ECUADOR AT YOUR OWN RYTHM
Day 1: QUITO: arrival
Arrival in Quito. Meet and Greet at International Quito Airport. Transfer to selected Hotel and Check In.
Day 2: Visit to the Historic District of Quito
Enjoy a visit to the colonial quartier of Quito accompanied by a local guide, discover why Quito was Declared Cultural Heritage Site by Unesco on 1978.
Day 3: QUITO : Rent A Car Office / OTAVALO
Transfer from the Hotel to the Rent A Car Office to pick up the car and comply all the procedures. You will be assisted by your English speaking guide.
You will start your Self-drive experience. Driving to the northern region of the country to the Otavalo region.
Suggested visits:
- Indigenous market “ Plaza de los Ponchos” - Otavalo.
- Peguche weavers village, waterfall and andean instruments Atelier.
- Cuicocha Lake & Cotacachi village
Day 4 : OTAVALO
Suggested visits:
- San Pablo Lake and Lechero
• Parque Condor
• Activities in a local community with a family.
Day 5: OTAVALO - COTOPAXI REGION
Route to the south to Cotopaxi province, named after the Cotopaxi Volcano. You will drive along what german scientist Alexandre von Humboldt, named on XIX century as the "Volcanoes Avenue"
Suggested visits:
- Cotopaxi National Park, Limpiopungo Lake, El Salitre arquological remains
- Indigenous markets: Pujilí (Wednesday and Sunday), Saquisilí (Thursday), Zumbahua (Saturday).
- Quilotoa Lake
Day 6 : COTOPAXI / BAÑOS
Drive south to Baños. The city is located at the slopes of the active volcano Tungurahua (5.100m). The name of this small town is to be attributed to its thermal baths resulting from the activity of the volcano
Suggested visits:
- City of Baños: Dominican Church, Tagua workshops, main street
- Waterfalls Route: Devil's Cauldron, Bride's Veil.
- Casa del Arbol and “End’s of the World Swing”, Bellavista Viewpoint.
- Additional options can be: Horse Back riding, Biking and Rafting
Day 7 : BAÑOS / RIOBAMBA
Continue to Riobamba, passing at the foot of the famous Chimborazo, the highest snow-covered volcano in the world (6310 m above sea level). Its summit is the point on earth closest to the sun because of its proximity to Ecuador.
Suggested Visits:
-City of Riobamba & Museum of Religious Art at Las Conceptas Convent
- Chimborazo Fauna Reserve and refuges
Day 8 : RIOBAMBA - GUAMOTE - INGAPIRCA archeological site - CUENCA
Continuing further south, along the Andes Cordillera you will find:
- Palmira Desert
- Village of Guamote, indigenous market on Thursday
- Ingapirca archeologial Complex
Continue the route up to Cuenca
Day 9: CUENCA & SURROUNDINGS
The beautiful city of Cuenca is a jewel of the Spanish colonial architecture built on the ruins of Tomebamba, ancient Inca city.
- Historic District of Cuenca
- Toquilla Straw Hat Atelier
- Museum of Aboriginal Cultures.
- Local Markets
- Flowers Square
Day 10: CUENCA / PARC CAJAS / GUAYAQUIL
You will drive thru a road that will permit to see the moorlands of the andes and the transition to the lowlands of the Pacific Coast.
Suggested visits:
- Cajas National Park
- Mangroves Reserve
- Cacao Plantation Farm
Arrival in Guayaquil, the largest city in Ecuador and the most important port in the country.
- Visit the city of Guayaquil.
Deliver back of your car at the Rent a Car office in the Airport.
Day 11 : GUAYAQUIL / DEPARTURE
Flight to your next destination.
