with a beach stay along the coast or a visit to the famous Galapagos National Park.
This is included:
Private transfer at arrival and departure.
Private transportation for excursions with English speaking driver/guide.
10 nights accommodation in shared double room.
Meals according to program.
All excursions according to program.
Entrance fees.
Train ticket (Devil´s Nose Train ride)
Travel guarantee via Swedish Kammarkollegiet.
Day to day presentation:
(B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
Day 1: Arrival to Quito.
After the arrival, our staff will welcome and transfer you from the airport to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to spend on your own and to acclimatize. Remember to walk slowly and to drink lots of fluids as Quito is located at 2 850 meters/9350 feet, which makes it the highest Capital in the world.
Day 2: Quito.
Your guide-driver will pick you up from your hotel at the established time; first, you’ll be driven to the colonial center of Quito. The guide will tell you all about the history of Ecuador and Quito, the Inca Empire, Spanish invasion and finally the independence period. You’ll visit historic jewels like famous squares, churches and colonial buildings like the Independence Square, the Presidential Palace, the Archbishop Palace, the Municipal Building (City-Hall) and so much more.
Then drive up to the Panecillo Hill to the Winged Virgin of Quito (41 meter steel statue); from here you’ll have the most incredible view of Quito and the surrounded snow capped volcanoes.
Some other places you will get to see are:
Plaza de la Independencia (Plaza Grande) is Quito’s main square, where you can admire the Metropolitan Cathedral with its striking sugar white tower, the former archbishop’s palace and the presidential palace.
The Jesuit church of La Compañia de Jesús, being the first and best example of Latin American baroque architecture. (B,L)
Day 3: Quito – Qtavalo – Quito.
In the morning after breakfast around 08:00, your private transport will take you to the beautiful city of Otavalo were you will be able to relax and encounter the colorful local people of the indigenous community. This journey will take an approximately of 2 hrs.
Otavalo is home to the Ponchos Market- the largest Handicraft Market in South America. The market serves as a gathering place for both trade and social activity. The ‘official’ market day is Saturday when people from all over the country come to sell produce, livestock, and handicrafts. Visitors are able to bargain for carpets, blouses, vests, jackets, hammocks, ceramics, paintings, jewellery, hats, musical instruments as well as a variety of other locally made goods. (B,D)
Day 4: Quito – Cotopaxi.
In the morning, your private transfer will take you to the famous Cotopaxi National Park! The easily accessible Cotopaxi National Park is Ecuador’s most visited mainland reserve (Important Bird Area). It’s no wonder, due to the lovely symmetrical and glaciated cone of Cotopaxi volcano, which belongs to the most beautiful peaks worldwide. With its elevation of 5,897m/19,347ft Cotopaxi also belongs to the highest active stratovolcanoes worldwide (latest eruption 2015), and is the second highest peak of Ecuador (after Chimborazo). You will visit Limpiopungo lake, where you can take beautiful pictures of the crystal clear water and hike in the National Park. How high you want to go up depends on you and your guide will adapt to your preferences. The stay includes a lunch at the cozy mountain lodge Tambopaxi.
After your excursion, your private transfer will take you to your hotel, the Hacienda El Porvenir. On the slopes of Rumiñahui Volcano, in a truly privileged position, Hacienda El Porvenir is the ideal spot from which to explore Cotopaxi, get to know the Andean way of life at first hand and have thrilling adventures.It is just one and a half hours by car from Quito and 4 km. from the northern entrance to Cotopaxi National Park. The property has been family owned for generations and even used to include the Cotopaxi mountain itself, before the foundation of the National Park. (B,L)
Day 5: Cotopaxi – Baños.
In the morning, your private transfer will take you to the adventure town of Ecuador: Baños. . There is a lot to do : biking, canyoning, swing of the end of the world, rafting and hiking… After all excitement there are lots of places to enjoy a nice massage and relax in the thermal pools. The afternoon is at leisure and you can explore the many activities Banos has to offer. Your guide will be at disposal and help you with whatever you need. (F)
Please remember that you can always book optional tours during leisure days:
– Horseback riding.
– Canopy.
– Biking road of the waterfalls.
– Canyoning.
– Birdwatching.
