Otavalo

Otavalo Market

Duration: 1 day
(Saturday from Quito or any other day)

Otavalo, in the province of Imbabura, is a land of picturesque lakes, magnificent sierras and terraced, patchwork farmlands.  Home to the hard-working and enterprising Otavalo Indians, here you will be able to visit their famous outdoor markets where ponchos, embroidered blouses, ceramics, wall hangings, leather crafts and locally produced jewelry are sold.

An early departure enables you to enjoy not only the Otavalo Indian Market but also a visit to Calderón, where intricate bread dough figurines are crafted, and to Cotacachi, renowned for fine leather crafts as well as the Cuicocha Lake.  Lunch is included.

Otavalo Market

Duration: 2 days / 1 night

Departs from Quito on Fridays and includes accommodation and meals. Overnight at a typical Hacienda

The three-hour drive from Quito includes a visit to San Antonio de Ibarra, the woodcarving center of Ecuador.  The town is home to hundreds of artisans whose workshops are dedicated to crafting beautiful sculptures and ornaments.   Friday night is spent at a country inn and on Saturday you will be able to explore the market at leisure. Return to Quito after lunch.

Markets

Ambato Market

Duration: 1 day (Monday from Quito)

Travel south through the Avenue of the Volcanoes to Ambato and visit the town’s bustling fruit and vegetable market, the largest in Ecuador.  Ecuador has been blessed with benign climatic conditions and in Ambato you will be able to appreciate the huge variety of the country’s produce as well as tapestries produced by the Salasacas, a native group who migrated from Bolivia during the Inca times. 
Lunch is taken in Ambato before returning to Quito.

Latacunga Market

Duration: 1 day (Tuesday and Saturday from Quito).

Travel south along the Pan-American Highway towards the Cotopaxi Volcano slopes where the town of Latacunga is settled.  Products from this region are sold in several plazas and the variety and colorful costumes of the predominately indigenous population provide superb photographic opportunities.  A peaceful and friendly city, Latacunga contains many examples of Spanish architecture.  Among its attractions are the XVII century Cathedral, the Monserrat Mills constructed by the Jesuits in the XVIII century and the Santo Domingo church and convent.
Lunch is taken at a nearby country inn before returning to Quito.

Pujili Market

Duration: 1 day (Wednesday from Quito).

A morning drive south of Quito crossing the valley of los Chillos, then we take the Panamerican highway along the famous Avenue of Volcanoes until Latacunga town, where we change our route and take the Sigchos way for 20 minutes until we arrive to Pujili.  The town’s principal interest is the market where the indigenous people trade between themselves and La Victoria where you can admire the locally produced ceramics.  A visit to the church, newly restored after the recent earthquake, is also recommended. Lunch is taken at a local restaurant or country inn before returning to Quito.

Saquisili Market

Duration: 1 day (Thursday from Quito).

After breakfast we drive to the south of Quito taking the Panamerican Highway that lead us to the small village of Lasso, more known for being an old train station that used to connect the train from Quito to Riobamba, after that we take another road where you can admire the beauty of the South Iliniza Volcano  before you get to the Saquisili market, famed for being one of the most colorful and authentic in Ecuador.  Of particular interest are the locally produced basketwork handicrafts on sale.  Lunch is taken at a local restaurant or country inn before returning to Quito.

Zumbagua Market & Quilotoa Crater

Duration: 1 day (Saturday from Quito).

Drive south along the Pan-American highway through the “Avenue of the Volcanoes” to the Zumbagua market where the indigenous people barter their products.  Zumbagua is undoubtedly one of Ecuador’s most original Indian markets.  After lunch, a short drive brings you to the Quilotoa crater where you can appreciate the paintings and crafts produced locally by the indigenous people of the area. 

Guayaquil

Guayaquil City Tour    

Duration: 1 hour (daily).

Located on the banks of the Guayas river, Guayaquil, “The Pearl of the Pacific”, is Ecuador’s economic capital.  The city has a rich tradition and is proud of its monuments and points of interest such as The Iguanas Park with over 100 land iguanas that roam peacefully, La Rotonda, the Moorish style clock tower, the recently reconstructed and impressive Malecon, the Cerro del Carmen hilltops, (providing a magnificent view of the city and of the convergence of the Daule and Babahoyo rivers which form the Guayas River), the Centenario plaza,  Las Peñas, another neighborhood built at the turn of the century, and the Church of Santo Domingo, the city’s first church built in 1548 and since reconstructed.

