Ecuador in 6 Days
A refined introduction to the Sierra and its highland culture.
We begin our trip in Ecuador's capital, Quito. In the morning, we'll head north to visit the equatorial line and the Middle of the World Monument. Next, we'll take a ride on Quito's cable car to enjoy stunning panoramic views of the city. We'll then visit El Panecillo, a small hill in the city's center that houses a monument to the Virgin Mary. From here, we can appreciate Quito's historic center. Lastly, we'll stroll through Quito's old town, discovering its beautiful streets, churches, and squares, and learning about the city's history. In the afternoon, we'll return to our hotel to rest.
In the morning, we'll depart from your hotel and travel north on the Pan-American highway. We'll make a stop in Cayambe to enjoy a breakfast with the famous biscochos and leaf cheese. Then, we'll continue to Otavalo to visit the famous craft market. After about two hours, we'll head to Cuicocha Lake for lunch while enjoying the views of a volcano crater. In the afternoon, we'll visit the town of Cotacachi, known for its leather crafts. Finally, we'll return to Quito to spend the night in our hotel.
We'll start the day with breakfast at the hotel before driving south from Quito to Cotopaxi National Park. After checking in at the entrance control, we'll begin our hike to the José F Rivas Refuge, located at an altitude of 4860 meters. Depending on weather conditions, we may continue to the glacier to enjoy views of the volcano's eternal ice. After descending, we'll have lunch at a local restaurant before heading to the Quilotoa community to spend the night.
After a well-deserved rest, we'll hike from the crater's edge to Quilotoa Lake. Afterwards, we'll head to the town of Baños, known for its viewpoints and tourist activities. In the afternoon, we'll have the chance to visit several attractions such as the Swing at the End of the World and the Animal Park. At the end of the day, we'll return to our hotel to rest.
Today we'll focus on the famous Waterfall Route. This tour can be done by bike or transport, leading to the Ecuadorian Amazon. Along the way, we'll make stops for extreme activities such as canopy and tarabita. Our final destination will be the Pailón del Diablo, the region's largest and most famous waterfall. After lunch, we'll return to Baños in the afternoon, where you'll have free time to visit the local thermal baths.
On our final day, after breakfast, we'll head back to Quito. The return journey will last approximately three hours, and upon arrival at our hotel in Quito, our six-day program will conclude.