DAY: 1
TRANSFER AIRPORT TO THE HOTEL
After landing at Quito's Mariscal Sucre International Airport, you will be transferred to Hacienda Cusin in Otavalo where you can relax and enjoy the rest of the night. Hacienda Cusin is a restored 17th century hacienda, which still houses various animals such as horses, llamas, guinea pigs, peacocks and pigs. Overnight in Otavalo.
Meals included: Dinner.
DAY: 2
OTAVALO - CUICOCHA
In the morning visit the lively and colorful Otavalo market, the perfect place to buy your first souvenir. Then in the afternoon you will explore the Cuicocha Crater Lake, which offers great views from different perspectives. You will then return to Hacienda Cusin, where you can enjoy the facilities during the afternoon and make use of the wide variety of activities in and around the area. Overnight in Otavalo.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
DAY: 3
OTAVALO - IBARRA - SALINAS - TUMBABIRO
Today we will visit the old "Autoferro" train (it is now out of service) but we will try to do the same route with our driver, we will pass through beautiful landscapes. Visit the city of Salinas and you will learn a lot about the salt culture of this region before arriving at the charming Hacienda Pantaví in the evening. Hacienda Pantaví is located in the “Valle del Chota” and designed with a lot of creativity and attention to detail. It has a garden, a photo gallery and a small swimming pool. Overnight in Ibarra.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
DAY: 4
TUMBAMBIRO - EL ÁNGEL - TUMBAMBIRO
Today explore the “El Ángel” Natural Reserve, walking through the moors to the “El Voladero” lagoon. In the afternoon you will visit the “Gruta de La Paz”, a stalactite cave with thermal waters used for pilgrims' purification baths. Then you will enjoy your second night at Hacienda Pantaví, which unites the traditional architecture of the Hacienda with contemporary art. Overnight in Ibarra.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
DAY: 5
TUMBAMBIRO - COTOPAXI
On your way to the Cotopaxi volcano you will stop to visit Hacienda La Compañía and its rose plantation. In the afternoon you will explore the surroundings of Cotopaxi and the beautiful Hacienda El Porvenir on horseback. This traditional Hacienda is located in the middle of the Andes Mountains and offers many activities such as bicycle tours, horseback riding, climbing, hiking, bird watching and canopy. Overnight in Cotopaxi.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
DAY: 6
COTOPAXI - RIOBAMBA
In the morning you have the possibility of climbing the Cotopaxi volcano to a refuge located at an altitude of 4,800m/15,748ft. In the afternoon visit the Hacienda San Agustín de Callo, built on the walls of an ancient Inca palace. Your accommodation will be at Hacienda Abraspungo in Riobamba, which is built in traditional colonial style, named after a glacial valley, and offers horseback riding bullfighting, and polo lessons. Overnight in Riobamba.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
DAY: 7
RIOBAMBA - GUAMOTE - CHIMBORAZO - LASSO
On Thursdays, you can visit the very authentic Guamote market in the morning. After driving through the Chimborazo Natural Reserve with an area of 58,560ha/226mi² where you can climb Chimborazo, the highest mountain in Ecuador, to a refuge located at 5,000m/16,404ft. Tonight he will stay – like Alexander von Humboldt in 1802 – at the Hacienda La Ciénega in Lasso, which is more than 400 years old and has its own chapel and a flower garden. Overnight in Cotopaxi.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
DAY: 8
LASSO - QUILOTOA - QUITO
The trip continues to Quilotoa Crater Lake, where you can descend into the lake's blue-green water and climb back up on a donkey (about $10 per person)! Then we drive to Quito to enjoy the night in the capital. The colonial Patio Andaluz Hotel in Quito is a national treasure and has many historical figures as former guests. Located in the historic center, it is surrounded by churches, museums, and monuments. Overnight in Quito.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
DAY: 9
CITY LINE (QUITO COLONIAL + MITAD DEL MUNDO) + TELEFERICO
We will visit some of the most famous squares, churches and colonial buildings. The Plaza de la Independencia with its Presidential Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, the Municipal Building, the Statue of Independence and the Cathedral. We will continue to the churches of El Sagrario and La Compañía, and then the church and convent of San Francisco. We will take a look inside the church and be amazed by the exuberant gold that was used to decorate the oldest church in Quito. Then we will move to the Panecillo and the statue of the Virgin of Quito. From here we will have the opportunity to see both parts of Quito and the surrounding snow-capped volcanoes!
In the afternoon we will continue the famous Mitad del Mundo. This is one of the most famous attractions in Quito, You can visit the monument or the insitu museum called Inti-Ñan. You can discover the great details of the solar system, the effect that the position of the equator and ancient cultures and much more..!
Finally you will visit the Teleferiqo (cable car) of Quito. Over 2,500 meters you will reach the top of the PIchincha Volcano, this great visit is a unique experience, which offers a great view of the landscape of the north, center and south of the city. After this visit we will be dropped off at our hotel. Overnight in Quito.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
DAY: 10
TRANSFER TO AIRPORT FOR FLIGHT BACK HOME
Breakfast. The guide will pick you up at your hotel at assigned time according the time of your inboud flight. Transfer to the airport.
