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 in special themes:
"Avenue of the volcanoes" - Ruta del sol - Adventure route - Extreme adventure - Naturalist route - Cultural route - Relaxation route

Day 1-3: Quito, pearl of South America and Mitad del Mundo
Day 4: Imbabura, craft markets
Day 5: Cotopaxi National Park, haciendatour and rodeo
Day 6: Riobamba, pleasant colonial town
Day 7: Ingapirca, Inca ruins
Day 8-9: Cuenca, colonial city and Cajas National Park
from Day 10: Language course

Day 1: Quito
Arrival in Quito and transfer from the Mariscal Sucre Airport to hotel. This attractive and especially beautiful city surrounded by snow-covered volcanoes is famous for its historic centre which was declared World Cultural Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1978. Relax in your hotel and prepare yourself to enjoy an unforgettable Ecuadorian folkloric dance night organised by our partner agency Gray Line. Admire the traditional folkloric dance of Jacchigua and afterwards enjoy a tour through the colonial part of the city where you can appreciate the illuminated colonial churches at night and a panoramic night time view of Quito. Dinner at a typical restaurant and return to hotel.

Day 2: Quito
Quito offers several opportunities to explore the diversified Ecuadorian culture and one of its main attractions is the historical old town. On a city sightseeing tour you will visit 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. Further points of interest are the beautiful district of Guápulo, as well as the "Panecillo" with the statue of the virgin, a hill in the south of Quito, which offers lovely views of the city and the surrounding volcanoes. Worth a visit is the Museo Guayasamín, which was the home of Oswaldo Guayasamín, one of the most important modern artists of Ecuador, and the Capilla del Hombre hosting a gallery with important works which pay tribute the Latin American history. Submerge yourself into the history of Quito during this unforgettable city walk!

Day 3: Mitad del Mundo
Depart to “Mitad del Mundo” (Equatorline)with the monument that divides the Northern from the Southern Hemisphere. Visitors can take an elevator to the top, where there is a viewing platform, and then descend by stairs through the Ethnographic Museum, which displays exhibits of the different indigenous populations of the country. A scale model of colonial Quito is also housed in a building to the left of the monument and a planetarium displays a variety of shows dealing with astronomy.
Just a few metres from the Mitad del Mundo complex, “Museo Solar Inti Ñan” is located. It is a tiny red-brick construction with fascinating exhibits dedicated to traditional astronomic geography. One of the highlights is undoubtedly the astronomical chronometer.
As a last stop of your journey, you will visit the nearby Rumicucho ruins.

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Day 4: Otavalo and Imbabura Province
Departure from Quito and travel on the Northern Panamerican highway with a short stop in Calderón, a small town where the famous "masapan" dolls (made of dough) are made, and a visit of Peguche community – where you can take part in a shaman ritual, a traditional “magic” healing ceremony . The tour then continues on to Otavalo. Its centre of attention surely represents the Plaza de Ponchos, the biggest indigenous crafts market in Ecuador. Beside jewellery, pottery, panama hats, crockery, traditional souvenirs, weavings, figures and paintings it is also the indígena culture itself that allures many tourists. You can see the otavaleños in their typical dress, with a traditional poncho and hat. You can also visit other crafts markets, such as Saquisilí.
The trip continues on to Ibarra, famous for its wood carvers and its beautiful lakes. Finally you will have the opportunity to visit the leather shopping stores at Cotacachi.

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Day 5: Cotopaxi National Park
Depart in the morning and travel southwards to Hacienda El Porvenir in Cotopaxi Province. In Ecuador, haciendas have traditionally constituted meeting places for different cultures, myths and legends and the rodeo is one of the most important events that take place in them. It is a very ancient ceremony in which chagras (local cowboys) ride horseback through the most remote places in the mountains to round up the fighting bulls and corral the wild horses. Lovers of culture and legends will experience extreme excitement riding a horse within the multicolour show of the rodeo rides. Visitors can also share other hacienda activities with the local inhabitants, such as milking the cows.
The haciendas will be glad to organise a wide variety of activities for you.

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Day 6: Riobamba
Trip continues southwards to Riobamba city, which has constituted an important geographical centre even before the Incas came. Its Spanish-style city centre, its famous Saturday market where indigenous people come from all parts of the country to sell their products, as well as its unique view of five of the most important volcanoes of Ecuador, renders Riobamba a destination you should not miss. It also offers a number of beautiful parks and squares as well as many interesting museums, such as the renowned Museum of Religious Art, the Archaeology Museum and the Museum of Natural Sciences.

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Day 7: Ingapirca
Continue southwards to Cañar Province to the Ingapirca Ruins, the major Inca site in Ecuador. Opinions are mixed about the significance of the ruins. Some archaeologists consider that the main structure, an unsu (elliptical platform) known as the Temple of the Sun had religious and ceremonial purposes. Others think that the complex may have been used as a tambo (stopping place), for runners carrying. Nevertheless, most of them state that Ingapirca boasts one of the Inca´s finest mortarless stonework. Ingapirca´s importance is now recognised and the ruins are officially protected. Continue to Cuenca for overnight stay.

Day 8: Cuenca
Cuenca, third largest city in Ecuador, is considered to be its most beautiful city due to its cobblestone streets and colonial buildings, which provide the city with a unique flair.
Tomebamba River divides Cuenca into two parts: the northern colonial centre and the southern modern districts. Beside numerous cathedrals, churches and museums also the Abdón Calderón Park, heart of Cuenca, is worth a visit. Along the northern bank of the Tomebamba River you can reach the Inca ruins Las Ruinas de Todos Santos. There have even been excavated some ceramics which you can see in the small museum next to the excavation site. Landmark of the city is the New Cathedral, 105m high, made of reddish brick and blue domes which has been built in 1885. Opposite you find the Old Cathedral having been constructed in 1557 at the city's foundation, which is supposed to only serve as museum in the future. Cuenca and its surrounding have also gained a reputation in the production of ceramics and panama hats. Visit, for instance Chordeleg and Bulcayand, characterized and known for their handcrafted goods and observe their skilled craftsmen.
City Sightseeing Tour.

Day 9: Cuenca - El Cajas National Park
Drive to one of the most beautiful parks, El Cajas National Park, famous for its many astonishing lakes – more than 200 -, located just 30 km west of Cuenca. Bird watchers will be delighted observing the many different species found on the lakes, in the typical ‘quinua forests’ and in the surrounding páramo landscape. There are a number of signed trails in the most popular area (around Laguna Toreadora) – suitable for hikes of a few hours, as well as multiday treks all the way across the park.

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Day 10: Language course
Our partner schools are located in different regions, in order to provide you with several alternatives. If you prefer to stay in Cuenca city, Estudio Sampere will be glad to customise a Spanish course for you. Or if you prefer to study in Quito or Manta, it will be a pleasure for APF Language School to organise a Spanish programme in one of these cities or in both of them as combined packages. More information about our partner Spanish Schools

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