The city also has a variety of museums as well as government and municipal buildings constructed in the neo-classical style.

Botanical Garden    

Duration: 5 hours (daily).

The Botanical Garden, 40 minutes outside Guayaquil, it´s open from May to December.  The gardens are a conservation center for tropical species, many in danger of extinction, and includes over three thousand varieties of vegetable species and one hundred and fifty varieties of orchid.

Part of the garden is reserved for fine wood and fruit trees.  A picnic lunch is provided overlooking the Daule and Babahoyo Rivers.

Historical Park tour

Duration: 3 hours

Just 20 minutes from Guayaquil downtown area this beautiful park is situated on the edge of the River Daule. It is home to animals and vegetation from the coast and jungle of Ecuador, here we be able to admire numerous animals on our endanger species list. Also available is a view of the life of Guayaquil  100 years ago with its Colonial houses and beautiful traditions, one of these traditions is shown in the Urban Architecture area, we will also admit the different plantations of cacao, rice, bananas. Finally a visit to an Hacienda house, where an explanation of how the rich alone the cost of Ecuador lived.

Cerro Blanco Dry Forest

Located 30 minutes from Guayaquil, towards the Pacific Coast is the Cerro Blanco forest reserve. Covering nearly 5,000 acres, it has large extensions of primary and secondary forest where you can admire a wide variety of plant life found only in dry tropical forests, and over 160 species of birds.  You will have time to explore many of the trails that wind through this beautiful, well-preserved area.

Cuenca

Cuenca City Tour  

Duration: 3 hours (daily).

Cuenca, Ecuador’s third largest city, is known locally as "The Athens of Ecuador" in honor of its numerous poets.  The city’s cobblestone streets, colonial plazas and religious art treasures recall her distant past, while the flower market on the little Plaza del Carmen and the new and old Cathedrals on the main Plaza Calderón provide some spectacular color and impressive architecture.  A trip along the Tomebamba River takes you to the Inter-American Center of Popular Art, home to many regional handicrafts while a walk through the city center will give you a chance to visit the stores stocked with gold and silver filigree jewelry, ceramics and textiles.  On the city outskirts lie the remains of human settlements in the Todos Los Santos, evidencing pre-Inca civilizations.

Ingapirca Inca Ruins  

Duration: 1 day (daily).

Two hours north of Cuenca lies the Ingapirca fortress, a religious and administrative complex built by the Cañaris, then conquered and rebuilt by the Incas several hundred years before the Spanish arrived.  This is the most important archaeological site in Ecuador.  Your journey takes you through beautiful, rolling country scenery with panoramic vistas stretching away to the horizon.  The drive passes through the towns of Azogues and Cañar, with a visit to the Indian market included. 
Lunch included.

Gualaceo / Chordeleg  

Duration: 4 hours (daily).

A walk around the market of Gualaceo will give you a feel for its handicraft traditions, while Chordeleg’s numerous jewelry shops will prove irresistible.  This deceptively sleepy town thrives on its locally produced gold work.  Jewelry here is offered at a fraction of prices elsewhere.  The town also contains a museum where artisans and weavers are often at work.  Lunch is included.

Cajas Lakes   

Duration: 1 day (daily).

West of Cuenca is the lake district lying at 10,000ft/3,000m above sea level.  The region was formed by volcanic activity and has resulted in a breathtaking scenery containing over 200 lakes located 29 km west of Cuenca. This national park became very famous since the appearance of the Virgin (Virgen del Cajas). Many people like to go there to ask for miracles and pray. Approximately 125 species of birds have been found here. Among them, we can mention: The Condor, the Violet-tailed Metal tail, sword-billed, shining sunbeam, sparkling violet-ear and the viridian metal-tail. In the lakes, you can also find Andean gulls, yellow-billed pintails and the speckled teal. Additionally, this is an easily accessible plateau and high elevation forest park and is also the main source of drinking water in Cuenca.  An ideal location for hiking, trekking and observing flora, fauna and bird life.

Quito

Quito City Tour

Duration: 3 hours (daily)

Enjoy a leisurely tour through Colonial Quito taking place in the most important and famous sights. You will visit the Plaza de Independencia overlooked by the Parliament Building, scene of many revolutions in Ecuador’s brief but dramatic history.  Included in the itinerary is a visit to the Compañia and San Francisco churches with their impressive façades and gilt interiors that have changed little since the days of the Spanish.  The tour is completed with a drive up to the Panecillo hill where you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of Quito and the surrounding mountains.

