Day 1: Quito City tour & Half of the World

Quito city tour and “Half of the World” Monument combined. This option will allow you to get to know Quito, its surroundings and the monument in a single day.

You will visit: the Monastery of San Agustin with its majestic Capitular Hall; Independence Square where the Government Palace, the Cathedral and the City Hall are located. Afterwards you can admire the magnificent architecture of the El Sagrario church, La Compañía and the Monastery of San Francisco which was built on the ruins of an Inca Palace. Then you will climb “El Panecillo” Hill (Panoramic View of Quito). And to end the day you will visit the monument which represents half of the world. We will visit the main monument built in honor of the French scientific expedition that arrived in Ecuador in the 18th century to determine the exact location of the equator line. Here you will have the opportunity to see the Equator Monument and visit the IntiÑan Museum, a scientific and cultural museum, located at the exact intersection of the Equator line, where you will experience living in the center of the world

Day 2: INDIGENOUS MARKET, OTAVALO (1 day)

Otavalo is a well-known market, in Ecuador and around the world, through its exceptional craftsmanship.
A major aspect of the ethnic identity of the ´´Otavalos´´ Indians is their costume. For men, this consists of a blue poncho, white shirt and mid-calf pants, a fedora-type hat and their hair combed into a long braid. The women are dressed in embroidered blouses, blue skirts and shawls as well as several layers of gold necklaces and red beaded bracelets. Both men and women wear “alpargatas”, a type of sand.

Day 3: Cotopaxi National Park

Visit the largest active volcano in the world!
Leaving Quito towards the south you cross the “Avenue of Volcanoes” and you arrive at the Cotopaxi National Park. Visit to the reserve and Lake Limpiopungo. For favorable climate, climbing the volcano to the glaciers. After a day in the mountains, a typical hot meal in a Hacienda in the region will please you. Afternoon, return to Quito

Day 4: Galapagos Experience

Flight from Quito to Galapagos Islands, to live the best experience in the enchanted islands.
It is possible to take a cruise or take a combined program in the Islands.

Day 5: Galapagos Experience

Day 6: Galapagos Experience

Day 7: Galapagos Experience

Day 8: Galapagos – Quito

Return from the Galapagos to Quito. Relax in a pleasant Hosteria SPA near the airport before heading to Peru.

Day 9: Quito – Lima – Cusco

Flight from Quito to Cusco. Arrival and time to adapt to the altitude.

Day 10: Cusco City tour and 4 Ruins nearby

In the morning, visit the city. Visit the most attractive places in the city and, of course, the four most important ruins around Cusco: Qenqo, one of the finest examples of artfully carved rock on the site showing intricate patterns of steps, seats, geometric relief and puma model. Puca Pukara, located on a hill with superb views of the surrounding countryside, Puca Pucara was more likely a tambo. Tambomachay, commonly known as “Baños del Inca” or Inca baths, Tambomachay was a ritual bathing site and Sacsayhuaman, the Inca fortress, which visitors cannot fail to impress with the beauty and monumental scale of this important Inca construction. Free afternoon to enjoy Cusco.

Day 11: Cusco – Sacred Valley – Ollanta – Aguas Calientes

Full-day excursion to the sacred valleys of the Incas, along the Vilcanota River. We will have the opportunity to share closely the customs of farmers and negotiate with sellers in the typical Indian market of Pisac, which is held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Lunch in a local countryside restaurant. After lunch, passing through the towns of Calca and Urubamba, we visit the Inca fortress and the citadel of Ollantaytambo, built to protect the entrance to this part of the valley and protect it from possible invasion by tribes from the lower jungle. The fortress consists of a series of stepped stone cut terraces accessible by long staircases. Later, you can stroll through the picturesque streets of the neighboring town and get a good idea of ​​what this strategic military, religious and agricultural center was like during the time of the Inca Empire. In the afternoon, transfer to the station and departure for Aguas Calientes. Night in Aguas Calientes

Day 12: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

Transfer early to the Aguas Calientes bus station to take a 30-minute bus ride along 6 km of winding road to the marvelous citadel. Upon arrival, you will take a guided tour of the Citadel, the Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sundial (the most important preserved Intihuatana), the Royal Quarter, the Temple of the Three Windows and various burial sites. After the visit, you will have time to wander freely around the archaeological site. Lunch in a local restaurant and return late afternoon to Cusco. Night in Cusco.

