Cloud Forests, Indigenous Markets and Colonial Cities
Program
13-Day program
Starting at $3437per person (Lower group price)
Other
information
travel style
Luxury
Highlights
Volcanic Landscapes
Indigenous Communities
Local Markets
Fitness level
Fair conditions
Beyond the unforgettable memories, the package also features:
Accommodation in 4 stars hotels
English speaking guide
Exclusive private transportation
All meals described in the itinerary
All excursions described in the itinerary
Entrances fee described in the itinerary
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 1
UIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – QUITO
Welcome to Quito! As soon as you pick up your luggage, we will be waiting for you. Transfer to your hotel.
- Accommodation: 4 stars hotel
- Meals: not included
DAY 2
Quito (Cable car & Old town)
If we have optimal weather conditions, we will start our day tour with a visit to Quito’s greatest viewpoint right in front of Guagua Pichincha Volcano, to reach this point we will take a cable car up to almost 4000 meters above sea level. A great way to see Quito is from above. Teleférico comprises a gondola lift running from the edge of the city center up the east side of Pichincha Volcano to lookout Cruz Loma. It is one of the highest aerial lifts in the world, rising from 3,117 m to 3,945 m. You can take amazing pictures of the breathtaking view. Don’t forget to bring warm clothes with you. Lunch will be included today in a local restaurant.
Quito’s Old City, which continues to be the main attraction with 40 churches, 17 plazas, and 16 convents and monasteries. It’s been called the ‘Reliquary of the Americas’ for the richness of colonial- and independence-era architecture and heritage. Begin your tour with a private walking tour of Quito, which was declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Center in 1978. Afterwards we will visit La Compañia church, well known for the beauty of its altars covered with gold leaves and for being the best example of Baroque style architecture in the country. Finally, take a short walk to Independence Square, the political center of Ecuador.
- Accommodation: 4 stars hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 3
Mindo (Pululahua, Pahuma, San Tadeo, El Quetzal)
After breakfast, we will pick you up and continue our Ecuador adventure heading towards Pululahua Volcano. Every afternoon the life that this cauldron has is hidden with a white coat from moisture-laden clouds that arrive from the Pacific coast. This is the only protected area of the country under the category of “Geobotanical Reserve”. Aside from the wealth of flora that grow on its slopes and ravines, the reserve protects something unique worldwide: an inhabited volcanic crater that is located very close to the equator itself. Without a doubt this shortstop for a view of the volcano will allow you to feel the energy of earth in every rock and in every cloud that comes in and out of the Pululahua volcano.
We will continue to El Pahuma Orchid Reserve’s. El Pahuma is a 375-hectare (925 acre) cloud forest that provides a home to over 300 species of orchids, Spectacled Bears (Tremarctos ornatus), Plate-billed Mountain Toucans (Andigena laminirostris), and a uniquely diverse group of stunning montane forest species. It offers visitors trails that wind through spectacular forest, under plunging waterfalls, and past breathtaking views of the Andes.
Let’s continue our journey to one of the most magical places that Ecuador has to offer, Mindo. Mindo, also known as the Mindo Valley, is a mountainous watershed in the western slopes of the Andes, where two of the most biologically diverse ecoregions in the world meet: the Chocoan lowlands and the Tropical Andes. In this transitional area — which covers an area of 268 square kilometers (103 sq mi) and ranges from 960–3,440 meters (3,150–11,290 ft) above sea level — three rivers (Mindo, Saloya and Cinto) and hundreds of streams irrigate the landscape, which is a patchwork of cloud forests and secondary forests.
We will be heading to our last stop in Mindo called San Tadeo Birding. San Tadeo is a beautiful tanager and hummingbird garden owned by Rolando, member of the local community who has worked very hard to transform the northwest as a birding epicenter. There are some very interesting species to be watched here like the Beryl Spangled Tanager, and Black Capped Tanager to name a few. All very hard to find anywhere else.
After lunch, we will head back to Mindo to get ready to visit El Quetzal. El Quetzal is a cacao farm in which you will go on a guided walk through the farm and witness the step-by-step process of making chocolate from bean to bar. You will also enjoy a guided tasting of unique cacao fruit products, a variety of chocolate bars, and their famous brownie. After our day is finished, we will head back to the hotel.
- Accommodation: 4 stars hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 4
Mindo (Butterfly garden, Waterfalls)
We will begin our journey today with a visit to the stunning butterfly garden in Mindo where you will learn about the 4 stages of a butterfly’s life. In the exhibition area you can experience the feeding of 25 colorful butterfly species and observe about 1,200 butterflies at the same time flying around and landing on you. The butterfly house is on the campus of Hosteria Mariposas de Mindo, a full-service hotel. The exhibition has more butterfly species and other creatures flying in its facilities than anywhere else around and has become a must-go attraction in Mindo. The garden works hard to foster the longevity of species and part of the butterfly production is released into the environment to provide a balance in the ecosystem.
