Quito - Cotopaxi - Quilotoa - Baños

Quito - Departure from Quito:

Blue House Hotel at 06:15 or
Café Zular at 06:30 (Next to San Blas Square)

Cotopaxi National Park - Hike around Limpiopungo Lake within Cotopaxi National Park, home to one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. Visit the Limpiopungo Lagoon at the volcano’s base, where you can observe various flora species.

Cañon del Río Toachi - Transfer from Cotopaxi National Park to Cañon del Río Toachi (2:30). Take photos and learn about its formations, which are the result of pyroclastic flows from the Quilotoa volcano (0:30). The canyon’s base consists of pumice, lapilli, and volcanic bombs, with an estimated age of 1800 years.

Laguna Quilotoa - Arrive at the crater and its lake. The guide will explain its origin and the local flora. On clear days, enjoy the view from the crater’s top. If time permits, you can descend to the lake and go boating (not included).

Salcedo - Stop for famous Ecuadorian ice cream en route to Baños.

Baños - Transfer from Quilotoa to Baños. Drop off at Central Park in Baños. You can add an extra tour for your free days in Baños.

Amazon Tour Full Day

Puyo - Visit a Paiche hatchery en route. The Paiche is the largest freshwater fish in the world, inhabiting the Amazon jungle. Time for lunch (not included).

Finca Mirador Indichuris - Hike through the jungle to a stunning waterfall and the Indichuris lookout, where you can see the Andes mountain range. The guide will explain the importance of the Pastaza River and the communities along its banks. On clear days, view the active Sangay volcano. 1 hour, entrance included.

Chimborazo Tour

Volcán Chimborazo - Transfer from Baños to Chimborazo (2:30 hours). Enjoy a full-day tour to Chimborazo Volcano, the highest volcano in Ecuador, for a small additional cost. More details below.

Visit and guided tour at Chimborazo Volcano: hike up to the refuge and see amazing landscapes.

Baños - Alausí

Iglesia de Balbanera - Transfer from Baños (2:00). La Balbanera is one of the earliest examples of colonial architecture in South America and the first Catholic church in Ecuador. It survived the great earthquake of 1797 and is still in use today.

Estación Ferrocarril - Transfer from Ozogoche to Alausí train station (2:00). Drop off.

Alausí-Cuenca

Estación Ferrocarril - Pick up here to continue the trip.

Ingapirca Archaeological Complex - Transfer to Ingapirca (0:20). If your trip falls between Wednesday and Sunday, visit Ingapirca, a pre-Columbian site in southern Ecuador. If your trip is on Monday or Tuesday, visit “Baños del Inca,” a notable archaeological site with interconnected tubs carved into rock.

Santuario de la Virgen del Rocío - Transfer to Biblián (1:00). Visit the majestic Sanctuary of the “Virgen del Rocío” if open. Taste traditional “Cascaritas” (baked pig leather) en route.

Calderón Park - Transfer to Cuenca (0:40). Drop off at Parque Calderón (Central Park).

Cuenca Full Day

Cuenca - Pick up at Parque Calderón for a day tour.

La Casa de la Makana - Stop at a local workshop to see the ancestral “ikat”-style weaving technique and the handmade Macanas process.

Chordeleg - Located in the Santa Bárbara river basin in Azuay province, Chordeleg was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. It is famous for its fine filigree jewelry, including gold and silver necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.

Calderón Park - Time for lunch.

Mirador de Turi - Turi, derived from the indigenous word “kuri” meaning gold, is located 10 minutes from the city center. Historically a place of worship, this viewpoint offers a panoramic view of the city.

Drop off at Parque Calderón.

Cuenca - Guayaquil - Montañita

Cuenca - Drop off at Parque Calderón. Time for breakfast en route (not included).

El Cajas National Park - Located in Azuay province, southern Ecuador, this park features extensive highlands with numerous water bodies. It has nearly 165 lagoons over 1 hectare and 621 smaller ones, totaling 786 bodies of water.

Laguna La Toreadora - Accessible via the Cuenca – Molleturo – Puerto Inca road, approximately 40 kilometers from Cuenca. The site includes the Park’s Technical Office, an interpretation center, and trail access.

Hacienda Cacao y Mango - An agricultural farm focused on agrotourism, offering agricultural tours, typical food, and recreational activities. Time for lunch on the farm (1 hour, not included).

Holiday Inn Guayaquil Airport, an IHG Hotel - Drop off in Guayaquil or continue to Montañita.

Montañita - Transfer from Guayaquil to Montañita. Drop off in Montañita.

• Shared Transportation
• Entrance fees to visiting places according to itinerary
• Certified National Tourism Guide

• Meals
• Accommodation