EXPLORING LOCAL CULTURE: OTAVALO MARKET & HIKE THE CUICOCHA LAKE

Wake up early to enjoy the biggest indigenous city in Ecuador and home of the well-known indigenous market where artisans come to sell colorful textiles and other traditional goods. Snack on fruits and other snacks while you browse the stalls for paintings, carvings, hand painted bowls, and much more.

Enjoy some street food (try the salted mango or frittata con mote—fried pork with cooked corn, then continue to the nearby town of Cotacachi for some free time and more shopping (the town is famous for its leather products).

In the afternoon, stroll along the shores of the volcanic crater lake of Cuicocha. Your guide will tell you about the high-altitude flora and fauna and the history of the lake. You can even take a boat ride around the two islands.

ALPACA ENCOUNTER & KAYAKING AT QUILOTOA LAGOON

Wake up early to enjoy the biggest indigenous city in Ecuador and home of the well-known indigenous market where artisans come to sell colorful textiles and other traditional goods. Snack on fruits and other snacks while you browse the stalls for paintings, carvings, hand painted bowls, and much more.

Enjoy some street food (try the salted mango or frittata con mote—fried pork with cooked corn, then continue to the nearby town of Cotacachi for some free time and more shopping (the town is famous for its leather products).

In the afternoon, stroll along the shores of the volcanic crater lake of Cuicocha. Your guide will tell you about the high-altitude flora and fauna and the history of the lake. You can even take a boat ride around the two islands.

COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK

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 Ribas at 4800 m and enjoy the spectacular view.
In the afternoon, you will arrive at a traditional Hacienda near the National Park where you will spend the night.

RECONNECTING WITH NATURE AT BAÑOS DE AGUA SANTA

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 Ribas at 4800 m and enjoy the spectacular view.
In the afternoon, you will arrive at a traditional Hacienda near the National Park where you will spend the night.

RIOBAMBA & HIKING INGAPIRCA RUINS

Cuenca, 160 miles (259 km) south of Riobamba is the final destination for today’s road trip, with stops along the way. First, see the Ingapirca pre-Inca ruins, one of the largest archeological complexes in Ecuador. Learn how the site has cultural influences from Cañari and Inca, and at 10,498 feet (3,200 m) above sea level was a strategically-located settlement to manage an entire empire. Climb through the Cañari settlement ruins, and look out for llamas roaming freely. At the end of your archaeological exploration, continue on to Cuenca, traveling the remaining 43 miles (70 km) south.

EXPLORING CUENCA AND SURROUNDINGS, GUALACEO, CHORDELEG

Stroll through the cobble-stone streets of Cuenca’s old town and see the various plazas and churches. With your car rental you will be able to explore around and beyond: Explore the beautiful scenery of the Azuay province and the picturesque small villages, such as Chordeleg, known for silver and gold handicraft, Gualaceo with its orchid farm or Zigzig with its market. Return to Cuenca in the afternoon for another night at your hotel in the colonial part of town.

CAJAS NATIONAL PARK TO GUAYAQUIL

Your private transportation will pick you up and take you to El Cajas National Park and make your way to the largest city of Ecuador: Guayaquil.

El Cajas National Park, with its 200 glacial lakes and numerous hiking trails, is one of Ecuador’s most beautiful places, located 32km west of Cuenca. During this trek, you will cross gaps and Polylepis forests and your guide will explain about moorland vegetation. The highlight will be getting to the Garden of the Virgin of Cajas or Tres Cruces Viewpoint at 4160 masl.

After stopping by for lunch on the way, you will head for a 3:30 hour drive along with your guide, where you will approach one of the highest points in the Ecuadorian highlights to descend towards the Coast of Ecuador, rice plantations will follow your way until reaching Guayaquil, where you will be dropped of at the hotel to relax and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

TRANSFER OUT

Upon arrival to Quito airport, you will connect on the same day with your international flight so you can return home with some everlasting memories. See you next time!