After spending some time with the beautiful butterflies of Mindo, we will head to visit a must-see destination in the area, the waterfalls hike. This hike comprises 7 waterfalls to choose from: Nambillo, De los Maderos, Madre, Colibries, Guarumos, Ondinas, and the biggest one, Reina. The trail winds through the forest so keep your eye out for wildlife. You should be able to see lots of different species of butterflies, hummingbirds and maybe monkeys if you are lucky. The trail is also muddy so be careful as it can be slippery at points.
- Accommodation: 4 stars hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 5
Mindo - Otavalo (Refugio del Angel de la Paz, Middle of the World, Otavalo)
Today we have an early wake up, you will be picked up at 04:30 AM to head to Refugio del Angel de la Paz. Refugio Paz is a private farm inherited by Angel Paz and converted into a nature reserve. Following a half-hour drive from Mindo and another half-hour walk down the trail, one can observe the birds displaying on the lek for the first 30-45 minutes of daylight. Then we will have a local breakfast. Thereafter, Angel will attempt to lure his conditioned antpittas out onto the trail not far from the lek area. Species reliably seen in recent years have been Giant Antpitta, Yellow-breasted Antpitta, Golden-headed Quetzal and Toucan Barbet. However, some species like Moustached Antpitta, Ochre-breasted, and Dark-backed Wood-Quail can sometimes be seen as Angel is working on conditioning them nowadays. A dozen or so hummingbird species visit the feeders at the top of the trail so you can also enjoy watching and taking pictures of these beautiful species.
After lunch, we continue with the visit to the Middle of the World monument. The Middle of the World Monument (La Mitad del Mundo) commemorates the site where the 18th-century French explorer Charles Marie de la Condamine once calculated the globe’s equatorial line. A trapezoidal monument in the center of the park houses a viewing platform; a small museum on the equator pays tributes to local indigenous cultures. Then continue with the interactive Intiñan Museum, where you will learn a lot of facts about the equator. Back to your hotel.
- Accommodation: 4 stars hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 6
Otavalo (Otavalo Market, Peguche)
After breakfast meet your guide at the lobby for a deep introduction to local culture at the Otavalo market. Saturdays are the best day to visit the market, as that day not only souvenirs and textiles re sold, if not indigenous people from the surroundings come to sell their goods too. A complete local experience. In Otavalo’s main market you can admire some Ecuadorian crafts, after making a short tour of the market, will lead to some craft workshops dedicated to the manufacture of Andean instruments wind, as crawlers, panpipes, flutes, recorders, among others. They also make string instruments like charango, mandolins, and guitars. These products are sold in stores and during the fair in town.
Depending on how long you wish to visit the market, we can have the opportunity to enjoy and learn about the Indian Culture and visit the peaceful village of Peguche. It is located just outside of Otavalo. There once was a time when the village was bustling with traffic and visitors, as a railway line used to run through the village; but now, as the lines have been unused since the 1980s, tranquility has blanketed Peguche.
Even though it is not as busy as it used to be, there is still more than enough reasons to visit this picturesque location and its friendly locals, who make a living out of agriculture, as well as weaving. Over and above the residents of Peguche boasting great weaving and farming skills, they are also known to be talented musicians. While visiting the village a host of traditional and cultural features and rites can be experienced. Before sunset let’s head back to your hotel.
- Accommodation: 4 stars hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 7
Otavalo (Condor rescue center, Cuicocha)
Today after breakfast we will heath west to Otavalo (2 hrs drive). We will visit Condor Park. Many of the species they house in the park are rescued from illegal captivity or unsuitable environments. Sometimes there are cases of abuse and when they arrive at the Condor Park, they find a refuge where they can remain calm or recover to be released. None of the birds that are in the park have been taken directly from the wild! The highlight is a raptor show, where various birds of prey fly about and catch food. Gringo is the most notable of the birds, a bald eagle.
After a delicious lunch, let’s head to Cotacachi. An entire town dedicated to leather goods. Here is where we will have lunch, in a local restaurant. After lunch, we will continue to Cuicocha Lagoon or Lagoon of the Gods that is part of Cotacachi – Cayapas ecological reserve. Cuicocha has an altitude of 3.068 meters above sea level. And is a lagoon located in a volcano crater. Here time and weather permitting we will take a boat and do a 30 min. boat tour. Before sunset let’s head back to the hotel.
- Accommodation: 4 stars hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 8
Cotopaxi (Cotopaxi volcano)
After late breakfast, we will take a drive of south along the Pan-American Highway also named the Avenue of the Volcanoes by Alexander Von Humbold. The highlight of todays is the magnificent, Cotopaxi volcano (5.897m -19.460ft above sea level), considered the highest active volcano in the world! Here you will be able to do a hike around Limpio Pungo Lagoon, full of flora and fauna. There are high chances to see Condors flying, foxes, deers, rabbits, among other birds.
