FLAVORS OF MY COUNTRY

6 days 5 nights

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DAY 1: QUITO – INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT – WELCOME TO ECUADOR (D)

Arrival to Quito, our staff will welcome and transfer you from the airport to the hotel. Overnight in Quito.

DAY 2: QUITO CITY TOUR – MIDDLE OF THE WORLD – BEER TASTING (B/L/D)

Brekfast. Pick up from your hotel. Quito known as “The Light of America”, is the capital of Ecuador, located at 2,800m above sea level, it was declared by Unesco in 1978 as “Cultural Heritage of Humanity”, winner of the award “South America’s Leading Destination” by the “World Travel Awards (WTA)”, this award is known as the “Oscar of the Tourism”, Quito a City that encloses in smaller space the amount of magnificent historical monuments.

Our tour will begin with a panoramic visit to the architectural churches: La Compañia (The Church of Society of Jesus), El Sagrario (Church of the Sanctuary or Church of the Shrine), La Basilica del Voto Nacional (The Basilica of the National Vow), and San Francisco (The Church of St. Francis), where we will see colonial paintings and sculptures from the sixteenth to the twentieth century. These works of art proof that Ecuador had amazing artists and some of theme belonged to best known “Escuela Quiteña”. La Plaza de la Independencia (The Independence Square) and streets like “La Ronda” are places where you can find entertainment, creative handicrafts, ice creams made of unusual flavors and the variety of typical food of our city.

Next to our route, it is our beautiful statue of La Virgen de Quito (Virgin of Quito) best known as “El Panecillo”, being on a small hill with an awesome view of our city where you can admire our four cardinal points. Time to enjoy a delicious lunch.

Near Quito, a few kilometers from the city, there is a small town known as San Antonio de Pichincha. Near it, there is a monument which is in the Middle of the World. In this monument, there exists a wonderful museum known as Ethnographic, here there is a lot of information about the communities that live and have lived in our country. Other interesting museum is the Intiñan where it shows in a precise and a practical way the wisdom that Andean Native peoples had in relation to the Sun King.

The position of Ecuador in the center of the globe crossed by the equator, gives the tourist the incredible experience of having one foot in each one of the hemispheres, northern and southern, close to the “Middle of the World City” is located The “Pululahua Crater”, an inactive volcano with cultivated fields with beautiful vegetation.

We will make a last stop in a small factory, where we will learn the process of brewing and the opportunity to enjoy delicious homemade beers. Return to the Hotel. At night, you will have a delicious dinner. Overnight in Quito.

Day 3: QUITO – MINDO (B/L)

Breakfast. Located a few hundreds of kilometers from Quito, “Mindo-Nambillo” is one of the most important birding sites in Latin America. With different ecosystems, we can admire different type of butterflies, amphibians, insects and birds.

Two hours of journey are really worth while we admire the virgin cloud forest and the beautiful natural resorts. The practice of some water sports and the amazing landscapes and waterfall allows us a time full of enjoyment. Afterwards, we will have a great experience where you can see the process and learn how chocolate is made from «bean to bar». Lunch and back to Quito. Overnight.

Day 4: QUITO – CAYAMBE – OTAVALO MARKET –QUITO (B/-/D)

After breakfast, our trip will be to Otavalo and we will begin with a stop at “Quitsato” complex in the beautiful city of Cayambe, where we will see how was the living of the ancient cultures, learning on how and when to plant and harvest just by watching the sun and the stars, you can also have a taste of the exquisite biscuits and leaf cheese. In our way to Otavalo we will have a view of the “San Pablo Lake”, which is the largest lake in the province of “Imbabura”, famous for its swimming competitions.

Getting close to Otavalo we will see some of the indigenous community houses, they sell their awesome art in a fair on Saturdays, finding here beautiful confections and handicrafts made by the community with cotton thread like: “ponchos”, bracelets, “shigras” (bags), sweaters, pants, hats, etc. They also sell musical instruments made by “carrizo” (reed) like: “Charangos”, flutes, “rondadores”, etc.

Next to our route is “Cotacachi”, where we can see family workshops that specialize in goods made of quality leather. It’s a place where colonial art and music are an everyday basis. Lunch. Back to the hotel. Overnight in Quito.

Day 5: COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK – ROSE´S PLANTATION – QUITO (B/L)

Breakfast. At 70 km from Quito, the “Cotopaxi” volcano, one of the highest active volcano in the world with an altitude of 5.987 m, will give us welcome to the Cotopaxi National Park with awesome landscapes we will see the flora and fauna, with an amazing display of the magnitude of volcanic eruptions. A beautiful waterfall in the “Pita” river and the “Tambo” river, are a creation of the melting of the volcano. The reflect of heavens blue sky in the lagoon of “Limpiopungo” will amaze us with its stunning colors.

Time to have a delicious lunch at Tambopaxi Lodge. Tambopaxi was built at the beginning of the new millennium as a refuge for climbers to become acclimatized to the altitude and prepare to follow in the footsteps of Humboldt and Whymper by attempting the Cotopaxi summit.

After this great experience, we are ready to visit a beautiful rose’s farm. Here, we will learn about harvesting, post harvesting and packing, and learn about this wonderful natural product, so sublime, so perfect, full of beauty and exquisite aromas.  We will get the knowledge to understand why these roses can only be produced in the Middle of the World.  Return to Quito. Overnight in Quito.

DAY 6: QUITO – FAREWELL – INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT  (B )

After breakfast Transfer out to take your international flight.

HAPPY RETURN TO HOME!

TOUR INCLUDES:

√ Private transportation for excursions

√ All transfers in /out

√ Bilingual guide (English / Spanish) for excursions and transfers

√ Accommodation with breakfast

√ Meals as detailed in the itinerary

√ Entrance fees and taxes

√ All excursions and visits detailed in the itinerary

√ All necessary equipment for activities mentioned in the itinerary 

TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:

× Additional meals

× Tips

× All drinks

× Personal expenses

× Personal equipment & required clothing for Andean climate

   (3ºC-15ºC/37ºF- 59ª)

× Any item not mentioned in the itinerary

× Travel insurance

× Domestic or International air tickets

Please feel free to contact us, our Travel Experts will be happy to send you a free quote according to your needs and budget!