9 Days tour to - Quito, Otavalo, Cotacachi, Euatorial Monument, Cotopaxi National Park, Riobamba city, Alausi, Devils Nose, Cuenca & Guayaquil
Day 1 - Monday
Arrival to Quito
Welcome to Quito you will be met by IBMT Tours representative and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Quito.
Day 2 - Tuesday
Quito | Otavalo | Cotacachi
After breakfast departure from our designated hotels in Quito through the Pan-American North Highway until arriving to Cayambe, where the passengers will have the opportunity to taste the delicious “Bizcochos de Cayambe”, a type of cracker or bread baked in a clay oven (greatly paired with local cheese or caramel sauce). After admiring Lake San Pablo, we will arrive at the Otavalo Market, the largest in America, where the indigenous people of the area, known as "Otavalos", one of Ecuador's most recognized ethnic groups, make and sell their textiles and handicrafts.
Passengers may choose between to stay in this area and enjoy more time from the market and our bus will pick them up at the end of the tour (they will not have the visit to Cotacachi and Cuicocha), or continue with the journey to the town of Cotacachi, recognized for leather clothing and crafts. On the way to Cotacachi, we will visit an andean instrument workshop "Ñanda Mañachi" located in the area of Peguche, to spend some special moments with the local people and understand the Andean culture.
In Cotacachi you have enough time to visit the village, the shops of leather goods and free time for lunch, (not included).
Later we will visit the Ecological Reserve where the Cuicocha lagoon is located, inside the crater of the Cotacachi Volcano, which originated after a volcanic explosion thousands of years ago. And if the weather permits it will be possible to make a walk by the lagoon, that is to say sailing in the crater of the volcano in small boats (with additional cost).
** Bus will wait for 10 minutes in Otavalo to pick up passangers that stayed there, and after that will return to Quito and their respective hotels or starting point.(Breakfast).
Day 3 - Wednesday
Quito city tour | Equatorial Monument
After breakfast we will visit the historic center, the largest and best preserved in South America, in one of our original trolleys, which are a replica of the trams that circulated in Quito in the last century.
Visit to the Basilica del Voto Nacional Church, where we will make a brief stop for an explanation of its facade, to later move towards the Panecillo viewpoint, an iconic place in the city, renowned for its beauty, and where is a giant statue of the "Winged Virgin", where you can admire a beautiful landscape of colonial and modern Quito. Later we will continue to the Plaza de San Francisco, one of the representative places of the city and full of history, from where we will walk to the Plaza Grande, historical and political center of the city, surrounded by innumerable attractions including: the Cathedral, the Palace of Government, the Archbishop's Palace and the La Compañía church.
We continue our tour meeting the traditional La Ronda neighborhood, in whose romantic setting we can find workshops where our visitors will learn with a group of authentic artisans, how their works are elaborated, and trades of yesteryear that keep alive the cultural traditions of this charming city, in this emblematic street you will have the opportunity to visit an ice cream shop where you can find very traditional flavors of Ecuador, as well as a visit to one of the artisan workshops: panamá hats or joinery or tinwork or products made from honey bee. (Entrance to churches are not included).
We will stop at the “Zona Rosa” of the city, approximately an hour and a half to have free time for lunch (not included), and later we continue with our excursion “Authentic Middle of the World Tour”.
We go to the "Middle of the World City", where you can see the monument that divides the northern hemisphere from the southern hemisphere of the planet. It was built during the XVII century when a French Expedition defined the precise location of the equatorial line that divides the world and it is a must-see place for those who visit Quito. Includes entrance to the Middle of the World complex ,where you can live experiences that defy the laws of physics and occur only in this part of the world. After visiting this privileged place and registering it in your passport, you will always see Ecuador and the Middle of the World in a different way.(Breakfast).