– Bungee jumping.
Day 6: Baños – Riobamba.
In the morning, your private transfer will take you to Riobamba. On the way there, you will visit the highest volcano of Ecuador: The Chimborazo which has an elevation of 6 263 meters/20 548 feet. The summit of this volcano is the place on Earth which is closets to the moon! We eat a picnic lunch before continuing to Riobamba. The city is an important transport city for the Pan-American highway. (B,L)
Day 7: Riobamba – Alausi – Ingapirca – Cuenca.
Today we are taking a train ride! We are picked up at the hotel and gets transfer to the trainstation in Alausi. We board the famous Devils nose train taking a tour along the highway that was constructed in the early 1900s. At the massive stone Devils nose, which blocks the tracks, you can see a local dance show! We then return to Alausi.
The tour then continues to Ingapirca, also known as Inca wall! The unique complex of Ingapirca belongs to best-preserved pre-Columbian monuments in Ecuador. Local indigenous people have made a living of selling handicrafts and snacks at the entrance, and pose willingly with their llamas.
On weekends you can also visit one of nearby street markets where authentic Cañari people gather. The rural village of Ingapirca is located in the charming countryside north of Cuenca (about 90km/55mi/2hrs). After your excursion, your private transfer will take you to your hotel in Cuenca. (B,L)
Day 8: Cuenca.
The day is free to spend on your own. For those who wish you can take a city tour of Cuneca or visit the craftsmen shops at Gualaceo, or why not do both! Our guide is at our disposal all day long.
During a city tour in Cuenca you can see many monuments and churches that date from Inca, colonial and republican times. Visit the Cathedral, the local market, Panama Hat museum or the view point which gives you a glorious view over the city.
Gualaceo is a traditional valley where all indigenous people where the straw panama hats and the women have hair braids. Here we will have lunch first, before we visit the small town of San Bartolo where guitars are handmade and artistically finished. We will also be able to see the beautiful ikat patterned textiles at the village of Bulcay. In the town of Sigsig, the toquilla straw is harvested and prepared to weave into the famous Panama hats.
In the evening, you can enjoy excellent Ecuadorian cuisine at the traditional restaurant “Los Tiestos”, where you will have a three course menu served on artisanal hand-painted plates. (B,D)
Day 9: Cuenca – Cajas – Guayaquil.
In the morning, your private transfer will take you to Guayaquil. However, one the way there, you will stop by Cajas National Park. Ranging between 3,000-4,500m/10,000-15,000ft, El Cajas National Park is an alluring outdoor paradise, close to Cuenca. On a clear day you can marvel breathtaking views of jagged rocky peaks, outstretched paramo moorlands with about 250 scenic lakes, papertree (polylepis) fairytale bushes, waterfalls and crystal clear streams full of trout!
After this excursion, your private transfer will continue the way to Guayaquil. From the cold and deserted landscapes of the Andes, you will start a massive descend towards the Pacific Ocean. Gradually, you will start taking off jacket, boots and pullovers, as the climate becomes hotter and more humid. We recommend to wear an onion-look of several layers on this day, so you can end up wearing shorts and a t-shirt for your visit at the Cacao & Mango Plantation around mid-day. There you will enjoy an open air lunch amid banana trees. Bring bug spray!
This day ends in the coastal city of Guayaquil, the southern main city of Ecuador. If you still have energy, your guide will be happy to take you on a night excursion to explore the seaside-malecon and other beautiful spots including the soaring nightlife of Guayaquil. (F,L)
Dag 10: Guayaquil.
The day is free to spend on your own. (B)
Day 11: Departure.
You will take a private transfer out from you hotel to Guayaquil Airport for continue to Galapagos or go back to your home.
Tip! For those who wish you can prolong your trip with a few extra days in Quito or Guayaquil. Visit the famous Galapagos Islands or take a beach vacation along the west coast of Ecuador. Please contact us for ideas and prices.
This is not included:
International flight. (Can be booked on your own or via us)
Meals not mentioned in the program.
Drinks during meals.
Optional tours.
Tip.
Personal expenses.
Travel insurance.
The prices are based upon the lowest booking class and season. Prices are calculated per person in shared double room.
We reserve ourselves against changes in currencies.
