8-Day Ecuador Tour from Quito with Otavalo, Chimborazo and Cuenca

Assistance at the airport, followed by a transfer to your hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel in Quito

Approximately 2 hours north of Quito, we pass through beautiful scenery and viewpoints until we arrive at the famous indigenous market of Otavalo, also known as the Market of Ponchos, one of the best-known markets in South America for its handicrafts and textiles. In the afternoon, we visit the town of Cotacachi, known for its leather goods, and then continue to the impressive Cuicocha Lake, formed inside a crater. After the visit, we return to Quito. The best day to visit the market is Saturday, although a smaller market is held every day.

Accommodation: Hotel in Quito

Activity: 6-hour guided tour

Transportation: 6 hours of private transportation in small cars or tourism buses

Meals: Breakfast

Entrance Fee Included: Cuicocha Lake

Declared a "World Heritage Site" by UNESCO in 1978, Quito is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the Americas. We will visit both the new, modern city and the old historic center, characterized by its many churches and squares. Included in the visit are the Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace, the Government Palace or Carondelet located on the main square, La Compañía of Jesus, a church whose interior is plated in gold, and the square and church of San Francisco. Later, we continue to the tourist center of the Middle of the World, where the northern and southern hemispheres meet. In addition, we visit the Intiñan Museum, well known for its experiments and the experience of being in two hemispheres at one time.

Accommodation: Hotel in Quito

Activity: 6-hour guided tour

Transportation: 6 hours of private transportation in small cars or tourism buses

Meals: Breakfast

Entrance Fee Included: La Compañía Church and Intiñan Museum

We travel south along the famous Route of the Volcanoes, with around 62 volcanoes, in the direction of Baños, a tourist town located on the slopes of the active Tungurahua volcano. There are various possibilities for activities such as biking, rafting, hiking to the waterfalls, tarabita, and horseback riding. Baños lies between the Amazon jungle and the Andes, offering impressive scenery. At the end of the afternoon, we head to our lodging in Baños.

Accommodation: Hotel in Baños

Activity: 7-hour guided tour

Transportation: 7 hours of private transportation in small cars or tourism buses

Meals: Breakfast

Entrance Fee Included: Pailon del Diablo waterfall

Very early in the morning, we visit Chimborazo Ecoreserve. We will have the chance to hike on the volcano at 15,000 feet while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Andes. Afterwards, we continue our trip to Cuenca, stopping along the way to visit the most important archaeological Incan ruins, known as Ingapirca.

Accommodation: Hotel in Cuenca

Activity: 7-hour guided tour

Transportation: 7 hours of private transportation in small cars or tourism buses

Meals: Breakfast

Entrance Fee Included: Chimborazo Reserve and Inca ruins

Also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cuenca is one of the most beautiful cities in Ecuador, with its streets, squares, buildings, and churches. We visit the main square, the Cathedral of Cuenca, and the small flower square. We also go to the famous straw hat factory, often misnamed the Panama hat factory. Finally, we take a city tour of El Barranco and the modern city, and stop at the lookout known as El Turi. The afternoon is free. Lodging in Cuenca.

Accommodation: Hotel in Cuenca

Activity: 3-hour guided tour

Transportation: 3 hours of private transportation in small cars or tourism buses

Meals: Breakfast

Departure west of Cuenca through El Cajas National Park, which has close to 200 lagoons. We will hike around Lake Toreadora, a pleasant walk where we can observe the flora and fauna of this national park. Afterwards, we cross the continental divide and descend to sea level and the city of Guayaquil, the economic capital of Ecuador.

Accommodation: Hotel in Guayaquil

Activity: 7-hour guided tour

Transportation: 7 hours of private transportation in small cars or tourism buses

Meals: Breakfast

Entrance Fee Included: El Cajas National Park and local guide

Transfer for your return flight home or onward connections.