Day 13: Cusco – Puno by Pullman Bus

Transfer to the bus station and departure for the city of Puno. The ride, which lasts approximately eight hours, will allow you to contemplate the wild meadows of the Andean plateau and typical Andean towns. There will also be brief stops at the small chapel of Andahuaylillas, the temple of Wiracocha in Raqchi, La Raya and finally in Pucara. Arrival in Puno. Transfer to the hotel.

Day 14: Puno – Lake Titicaka – Puno

Early in the morning we depart for a two-hour motorboat excursion on the waters of Lake Titicaca to the unique floating “islands” of Uros. These ancient inhabitants of the lake, known as the Water Tribe, built their own “islands” by periodically adding new layers of a type of reed unique to the region called “Totora.” Their houses and boats are also made from this material. We continue our journey by motorboat to the island of Taquile, inhabited by Quechua-speaking indigenous people who have developed efficient and unique social systems, as well as refined hand-weaving techniques, over generations. Upon arrival at the town of Taquile, we will have lunch. Then we will walk through the different hills and archaeological sites of this 6 km long island. In the afternoon, return to Puno for the night.

Day 15: Puno – Juliaca – Lima

At the convenient time, transfer to the airport and departure for Lima. Arrival and connection for the international flight and return to your country.

Day 1: City tour in Quito + Half of the World

Welcome to the capital of Ecuador, we will discover this charming city and its secrets by traveling through the modern section of Quito east towards the historic district of the city. Visit the monastery of San Agustin with its impressive Sala capitulary. Continue through Independence Square, where the presidential palace, cathedral, and City Hall are located. Next, admire the Sagrario Church and the facade of the Compañía Church. Visit the San Francisco Monastery, built on the ruins of an Inca palace. Drive up the road to the top of Panecillo Hill for a unique view of Quito. Route to the Sanctuary of Guapulo, which is located on the route taken by Francisco de Orellana during the discovery of the Amazon River.

After a short 30-minute drive north of Quito, the environment becomes semi-arid in the shadow of the Andes mountain range. The ‘Half of the World’ monument stands proudly as a tribute to the French scientists who made history for determining the shape of the earth. You can take a photo with one foot in the northern hemisphere and the other in the south. You can also visit the ‘Intinan’ museum, where you will observe the colorful way of life of the different ethnic groups of Ecuador and experience the difference of life in the north and south (such as, observing the different evacuation of water through two siphons separated by a few centimeters by the imaginary line of the equator, where balancing an egg on a nail, where, using an ancient sundial, etc.)

Day 2: Otavalo

Otavalo is a well-known market, in Ecuador and around the world, thanks to its exceptional craftsmanship and beautiful clothing.

Leaving from Quito, towards the North, via Cayambe, you can observe the Cayambe Volcano, in favorable weather. A short break, at the edge of Lake San Pablo, to continue towards Otavalo. Visit to the market and free time to do business with the Indians. After lunch, you will continue your journey to Cotacachi (known for its leather crafts), where you will take the last photos of the day before returning to Quito,

Day 3: Amazon Experience

Flight from Quito to Coca or Lago Agrio/the Jungle. Transfer to the lodge.

Day 4: Excursion to the Amazon / Jungle lodge

Day 5: Excursion to the Amazon / Jungle lodge

Day 6: Excursion to the Amazon / Jungle lodge

Day 7: Return flight to Quito. Night in Quito.

