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Highlights
Quito - Rainforest lodge - Banos market town - Chimborazo volcano walk - Cuenca colonial city - famous Otavalo market - haciendas
Outline Itinerary
Day
1. Arrive Quito, afternoon city tour.
2. To Papallacta hot springs and continue to Alinahui Rainforest Lodge.
3 & 4. Guided day trips in the forest.
5. To Baños and continue to Chimborazo. Overnight at a hacienda.
6. A day walk on the slopes of Chimborazo.
7. Riobamba to Guano.
8. To Alausi, then by train to Chambo and continue to Cuenca visiting the Inca ruins at Ingapirca en route.
9. Cuenca city tour.
10. Return to Quito.
11. To Otavalo.
12. Visit Otavalo market.
13. Return to Quito.
14. Depart Ecuador.
15. Arrive UK.
Cost
Please contact us for details
Departure Dates
To your requirements
Quito, the capital and your starting point is a city divided into the modern and the colonial. Most of the interest is in the heritage status of the old city with its narrow streets, balconied houses and open plazas overlooked by churches, typically Latin American. From the statue of the Virgen of Quito there are great views over the city and to the surrounding mountains.
We will take you into the rainforest for a few days to experience this essential part of Ecuador before visiting the hot springs around Baños and then climbing to Avenue of the Volcanoes. Snow-capped conical peaks rise high above the altiplano; the scenery is outstandingly dramatic as you take a walk across the wide-open paramo. The wide streets of Riobamba are at the end of a spectacular drive in from the surrounding country. En route to Cuenca you may wish to take the famous train down the Devil's Nose from Alausi before continuing in a more normal manner by car to Cuenca via the Inca ruins at Ingapirca.
Cuenca is renowned for it's colonial architecture. The Spanish have left a legacy of churches, beautiful red-tiled houses and cobbled streets and shady plazas, making this a pleasant place to relax for a couple of days after touring through the country. Nearby is the pretty Cajas Reserve where the hills and idyllic lakes are home to a number of mammal species and some important bird species that may be viewed from the various trails.
Return to Quito and the last leg of your tour is to Otavalo, famous for its artisan market where the villagers from the surrounding hills come to trade. Also nearby are some truly fabulous haciendas that are now sumptuous hotels. These offer a great way to relax at the end of this full tour.
This suggested itinerary is just an example of possibilities available for trips to this area. Price is dependant on season, standard of accommodation and length of stay.
