Day 01 - QUITO
Assistance and transfer in Quito from airport to hotel
Overnight in Quito at JW Marriott hotel, standard.
Transfer from airport to hotel
Check in at JW Marriott hotel
OvernightDay 02 - QUITO
The Colonial district, declared Cultural Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1978, displays architecture, character and traditions combining both the Hispanic and native cultures. Walk along the streets and discover beautiful houses, wealthy colonial churches with splendid stone facades, outstanding gold leafed altars and the beauty of historic plazas and monuments. Also drive to the Equatorial Monument Complex where there is the opportunity to stand on two hemispheres at the same time. Lunch included. Good opportunities for handicraft shopping.
Breakfast, Lunch included
Overnight at JW Marriott hotel.Day 03 - QUITO/OTAVALO/QUITO
An early start, to travel north of Quito to the province of Imbabura, a magical land of lakes. Just before arriving to the famous Otavalo market. The Otavalo Indian market, dates back to the pre-Inca times and is famous for its textiles woven on blackstrap and shuttle looms.
The market is piled high with ponchos, hand made textiles, hats, indian jewellery, and various handicrafts. Will have time to wonder around the market.
Lunch will be served at one of the Hosterias of the area. Afternoon if time permits visit to Cotacachi an artisans centre known for its leather woods or San Antonio de Ibarra where the highlight are the wood-carvings.
Breakfast and Lunch included
Transfer to Otavalo/Quito
Overnight in Quito at JW Marriott hotel.Day 04 - QUITO/ANTISANA/BAÑOS
Drive south of Quito to the Antisana Ecological Reserve which lies in the Central Highlands, on the foothills of the 5705 meter glacier covered peak of the volcano Antisana. This reserve is privately owned and regulated, but its goal is the preservation of the native flora and fauna of the Andean paramo.
The trip to the Antisana Ecological Reserve includes a ride to approximately 4000 meters above the sea level where rolling meadows, occasional ravines with taller vegetation, and a meadow/marsh of pillow moss bordering a highland lake is found.
The pillow moss is so named because it forms unbroken hump-like pillows of vegetation that may cover acres of land. Its bird life includes the Andean gull, Caracaras,ducks, several species of hummingbirds and if lucky, the Andean condor.
After lunch will drive to Patate, which is characterized for its productive fruit and vegetable land.
Breakfast and Lunch included
Transfer to Antisana/Baños
Check in Patate at Hacienda Leito
OvernightDay 05 - PATATE/ INGAPIRCA/CUENCA
After breakfast, we will drive to the south 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 Ruins of Ingapirca. It is the Ecuador's main Inca archaeological site, an important political and administrative Inca Centre in the 1400´s. Visit the Fortress and then continue to Cuenca, another Unesco's Heritage Site.
Breakfast and Lunch included
Transfer to Ingapirca/Cuenca
Check in Cuenca at Mansion de Alcazar
OvernightDay 06 - CUENCA
The Southern highlands display very talented artisans and these villages on the surroundings of Cuenca have lots to offer. Visit the artisans at their workshops for Panama Hats at Sig Sig, jewel makers at Chordeleg and the unique Ikat cotton weavings near Gualaceo all in a very different and picturesque setting. All in all a full learning experience together with super bargains.
Stroll through history on narrow streets surrounded by houses with coquettish balconies, visit monuments that show centuries of pre-Columbian and colonial treasures. Cuenca is reknown for its high quality handicrafts like: embroidery, jewellery, ceramics and the famous "Panama hats".
Breakfast and Lunch included
Overnight at Mansion de AlcazarDay 07 - CUENCA/QUITO
Transfer to airport in Cuenca to take the flight to Quito
Arrival to Quito and transfer to hotel.
Breakfast included
Transfer from airport to hotel
Check in at JW Marriott hotel.
OvernightDay 08 - QUITO
Transfer to airport to take the international flight
Breakfast included
Transfer from airport
Vacations Packages