Day 01

Friday

Quito

Assistance and transfer from the airport to hotel in Quito

Overnight at selected hotel

Day 02

Saturday

Quito

AM: Quito Modern and Colonial

This three hour sightseeing excursion offers the best of Quito with its rich cultural legacy, ornate facades, and dazzling gilt altars Visit the Independence Square, The Archbishop’s palace, The Metropolitan Cathedral as well as other very representative samples of colonial art and architecture. At the end, drive to the hill of Panecillo for a panoramic view of the city.

PM: The Equatorial Complex

Visit the famous Equatorial Monument, where will have the chance to visit a colonial model village located just at the Equatorial Line, marked by geographers as latitude 000’00”. A visit to the museum could be included, this museum featuring Ecuador’s ethnic groups from Galapagos to the Amazon. You will have the opportunity to stand-up at two hemispheres at the same time.

Overnight at selected hotel (B)

Day 03

Sunday

The Northern Highlands & Otavalo

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 back-strap 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

Overnight at selected hotel (B,L)

Day 04

Monday

The Central Highlands and its National Parks

Drive south of Quito to the Cotopaxi or Antisana National Park, an ecological sanctuary with special attractions for nature lovers. We can observe the treeless vegetation of the Andean meadows or “ paramo”, its bird life includes the Andean gull, ducks, several species of hummingbirds and if lucky,  the Andean condor. The excursion is scheduled in a private reserve, type of walking will be light

Over a rather flat terrain. Lunch will be served at a local Restaurant.

Overnight at selected hotel (B,L)

Day 05

Tuesday

Quito

Transfer to the airport to take the international departure flight

B: breakfast   L: lunch    D: dinner

Hotel Categories

Quito

Category A

Four Points Sheraton or similar

Category B

Howard Johnson or similar