DAY 1
USA- QUITO – SCENIC TOUR UPON ARRIVAL – ARMENIA HOME
Arrival from the U.S. in the afternoon (with LAN-COPA), check in the hotel, than we start our scenic tour. As we get up the Panecillo hill (10.8000 ft) we enjoy the view of the historical old town of Quito, and the Independence Square, from here we go to the restaurant for our welcome dinner with an extraordinary view of Quito. Overnight at the Armenia Home.

DAY 2
CENTRAL BANK MUSEUM – WALKING CITY TOUR - ECUADOR LINE – ARMENIA HOME
08h30am. We start with a great introduction to the country at the Central Bank Museum, from Nomads time (11.000 B.C.), pre-Colombian time, the Incas, the golden museum, the Spanish colonial time and contemporary time with beautiful masterpiece in their collection. Heading 15 minutes driving south we get into the old section of Quito, where we start our walking tour from: the Independence Square to Government Palace, learn about our history, art, tradition, culture and flora of the first city declared as the World Heritage by the Unesco.

Visit the most ornate and beautiful church La Compañia (golden church) and get our attention with such a particular renascence & Moorish styles with some pagan Incas symbols and the particular sun effects once a year in June. One block from there we have a nice square with an overview of the Panecillo Hill, it’s the San Francisco Church & Plaza, here you can enjoy lunch on your own at El Tianguez, great museum and restaurant where are displayed handicraft made by local indigenous people from allover the country.

After lunch we drive towards to the north, to the equator line solar museum of Inti Ñan, to learn of the theories of scientists with practical experience as the water test, balance an egg right on the equator line; here there is also an interesting ethnographic museum.
Get back to the hotel. Dinner at Café de la Roca. Overnight at Armenia Home.

DAY 3
QUITO – ANTISANA PARK – HACIENDA SAN AUGUSTIN DEL CALLO
Start the morning driving up to eastern slope of the Andes, in a very fertile land area, passing a lava rocks remains of the Antisana Volcano, and access the Antisana Hacienda, the 120.000 square acres of protected area. We keep driving up in the paramo ecosystem and by the canyon and cliff, we try to spot the large flying birds in the Andes mountains the “condors”, with an 80 % probabilities to see them. We will make several stop in order to point and do pictures of the extraordinary wildlife as we get to the base of the snow-capped volcano Antisana . Here we enjoy of our box lunch while looking close at “La Mica: craterlike.
In the afternoon we drive to San Agustin del Callo Hacienda, is absolutely unique the experience at this old hacienda dated since the15th century, with an Incas room as dining room.

Dinner served at the Incas sun temple room. Overnight at the hacienda.

DAY 4
COTOPAXI PARK – PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS – HOTEL SPA RESORT
Early start today to drive up to the Cotopaxi National Park, learning more about the Andean Paramo ecosystem, with such a colorful small flowers and plants, 20 % of endemism of flora. Today we drive up to 16.000 ft, and from there we climb by foot to the refuge at 17.000 ft, which is only 20 minutes away from the glacier. Enjoy a box lunch, and a warm tea at the refuge.
In the afternoon we drive back to the south- east into the Papallacta canyon, (the land of the potatoes). We arrive to best Thermal Springs of the 88 springs of the country.

SPA available with some reservation in advance, the hot springs pools are in front of your cabin or in the morning is another section with 13 pools with different temperatures.

Here the dinner specialty is trout fish in garlic sauce or lamb.

Overnight at the Hotel Papalllacta

DAY 5
PAPALLACTA - OTAVALO AREA – HACIENDA ZULETA
Early in the morning you can enjoy a walk up the canyon by the Papallacta river loop (2 hours), or relax at the hot springs.

Around 10:00am. we start to drive down in the valley of Pifo , close to Quito, and then up to the north passing the equator line to the northern hemisphere driving by the roses plantations. Stop at the San Pablo Lake with the two active volcanoes, Taita Imbabura and Mama Cotacachi Volcanoes, where we enjoy the spectacular view. For lunch you can choose a large selection of restaurants in the area suggested by your guide. Visit of the traditional Indian home with roaming guinea pigs in the room; visit another house for weavings process with a famous Otavaleño weaver Jose Cotacachi or Miguel Andrango. Arrival at the Hacienda in the late afternoon.
Introduction & History of the Hacienda followed by dinner and overnight.

DAY 6
HACIENDA ZULETA AT LEISURE
Day at leisure or walk to the condors canyon, where is a condors breeding program, and quite often you see wild condors flying around. Or horseback riding in the countryside or up to the volcano Imbabura, or visits the cheese factory, and more activities offered. Basically we spent the all day 6000 square area of the hacienda for the day, one of the most beautiful Hacienda in Ecuador. (Weekend house of two ex-presidents of Ecuador: Leonidas Plaza and Galo Plaza Lasso,) The Hacienda offers a spectacular view, relaxing atmosphere, history and delicious gastronomy that make of this place a paradise in the Andes of Ecuador. Let us know in advance, if you like to extend your visit at this Hacienda, it’s truly worth it.

Dinner at the Hacienda Zuleta and overnight

DAY 7
OTAVALO INDIAN MARKETS – QUITO - ARMENIA HOME
In the early morning, we leave to the famous and traditional Indian market of Otavalo, with a previously bargaining and Spanish lessons, to know how to deal with the local venders, if you are interest to shop. Lunch by our own in the area. Early afternoon return to Quito.

Farewell Dinner. Overnight in Armenia home

DAY 8
QUITO – USA
Transfer to the airport or continue to extend to the Galapagos Islands or to the Amazon tours.

WHAT THE TOUR INCLUDES

• Private transportation during the program
• Bilingual guide throughout the program
• 7 nights accommodation in a 4 stars Hacienda
• Entrance fee to Cotopaxi National Park
• Breakfast and dinner daily
• Sightseeing tour in Quito
• Guided walks/hike with naturist guide
• Welcome dinner at Café’ la Roca

WHAT THE TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Airline ticket to Ecuador
• Lunches
• Drinks with your meals
• Departure airport tax
• Personal expense
• Laundry
• Telephone calls
• Everything not mentioned in “what the tour includes
• Tips for driver, guides and airport porters.

Cost per person in a double occupancy $ 2,450

*First deposit of $ 500 at the moment of your reservation
*Second deposit 60 days prior your departure
*Balance 30 days prior your departure

For more information or reservation please call Clara Salvoni-Young
719-360-0825 cell
719-266-0397 office

Small groups, limited space available

DEPARTURE DATES:

March 8th – 22nd
April 12th – 26th
May 10th – 24th
June 14th –28th
July 12th – 26th
Aug. 2nd – 16th
Sept. 13th –27th
Oct. 11th – 25th
Nov. 1st –15th