Day 8: Cotopaxi National Park

Early in the morning, leaving Quito, you will cross the “Avenue of Volcanoes” to arrive at Cotopaxi National Park. Visit the Cotopaxi National Park and its surroundings. If the weather is favorable, the ascent from the volcano to the refuge, just below the glaciers, is possible. (4,700 m). In the afternoon, we will enjoy a local lunch and other activities, such as horseback riding or hiking in the area. Accommodation in a hacienda.

Day 9: Baños

Early morning departure to Baños. Excursion by ‘Chiva’ (open bus, typical of the coast) to enjoy the different waterfalls that you will encounter along the route. You will finish with the “Devil’s Cauldron” Waterfall, which is one of the 10 most beautiful waterfalls in the world. Meal, and free afternoon to discover Banos. Night in Baños.

Day 10: Baños – Riobamba

In the morning, time to enjoy the thermal waters of Baños and the natural SPA of the
hotel. After lunch, departure towards Riobamba through the moors where wildlife, such as Andean vicuñas can be spotted. Arrival in Riobamba, panoramic tour of the city.
Night in Riobamba.

Day 11: Riobamba – Andes Train – Cuenca

Early in the morning we will take the ‘Trans-Andean’ train, towards Alausi, via, the “Devil’s Nose” to enjoy a breathtaking view. We will board the rehabilitated ‘Andean Train’, known for its complex engineering, made famous in the last century as “The most difficult railway ever built”. Our journey passes through a famous point, the ‘Devil’s Nose’. Many people died trying to build the train track up to the top of the mountains Andean, to continue its magical journey through the mountain towns and villages, here we will have time to see the local projects, which nowadays take an important role in the general economy of the people living along the railway. Afterwards, you will continue towards Alausi and then to Cuenca passing through Ingapirca (the most important archaeological site of the pre-Inca period in Ecuador).

Day 12: Cuenca – Gualaceo – Chordeleg

City tour of Cuenca. Visit to a world-famous hat manufacturing factory, ‘Panama’. Lunch. In the afternoon, visit the town of Chordeleg famous for its great jewelry and Gualaceo, a town known for its crafts and its beautiful landscapes to get there. Night in Cuenca.

Day 13: Cuenca – Cajas National Park – Guayaquil

Departure towards Guayaquil passing through the “Cajas National Park”, located thirty minutes by car from Cuenca. Here you will find a network of around 200 lakes which today form a vast recreational area, at an average altitude of 3000 m. Small rivers connect the series of lakes and these eventually flow into the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. After a short visit you will continue towards Guayaquil

Day 14: Guayaquiel – Galapagos

Departure to Galapagos (cruise of your choice)

Day 15: Galapagos Cruise

Day 16: Galapagos Cruise

Day 17: Galapagos Cruise

Day 18: From Galapagos to Quito

Day 19: Free day in Quito to visit places of your personal interest.

Day 20: End of service.

Transfer to the airport.

Day 1: City tour + Half of the World.

We will discover this charming city and its secrets, traveling through the modern section of Quito, and afterward, towards the historic district of the city. Visit to the monastery of ‘San Agustin’, with its impressive ‘Sala capitularia’. Continue through Independence Square, where the presidential palace, the cathedral, and the City Hall are located. Next, admire the church of ‘Sagrario’, and the facade of the Church of the Compañía. Visit the monastery of ‘San Francisco’, built on the ruins of an Inca palace. Climb the road to the top of ‘Panecillo’ hill, for a unique view of Quito. Route, towards the sanctuary of ‘Guapulo’, located on the route taken by Francisco de Orellana, having discovered and named the river ‘Amazon’.

After a short 30-minute drive north of Quito, the environment becomes semi-arid, in the shadow of the Andes Mountains. The ‘Half of the World’ monument stands proudly as a tribute to the French scientists who made history by determining the shape of the earth. You can take a photo with one foot in the northern hemisphere and the other in the south. You can also visit the ‘Intinan’ museum where you will observe the colorful way of life of the different ethnic groups of Ecuador and you will experience the difference of life in the North and that of the South (like, observing the different evacuation of water by two siphons separated by a few centimeters by the imaginary line of the equator, or balancing an egg on a nail, or using an ancient sundial, etc.).

