ITINERARIES IN ECUADOR

In no other country in South America you can travel so easily and discover such a diversity of interesting cultures and beautiful nature than in Ecuador. We have set up several itineraries for you, like classical Ecuador roundtrips, Ecuador in modules and Ecuador in special themes, on which you can experience the best of Ecuador in a limited period of time.

The itineraries depend on arrival and departure times of different airlines, ships and the train to the legendary 'Devil's Nose'. The following examples are only proposals and can be altered any time according to your wishes and interests. We are more than glad to put together for you your individual travel itinerary free of charge and without obligation.

Ecuador Roundtrip I - Ecuador Roundtrip II

Day 1-3: Quito, Pearl of South America and World Cultural Heritage Site
Day 3-4: Otavalo, arts and craft market and life on a hacienda
Day 4-5: Riobamba, Chimborazo volcano and the breathtaking train ride to the "Devil´s nose"
Day 5-7: Cuenca, a colonial city to fall in love in with
Day 7-8: Guayaquil, a city with "Caribbean flair"

Day 1: Quito
Arrival in Quito. This attractive and especially beautiful city is surrounded by snow-covered volcanoes, although it lies only 22 kilometres from the equator line. It received the nickname "The Monastery of America" because of its many monasteries and convents.

Day 2: Quito
A sightseeing tour around this amazing cultural city, which is 2.850 meters above sea level.
During the tour you will visit the historical old town, declared "World Heritage Site" by the UNESCO, because of its wealth in Spanish, Flemish, Moorish and Pre-Columbian architecture. Visit the congress building, with its intricate stonework facade, the monastery of San Agustín, the church of San Francisco, as well as the Plaza De La Independencia, which is surrounded by the governmental palace and the cathedral. Submerge youself into the history of Quito during this unforgettable walk!
Further points of interest are the "Balcony of Guapulo", as well as "Panecillo", a hill in the south of the city, which offers lovely views over the city and the surrounding volcanoes.

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Day 3: Otavalo
On your way, visit a small factory in the village of Calderon, which produces colourful decorative bread figures. Later on, if you are lucky, you can see the snow-covered summit of Cayambe volcano in the distance. The equator line passes directly across the glacier of this majestic mountain.
In Otavalo you will of course visit the famous art and craft market. Afterwards, the trip continues to Cuicocha Lagoon, a crater lake at 3000m altitude. Then, after visiting Cotacachi, famous for its high-level leather goods, we return to Quito or stay overnight in a traditional hacienda.

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Day 4: Quito - Riobamba
Today we go by bus to Hacienda Hualilagua. Enjoy a typical breakfast in a traditional hacienda, in a relaxing familiar atmosphere. Afterwards, we continue southwards along the "Avenue of the Volcanoes", passing along the impressive Cotopaxi volcano, to visit a typical indigenous market. Then you can spend an overnight in Riobamba, at the foot of Chimborazo, the highest mountain in Ecuador.

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Day 5: Riobamba - Cuenca
Take a bus trip to Guamote for discovering the legendary "Devil's Nose" in an extraordinary train ride (Wednesday, Friday and Sunday). Marvel at the fascinating landscape through the train´s windows, or even from the top, and witness this technical railroad masterpiece, constructed at the beginning of the 20th Century, which has enabled enormous topographical obstacles to be overcome. Then follows a short bus ride to Cuenca, where we spend the night.

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6. Tag: Cuenca
Visit the third largest city in Ecuador. In Cuenca, founded in 1557 on the Inca settlement situated in Tomebamba, there still exists an air of colonial Ecuadorian history. In November 1999, Cuenca was declared "World Cultural Heritage Site" by the UNESCO. Enjoy the historical buildings situated along the Tomebamba river, the Todos los Santos ruins ("All Saints Ruins"), flower markets as well as the main square bounded by old and new cathedrals.
There is still time to visit some typical villages around Cuenca, where you can see Panama hats being manufactured in a traditional fashion. Overnight you will stay in Cuenca.

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7. Tag: Cuenca - Guayaquil
Alternative: continuation of one's journey to Loja for the additional programme Southern Ecuador!

Our first destination today are the Inca ruins of Ingapirca. In the year 1470, the Inca-ruler Yupanqui conquered the local tribe of the Cañaris, and Ingapirca was probably developed that year. The ruins lie on a high sunny plateau, which falls steeply on three sides down to a broad distant valley. Afterwards, the trip continues to Guayaquil. Within a very short space of time, you will notice a great variation in climate, vegetation, architecture and people. During a short sightseeing trip around Ecuador's largest and most vibrant city, experience this economic and financial heart of the country.

Day 8: Additional programme or flight back home
Flight to Galápagos, flight back home, to Quito or continuation of one's journey to the Ecuadorian Coast.

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Ecuador Roundtrip I - Ecuador Roundtrip II - Ecuador in modules - Ecuador in special themes