Ecuador Active Volcanoes And Native Cultures Tour

This is one of the most complete tours traveling through the avenue of volcanoes where we will visit Cotopaxi volcano, the highest active volcano of the world (5,897 mts, 19,342.16 ft), the amazing Quilotoa Crater Lake, and indigenous markets like Zumbahua, Saquisilí, and Pujilí depending on the day of your visit.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN QUITO, ECUADOR

Arrive in Quito and transfer to your hotel. Welcome and overnight.

DAY 2: QUITO CITY TOUR AND THE EQUATOR LINE

Quito, the capital of Ecuador, is one of the most beautiful cities of Ecuador. It is divided into the old or colonial city and the modern city. The Colonial Quito is still reminiscent of how it was 450 years ago, even though it is a small island surrounded on all sides by a fast-growing modern city.

In colonial Quito are narrow cobblestone streets lined with whitewashed walls over which the steeples and cupolas of historic churches and cathedral sites. The integrity of colonial Quito was assured in 1978 when the United Nations declared the city a World Cultural Heritage Site.

This day you will visit the colonial site of Quito where you will walk through the Main Plaza. Visit the Government Palace, the Cathedral, and some of the most important churches built around the XVI and XVII centuries.

After this visit, you will lunch in El Theatrum, a beautiful restaurant located in one of the most important monuments of the city, the Sucre theater. In the afternoon you will visit The Equator Line and some of the museums of this place. The Equator Line or Mitad del Mundo is located just 30 minutes north of Quito, this monument marks the closest point from where the Equator passes. Archaeological evidence indicates that the pre-Incan and the Inca civilizations recognized and worshiped the path of the equator as the marker of the equinox. Late in the afternoon, you will return to Quito to rest and overnight.

(B.L)

DAY 3: THE VOLCANOES AVENUE

After breakfast you will travel through the Avenue of Volcanoes to arrive at Hacienda Santa Rita; once in the hacienda, you will hike through the amazing high mountain forest, and after a short briefing of how to use the canopy equipment you will begin your journey flying across the Pita canyon.

After this visit you will go to Hacienda El Porvenir where a delicious lunch will be waiting for you, in the afternoon our horses will be waiting for you for a horseback riding trip visiting the foothills of Rumiñahui Volcano, riding side by side with herds of wild horses and bulls and wearing the traditional clothes of the cowboys of the Andes. Overnight in Hacienda Santa Ana or El Porvenir, in this last hacienda you can choose between a room with a private bathroom (4****); or with shared a bathroom (3***).

(B.L.D)

DAY 4: THE AMAZING HIGHLANDS

Depending on the day of your tour you will visit an indigenous market, where you will see how the local people trade their products. Then you will visit an amazing place, the Quilotoa lake where if you want and if the weather conditions permit you can walk down from the border of the crater to arrive at the lake, time to visit the area and go back walking, or if you prefer it is possible to hire mules to return.

Arrive at the top and continue with your trip, box lunch on route. On route, you can stop in Tigua, a small town where you can see colorful wood masks (especially of animals) and naive paintings on animal skins. Dinner and overnight.

(B.BL.D)

DAY 5: COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, our guide will drive you to Cotopaxi National Park, where if the weather conditions and the time permits, you will go up to the Cotopaxi refuge (4,800 m. / 15744 ft) and then you will walk to the amazing glaciers of this volcano or you will walk close to Limpiopungo Lake. After lunch in a local restaurant, we will drive you back to Quito, overnight.

(B.L)

DAY 6: QUITO – NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT

After an unforgettable expedition in Ecuador full of culture and nature, you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight.

(B)

END OF THE SERVICES!!!

A NOTE ON THE ORDER OF THE ITINERARY:

Itinerary subject to change based on local conditions. It could be flexible according to the client’s interests.

***********************************************************

B- Breakfast; L-Lunch; BL- Box Lunch; D-Dinner

PRICE INCLUDE:

Private transportation, bilingual naturalist guide, accommodation based on the double room in all the hotels and haciendas detailed in the itinerary; meals as described on the itinerary, entrance fee to Horseback riding in Volcano Land, Quilotoa Lake, Cotopaxi National Park, canopy in Hacienda Santa Rita.

NOT INCLUDE:

Meals not specified, alcoholic drinks, tips, and personal expenses.