Day 2: Otavalo

Otavalo is a well-known market, in Ecuador and around the world, thanks to its exceptional craftsmanship and beautiful clothing.

Leaving Quito, towards the North, via Cayambe, you can observe the ‘Cayambe’ Volcano, in favorable weather. A short break at the edge of Lake San Pablo to continue towards Otavalo. Visit to the market, and free time to do business with the Indians. After lunch, you will continue your journey to ‘Cotacachi’ (known for its leather crafts), where you will take the last photos of the day before returning to Quito.

Day 3: Cotopaxi National Park

Early in the morning, leaving Quito, you will cross the “Avenue of the Volcanoes”, to arrive at the Cotopaxi National Park. Visit the Cotopaxi National Park and its surroundings. If the weather is favorable, the ascent of the volcano to the refuge, just below the glaciers, is possible. (4,700 m). In the afternoon we will enjoy a local lunch and other activities such as horseback riding or hiking in the area. Accommodation in a hacienda.

Day 4: Baños

Early morning departure to Baños. Excursion in Chiva (open bus, typical of the coast) to enjoy the different waterfalls that you will encounter along the way, ending with the “Devil’s Cauldron” Waterfall, which is one of the 10 most beautiful waterfalls in the world. Meal and free afternoon to discover ‘Banos’. Night in Baños.

Days 5: Baños – Riobamba

In the morning, time to enjoy the thermal waters of Baños and the natural SPA of the
hotel. After lunch, departure towards Riobamba through the moors where wildlife, luckily Andean vicuñas can be spotted. Arrival in Riobamba, panoramic tour of the city.
Night in Riobamba

Day 6: Riobamba – Andean Train – Cuenca

Early in the morning we will take the ‘Trans-Andes’ train, towards Alausi, via, the “Devil’s Nose” to enjoy a breathtaking view. We will board the rehabilitated ‘Andes Train’, known for its complex engineering, made famous in the last century as “The most difficult railway ever built”. Our journey passes through a famous point, the ‘Devil’s Nose’. Many people died trying to build the train track up to the top of the mountains Andean, to continue its magical journey through the mountain towns and villages, here we will have time to see the local projects, which nowadays take an important role in the general economy of the people living along the railway. Afterwards, you will continue towards Alausi and then to Cuenca passing through Ingapirca (the most important archaeological site of the pre-Inca period in Ecuador).

Day 7: Cuenca – Chordeleg – Gualaceo

City tour of Cuenca. Visit to the Panama hat factory. Lunch. In the afternoon, visit the town of Chordeleg famous for its great jewelry and Gualaceo, a town known for its crafts. Night in Cuenca.

Day 8: Cuenca

Free day in Cuenca to visit museums or to rest before going to the Galapagos or the Jungle. Night in Cuenca.

Day 9: Cuenca – Cajas National Park – Guayaquil

Departure towards Guayaquil passing through the “Cajas National Park”, located thirty minutes by car from Cuenca. Here you will find a network of around 200 lakes which today form a vast recreational area, at an average altitude of 3000 m. Small rivers connect the series of lakes and these eventually flow into the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. After a short visit you will continue towards Guayaquil

Day 10: Galapagos or Amazon Jungle

Transfer to the airport to continue your trip either to the Galapagos or to the Jungle.
Choose your cruise
Choose your lodge in the Amazon

Day 11: Galapagos or Amazon Jungle

Galapagos Cruise or Jungle Excursion.

Day 12: Galapagos or Amazon Jungle

Galapagos Cruise or Jungle Excursion

Day 13: Galapagos or Amazon Jungle

Galapagos Cruise or Jungle Excursion

Day 14: Galapagos or Amazon Jungle

Galapagos / Amazon to Quito.
Night in Quito.

Day 15: Quito

Free day in Quito to visit places of your personal interest.

Day 16: Departure

End of services. Transfer to the airport.

