QUITO & SPIRIT OF THE ANDES

• Reception at the airport and private transfer to your hotel.
• Overnight at your preferred hotel in Quito.

• For 4 hours, we will visit downtown Quito to relish in this urban jewel and its treasures of art and architecture, which is partly a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The visit starts at the Independence Plaza, flanked by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building, and the Archbishop’s Palace.
• Visit the temple of La Compañía de Jesús and its impressive gilded interior.
• Continue to the Monastery of San Francisco, with its imposing façade and atrium that lead to its Baroque interior influenced by Moorish style.
• Then continue to the Equatorial Monument, 25 km (16 miles) North of Quito, which marks the exact Middle of the World, latitude 0º, where you can stand with a foot on each hemisphere. You will receive a certificate for having crossed the Equator.
• Visit the Ethnographic Museum inside the monument, which shows the different Native American groups living in Ecuador.
• Besides the monument, there is a colonial-style town, complete with the central square, church, post office, bullring, cafeterias, restaurants and many gift shops with postcards and souvenirs.
• Overnight at your preferred hotel in Quito.
• Breakfast included.

• This full-day excursion goes north, to the land of the Otavaleños and South America’s most famous Indian fair.
• Early departure from Quito towards Calderón, a small village that keeps the tradition of making colourful dough figurines of Indian dolls, llamas, flowers and even adorable Christmas ornaments. Guests can observe how each figure is moulded by hand, with dough of different colours carefully put together.
• Continue on the Pan-American Highway through dramatic mountain scenery to the textile market of Otavalo, where guests will enjoy visiting the many stalls full of ponchos, scarves, blankets, wall hangings, woven belts, hats, handbags and much more.
• Then, you proceed to Peguche, an Indian village very near Otavalo that is home to the artisans who do the weaving in their homes. Guests can learn about their culture and beliefs.
• Lunch is at one of the charming country inns or haciendas of the area like Pinsaqui, Puerto Lago or Cusin.
• Overnight at your preferred hotel in Quito.
• Breakfast and lunch included.

• Early departure from Quito by motorcar on the Pan-American Highway to the south, to visit the Cotopaxi National Park, an ecological sanctuary of 88,920 acres, around the magnificent Cotopaxi Volcano, which rises 5897 meters (19,347 feet) above sea level.
• The evergreen landscape of the Ecuadorian highlands is one of the principal attractions, along valleys and mountains covered by multicoloured fields.
• Upon arrival to the park, there is an introductory briefing about the habitat of the Andean panorama or moorlands, its flora and fauna.
• Travel along valleys and mountains to the magnificent Cotopaxi volcano, for an up-close view of the Andean panorama habitat and its unique flora and fauna; some high-altitude birds can be observed around Limpiopungo Lagoon, and occasionally, wild horses. On bright days, the perfect snow-capped cone of the Cotopaxi volcano is quite a sight!
• At the foot of the volcano not far from the National Park is a charming hacienda, where lunch is served in a room with Inca walls, perfectly preserved through the centuries, a genuinely archaeological jewel.
• After lunch, mingle with the llamas of the hacienda and stroll along a rose plantation, with many varieties, many colours and ready for exportation.
• From here, descend towards the town of Patate, to spend the night at a 300-year old hacienda, hidden among the mountains, a magical ambience, where the afternoon mist descends.
• This place is full of stories about those who left in search of the treasure of the Incas in the nearby Llanganatis mountains – and never returned.
• Overnight at your preferred hotel in Patate.
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

• After breakfast, take a spectacular route along the gorge of the Pastaza River to the town of Baños (Baths), right at the foot of Tungurahua Volcano, from where the thermal waters that gave it its name emerge.
• Drive along the Route of the Cascades to El Pailón del Diablo (the Devil’s Cauldron).
• You have the opportunity to descend and observe the impressive cascade up close, surrounded by subtropical vegetation and orchids. The force and sound of the waters can also be appreciated from a lookout point without descending.
• Lunch is served at a hacienda/hostel in the surroundings. In the afternoon, we take a short stroll to Baños. This town is full of people from all over the world as well as many locals who pilgrimage to the sanctuary of the Virgin of Holy Water.
• From here, the route to Riobamba is up to the mountain, to where the clouds can be touched, alongside the massive Chimborazo, the highest peak in Ecuador. On the top, you have a magnificent panorama watching vicuñas graze and scamper.
• On the hillsides, where the land is worked beneath the plough, one might think the farmer’s real objective was to paint the hills in fascinating patterns, not just to till the dark, fertile soil.
• Enjoy great photo ops on this route!
• Overnight at your preferred hotel in Riobamba.
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

