Classic Ecuador

Day 1: Arrival at Quito
Today you will arrive at Quito International Airport. Upon arrival, you will be met by a representative who will welcome you and you start your journey to Quito, and proceed to your accommodation for leisure and overnight at Patio Andaluz.

Day 2: Quito
After breakfast you will be heading out for a historical city tour, you will explore the beautiful colonial center of Quito, with visits to Basilica Church, Plaza Grande, Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, Archbishop's Palace, and the San Francisco de Quito Church. You will walk through the lively colonial streets of the old town to visit other historical highlights. Visit the famous Panecillo Hill, from where you will have an amazing view of the city and see the contrast between colonial and modern Quito from above. One of the highlights of the city tour is the visit to La Compañia Church, considered to be a masterpiece of the baroque style. The facade is made of volcanic stone and the interior is all covered with gold. You will also head up to the Pichincha Volcano with the Teleferico. This cable car brings you up to an altitude of 4050 meters / 13287 ft, from where you have a spectacular view of the Ecuadorian capital and the valleys in the east. From this unique spot, you can perfectly see how Quito stretches from north to south and, on a clear day, you can even spot several volcanoes surrounding the city. Afterward, you will head to the Middle of the World, where the equator line meets the prime meridian and the coordinates indicate point 0° 0’ 0”. You will also visit the Intiñan Museum, where you will learn more about the astronomical geography, and explanations of the importance of Ecuador’s geographical location. In the afternoon you will be transferred back Patio Andaluz.

Day 3: Quito - Cotopaxi National Park - Cotopaxi
Early morning you will leave for an exciting adventure to one of the highest active volcanoes in the world, the elegant Cotopaxi (5897 meters/ 19347 ft). Upon arrival at the entrance of the Cotopaxi National Park, your guide explains to you about the unique flora and fauna of the area, and about the history of the volcano and you will set off for a hike through the stunning landscape leading up to Limpiopungo Lake. In the afternoon you head to your hotel located close to the Cotopaxi National Park for leisure and overnight at Hacienda El Porvenir.

Day 4: Cotopaxi National Park - Quilotoa - Cotopaxi
Early morning you will leave to visit the beautiful Quilotoa Lake on top of the Quilotoa volcano. The mineral water of the lagoon is showing an emerald green color, which can vary to bluish-green or almost yellow, according to the season. It also has a large quantity of carbon dioxide mixed with hydrogen sulfide as not suitable for consumption. You can hike down to the lagoon and then back to the top of the crater. On your way back we make a stop in a little village that is famous for its local paintings and masks, called Tigua. In the afternoon, you will visit the market of Pujili, a market with a lot of colors! Pujili is a small village where the exchange of products from the Andes and from the coast region is the main business. The indigenous people of this community also sell handmade pottery. The most typical shape in which they make these is of a piggy bank. In the late afternoon, you head to your hotel located close to the Cotopaxi National Park for leisure and overnight at Hacienda El Porvenir.

Day 5: Lasso - Quito
After breakfast, you will be picked up for a transfer to Quito International Airport where you can catch your international departure flight.