Ecuador Highlands Explorer

Upon arrival in Quito, you will be met and transferred to your colonial-style hotel, where you will stay for the next two nights.

A visit to Quito’s old town takes you back to the time of the Spanish Colonial Period, where the mixture of European and indigenous influences is evident in the paintings, sculptures and carvings. Admire architectural monuments such as the stone-carved facade of Ecuador's House of Congress, Independence Square, the Presidential Palace, and the Cathedral with its many styles including Gothic arches, Moorish ceilings, a Baroque altar, and neoclassical artwork. Also, visit the church of La Compañía, considered the finest example of baroque art and one of the richest churches in the Americas, with its breathtaking altars, vaulted ceilings, and ornamented walls covered in gold leaf.

Just 30 minutes to the north of Quito you will find yourself directly between the northern and southern hemispheres. Visit the Middle of the World Monument and the interesting displays of Ecuador’s many indigenous cultures in its Ethnographical Museum. You will also be able to stand on the actual equator line at exactly 0’00 latitude at a privately owned equatorial site and small museum. You might learn how indigenous people created the mysterious “shrunken heads,” and enter a reproduction of a traditional one-roomed home.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy a morning drive south through the picturesque “Avenue of the Volcanoes.” Stop in Papallacta for a soothing dip in the clear healing waters of the thermal pools, known to be the best hot springs in all of Ecuador. Surrounded by beautiful landscapes, the Antisana Mountains and a variety of lush vegetation dip into the many warm springs and cool off in the fresh mountain air. After lunch in this lovely place, continue to Lasso for your overnight stay at Hosteria La Cienega (or similar), a lovely colonial hacienda near the slopes of the Cotopaxi Volcano.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lodging: Hosteria La Cienega

This morning, depart for Cotopaxi National Park. Cotopaxi is one of the world’s highest active volcanoes and the central feature of the park. The volcano offers climbing experiences to suit all skill levels. You can explore the Andean moorlands (páramos), hike up to the snow line (15,800 feet), or drive around to enjoy the landscapes provided by other close volcanoes like Rumiñahui, Sincholagua, and Quilindaña. The park is home to deer, pumas, condors, wild horses, llamas, highland foxes, and rabbits, though these highland creatures can be difficult to spot. The plant life you will see is diverse and unique, having adapted to the harsh conditions of the strong sun, fierce winds, and cold weather.

After your visit to Cotopaxi, enjoy the rest of the afternoon in Ambato, a town with the largest of Ecuador’s colorful and authentic indigenous weekly markets. The entire city is a virtual marketplace with livestock, fruits, vegetables, colorful spices, cooking utensils, and handicrafts bartered on every corner. This evening, retreat to a typical hacienda in Patate, where you can see the erupting Tungurahua Volcano. Stay overnight at Hacienda Leito, an XVIII century Jesuit hacienda (or similar).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lodging: Hacienda Leito

This morning, continue to Baños, a small town nestled in the shadows of the Tungurahua Volcano, high above the Amazon Basin. This area, on the edge of the cloud forest, is rich in vegetation and orchids and is famed for its nearby hot springs that provide hot running water to the local baths. Take a cable car ride over the Pastaza River and enjoy an easy walk to see the local farmers’ small fish farms and orchards. Then, a pleasant hike will take you to the powerful Pailon del Diablo Waterfall, surrounded by tropical plants and orchids. You may have the chance to enjoy freshly squeezed tropical fruit juice along the way for a delicious and refreshing treat. Return to Baños for lunch.

