Price per person based on 2 people.
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You will be picked up by a Spanish-speaking driver and taken in a private car to the hotel in Otavalo. This drive through the Andes Mountains takes about 2 hours.
This market in the Plaza de Ponchos is without a doubt the most famous indigenous market in Ecuador. You will find a huge selection of artesanate. The best day to visit this
The best day to visit this market is on Saturday. There are 4 markets going on simultaneously in different parts of the city. But the artesanate market now also goes on the other days of the week - it is much quieter then. This in turn has its advantages.
The 18-meter-high Peguche waterfall is located 4 kilometers south of Otavalo in a beautiful natural park... The local population of Otavalo celebrates the solar festival of Inti Raymi there on June 21. During several days purification rituals are held here. But also during the rest of the year the park is worth a visit.
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Cuicocha is one of the most famous lakes in Ecuador. With a private car we drive to the entrance of the reserve Cotacachi-Cayapas, where we start a 5-hour
5-hour hike between 3100 and 3500 meters above sea level. Along the way we enjoy the biodiversity, the views of the picturesque Lake Cuicocha with its two islets and the view of the peaks Cotacachi, Imbabura and Cayambe.
Difficulty: moderate
Duration: approximately 7 hours
Included: English speaking local guide, private transport, meal or packed lunch
Required: good walking shoes, sun protection, mosquito repellent, fleece or pullover, water (min. 1 liter)
Recommended: camera, binoculars, rain jacket, reasonable fitness also at altitude.
You will be transferred from Otavalo to Papallacta. On this 3-hour drive through the Andes, just after Cayambe you pass a small equator monument and the pilgrimage site of El Quinche, known for its cathedral and typical Indian cemetery.
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This hike takes about 3 hours and starts at the entrance of the thermal baths in Papallacta. By car we drive 15 minutes steep up the mountain to the entrance of the National Park Cayambe-Coca at 3800 meters above sea level. From here we walk to the lakes of Baños. On a clear day you have a beautiful view of the Antisana volcano. Along the way we look out for the spectacled bear, the mountain deer, the mountain tapir, paramo wolves etc.
Included: local guide with limited knowledge of English, transportation by private car H/T from the entrance of the thermal baths.
You will be picked up at the hotel and taken to Quito in a 2-hour drive by private car.
First you visit with the English-speaking guide the historic colonial center of Quito, its churches and squares, the modern city and the panoramic point the Panecillo hill. Then we drive to the monument to the equator Mitad del Mundo and the Intiñan museum, where various tests show that we are indeed on the equator line. Also fun for children!
Included: English speaking guide and transportation in private car.
Not included: entrance to museums and meals en route.
Duration: 5 to 6 hours
This ride with SP-language driver in private car takes about 2 hours.
By car, after 20 minutes of driving through the forest, we reach the entrance to the park. Here you cross a valley 530 meters wide by cable car. Once across, there are trails that lead to seven different waterfalls. It is a beautiful hike with opportunities to swim and with beautiful views. However, it can be quite busy on weekends.
Duration: 4 hours. Included: transport, english speaking guide and entrance.
This vast private forest - 500 acres in size - features well-maintained trails that lead you high into the forest and offer beautiful views of the valley. Along the path you'll find butterflies, birds and beautiful flowers. And if you're lucky you might see armadillos, porcupines, anteaters, and maybe even the Andean spectacled bear. The trail is a five-minute walk from town but is a world apart. The hike takes about three hours.
Included: transportation, entrance Yellow House and English speaking guide
This ride in private car with Spanish-speaking driver takes about 3 hours.
The driver will pick you up at the hotel in the morning. The National Park is an hour's drive from Quito. On clear days you can admire the mountain from afar. After a short stop at the Mariscal Sucre information point, where you get some information about the region and the volcano, we drive up to 4500 m altitude. From here we go to the refuge which is 365 meters higher. It is a very steep walk that takes us at least an hour considering the high altitude. Then we descend to the Limpiopungo lake which lies at the foot of the volcano. This lake is fed by a volcanic glacier; you often see wild horses grazing and Andean foxes hunting here. Then we return to the hotel by car.
Difficulty: light-moderate.
To bring: protection from the sun and rain, water, sport shoes, camera and warm clothes.