Quito City Tour & Equatorial Monument

Duration: 5 hours (daily)

A short tour of Quito, taking in its various splendid churches, monasteries, monuments, the Parliament Building and the Panecillo hill, is followed by a visit to the Equatorial Monument located 45 minutes north of Quito.  Recently renovated, the ‘Middle of the World Village’ provides a variety of attractions, including a fascinating museum displaying artifacts from all Ecuador’s ethnic groups as well as a visual history of their way of life.

Quito City Tour  + City Museum + Café with a View

Enjoy Quito in the afternoon visiting its most important and famous sights.  In the Colonial sector, you will visit the Plaza de Independencia overlooked by the Parliament Building, scene of many revolutions in Ecuador’s brief but dramatic history.  Included in the itinerary is a visit to the Compañia and San Francisco churches with their impressive façades and gilt interiors that have changed little since the days of the Spanish.
This tour is completed with a visit to a charming Café, where you will be able to enjoy an splendid view of the Panecillo hill and the Pichincha Volcano at sunset, and how all the colonial sector lights up at night showing all its beauty.

Quito City Tour & Typical Restaurant

Duration: 5 hours (daily)

This tour incorporates all the attractions described in EX-01 but, in addition, includes a visit to a restaurant where you will be able to relax and enjoy typical Ecuadorian cuisine

Quito By Night

Duration: 3 hours

Enjoy a drive into the old city and a stroll around the romantic plazas and churches by night.  The dramatic night illuminations create a unique atmosphere and highlights the baroque architecture that passes unnoticed during the day.  The tour also includes a drive west of the city where the hills offer a panoramic view of the jewel-studded valley of lights below.  Your evening is completed with an aperitif and dinner at a selected restaurant.

Shopping Tour

Duration: 3 hours (daily)

This tour includes visits to some of Ecuador’s most renowned and choice handicraft stores.  You will be able to appreciate and purchase from the huge variety of crafts unique to Ecuador, including textiles, ceramics, ornate wood carvings, intricately worked bread dough figurines, fine leather goods, delicate jewelry and the famous Panama hats which are, in fact, of Ecuadorian design and manufacture.

Equatorial Monument Tour

Duration: 3 hours (daily) except Monday

Straddling the Equator, the Equatorial Monument marks the line dividing the northern and southern hemispheres as established by a French expedition in the 18th century.  Apart from the Ethnographic Museum that displays artifacts from all Ecuador’s ethnic groups as well as visual history of their way of life, the “Middle of the World” village provides are variety of attractions including the main square, church, post office, bullring, cafeterias, restaurants and many gift shops. You can even obtain a certificate for having crossed the Equator.

Equatorial Monument & Typical Lunch

Duration: 5 hours (daily)

This tour incorporates the Equatorial Monument Tour described in EX-07 but also includes a visit to the Rumicucho ruins.  An archaeological site of great interest, it is believed to be a solar observatory and fortress from the pre-Inca culture period and the bases of the walls can still be seen today.
This tour is completed with lunch at a typical Ecuadorian restaurant where you will be able to sample traditional home-cooked food.

Teleferico

The teleferico is an installation of transport that works according to the principle of the sway. The hardiness and scanty maintenance of the structure have been determinant factors in the election for the constructions placed in high mountain, in diverse parts of the world. The project teleferico of the city of Quito is turning actually, since it is being constructed in the skirts of the Ruccu Pichincha. This tourist attraction will add those that nowadays the city possesses.
It is located in the city of Quito, on the Av. Western at a height of the Av. The Gasca, to be able to enjoy the beauty of the city, the valleys, the snow-capped mountains and all it natural and ecological environment. Here they will find zones of scattering and amusement, as a park of mechanical attractions, commercial walk, sites for degustation of eaten, amusement, spectacles, areas to promote the art and culture, church, put Andean, spa, fish-pond, aviario; in general, a site of familiar integration, a place that will be of great attractively both for the national visitors and for foreigners.
Characteristic: 8 cabins with capacity of 6 persons each one, a tour of approximately between 8 to 10 minutes in 2.500 linear meters, the teleferico gets up from 2.950 meters up to 4.050 meters of altitude, 2 cabins of load.