A luxury adventure from Quito to Cuenca through the Avenue of Volcanoes

Day 1 - Day of arrival - Quito

On arrival at Quito’s Mariscal Sucre Airport, you will be met and transferred (approximately 1 hour), accompanied by your guide/driver to either the Hotel Casa Gangotena or the Illa Experience Hotel for your overnight stays in Quito. Once at your hotel you will be briefed on how your itinerary will unfold.

Remember, that Quito is situated 2,550 metres (9,350 feet) above sea level so you may well feel a little light headed! Take it easy until you become acclimatised. Your hotels are two of the best in Quito. Have a cup of tea and relax or, depending on the time of arrival, have a stroll around the immediate neighbourhood.

Overnight at the Hotel Casa Gangotena or the Illa Experience Hotel (Bed & Breakfast)

Quito and Cotopaxi volcano

Day 2 - Private tour of Quito - Full Day

The tour begins, accompanied by your guide-driver, by a visit to Quito`s downtown area, one of the largest and best-preserved colonial centres in South America. The first visit will be to the Independence Square or “PlazaGrande”, surrounded by important historical buildings, followed by a visit to the iconic La Compañia de Jesus church, which dates from the 17th century and is considered to be one of the most beautiful baroque churches in South America. In addition to these attractions, other must-see highlights of the city which will be visited will be the San Francisco Church and Monastery, built a few months after the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century and the Basilica church.

After that, the visit continues to the Casa del Alabado Pre-Colombian Art Museum, a colonial-era house which preserves 5,000 pieces of Pre-Colombian artifacts from 20 cultures that inhabited Ecuador before the arrival of the Incan Empire between 1440 and 1530 AD. Important cultures such as the Valdivia, Chorrera and Jama-Coaque are all represented here through many unique objects from around the country. Finally, to Quito’s historic San Marcos neighbourhood, to join a hands-on goldleaf workshop led by master artisans. Learn traditional techniques while creating your own masterpiece and discover gold leaf’s cultural significance in indigenous and religious art. This immersive experience celebrates Ecuador’s artistic heritage through creativity and craftsmanship—a truly memorable cultural encounter. There will be a stop for lunch during the day which is payable locally.

Overnight at the Hotel Casa Gangotena or the Illa Experience Hotel (Bed & Breakfast)

Basílica del Voto Nacional

Day 3 & 4 - Mashpi Reserve

After breakfast, at a designated time, you will be met and transferred by your guide-driver (73 miles - 2 hours 45 minutes) to Mashpi Lodge in the Mashpi Biodiversity Reserve in the Andean Cloud Forest for 2 nights on full board. Lunch will be at the Reserve. The dragonfly has the best-developed eyesight of any arthropod. With its panoramic vision, it can detect any movement, be it predator or prey, as it hovers above the water. The Mashpi Lodge cable car system emulates this insect with its four available “dragonflies” (gondolas) that travel the 2.5-mile-long circuit.

The walk from the lodge to the departure station takes about 15 minutes (440 m). The cable system features two main stations and six towers. At one of the towers, number 4, one can get on or off the gondola. Each of the four dragonflies can transport up to four explorers and one guide. They are 1640 ft (500 m) apart from one another and travel a distance of almost 1.3 mi (2 km) in each direction at a speed of less than 2mph (3 kph). The round-trip journey takes approximately 2 hours. During the trip, one can appreciate the different areas that comprise the forest ecosystem and enjoy a panoramic view of the complex and the unique colours, smells, movements and richness of the reserve’s flora and fauna. This activity may be combined with some of the various trails on the reserve.

Overnight at Mashpi Lodge (Half Board)

Mashpi Lodge, Mindo Cloud Forest

Day 5 - Imbabura

After breakfast, accompanied by your guide-driver, get set of for the day’s activities. On the way to Hacienda Zuleta, there is a visit to the Intiñan Museum (approx 60 miles - 2 hours)) set right on the equator. The museum features interactive exhibits on how the Incas determined the middle of the earth as well as interesting science experiments such as balancing an egg on a nail and the direction in which water flows on either side of the equatorial line. After lunch (payable locally), the transfer continues to Hacienda Zuleta (60 miles - 2 hours) in the Otavalo area. Dinner this evening is at the Hacienda.

Overnight at the Hacienda Zuleta (Full Board)

Hacienda Zuleta, Imbabura

Day 6 - Otavalo and Cuicocha Crater Lake

After breakfast, accompanied by your guide-driver, transfer to Otavalo Market. On arrival in the town of Otavalo, there will be ample time to visit the world-famous indigenous market, the largest in South America. Vendors proudly offer a stunning variety of woven items such as the famous ponchos, along with other textiles like rugs, mittens and scarves. This market resembles a rainbow due to the many colours of the textiles exhibited. The market is the place to find handicrafts, jewellery, and other artisanal craftwork.

The tour then continues to the Cuicocha Crater Lake, which lies at the foot of the extinct Cotacachi volcano at an altitude of 4968 meters above sea level along the Western Andean Cordillera in the province of Imbabura, 2 hours north of Quito. This area is home to several, mostly dormant, volcanoes, like the Mojanda, Imbabura and Cayambe. All the volcanic activity contributed to the fertility of the valleys that surround the volcanoes, making this region one of the most productive agricultural areas in the Andean highlands. The Hacienda Zuleta is famous for its many delectable cheeses, from fresh to mature. The hacienda’s almost century- long expertise and tradition will be demonstrated at their cheese factory and showroom, where there will be more information about their manufacture. Condor Huasi (meaning “House” in the Kichwa dialect) was formed in 1995 to support the rescue, caretaking and reproduction of Andean Condors which had been neglected while in captivity. This project also informs the local community on conservation efforts and how to improve living conditions for the iconic Andean Condors that live in the wild. Other activities such as horseback riding, embroidery or cooking classes are available at an extra cost payable. Lunch will be provided.

