Quito arrival transfer. Accommodations at the Dann Carlton hotel or similar.
Day 2
Cotachi - Lake of Cuicocha - Peguche - Otavalo
Morning tour of the leather shops of Cotacachi, and the crater lake of Cuicocha, then in the afternoon to Peguche, noteworthy for its traditionally woven fabrics. Other sites include Otavalo and its famous indigenous arts and crafts market, the largest in South America. Accommodations in a traditional hacienda.
Day 3
Tropical Coast
The Chaski Antawa Train (messenger train) runs on the railway built at the beginning of the 20th century connecting the northern highlands to the tropical coast. From Ibarra , the train climbs down to the warm, dry valley of Ambuqui, through sugarcane plantations, magical landscapes, and tunnels and crossing bridges that span deep canyons and gullies. The 26-km ride to Salinas plunges from 2,200 down to 1,500 meters above sea level (7,216 to 4,920 feet) in only about two hours. Enjoy a unique lunch at Kleintours’ social project, the “Chaski Antawa Restaurant”, which is our way of helping the Valley of Salinas and its surrounding area become a tourist destination and raising the standard of living of its inhabitants. Its menu was carefully selected and drawn up by the
community using high quality standards. Drive to the hot springs of Papallacta , which is an exotic resort surrounded by mountains at the edge of the Amazon region.
Day 4
Antisana Ecological Reserve
At the foot of a snow-capped volcano, the Antisana Ecological Reserve is ideal for spotting condors and other birds of prey. To the south there is the valley of the Cotopaxi volcano, ideal for sight-seeing. Accommodations at a colonial hacienda, a three-hundred-year-old property converted into a country inn.
Day 5
Villa of Tigua
Tour of one of Ecuador’s eight active mainland volcanoes, Quilotoa. Nearby there is the village of Tigua, known for its naïf-style paintings on sheepskin, as well as the town of Zumbahua. After hiking from the crater’s edge to the lake at the bottom, a box lunch or lunch will be served at a local lodge. Back to Quito. Accommodations at the Dann Carlton hotel or similar.
Day 6
Quito
Breakfast and transfer to the airport to take your international flight.
800 559 5192
