Legendary route through The Andes

Accommodation at First Class or Deluxe hotel

Colonial city tour: San Francisco de Quito, recognized as the largest and better preserved colonial city in the Americas. Quito, due to its artistic vocation offers art and creativity ranging from the modern to the lavish baroque. The heart of Quito, Independence Square, flanked by the Presidential and the Archbishop´s palaces, the Metropolitan Cathedral give to the visitor the feeling of going back in time to the of Spanish-American era. Panoramic view San Francisco de Quito, UNESCO´S World Heritage Site.

We visit “Mitad del Mundo” (Middle of the World) and the Equator Monument situated at 0º0’0” latitude We also visit the Intiñan Solar Museum, where you’ll find scientific and experimental aspects of being right at the Equator

Accommodation at First Class or Deluxe hotel

Leaving Quito north along the Panamerican Highway we drive across colorful valleys. Guayllabamba valley, an important area producing avocado and the local chirimoya fruit (custard apple).

This tour will take us to one of the rose plantations of the region. Delight your senses in observation of the process of rose producing activity. Beauty in colors, perfume and the sizes of the roses will prove to be a tour for the senses!

Then head to Cotacachi, a town which features leatherwork including bags, jackets, hats, gloves and belts; and Cuicocha Crater Lake, wonderful scenery dominated by mountains and moorland scenes adorned with native plants.

Accommodation in a Hacienda

Visit the Otavalo market, the better known market in South America. Interaction with the local people is given to the visitor through the process of bargaining, which is the fun element in the negotiations, while purchasing woven goods, as well as, hats, belts, bags, jewelry and more. Tourist´s photography paradise

Visit the village of Peguche, known for traditional weaving and the handcrafted Andean musical wind instruments. Overnight at nearby colonial hacienda.

Departure south towards Cotopaxi area. Enjoy the Andean countryside, moorland vegetation.

Accommodation at a Hacienda

Visit Cotopaxi National Park. The Park is home to numerous birds and varied plant life, which can be seen on a light hike. The plain and lagoon of Limpiopungo (3,800 m.). If weather permits, from the north face we may have spectacular views of the mountain. The surrounding scenery also includes volcanoes like Pasochoa, Ruminahui and Sincholagua

Turning east we direct ourselves to Baños, resort-town of thermal baths, nestled amidst mountains and found midway between the Andes and the Amazon

Accommodation at a hotel spa

After visiting Baños, we head down into the Pastaza river canyon to the so called "Avenue of Waterfalls" where we encounter the Bride’s Mantle, Machay, Pailón del Diablo, all of which lie along the riverbed of the Pastaza, surrounded by green lush vegetation. Afternoon drive to the city of Riobamba passing at the foothills of Chimborazo Volcano, the highest summit in Ecuador with over twenty thousand feet and from there descend to the city for a panoramic city tour.

Accommodation at a Hacienda

From Riobamba we’ll go to Alausí. In Alausí, we will take a spectacular bus-train ride through the Devil’s Nose, a true feat in railway engineering of the early twentieth century. Continue south to reach the village of El Tambo and detour to visit the Incan Archaeological site of Ingapirca. Overnight in Cuenca.

Accommodation at a first class hotel Boutique

Cuenca, a quaint colonial city, also known, for the profusion of handicrafts, such as pottery, embroidery, filigree jewels and the world wide known Panama hat. Visit either the Central Bank museum with permanent archaeological, ethnographic, colonial and republican art collections or the Conceptas Religious Museum. Return to your hotel.

Accommodation at a first class hotel Boutique

Departure from Cuenca to Guayaquil for a breathtaking and diverse drive. We start with high altitude impressive scenery by crossing El Cajas National Park. From over 13.000 ft. we shall drop to sea level. Ecuador´s bio diversity will be understood in this ride. Once in the low lands or coast we shall see plantations of Ecuador´s main exports: bananas, cacao, coffee, rice, mangos and sugar cane.

Accommodation in a first class or deluxe hotel.

Transfer out

Day 10
Guayaquil-Galapagos
Transfer out Guayaquil
flight to Galapagos

Day 10-13
4d/3n Galapagos cruise experience
Come see the islands that Charles Darwin made famous. Galapagos travel beckons every birder, nature lover and curious traveler. Each day on a Galapagos cruise you leave your yacht to explore these uninhabited island treasures. Each island is filled with Galapagos travel highlights: snorkeling with playful sea lions, admiring the amusing blue-footed Boobie, whale-watching, or hiking to lava tunnels on Santa Cruz Island. Travel with us to the Galapagos Islands and visit one of the most undisturbed ecosystems in the world!

Day 13
Galapagos-Quito or Guayaquil (B)
Transfer in Quito or Guayaquil
Accommodation in a first class or deluxe hotel