• After an early breakfast depart by road, skirting the flanks of the Andes. Enjoy an astonishing ride, twisting and turning, along bridging ravines and river gorges.
• Ride through Indian villages and cultivated fields; here is where most of the cereals in Ecuador are grown. Among them are quinoa, considered the perfect grain for its nutritional value.
• After about 2 hours arrive at the small town of Alausí, the beating heart of the rehabilitation of the Ecuadorian Railway Company.
• Considerable effort has been made to restore the 100-year old train to its past glory and romance. Stations have been renewed, railways and sleepers replaced, engines and classic coaches renovated. The highlight is the thrilling 800 m (2630 foot) descent on the zigzag cuttings on the rock of the Devil’s Nose.
• At the bottom, one finds the newly renovated Station of Sibambe. Here there is time to visit the local museum “Condor Puñuna” built and run by the Nizag community.
• See the display of local handicrafts, fruit and medicinal plants and try the local coffee.
• The train whistle calls guests back on board for the return to the Station of Alausí, where a light snack is served to regain strength.
• Continue exploring the Andean world to the south by bus, visiting the Inca Fortress of Ingapirca en route.
• Lunch in the area.
• Arrival to Cuenca at dusk for dinner and accommodations.
• Overnight at your preferred hotel in Cuenca.
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

• Cuenca is Ecuador’s third largest city, and it still retains its pleasant provincial air. Its red tiled roofs, cobblestone streets, flowery squares and museums make it very special.
• This comprehensive visit includes the Plaza de San Sebastian, a colourful artisans market, where handicrafts are sold.
• Then, visit the Museum of Modern Art, featuring an excellent collection of contemporary fine art.
• Next is a visit to the flower market at the small plaza in front of the carved stone entrance to the church of El Carmen de la Asunción.
• From here, a stroll to the main square, surrounded by the imposing blue-domed cathedral, the court of justice, the municipal palace, the governor’s palace and the church of El Sagrario.
• Then, you drive along the Tomebamba river to admire the city’s overhanging houses.
• Lunch is at one of the excellent restaurants in Cuenca.
• In the afternoon, we go to a ceramic handcraft shop for a short visit.
• Here you can observe the whole process of making the famous Panama hats of high-quality toquilla straw.
• The Spirit of the Andes adventure ends at the airport, to take your flight to Quito.
• Reception at the airport and transfer to your Hotel.
• Overnight at your preferred hotel in Quito.
• Breakfast and lunch included.

• Enjoy your free day.
• Overnight at your preferred hotel in Quito.
• Breakfast included.

• Depart Quito in the morning towards Papallacta.
• Travel on the Cinnamon Trail, the route Francisco de Orellana took in 1542, when he crossed the Andean mountain range in search of spices and gold, only to discover the Amazon river.
• Upon arrival, we invite you to relax and soak away life’s aches and pains.
• At Papallacta you will begin to feel the beneficial effects of the life-giving, diaphanous air which originates in a singular encounter of the Amazonian winds with the rocks, forests and water of the high Andean mountains.
• At the hot thermal spring pools, experience the pleasant and restorative effects of the crystalline thermal waters. Submerge yourself in the warm water and take advantage of its curative properties in rheumatic, arthritis, digestive and respiratory processes. The water is odourless, crystalline and ever-changing.
• After the visit, we will have lunch at a local restaurant.
• In the afternoon, we bring you back to Quito.
• Overnight at your preferred hotel in Quito.
• Breakfast and lunch included.

• Unfortunately, now it´s time to say Good-Bye, and we bring you back to the airport, to take your flight home.
• We are very proud to welcome you again in the future and to show you other marvellous and fantastic parts of the world.
• Breakfast included.