8 Days Ecuadorian Adventure, Exploring Nature, Culture, and Wonders

As you wing your way into Quito, the walls of this Andean valley rise to greet you as do the volcanic peaks all around. The city spreads across the valley floor, climbing its sides up narrow, winding roads. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once you land and take care of the formalities, a driver will meet you and take you to your hotel, a charmingly colorful place with welcoming rooms.

• Breakfast

Start your day with a delightful breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a guided tour of Quito’s historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture, charming plazas, and landmarks like Plaza Grande, surrounded by the presidential palace, the mayor’s office, and the Archdiocese of Quito. Stroll along La Ronda, Quito’s oldest street, while your guide shares fascinating stories of the city’s past and present. After lunch, travel north to visit the iconic Mitad del Mundo monument, marking the Equator as determined by 18th-century French scientists, and the nearby Intiñan Museum, where interactive exhibits and experiments bring the science and culture of the Equator to life. Return to Quito for a relaxing evening to cap off the day’s adventures.

• Breakfast

Following a delightful breakfast at the hotel, our journey will take us to this enchanting plantation rose. It offers an immersive experience as you explore its greenhouses, showcasing a mesmerizing variety of roses in diverse colors and shapes. Among them, you'll even encounter the world's largest blossoms. Our journey continues to Papallacta, an Ecuadorian town in the Andes at 3,250 meters above sea level. This unique environment, flanked by the Cayambe and Antisana volcanoes, offers self- guided hikes to explore diverse flora and fauna, including over 160 bird species. The highlight is the Hot Springs Spa, featuring nine pools with temperatures ranging from 97°F to 104°F, sourced from rainwater in a volcanic crater, offering relaxation and mineral-medicinal benefits. After this soothing experience, we return to your hotel for rest.

• Breakfast

Embark on an unforgettable journey along the iconic Pan-American Highway, beginning with a visit to the Quitsato solar clock in Cayambe, a cultural monument on the equator with stunning views of the snow-capped Cayambe volcano. Savor authentic Ecuadorian coffee and the region’s famous Bizcochos before heading to Otavalo, home to South America’s largest indigenous handicraft market. Take in breathtaking views of San Pablo Lake and Imbabura Hill, then enjoy shopping at the vibrant La Plaza de los Ponchos and Cotacachi’s artisan leather market. Conclude your adventure at the stunning Cuicocha Lagoon, nestled in a volcanic crater, where a short walk to a viewpoint offers panoramic vistas of the lagoon’s turquoise waters and islets. Return to your hotel for a well-earned rest.

• Breakfast
• Lunch

After breakfast, you will leave Quito and head South to Cotopaxi National Park. You will visit Lake Limpiopungo, located in the highlands of the park. Here, you will have a spectacular view of Cotopaxi Volcano's gigantic cone. Lake Limpiopungo offers a variety of birds, and occasionally even wild horses. A short walk around the lake will allow you to admire the Andean plant and animal life along the way. If time permits and the altitude doesn't affect you, hike to the refuge Jose Rivas at 4800 m and enjoy the spectacular view. In the afternoon, you will arrive at your hotel to spend the night.

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Wake up very early! The day loop takes you across deep valleys, along dusty paths, around rolling green hills, and either starts or finishes at the azure-colored crater lake high up in the mountains. An enormous eruption created it around 600 years ago. The hike will take 4 - 5 hours. You will hike around the Quilotoa Lagoon – an emerald green crater lake formed after the last eruption of the Quilotoa volcano in 1280 – arguably the highlight of the Quilotoa Loop. Beyond the many awe- inspiring landscapes, you’ll also gain a fascinating insight into the region's indigenous cultures.

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Venture to Mindo, a captivating destination nestled near the Middle of the World monument, just a stone's throw from Quito. We kickstart the day delving into the lush cloud forest of Mindo. This unique ecosystem, positioned between the Andes and the Ecuadorian coast, is renowned for its hot and humid climate and is a haven for diverse bird species. Our journey takes us to the Butterfly and Orchidarium, a key stop on our shared tour, and then to the heights for an optional canopy adventure over the cloud forest. With a bit of luck, you might encounter various bird species in flight alongside you. Returning to the community, we explore an artisan chocolate factory, witnessing the intricate chocolate-making process. As the day winds down, we return to Quito, cherishing the memories of our incredible Mindo adventures.

• Breakfast
• Lunch

At the designated time for your international flight, your private driver will be waiting for you at your hotel lobby to help you with your luggage and drive you to the airport for your departure.

• Breakfast