El Panecillo, Quito, Active volcanoes & native cultures
Explore the dramatic landscapes of Ecuador on a journey through towering active volcanoes and vibrant indigenous cultures.
During this tour you will have the opportunity to travel along the Ecuadorian Andes from north to south, discovering its beautiful volcanoes, indigenous markets, national parks, Inca ruins, colonial cities and magical valleys.
Itinerary
Itinerary 5 days / 4 nights
Day 1: Arrival to Quito
Arrival to Quito, where you will be met at the airport by our guide and transferred to your hotel. Overnight.
Hotel Cultura Manor
Ikala Quito Hotel Boutique
Day 2: The best colonial site in South America & the Equator Line
Quito, the capital of Ecuador, is one of the most beautiful cities of Ecuador. It is divided into the old or colonial city and the modern city. The Colonial Quito is still reminiscent of how it was 450 years ago, even though it is a small island surrounded on all sides by a fast-growing modern city. In colonial Quito are narrow cobblestone streets lined with whitewashed walls over which the steeples and cupolas of historic churches and a cathedral sites. The integrity of colonial Quito was assured in 1978 when the United Nations declared the city a World Cultural Heritage Site.
This day you will visit the colonial site of Quito where you will walk through the Main Plaza. Visit the Government Palace, the Cathedral and some of the most important churches built around the XVI and XVII centuries. After this visit our guide will drive you to a local restaurant where a delicious typical lunch will be waiting for you.
Then you will continue to The Equator Line and some of the museums of this place. The Equator Line or Mitad del Mundo is located at just at 40 minutes north of Quito, this monument marks the closest point from where the Equator passes. Archaeological evidence indicates that the pre-Incan and the Inca civilizations recognized and worshiped the path of the equator as the marker of the equinox.
After this visit you will return to Quito, overnight.
(B.L)
Day 3: Quito – Cotopaxi: following the Amazing Paramo
At 7h30 our guide will pick you up at your hotel to travel through the avenue of volcanoes to arrive to “El Porvenir”, the principal hacienda of Volcano Land. It is one of the most beautiful and privileged places in Ecuador Highlands, it is surrounded by an amazing view where beautiful mountains stand out like Rumiñahui, Pasochoa and specially Cotopaxi volcano considered as the highest active volcano in the world.
Here you will learn how the Chagras (the people that work with cattle in this area, like cow boys) live, you will enjoy of a horseback riding wearing their typical clothes and visiting the surroundings of the hacienda, riding side by side with herds of wild horses and bulls.
After a delicious lunch in the hacienda our guide will drive you to Cotopaxi National Park, where you can know about the amazing Cotopaxi volcano that is the highest active volcano of the world (5,897 mts., 19,342.16 ft). If time and the weather permit you will walk to the refuge of this volcano and to the glaciers located near of this place or you can walk close to Limpiopungo lake in the base of the volcano. Late afternoon our guide will drive you to a local hacienda where you will diner an overnight.
Hotel Cuello de Luna
Hato Verde
Hacienda San Agustin de Callo
(B.L.D)
Day 4: Cotopaxi: Indigenous Market - Quilotoa Lake – Quito
Early in the morning depending on the day of your tour you can visit an indigenous market, where you will see how the local people trade their products, (on Sunday and Wednesday: Pujilí Market; on Thursday: Saquisilí market and on Saturday: Zumbahua market). Then you will visit Quilotoa Lake, on route you can stop in Tigua a small town where you can find amazing handicrafts made by animal skins and beautiful and colorful masks that represent some local animals.
Then you will arrive to Quilotoa lake, it is a water-filled caldera of 3 m (2 miles). This caldera was formed by the collapse of the volcano in an eruption that took place approximately 800 years ago. The caldera has since accumulated a 250 m (820 ft) deep crater lake, which has an extraordinary turquoise colour as a result of dissolved minerals.
Lunch in a local restaurant and then you will return to Quito, overnight.