Duration: 6 hours
Includes: English speaking guide, transportation and lunch box
The Spanish-speaking driver will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the hotel in Baños. This drive through the mountains takes about 2 hours.
Due to its location at the foot of the active volcano Tungurahua and surrounded by natural and medicinal hot springs, Baños has quickly developed into an all-round tourist town with many restaurants, hotels and numerous opportunities for relaxation. You can set up wonderful hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, rafting and rainforest excursions in and around Baños, then finish an active day with a visit to the thermal baths. Don't forget to visit the beautiful church in the central square (a local pilgrimage site).
At the back of the hotel (near Cafe del Cielo) is a nice walking path that descends to Baños. The walk takes about an hour. You end up in Baños at the end of Avenida Maldonado. If you feel like it, you can walk back; otherwise, take a cab.
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Today the guide will let you discover, by car, several beautiful places in and around Baños. You will visit the beautiful waterfall El Pailon del Diablo, cross the Pastaza with a cable car and visit la Casa Del Arbol, where the famous swing is located.
Includes: transportation, English speaking guide, snack and entrance fees
Duration: 7 hours
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This 2-hour drive through the Andes will take you to Riobamba. You will drive with a Spanish-speaking driver past the active volcano Tungurahua.
A guide will take you to the National Park. The white peak of Chimborazo (6310 meters) is the center of the nature reserve of the same name. The chances of encountering vicuñas (a relative of the llama) there are high. There is a first mountain hut at 4800 meters from where you can start walking to the second hut which is located at 5000 meters. You can optionally combine this beautiful day trip with a spectacular descent by mountain bike (20 USD pp - min. 2 pers).
Includes: guide (English spoken); transportation; warm jacket; packed lunch; entrance to National Park.
Duration: 5 hours without the bike - 7 hours with the bike
You will be picked up by a local driver at the hotel and taken to Guamote in a private car.
Duration: 1 hour
Today we take a closer look at how the indigenous people live here in this region. After visiting the center of Inti Sisa in Guamote, we head into the mountains. We visit an indigenous school where the children explain how they are taught here. We visit a local weaver who makes ponchos out of alpaca wool and end at an indigenous family who tells about their life in the village. Along the way, you'll get info on the history of the area and the local culture. Those who wish can then return to Guamote on foot (1.5 hours).
Duration: 4 hours.
Included: English speaking guide; snack and drink.
From Guamote you will drive in a private car to Cuenca. On the way you will visit the most famous Inca ruins from Ecuador.
Duration: 5.5 hours (3.5 hours driving and 2 hours visit Ingapirca)
Excluding the entrance to the ruins to be paid on the spot: 6 USD
The Cajas National Park has about 200 lakes and lies between 3200 and 4600 meters above sea level. We leave Cuenca in the morning and first visit the lower areas of the National Park, called Llaviucu, which are at about 3200 meters above sea level. We hike here for about an hour and a half before moving on to the higher ground. There, one of the most beautiful and largest lakes in the park, called La Toreadora, rises. On the shores of this lake grows the Polylepis or paper tree. We hike here for about two hours and a half and then head back towards civilization for lunch in a restaurant that offers typical dishes of the region.
Difficulty: light - moderate.
Bring with you: protection from the sun and rain, camera, water, warm clothes and sturdy walking shoes.
Duration: +/- 7 hours
Includes: English speaking guide, transportation and meals
With an English-speaking guide, we visit the most beautiful places in the city. We stroll through the San Sebastian district and visit the most beautiful squares, streets and small churches. We make a stop at the Museum of Modern Art and then continue to a workshop where the famous Panama hats are made. We visit the panoramic point of Turi where we have a beautiful view over the city and then return to the hotel. The guide will gladly adapt the visit to your interests and preferences.
Duration: +/- 4 hours
Includes: English speaking guide and transportation
Excluding: entrance museums.
On this scenic drive, you'll ride with a local SP-language driver from Cuenca to Guayaquil. The road descends gradually from the Andes Mountains to the coastal plain.
Duration: +/- 4 hours.
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This is a sample trip. The order, hotels and excursions can be adapted to your wishes. You can also combine it with another trip or a Galápagos cruise.