Day 4 - Thursday
Cotopaxi National Park | Riobamba city
Breakfast in hotel. Depart from Quito where you enjoy the journey to the highlands of Ecuador admiring the beautiful view, ideal for taking pictures, brief stop Cotopaxi National Park (entrance not included), arrival at Riobamba city, and accommodation in a typical hacienda. *If it is not operating the Cotopaxi National Park due to volcanic activity, you will visit the Quilotoa volcano and the unique turquoise lagoon situated in his crater. * Does not include access to the Cotopaxi National Park.(Breakfast).
*If it is not operating the Cotopaxi National Park due to volcanic activity, you will visit the Quilotoa volcano and the unique turquoise lagoon situated in his crater.
*Does not include access to the Cotopaxi National Park.
Day 5 - Friday
Alausi | Devils Nose | Cuenca
After breakfast departure to the train station located in Alausí. From her we´ll enjoy a train ride towards the famous “Devil’s Nose”, a magnificent work incrusted in the Andes, (train ride takes approx. 2 hours).After the train ride visit to the Ingapirca Inca Ruins, the biggest Inca archaeological complex in Ecuador from the XV and XVI centuries, (ticket to the complex not included). Arrive to the City of Cuenca to spend the night.(Breakfast).
*Train Operation is subject to change Train Operation is subject to change.
Day 6 - Saturday
Cuenca city
Breakfast at hotel, We will travel through the city visiting the Calderon Park, the New and the Old Cathedral, the Flower Market, Modern Arts Museum. We continue the tour to the Homero Ortega Panama Hat factory to observe the complete process of manufacturing. We will also observe the “broken bridge” and finally visit the tourist balcony of “Turi” where we can see a panoramic view of the whole city of Cuenca. Free afternoon Overnight in Cuenca.(Breakfast).
Day 7 - Sunday
Cuenca | Guayaquil
We leave from Cuenca to “Cajas National Park” known for its glacial lakes and high mountain vegetation. Here we will walk through this beautiful place to see some of the lakes and primary forest. We will also visit “3 Cruses” which forms the continental water division. We will walk to observe this curious place. From this point we will begin a dramatic decline to reach the coast of Ecuador. Starting we will begin observing the Andean mountain scenery and then ending up seeing totally different vegetation of the Ecuadorian Coast with large plantations of bananas and cocoa beans. Arrival to Guayaquil.(Breakfast).
Day 8 - Monday
Guayaquil city tour
Traveling along the main streets and avenues of the city we will visit the Seminario Park, The Guayaquil embankment, La Rotonda; the colonial neighborhood of Las Peñas, where we can admire the magnificent wood architecture. From here we can take a panoramic view of Guayaquil and the Guayas River.(Breakfast).
Day 9 - Tuesday
Guayaquil transfer to Airport
Breakfast. Transfer Hotel / Airport.(Breakfast).
End of our service.
Choose your preferred dates and book your trip today
BOOK NOWDates & Rates
For information please contact our office at info@ibmttours.com or call 1-877-977-4268
Included:
- Transfer airport / hotel
- 3 nights’ accommodation in Quito
- Breakfast
- The Original Quito City Tour in Trolley + Authentic Middle of the World Tour
- Otavalo Indigenous Market, Cotacachi & Cuicocha Tour
- Excursion by the “Avenue of the Volcanoes” with a brief visit to the Cotopaxi National Park.
- 1 night lodging at Riobamba (First class****)
- Excursion by train Alausi - Sibambe, passing through the “Devil’s Nose”, we will continue to Cuenca by road visiting the Ingapirca Ruins.
- 2 nights lodging in Cuenca
- Breakfast
- City tour in Cuenca
- Transfer Cuenca/Guayaquil
- 2 nights lodging in Guayaquil
- Breakfast
- City tour in Guayaquil
- Transfer hotel / airport in Guayaquil
- Hotel taxes
Not included:
- In Quito and Guayaquil, Municipal tax of US$ 2,00 per room per night is not included.
- International flights
- Travel tips
- Travel insurance
- Any other expenses not previously specified
First Superior: HILTON COLON HOTEL / ANDALUZA / CRUZ DEL VADO / SHERATON HOTEL
LUXURY: SWISSOTEL HOTEL / ANDALUZA / MANSION / WYNDHAM
