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
| "AVENUE
OF THE VOLCANOES" |
Day 1-3: Quito, pearl of South
America and World Cultural Heritage Site
Day 4-5: Otavalo, crafts market
and hacienda life
Day 5: Papallacta, relaxing
thermal springs
Day 6-7: Cotopaxi National Park,
hiking and recovering in the nature reserve
Day 8-9: Baños,
waterfalls and pure nature
Day 10-11: Riobamba, Chimborazo
Volcano and train ride to 'Devil's Nose'
Day 12-13: Cuenca, colonial city
to fall in love with
Day 14: Module to continue
or return flight
Day 1: Quito
Arrival in Quito and transfer from the Mariscal Sucre Airport to
hotel. This attractive and especially beautiful city is surrounded
by snow-covered volcanoes, and lies only 22 kilometres from the
Equator Line.
Day 2: Quito
The capital of Ecuador offers several opportunities to explore the
diversified Ecuadorian culture and one of its main attractions is
the historical old town, which has been declared World Cultural
Heritage Site by the UNESCO. 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
Drive to the famous ‘Mitad del Mundo’ (Equator Line)
where you can visit its various small but interesting museums and
workshops, like for example the planetarium or the Museo Etnográfico.
There is also the opportunity to visit Pululahua Crater, which flat
and fertile bottom is used for agriculture. The crater can be entered
on foot by a steep trail from a viewpoint on its southeast side.
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Day 4: Otavalo
On your way to Otavalo, 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 (5.790m) 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, you return to Quito or stay overnight
in a traditional hacienda in the Otavalo area.
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Day 5: Papallacta
You continue to the thermal springs at Papallacta, at a height of
3.300m. Enjoy the relaxing and therapeutic effects of the warm,
odourless thermal spring water, whilst nestling amidst beautiful
scenery.
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Day 6: Cotopaxi National Park
Heading north along the Avenue of Volcanoes, you will reach Cotopaxi
National Park. The imposing peak of the Cotopaxi volcano (5.897
m) towers above the lake and high plain of Limpiopungo (3.830 m).
Here you will have the opportunity to go on hikes, walks and even
horseback riding trips.
Day 7: Cotopaxi National Park
A car will take you to an altitude of 4.500 m to a striking, desolate
landscape. An optional 45-minute hike leads to the José Ribas
shelter (4.800 m). Near the shelter, you will find an impressive
glacier formation.
Optional climb of Cotopaxi Volcano possible.
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Day 8: Baños
The little town of Baños is located at an altitude of 1800m
offering a variety of bars and restaurants and is famous for its
enormous range of possible outdoor activities. After arrival in
Baños you can relax in the several thermal pools from which
the name of Baños derives referring to the plethora of swimming
pools partly using the thermal water of the nearby Tungurahua Volcano
(5.016m).
Day 9: Baños
Explore Baños and its surrounding area on kayaking or white-water
rafting trips, or horseback riding or hiking tours. You further
have the possibility of abseiling, visiting the numerous waterfalls
and watching the Tungurahua Volcano where you can see, if you are
lucky, ash and lava emissions erupting from the still active volcano.
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Day 10: Riobamba
Panoramic scene drive through the area around Chimborazo Volcano
to Riobamba, the provincial capital of Chimborazo, situated at an
altitude of 2.750m and offering a number of beautiful parks and
squares as well as many interesting museums. The unique view of
five of the most important volcanoes of Ecuador - Chimborazo, Altar,
Tungurahua, Carihuairazo - attracts many tourists. Chimborazo Volcano,
with 6.310m, the highest mountain in Ecuador, and Carihuairazo (5.020m)
are both within a big reserve and you can go on hiking, walking
or climbing tours.
Day 9: Baños
Experience the train ride to the Devil’s Nose (La Nariz del
Diablo) from Riobamba to Alausí. Extraordinary here is that
most passengers do not sit in a compartment but rather on top of
the train. This renders the ride of ca. 4 hours an unforgettable
experience! Continue to Cuenca.
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Day 12: Cuenca
Cuenca is the third largest and probably the most beautiful city
in Ecuador providing a unique flair with cobblestone streets and
colonial buildings. Beside numerous cathedrals, churches and museums
also the Abdón Calderón Park, the heart of Cuenca,
is worth a visit. Discover on a city sightseeing tour all the attractions
Cuenca as World Cultural Heritage City of 1999 has to offer.
Day 13: Cuenca - El Cajas National Park
About 35km from Cuenca, the El Cajas National Park is located, covering
a 28.808ha area of lakes. More than 230 lagoons and numerous rivers
as well as a magnificent flora and fauna invite you to walks in
the National Park.
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Day 14: Module
to continue or return flight
Return flight to Quito or Guayaquil, Module
Southern Ecuador
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Ecuador
Roundtrip I - Ecuador
Roundtrip II - Ecuador
in modules - Ecuador
in special themes
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