This afternoon, on the road to Riobamba, you will pass by the Igualata ridge on the Urbina moorlands. The Igualata ridge is the highest point on the Pan-American Highway and lies at the base of Ecuador's highest mountain, the snow-capped Chimborazo (6,310 m. / 20,697 ft.). The summit of Chimborazo is the furthest point from the center of the Earth, due to the high elevation, the location at the equator, and the “bulging” shape of the planet. A short tour of the city of Riobamba includes its French-influenced plazas and its Cathedral. Admire the city from Quito Hill and learn about Ecuador's history from its murals. Arrive at one of Riobamba's country inns, surrounded by magnificent volcanoes, and enjoy a well-deserved rest.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start your day with a drive through some of the most picturesque indigenous areas of the country, passing by Balbanera Chapel, the oldest Catholic chapel in the country, until you reach the Alausi train station. If the train is available, you will experience the adventure of going from the high Andes to the lowlands through the Devil's Nose, with its impressive descent down the steep cliff.

Back on the road again, as high as 3,100 m. / 10,168 ft., visit Ingapirca, the most important religious and political monument left by the Incas and the many pre-Columbian cultures that once dwelled in this area of Ecuador. As you walk around the ruins, which rise above the beautiful surrounding valleys, it will be easy for you to imagine why this site was chosen. The Incas built the complex on top of an old Canari settlement, and the vast complex includes a roofless fortification, courtyards, terraces, temples, and houses. Continue your drive to Cuenca for an overnight stay at a charming, centrally located hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

To most visitors, Cuenca is the prettiest colonial city in the country. UNESCO declared it a World Cultural Heritage City in 1999. Let Cuenca’s cobblestone streets, graceful wrought-iron balconies, and flowered plazas captivate you. Its marketplaces and handicrafts are living testimony to the region's rich indigenous and artisan heritage. The handsome sunlit domes of the cathedral, the quiet convents and museums, and the city's romantic Tomebamba River flanked by overhanging houses are part of an experience that no one should miss. The architectural remains of Pumapungo include walls, channels, and cobblestone corridors surrounded by agricultural terraces once used by the Canari people. A visit to the archeological complex is complemented with an informative walk through gardens of native plants and a small aviary of indigenous birds.

This afternoon, drive to the nearby village of Gualaceo, set in one of the most beautiful valleys of the country. It is one of the oldest villages in the Azuay province and one of the first Spanish settlements. A walk around the market of Gualaceo will give you a feel for its many handicraft traditions, including Panama hats, embroidery, and weavings. Then, continue to Chordeleg, the most important craft center of the province. This deceptively sleepy town thrives on its locally produced gold and silver work, and its numerous jewelry shops will prove irresistible as jewelry here is offered at a fraction of prices elsewhere. The town also contains a museum where artisans and weavers are often at work. Lunch is included today. Return to Cuenca for your overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

West of Cuenca is the Lake District, which lies at 10,000 ft. above sea level. The region was formed by volcanic activity - a process that created breathtaking mountain scenery containing over 200 glacial lagoons and lakes, all of which are connected by small rivers and streams. Cajas is an ideal location for hiking, for trekking, and for observing flora, fauna and bird life. Cajas National Park is home to a host of mammals, including white-tailed deer, spectacled bears, pumas, paramo deer, paramo rabbits, and Andean tapirs. Additionally, a number of bird species can be found in the area, such as the condor, the caracara, the Andean toucan, and the spectacled duck. The park also has some archeological Inca sites in the area of Molleturo, which historians believe may have been a “tambo,” or a resting area, for the Inca couriers between Cusco and Quito. Enjoy lunch today at Dos Chorreras or at a similar local restaurant. This afternoon return to hotel. The rest of your day is at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Transfer to the airport this morning for your short flight to Guayaquil. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Then enjoy a city tour, which includes lunch at a local restaurant. Drive through the colorful streets of one of Ecuador’s most important port cities, Guayaquil. Visit the Public Market, the waterfront and the docks, and Simon Bolivar Park, which is famous for its tree iguanas. Also, admire the watchtower, La Rotonda, Old Santa Ana Fort, and Las Penas, a charming colonial section of town that is occupied by artists. Your overnight stay in Guayaquil is at the Hampton Inn (or similar). (You may also return to Quito if you prefer another afternoon to explore on your own and enjoy a night tour of the old town.)

Meals: Breakfast

Lodging: Hampton Inn

You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

Meals: Breakfast