Day 1: City tour in Quito (MT 01) to discover this beautiful colonial city. Lunch. In the afternoon, visit the “Half of the World” Monument (MT 03). Night in Quito.

Day 2: Walk to Otavalo (MT 11). Visit to the Indian Market and the region’s lakes. Return to Quito.

Day 3: Early in the morning you will cross the “Avenue of Volcanoes” to arrive at Cotopaxi National Park. Visit the park and its surroundings. If the climate is favorable, you will go up to the Volcano refuge. After a good typical meal, you will continue towards Baños. City tour at night to observe the Tungurahua Volcano.

Day 4: After breakfast, departure to take the waterfall road to arrive at the waterfall called “Devil’s Cauldron”, which is among the 10 most beautiful waterfalls in the world. Meals and free afternoon. Late afternoon departure towards Riobamba.

Day 5: After breakfast, you will take the Trans-Indian train to Alausi via “The Devil’s Nose”. Throughout the journey, you will observe the various landscapes that the Andes of Ecuador can offer you. varied of the Andes. Then, you will continue by car to Ingapirca, the most important Inca site in Ecuador. You will end the day in Cuenca.

Day 6: City tour in Cuenca. Visit to the “toquilla” straw hat factory. In the afternoon, excursion to Chordeleg, a town well known for its jewelry crafts, passing through Gualaceo. Night in Cuenca.

Day 7: After breakfast, return to Quito or continue to the Galapagos, the coast or the jungle.

Day 1: Quito – Manta – Montecristi – Puerto Lopez

Departure in the morning from Quito to Manta. Arrival at Manta and City tour. Afterwards, you continue your journey to Montecristi where “Toquilla” straw hats are made (“Panama” hats). Then, you arrive at “La Pila”, a small village where you will discover some archaeological pieces of pre-Inca culture. Late afternoon, you arrive in Puerto Lopez, a fishing village. Visit to the Salango Museum and check into a local hotel.

Day 2: Machalilla National Park – Los Frailes Beach and Agua Blanca eco-village

In the morning we will visit the beautiful and secluded white sand beach, Los Frailes. Time to stroll along the beach and enjoy the magnificent views to relax. The wild animals that inhabit the beach, the sun, the water temperature, the landscape, the calm environment, make a wonderful beach to forget everything. For sports enthusiasts, you can snorkel along the coast or swim.

After lunch in the region, we will discover the ecological village and archaeological site of “Agua Blanca”, located on the “Spondylus” Route, which runs all along the coast, and follows in the footsteps of the Indian civilizations that once lived here. If you are not interested in community projects, or, in archaeological sites, you can always go to the sulfur baths for a natural treatment. This is relaxing! Enjoy the feeling of walking under the shade of trees and feeling the breeze on a hot day. Return to Puerto Lopez. Night in the region.

Day 3: Machalilla National Park – Isla de la Plata

Day trip to the island of “La Plata”, which is considered, by many, as a small version of the famous “Gapalagos Islands”. Sighting of whales, in breeding season, from July to September, blue and red legged pikemen, frigate birds and tropical birds. Snorkeling is possible. Return to Puerto Lopez and overnight in the area. Sailing time is approximately two hours and half, from Puerto Lopez to the island of La Plata.

Day 4: Machalillas – Salinas

In the morning, you will follow the Route du Soleil to Montañita which is a beach well known for its giant waves. After a few more kilometers, you will arrive in Salinas. It’s a very nice place to relax and enjoy the beach and the sun. Night in this happy city.

Day 5: Salinas to Guayaquil half day city tour

Departure for Guayaquil, the largest city on the Pacific coast of Ecuador. Once you arrive at your destination, City Tour, to help you discover the main attractions, such as the picturesque neighborhood, called “Barrio Las Peñas”, the “Malecon”, on the banks of the “Guayas” river, the “Las Iguanes” Park, famous for the land iguanas, always curious. Afternoon, transfer to the airport, return to Quito, or continue your day to your next destination.