Classic Ecuador

The Capital of Ecuador welcomes you with the first peek of the country. We will walk through the historical plazas and churches of the old town. The city’s crown jewel is its ‘Old Town,’ a Unesco World Heritage Site packed with colonial monuments and architectural treasures.

In the afternoon we will visit the Equator complex to witness the amazing experiments that your local guide will show you as proof that you will be standing right on the Equator line!
Accommodations: Swissotel Quito

The tour starts with a trip north from Quito in the early morning towards the Otavalo indigenous market. En route, we’ll stop briefly at a stunning panoramic lookout of the Imbabura Volcano and San Pablo Lake. The small town of Otavalo bustles with activity and makes the perfect first stop to immerse you in a world of artisan goods, from colorful textiles, alpaca coats, paintings, jewelry, leather, and so much more.

Wander the stalls to meet local artists, and find one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Try to arrive early for the best bargains (it starts at dawn), and try your hand at haggling – it’s expected for every purchase. A good negotiator could get at least 20 per cent off the starting price.
One of the most obvious signs of the Otavaleños’ cultural integrity is their traditional dress. This is not just worn for the tourists at the Saturday market, but is worn throughout their daily life. Otavalo is famous both for its friendly people and its Saturday animal market. The market dates back to pre-Inca times when jungle products were transported from the eastern lowlands and traded for highland goods. Today’s market has two different functions: the local market for buying and selling animals, food, and other essentials, and the crafts market for the tourists and other interested people.
Tonight we stay at a historic highlands hacienda.
Accommodations: Hotel Pinsaqui

This morning, you’ll head to Cotacachi market, where the town’s masterfully crafted leather goods have earned it a well-deserved reputation. Then we will stretch our legs with a walk to Cuicocha Lake. This stunning crater lake is in a 3km wide caldera at the foot of Cotacachi Volcano. Its name comes from the Kichwa indigenous language and means “Lago del Cuy” or Guinea Pig Lake in English.

Then back to our beautiful historic Hacienda for a chef led cooking class. Our chef will teach us how to prepare the unmistakable empanadas de viento; from flour as the main ingredient for the dough and cheese as a filling to taking them to the oven.
Accommodations: Hotel Pinsaqui

Today we will drive through the winding Andean paramo, where you might see incredible animals like the cara-cara, Andean condor, deer, pumas, or perhaps even a spectacled bear. Then you will arrive at the day’s only destination – Papallacta Hot Springs Resort, where you can soak your worries away in the volcanic waters of their pools backdropped by stunning mountains and colorful paramo flowers.

Enjoy the Papallacta Hot Springs Resort for the rest of the day with a dip in hot springs, optional spa treatments, and hiking excursions. Soak in the natural hot springs the area is known for and let the mineral waters soothe sore muscles. The hot springs vary in temperature, make your way through the circuit with views of the Antisana volcano in the distance. The beautiful and tranquil hot springs are right outside your door at this one of a kind resort.
Accommodations: Termas de Papallact

Depart the Amazon to Baños, a stunning town surrounded by volcanoes. Along the way, visit the Valley of Waterfalls including San Martin, Devil’s Cauldron and the Bride’s Veil.

Baños is one of the most popular spots in the country. Many Ecuadorian families vacation here. One look at this delightfully green mountain town and you will know why. Baños means “baths” and this is precisely what the town is famous for. Some are thermal springs from the base of Tungurahua Volcano, which means “little hell” in Quichua. Other baths have melt water running into them from Tungurahua’s glaciated flanks. Locals swear that the baths are good for your health; it’s definitely worth rising early to watch the dawn creep over the mountains from a hot spring vantage point.
Accommodations: Hotel La Floresta