(B.L)
Day 5: Quito - Galapagos extension or international flight
After an unforgettable experience in Ecuador you will be transferred to the airport to catch your extension to Galapagos Islands or international flight home.
(B)
Explore the
place you stay
Hotel Cultura Manor. It is located in the center of Quito, close to most restaurants, souvenir shops and internet café’s. You can enjoy a delicious breakfast in a separated area. Boutique Hotel Cultura Manor in Quito is a delightful mix of European traditions and contemporary trend. It is considered an inner city retreat, with an out-going personality and inspirational food.
Standard rooms: Tourist
Suites: First Class
Ikala Quito Hotel Boutique is a charming and stylish boutique hotel, built in may 2010, guided by the prestige value of traditional hospitality service. The hotel is located in a ideal sector in Quito, in the neighborhood of La Mariscal, the most traditional, commercial and touristic area of Quito. It is the ambition to host you in this hotel featuring the authenticity and diversity of the worlds of Ecuador with a hart for quality and style in every aspect ranging from accommodation, gastronomy to service.
(Tourist Sup)
Hotel Cuello de Luna located on the foothills of Cotopaxi Volcano is the preferred starting point for excursions to Cotopaxi national Park, ascension al Cotopaxi, Illinizas and Chimborazo, also it is the best place to visit the indigenous market of Saquisili and Zumbahua, the Quilotoa crater, and for day hiking, trekking, acclimatization and relax while enjoying all the comforts of home in spectacular mountain scenery.
Tourist
Hato Verde, this historical hacienda is part of this rich tradition whose house had been remodeled by the current owners in strict keeping with original materials and techniques. In keeping with the original style of the old house they have designed six luxurious rooms, each one with private bathroom and fireplace with all comfort, elegance and tranquility.
Suite: (Tourist Superior)
Hacienda San Agustin de Callo, it was purchased by General Leonidas Plaza, leader of the liberal Revolution in our country. It was built on the site of an Inca palace, it is one of the two most important archaeological Inca sites in Ecuador, and the point furthest north from Cuzco of Imperial style construction, this working farm offers an unrivalled glimpse into Ecuador’s rich and colorful past. You can visit the amazing Inca chapel, the gardens, yards, etc.
(First Class)
Dates & Rates
| PRICE PER PERSON 2024 IN USD | ||||||||
| HOTELS CATEGORY | 1 PAX | 2-3 PAX | 4-5 PAX | 6-9 PAX | 10-11 PAX | 12-15 PAX | 16 PAX | Sing Sup |
| Tourist | $ 2.014 | $1.146 | $964 | $807 | $690 | $660 | $614 | $183 |
| Tourist Sup | $2.096 | $1.220 | $1.020 | $882 | $767 | $742 | $695 | $199 |
| First Class | $2.264 | $1.274 | $1.075 | $926 | $812 | $786 | $740 | $299 |
| PRICE PER PERSON 2025 IN USD | ||||||||
| HOTELS CATEGORY | 1 PAX | 2-3 PAX | 4-5 PAX | 6-9 PAX | 10-11 PAX | 12-15 PAX | 16 PAX | Sing Sup |
| Tourist | $ 2.139 | $1.218 | $1.015 | $862 | $746 | $722 | $675 | $228 |
| Tourist Sup | $2.182 | $1.270 | $1.066 | $900 | $794 | $773 | $746 | $220 |
| First Class | $2.333 | $1.315 | $1.112 | $958 | $842 | $820 | $772 | $317 |
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What's Included
Private transportation, transfers airport-hotel-airport, bilingual naturalist guide, accommodation based on double rooms in all hotels (single supplement under request) and haciendas included in the itinerary or similar, all excursions described in the itinerary, meals as described in the itinerary, entrance fee to: churches and museums in Quito, Middle of the world, horseback riding, Cotopaxi national park, Quilotoa lake.
What's Not Included
Travel insurance, meals not specified, soft and alcoholic drinks, tips, and personal expenses.
