Ecuador Luxury Tour 12 Days

FROM THE ANDES TO THE PACIFIC COAST IN ECUADOR'S MOST CHARMING HOTELS

• Day 1. ARRIVAL IN QUITO, ECUADOR 
  • Arrival in Ecuador, in Quito, the capital (9,350 ft.). Welcome to the airport by your guide and transfer (about 1 hour) to the most charming 5-star hotel in the historic center. Welcome cocktail. Free dinner or on request. Night stay at the hotel.


• Day 2. QUITO ~ EQUATORIAL LINE ~ OTAVALO
  • Visit to Quito and its historic center, designated by UNESCO as “World Cultural Heritage” and considered the most beautiful and richest in Latin America.
  • Then transfer to the neo-colonial village at “The Middle of the World”.
  • Lunch in a panoramic restaurant next to the Pululahua crater.
  • And visit to the Equatorial monument and the Ethno Scientific Inti Ñan museum.
  • After, a short drive along the North Pan-American Road to the beautiful Andean region of Otavalo; appreciated for its lakes, volcanoes, Indigenous traditions, handicrafts etc. Hot “Canelazo” welcome cocktail. Dinner and night stay in a charming historic 4-star Hacienda in a suite.


• Day 3. OTAVALO INDIGENOUS MARKET ~ CUICOCHA LAKE ~ COTOPAXI VOLCANO
  • An early visit to the most famous Indigenous market of South America: Otavalo, which gathers all the Ecuadorian varieties of typical textiles and handicrafts.
  • Traditional lunch at an Indigenous “Otavaleño” restaurant accompanied by music and local dance. Then, possible walk or stop at the spectacular Cuicocha Crater Lake, dominated by the highest volcano in the region: Cotacachi (16.204 feet). And possible shopping at a Cotacachi village, specialized in leather articles and clothing.
  • Or lunch at a charming old luxury Hacienda, the tour of the hacienda and presentation of its Condor Park.  Then drive to Cotopaxi volcano, the 2nd highest of the country. Arrival at a 4 star/5 star charming Colonial-Inca hacienda, welcome wine close to the fireplace, exquisite dinner in the Inca dining room. Night stay in a unique and cozy room. 


• Day 4. COTOPAXI PARK ~ AVENUE OF THE VOLCANOES ~ BAÑOS 
  • Tour of the Cotopaxi National park. Possible walk around a lagoon or climb up to the refuge.  Or recommended great horse-back riding at the foot of the Cotopaxi.
  • Or Excursion to the spectacular crater of Lake Quilotoa with a possible visit to a local Indigenous market (Saquisili or Pujili or Zumbagua).
  • Drive along the “Avenue of Volcanoes” to the charming city of Banos famous for its thermal waters and located at the foot of the Tungurahua volcano. City tour and visit to crafts shops. Possible hot spring bath at your 4 star/5 star hotel Spa. Optional and recommended body or face massage upon request. Welcome cocktail or glass of wine with the dinner.  Night stay at the hotel with hot spring pools.


• Day 5. BAÑOS WATERFALLS ~ CHIMBORAZO VOLCANO 
  • Travel along the waterfalls path. On the way, do a canopy crossing at 12 USD over the Pastaza River.  Walk to the impressive “Pailon Del Diablo” waterfall, known for being one of the biggest in South America. Later drive to the highest volcano: Chimborazo (20,669 feet). On the way, possible panoramic tour of the old city of Riobamba. “Canelazo” shot, dinner and overnight stay in a mountain lodge at the foot of the amazing Chimborazo volcano visited by llamas. Or in the 4-star hotel of Riobamba.


• Day 6. RIOBAMBA ~ TRAIN OF THE ANDES ~ INGAPIRCA ~ CUENCA 
  • After breakfast, transfer to the small train station of Alausi. Train ride through the impressive landscape of the Devil’s Nose. Arrival to Sibambe terminal. The cultural presentation offered by the local Indigenous Puruhae community. Then, return to Alausi and drive to the very charming, artistic and historic city of Cuenca. On the way, lunch and visit to the Inca Temple and Canari ruin of “Ingapirca”. Arrival in Cuenca, at the most charming 4 star/5 star hotel. Welcome drink, dinner in a selected restaurant offering traditional specialties of Cuenca. Night stay in the hotel.


• Day 7. CUENCA ~ GUALACEO 
  • In the morning, city tour of Cuenca and its historic center, classified as a UNESCO “World Cultural Heritage”. Its cobbled stone streets, cathedrals, and marble constructions with white facades give the city a Colonial character. Historically it was the home of poets, philosophers, writers; Cuenca is proud of its cultural heritage and intellectual history and considered the Cultural capital of Ecuador. Visit the typical market, stop at the Turi point to view and to appreciate Cuenca from the top and possible stop at the shop of the well-known sculptor Eduardo De La Vega.
  • Visit to a factory of the famous so-called “Panama” hats. Delicious lunch in an old convent. Afternoon visit to the aborigine’s museum or to another museum or Excursion to the valley of Gualaceo, appreciated for its landscapes, handcrafts. Stop at the village of Chordeleg, specialized in silver jewels or visit an Orchid plantation. Dinner and night stay in the same hotel.


• Day 8. CUENCA ~ GUAYAQUIL
  • Drive toward the coastal crossing a variety of fascinating Andean and subtropical landscapes. On the way, possible walk in the national park of the hundreds Cajas lakes.  Then tasty “trout” lunch in a charming country inn.
  • Or local lunch and visit to a Cocoa plantation in the subtropical region with a chocolate tasting. Arrival at the biggest and most important harbor of the country: Guayaquil. Dinner and night stay in a 5-star boutique hotel in an old district, on the bank of Guayas River. Welcome cocktail during a boat tour on the river or at the hotel before dinner and night stay.


• Day 9. GUAYAQUIL ~ PACIFIC COAST: PUERTO AYO 
  • We' ll take the “ Ruta Del Sol” that encircles the coast of the Pacific Ocean passing by the beautiful beach of Salinas which is also a favorite spot for surfers: then to the marginal beach town of Montanita till we get to Puerto Cayo and Machalilla Park. Welcome tropical juice. Dinner and night stay in a sensational hotel on the ocean.  


• Day 10. BEACH AND COMFORT TIME BY THE BEAUTIFUL PACIFIC OCEAN 
  • A nice day just relaxing and enjoying the delightful and wonderful attributes of the Pacific Ocean. Dinner and night stay at the same oceanfront hotel.


• Day 11. ISLA DE LA PLATA, THE LOST GALAPAGOS ISLAND AND/OR WHALE WATCHING  
  • Excursion to the “Isla de la Plata”, with the same ecosystem as the Galapagos Islands. By boat and on foot or possible snorkeling. Discovering its birds, sea lions, fauna. And/or, between June and September, possible sea excursion to watch the hump whales mating. Or visit and swim at one of the most beautiful beaches there: Los Frailes. Dinner and night stay at the same hotel. Or at a Guayaquil hotel depending on the flight time the following day.


• Day 12.  PACIFIC COAST ~ GUAYAQUIL ~ FLIGHT BACK HOME 
  • After breakfast, drive back to Guayaquil and/or possible panoramic city tour. Discover its iguana park, its famous “Malecon”, “Las Peñas” in the old historic district, which offers a beautiful view over the Guayas River and the city. Enjoy a farewell cocktail before a “guayaquileño” lunch in a traditional and well-known restaurant.
  • Transfer to the airport. A flight back to your country