Overnight at the Hacienda Zuleta (Full Board)

Cuicocha Crater Lake

Day 7 - Rose Plantation

After breakfast, accompanied by your guide, there is a visit to the local Angla Community to learn about their traditions through meaningful cultural exchanges. There will be the opportunity to participate in the Andean "Chakana" healing ritual and bond with community members while preparing traditional beverages.

There follows a visit to the small town of Cayambe, where the “La Compañia de Jesus” Hacienda and Rose Plantation await. This Hacienda was originally built in 1919 and has produced some of Ecuador’s most beautiful roses ever since - over 8 generations! Here, visitors will learn about the farm’s colonial and republican history while also learning more about how some of the world's most sought-after roses are cultivated, displayed and exported. The Hacienda will offer a traditional lunch. After this experience transfer to Cotopaxi and to your accommodation, the Hacienda San Agustin de Callo

Overnight at Hacienda San Agustin de Callo (Half Board)

Rose plantation, Cayambe

Day 8 - Cotopaxi Volcano

After breakfast accompanied by your driver guide the next visit is a full day to The Cotopaxi Volcano and its national park, one of of Ecuador’s most impressive natural wonders. The volcano stands at a height of 5,897 m (19,347 ft.), a spectacular sight that never ceases to amaze. There is also a visit to the Limpiopungo Lagoon (3,800 m / 12,467 ft) an opportunity to observe a great variety of Andean birds amidst beautiful surroundings and with fantastic views of Cotopaxi.

The province of Cotopaxi and its surrounding areas teem with life and local hustle and bustle, especially in the early morning, as many local markets abound in the area. The main markets are the Machachi which is open every day and the Pujili which is open on Wednesdays and Sundays. In the Quilotoa area, the Zumbahua and Saquisili markets are renowned for their lively, ethnic environments and colourful products. These open on Saturdays and Thursdays, respectively.

Overnight at Hacienda San Agustin de Callo (Half Board)

Cotopaxi Volcano

Day 9 - Quilotoa Crater Lake

The Quilotoa Crater Lake is, without doubt, one of Ecuador’s most impressive natural wonders. Its emerald-green waters, surrounded by vertical rock walls make for an unforgettable sight. The views of the lake and its surroundings from the view point overlooking the lake are spectacular. Lunch will be provided.

Tigua, near Quilotoa Crater Lake, is famous for its vibrant, Indigenous paintings depicting rural life, traditions and local legends. It will be possible to participate in painting a work of your own art using this unique style. In the afternoon the tour will continue south towards the Riobamba area, a drive with spectacular views of the volcanoes (especially Chimborazo) that line the Avenue of the Volcanoes.

Overnight at Hosteria La Andaluza (Bed & Breakfast)

Quilotoa Crater Lake

Day 10 - Chimborazo National Park

After breakfast, the visit, accompanied by the guide-driver, is to the Chimborazo National Park. The Chimborazo Volcano stands at 6,310 meters (20,702 ft.) above sea level and, due to its location on the equator, its peak is the farthest point from the centre of the Earth. Departing from the parking lot, located at 4,800 metres (15,748 ft), and hiking 200 meters to the second refuge at 5,000 metres (16,400 ft.), guests will have a stunning view of the surrounding volcanoes and the national park’s unique treeless alpine tundra ecosystem (Paramo) landscape and flora and fauna.

Other visits in the area will include the historic canton of Colta, the Balbanera Church (the first Catholic house of worship in Ecuador), and Cajabamba (the original location of the city of Riobamba). The day will continue along this spectacular highway and will end in the city of Cuenca. Important: Not everyone can stand or hike at such altitudes. If you feel you cannot cope, do not embark on the hike. Altitude sickness is quite debilitating and a day or two to recover is quite common.

Overnight at Mansion Alcazar (Bed & Breakfast)

Chimborazo National Park

Day 11 - Cuenca

Your guide-driver will be with you to bring this beautiful city to life. Cuenca is also known as the “Athens of Ecuador” due to its beautiful colonial architecture, bohemian past and present, as well as being the home to many great historical Ecuadorian figures. During the tour of Cuenca, there will be visits to Calderon Park (Cuenca’s central park), the flower plaza, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (best known as the “New Cathedral”) and the El Sagrario Cathedral (known as the “Old Cathedral”), as well as the Paja Toquilla Panama Hat Museum.

En route to the city of Guayaquil, and 40 minutes away from the city of Cuenca, there will be a visit to El Cajas National Park. This nature reserve contains over 200 bodies of water and has a surface area of 28.544 hectares. It is a very important water source for the region, as well as an important bird conservancy site. There are some magnificent panoramic views in the park and excellent photo opportunities.

Overnight at Mansion Alcazar (Bed & Breakfast)

Cuenca

Day 12 - Quito

After breakfast, you will transfer to Cuenca Airport for the flight to Quito. On arrival you will have a transfer to your 4-star hotel, Go Quito.

Overnight at Hotel GoQuito (Bed & Breakfast)

Pichincha, Quito

Day 13 - Day of departure

After breakfast, transfer from your hotel for your flight from Quito Airport for your flight back to the UK