5-Day Ecuador Tour with Quito, Mindo, Otavalo and Papallacta

Early in the morning, we will start our city tour at Panecillo viewpoint to admire Quito's wonders from above. Then, we will walk for two hours, visiting the highlights of the old city such as San Francisco Church, Compañia de Jesús Church, and Sagrario Church, located on "Calle de la Siete Cruces" or Garcia Moreno Street.

After that, we will visit the Presidential Palace lobby at Quito's Main Square. Finally, we will visit the first Gothic church of Ecuador, considered the highest one in the city. This is another beautiful viewpoint to observe "The Avenue of the Volcanoes." Then, we will drive towards the Equator Line Museum, and finally, continue to Mindo Cloud Forest for an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Overnight at Grand Hotel Mindo *** or similar

Meals: Not included

We will take the road to the Waterfalls Sanctuary, just 5 miles from Mindo. At the waterfalls, you will decide how far you prefer to explore with our guide. The waterfalls sanctuary is a large complex of several waterfalls, and depending on your physical condition, it is possible to visit up to 5 in a row or simply walk a little around, take a short cable car ride, and visit one of the nicest ones. We will help you decide while there.

Then, we will return to Mindo town to have lunch in one of the local restaurants (optional). After this, you will visit the butterflies, orchids, and the famous hummingbird farm known as Nataly in town. Finally, it is time to visit the chocolate farm, where you will learn the entire process before the chocolate brownie goes to your mouth. Ecuadorian jungle cultures started preparing chocolate 5000 years before the Mexican aborigines.

At the end of the afternoon, we will continue to Otavalo City and drop you off at your hotel for an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Overnight at Santa Fe Hotel **** or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning visit to Otavalo Handicraft Market, one of the oldest Indigenous markets in Latin America. From this moment, you will have enough time to explore and enjoy the area at your own pace. After that, we will take you to visit a sacred waterfall called Peguche. At this place, you will walk for 15 minutes through a nice eucalyptus forest surrounded by colorful landscapes. You will also visit a textile workshop to learn more about this ancient weaving technique.

Then it is time for lunch. You can enjoy it in a local restaurant in Cotacachi town, also known as "the Leather Town." After this, you will have some time to explore the famous leather shops with beautiful things to look out for.

Before we finish the day, you will visit one of the most impressive crater lakes in the Andes, known as Cuicocha (Guinea Pigs Lake), to take awesome photos and hike for over 1 hour.

Finally, we will return to Otavalo for an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Santa Fe Hotel **** or similar

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, we will continue our sightseeing through the Andes, visiting a rose farm and learning about all its processes. Then, we will stop at the San Pablo Lake viewpoint to take some photos. This is the most scenic area.

After this, we will continue towards Cayambe town to try the famous biscuits and a cup of hot chocolate. Then, we will drive 2 hours to Termas de Papallacta to look for condors flying, if time and weather conditions permit. The rest of the afternoon will be free for you to enjoy the hot springs complex and maybe a nice massage with volcanic stones for complete relaxation.

Accommodation: Overnight at Termas de Papallacta ****

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today is your last day in Ecuador with us, so you can choose either to take a free morning to relax at the resort pool or spa, or take a very nice hike around the area. In both cases, the check-out time is at 1:00 p.m. Then, we will drive you to Quito's International Airport for your flight back home.

End of services.

Accommodation: Not included

Meals: Breakfast