Lunch will be in a local restaurant at the park. Lunch at a local hacienda. And if time permits, we will visit a rose plantation. Ecuador is the world’s third largest cut flower exporter in the world, and nearly three-fourths of the blooms shipped are roses. Amazing when you consider the country encompasses only about 1% of the earth’s surface and is roughly the size of Colorado. Despite the relatively small size of the country, Ecuadorian roses are gaining popularity. With bright colors and fragrant scents, the rose industry provides jobs for thousands of local Ecuadorians and spreads beauty and love throughout the world.
- Accommodation: 4 stars hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 9
Quilotoa (Quilotoa volcano)
Today’s tour takes us to the stunning emerald crater lake of Quilotoa volcano, an impressive 3 km wide caldera filled with turquoise water, set at an elevation of roughly 3800 meters (12,467 feet). Quilotoa offers an unparalleled view of the crater and the Andean surroundings. This will be a rewarding but lengthy tour with about 4 1⁄2 hours of travel through a trail of Andean volcanoes and mountains. There are some striking viewpoints along the way where you can stretch your legs and appreciate the scenic landscape. There are a few activities offered while in the crater; travelers can hike down to the edge of the lake (approximately a 30-minute hike per way), rent a mule or trek in the surroundings.
After lunch at the traditional food restaurant in Quilotoa, we can visit Shalala community which has a great viewpoint right over the Quilotoa Crater Lake. Here you can take amazing pictures and enjoy the nature before we head to Riobamba.
- Accommodation: 4 stars hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 10
Cuenca (Ingapirca)
Today, we invite you to engage with the local community. Depart from Riobamba to Ingapirca, it is a town in Cañar Province and the name of the older Inca ruins and archeological site nearby.
These are the largest known Inca ruins in Ecuador. The most significant building is the Temple of the Sun, an elliptically shaped building constructed around a large rock. Lunch today will be provided at a local restaurant in the area before continuing to Cuenca for a short sightseeing tour of the city.
- Accommodation: 4 stars hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 11
Cuenca (Cajas National Park)
After breakfast we will be waiting for you at the hotel lobby to start a magnificent day. We will have a 3 hours’ drive from Guayaquil to Cuenca. Your route will take you through Cajas National Park, a bewitchingly beautiful protected area of 70,500 acres with various ecosystems ranging from cloud forests to rocky lunar-like landscapes. It also has over 200 lakes and lagoons, making this national park one of Ecuador’s most truly unique, especially given that most of it is at an altitude of 4000 meters above sea level.
The higher elevations of Cajas are quite impressive. The moorlands and mountain peaks, occasionally white frost from the night before, are spotted with wild llamas and lagoons. Take time to explore the park with a hike if you like Watch the park transform in front of your eyes from the sunlight and shadows of the clouds. While hiking, be on the lookout for hummingbirds, rabbits, deer, and foxes, all native to the area. Warm clothing is suitable as temperatures can lower to 12 Celsius (53 F), and you might also experience wind or rain.
Then we will have a well-deserved lunch, in a local restaurant with splendid views and delicious local cuisine, then we will continue to Cuenca to proceed with your hotel check in. Afternoon at leisure.
- Accommodation: 4 stars hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 12
Cuenca (Cuenca city tour)
Cuenca is Ecuador’s third-largest town is possibly it’s most beloved. Ancient history tells of an impressive Incan center with the finest temples covered in gold sheets and magnificent palaces, but little remains of this glory. The town’s present-day charm is due largely to its impressive colonial architecture, cobbled streets, plazas, and churches – including the blue-domed Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception – and its setting above the grassy banks of the Rio Tomebamba. The town center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 and is a popular place for writers, poets, and artists.
Today is an immersive experience of local life in Cuenca. Starting the day with a visit to a workshop that produces the famous “toquilla” hats, or as they are more widely known, Panama Hats, which originated in Ecuador. During your visit to the workshop, observe the entire process to produce the popular hats. Continue to the city and its avenues, where you will visit a ceramic workshop, pottery is a representative of local culture.
Then we will visit a local restaurant, to try traditional foods in ancestral clay pans cooked on an open fire. This delicious meal is served to your table. After this culinary experience, continue with a walking tour of the historic district of Cuenca. Your first visit will be to the neighborhood of Todos Los Santos, primarily known in Cuenca for producing traditional bread in wooden ovens. Continue strolling through this beautiful city, learning of its history and unique architecture. While on your walk, while visit some of Cuenca’s most attractive sites, such as City Hall, the Parque Calderón, the modern Cathedral.
- Accommodation: 4 stars hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 13
Cuenca
Depending on your international flight back home, we can coordinate a day at leisure or assist you with a transfer to Cuenca’s airport for your domestic flight to Quito with enough time to connect with your international flight at the same airport.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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 and what your guide considers feasible within the framework of your trip. Your guide has the final decision on what can and cannot be done beyond the scope of this itinerary, and in light of any changing circumstances on the ground.
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Cloud Forests, Indigenous Markets and Colonial Cities
Cloud Forests, Indigenous Markets and Colonial Cities Program in Ecuador.
Product SKU: CloudForestIndigenousMarketsColonialCities
Product Brand: Dana Tours
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 3437
Price Valid Until: 2026-12-26
Product In-Stock: InStock
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