Ecuador: From the Andes to the Pacific Ocean

You will be received by an English-speaking guide at the Quito Airport and transferred to your hotel.

Spend the night at Fuente de Piedra I hotel in Quito.

Quito, Ecuador's capital, is a treasure nestled between the volcanoes of Pichincha, Cayambe and Antisana. At an elevation of 2,830 meters, it is the second highest capital in the world. It was the first city classified by the UNESCO in 1978 and its historic centre is the biggest and best maintained in Latin America.

To get a good idea of the city, we will firstly go to the Panecillo, a small hill over the city with a statue of the Quito' Virgin for splendid 360 degree view of the region. Then visit Quito's colonial centre: the church of the Compañia de Jesus, the church of San Francisco and the Grand Place, the location of the Presidential Palace (Carondelet) and Quito's Cathedral.

Head to Otavalo, passing through a region famous for growing Ecuadorian roses while appreciating the numerous summits of the northern Andes on your side. Stop at the latitude 0 degrees, where a circular platform of 54 meters of diameter maintains a huge sundial and the equator line. Later, stop for about 2 hours in a plantation of roses. Ecuador is one of the first countries to export roses, which are considered the most beautiful in the world.

Spend the night at Las Palmeras hotel close to Otavalo.

Today, in the morning, visit the famous Otavalo's indigenous market, the most significant in the Ecuador's Andes. Meet the Otavaleños with their espadrilles, their brown felt hat and blue ponchos, the wealthiest Indians in Ecuador and excellent sellers.

Then head to the village of Peguche, where you will discover Andean music instrument fabrication workshops. You may attend a local music session and watch the traditional weaving process as well.

Visit the crystal clear Cuicocha Lake, one of the most beautiful in Ecuador, in the ecological reserve of Cotacahi - Cayapas. Take a boat tour across the lake for half an hour. You will see two vegetation covered island at the centre of this former crater, formed by successive volcanic eruptions. At the centre, nature lovers can find more than 400 species identified there.

Spend the night at Las Palmeras hotel close to Otavalo.

Head towards Lasso, along the Avenue of Volcanoes. Visit the Cotopaxi National Park with Ecuador's second highest summit at 5,897 meters. It is also the highest active volcano in the world, although it only shows a few fumaroles from its ice-covered crater. Sometimes it does launch a huge column of smoke and ashes.

Afterwards, walk around the Limpiapungo lagoon, with stunning views on the Cotopaxi. You will appreciate the flora and some fauna typical of the paramo, wide plains swept by the cold winds of the Andes.

After driving up to the car park at 4,600 m, you will continue by foot to the José Rivas hut 200 meters higher. The more motivated travellers can also reach the snowline higher up.

You will spend the night at Papagayo hotel in Cotopaxi.

Today, head to Quilotoa Lake through Latacunga and Tigua. Journey on the Panamerican road, called the Volcanoes Avenue by explorer Alexander Van Humbolt in 1802. Turning to the west, you will reach the small Andean village of Tigua, known for his traditional pintors.

The emerald colored Quilotoa Lake (3,854 m) lays in a still active volcano, the presence of sulphur being the reason for its color.

If you want to, you can walk up to the lake (2 hours’ walk) or simply enjoy the view from the top of the crater.

On the way to Riobamba, you will stop in the area of Tigua famous for painting done on sheep leather representing Andean life. Arrival in Riobamba, a peaceful Andean town completely rebuilt after the 1797 earthquake.

You will spend the night at Bambu Hosteria Hotel in Riobamba.

Visit the village of Alausi, the departure town for the train to the Nariz del Diablo. On the way, you will pass the Colta Lake and visit the Balbanera church, the first one constructed in Ecuador, in 1534.

Set out on the Andes train from the Alausi station to Sibambe. You will pass by Nariz del Diablo (the Devil's nose) with successive Andean landscapes well worth the trip: highlands, forests, deep gorges, locals busy at work. Your guide will inform you about the railway history in Ecuador and the associated adventures.

Return to Alausi and to your vehicle and back on the road to Ingapirca. Ingapirca means "inca stone wall" in the Canari language. The Inca Huayna Capac founded it in the 15th century. The impressive fortress used to contain a temple, sheds and an observatory, with amazing examples of mortar free stone constructions. It was thought to be a tambo (relay) along the Inca way from Quito to Cuenca.

Walk a bit away from the main site to Inganahui. This Inca face rock sculpted by the wind and the rain may have inspired the Incas to found Ingapirca. On return, you can visit a local museum.

Continue the drive to the beautiful city of Cuenca. Spend the night at the Hotel de las Culturas.

The city of Cuenca (2,550 m) is undoubtedly as charming as its former in Guapondelic reveals: the valley as great as the sky. UNESCO classified this colorful and lively city as a World Heritage in 1999. The best way to explore the city is to walk around its paved streets, lined with Roman tile-roofed white houses and their wrought iron balconies.

The city is filled with colonial art treasures in the form of churches and convents from the 17th and 18th centuries. The visit to the cathedral, the El Turi viewing platform, the churches and the covered market will take you closer to the local life.

Visit a Panama hats workshop (except on Sundays), established more 60 years ago, and observe the different stage of the fabrication process of the Ecuadorian specialty.

Start the day with a visit to Cajas Park for stunning views of the many lakes of the protected area.

Drive to Guayaquil, Ecuador's biggest city and its economical capital. On your way, pass by fertile lowlands with huge orchards and banana plantations.

In Guayaquil you will first visit the neogothic cathedral and the Simon Bolivar Park next to it, where you can find hundreds of green iguanas freely wandering around. Then head to the colonial area of Las Peñas, to admire its architecture and many art galleries. From the Santa Ana Fort you will enjoy a scenic view of Guayaquil and the Guayas River.

Your trip across Ecuador comes to an end. Your guide will drop you off to Guayaquil Airport, as you bid South America good bye.