Quito

Food & Drinks

Day 1: Depart from Quito to the Cotopaxi National Park. Visit the Limpiopungo lagoon in the slopes of the volcano. Stay to enjoy the landscape and take beautiful pictures of the volcano and the lagoon. Visit the Mariscal Sucre Interpretation Center and take a trek to the José Rivas Refuge. Leaving the Cotopaxi National Park, savor lunch and spend the night in the Hacienda. Day 2: After breakfast, head through the Andean landscape to the Quilotoa area. Stop at the Shalala viewpoint, recognized for its transparent structure, and admire the beautiful Quilotoa lagoon with its incredible turquoise waters. Visit the community viewpoint, and start to descend towards the lagoon. Take some free time to explore the area. Start the return, a strong walk. Make a stop for lunch. Make your way back through a Tigua craft workshop, famous for its colorful pictures, and visit the Toachi's Cañon before you return to Quito.

Discover the evergreen wilderness and spectacular natural diversity of the Andes’ western slope. Day 1: Depart Quito in the early morning and visit El Pahuma Orchid Reserve for a 1-hour hike to the waterfalls. Stop off at the Alambi Reserve to take photos inside the hummingbird garden. Enjoy lunch in Mindo, and take advantage of free time in the afternoon to explore the city on your own. Spend the night at a hotel in Mindo. Day 2: Wake up to a relaxing breakfast at the hotel before you start your day. Choose from a variety of activities to participate in at your own expense, including river tubing, ziplining, rappelling, or visiting the butterfly farm. Return to Quito at the end of the day.

Benefit from pick-up at your hotel in Quito, and then journey by private vehicle towards the lively indigenous bazaar of Otavalo Market. Make brief stops at the village of Guayabamba and get an amazing view of San Pablo Lake and the surrounding landscape. Try some of the local biscochos (cookies) typical of the region along the way. Visit a weaving workshop in Peguche to learn about the handmade artisanal products and clothes typical of the region. Get back on the road to arrive at Otavalo Market and join the locals who come to sell their wares at the most spectacular market in Latin America. Buy unique souvenirs or just watch the hustle and bustle of the market vendors. Stop for lunch in the village of Cotacachi before making your way to the beautiful crater lake of Cuicocha at the foot of Cotacachi Volcano. Return to Quito at the end of a day full of activities and get dropped off at your hotel.

Your day will start with a visit to the adventure park Nayon Xtreme Valley, where you can choose 3 activities out of: Tibetan Bridge, Canopy 01 external cable (across a 400-meter/1,312-foot canyon), Extreme Swing, and more Following your activities, you can have a snack in the park before returning to the place of departure to start your Equator Line Tour. You will begin by visiting the Pululahua Volcano crater viewpoint, which is a beautiful natural paradise and one of those places where you feel the magnetism and the energy of an active volcano. Next, discover the Middle of the World Tourist Complex where you will do some experiences on the equinoctial line, then visit an Equatorial museum that is 30 meters (98.5 feet) high and was built in honor of the Geodesic Mission, Cultural Pavilions, and more. Finally, go to the Agave Museum and enjoy a tasting of this ancestral drink. Return to the start point at approximately 7 PM.

After pickup from your hotel in Quito, take a 2-hour ride to the Bosque Protector Mindo Nambillo. Explore the cloud forest with your private bilingual guide, and appreciate the picturesque scenery even more on an included cable car ride. Learn about the 4 stages in the lives of butterflies at the butterfly garden, where you can observe around 1,200 of these colorful creatures. Next, walk through the cloud forest to one of the most visited natural attractions in Mindo, the Nambillo Waterfall. Formed by a rapid in the Nambillo, it's a popular natural spa. Take a dip in the crystal clear waters of the pool area, if you like. At the end of your, you'll be dropped off back at your hotel in Quito.

Explore the flavors of Ecuador on a walking tour with an expert foodie guide. Meet one of the top chefs in the country, and try local wines and chocolate cocktails. Your tour takes you through the beautiful La Floresta neighborhood, where you'll wind up at one of the most beloved restaurants in Quito. Learn about the local produce and the fairtrade culture of Ecuador's small communities. Enjoy creative, chocolate-based cocktails, the best local coffee, and the perfect wine for pairing while you learn about the culture and history of the region's gastronomy.

Benefit from pick-up at your hotel in Quito in the morning, and then depart the city center and travel by air-conditioned vehicle towards Cotopaxi National Park. Enjoy stunning views of the snow-capped peaks of the Andes Mountains in the distance and the amazing flat lands surrounding the Cotopaxi Volcano. Upon arrival, visit the Interpretation Center to learn more about Ecuador's 2nd highest mountain peak and the Limpiopungo Lagoon. Hike through the surroundings of the Limpiopungo valley for approximately 3 hours, and climb from an altitude of about 3,890 meters above sea level to an elevation of about 4,500 meters. Take in the stunning vistas on clear days, and then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, if option selected. Return to Quito and get dropped off at your hotel on arrival.

You will begin your tour with a pick-up from your hotel. The tour will then continue from Basilica Church, where you will make a brief stop next to San Juan Mirador from where you will have a beautiful view of the colonial center of Quito.  After walking through the colonial streets, you will then stop at the Independence Plaza to admire the cathedral and the Government Palace. You will also visit La Ronda Street, the Company Church, Santo Domingo Church, Sagrario Church and San Francisco Church, which was built during the 17th century.  After visiting the historical sights, you'll go to the Teleférico. This is one of the best ways to enjoy the city with views of the beautiful valleys, snow-capped mountains and Quito, the capital. From a point at more than 13,000 feet (4000 meters), you will enjoy magnificent views, as well as a horseback riding tour which will last between 2 to 3-hours going up to almost 3 miles above sea level.

Otavalo is a gorgeous and enchanted town. You can embark upon a complete tour for which you can customize your itinerary but the program below is the most recommended. It is also possible to make a stop at a rose farm and get an explanation of the growing process. Otavalo city is Ecuador's most representative city in the Highlands due to its amazing handicraft work, beautiful lakes, falls, delicious gastronomy and very kind and polite people. Itinerary  8:00 AM: Pickup at hotel in Quito and start driving to Otavalo10:00 AM: Coffee or chocolate and local biscochos at Lago San Pablo11:00 AM: Visit to the Condor park including a bird show with Eagles and Hawks12:30 PM: Visit to Otavalo’s market and have local lunch2:30 PM: Visit to Cotacachi’s leather town or Peguche waterfall4:00 PM: Drive back to Quito Note: All hours are approximate, except for the starting time.

Explore Quito, the oldest capital in South America, from all of its angles. Get to know the main historical plazas, buildings, churches and parks. Admire downtown's colonial architecture with its mix of 19th century and modern style buildings. Get away from the main sites and explore lesser-known gems, like the main flea market in town, where you'll understand another side of every day local life. Eat at a top street food stop, and explore one of the main markets. Finish the journey sampling some of the best chocolate and coffee from the hands of a top chocolatier.