Haciendas & Markets (8 days/7 nights)

Day 1 (Fri) Arrival in Quito
Arrival and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at Patio Andaluz or similar.

Day 2: (Sat) Quito-Otavalo
Early departure for going to Otavalo which is located in the province of Imbabura and characterized by picturesque lakes, magnificent sierras and terraced, patchwork farmlands. In the local market you will be able to purchase ponchos, embroidered blouses, ceramics, wall hangings, leather crafts and locally produced jewelry of the finest quality. The tour 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 the crafting of beautiful sculptures and ornaments.
We spend the night at the Hacienda Pinsaqui or Cusin where the chandeliers, the heavy, ornate beds and tiled floors create the aura of a bygone era.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: (Sun) Otavalo-Lasso
After an early breakfast, we will be ready to enjoy the activities offered at the Hacienda like biking or horseback riding. We will have lunch at the hacienda before continuing our journey to Lasso were we spend the night at the Hacienda La Cienega. A delightful hacienda with the original style of the old house approached through a long broad carriageway lined on both sides by fragrant, towering eucalyptus trees.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: (Mon) Lasso-Patate
An early start takes us traveling along the Pan-American Highway and in the Cotopaxi National Park in the heart of the Andean paramo. We cross through a deer and llama reserve and gently ascend the flanks of the volcano, passing through fields of ancient lava strewn with boulders until arriving at the base of Cotopaxi (19,700ft/5,897m), the world’s highest active volcano. On leaving the National Park, we travel on to Ambato and visit the town’s bustling fruit and vegetable market, the largest in Ecuador.
After lunch we drive to Manteles where we spend the night. This charming and family-owned hacienda at the entrance to Llanganates is so welcoming you'll feel as though you're in your own home.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: (Tue) Patate-Baños
A short but scenic drive takes us to Baños, a small town nestling and in the shadows of the Tungurahua volcano high above the Amazon Basin and surrounded by waterfalls and orchids. After lunch, we take a trip to admire the nearby waterfalls before returning to Patate and our overnight stay at Manteles or similar.

Day 6: (Wed) Patate-Riobamba-Guano
Another short drive brings us to Riobamba. Our stay enables us to explore the town as well as visit the Conceptas Museum, dedicated to religious artifacts. After lunch we drive out to Guano where we see how rugs are manufactured before returning to Riobamba and spending the night at La Andaluza.
Lunch and dinner not included.

Day 7: (Thu) Riobamba-Guamote-Quito
After breakfast, we depart to Guamote and the local market, famed for being one of the most colorful and authentic in Ecuador. Looking onto the town from afar you are faced with a sea of red filling the streets, squares and public areas, produced by the arrival of the many indigenous people that come to the market, all donned in the traditional red ponchos. They come in their thousands to sell sheep, pigs, cattle, horses, llamas, potatoes, cereals, wool, handicrafts, clothing and tools. Others simply come out of custom and ancestral ritual to meet with friends and take advantage of this time to catch up on the fascinating cosmo-visions that they share.
We lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Quito. Dinner not included. Overnight Patio Andaluz or similar.

Day 8 (Fri) Transfer out
Early breakfast in your hotel. Assistance is provided at airport for connecting departures.