DAY 1
USA – QUITO – SCENIC TOUR – WELCOME DINNER
Depart USA to Quito, Ecuador. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel and balance of the day at leisure. Welcome dinner in a typical restaurant overlooking the city. Overnight in the hotel in Quito

DAY 2
QUITO CITY TOUR – ECUATORIAN LINE
After breakfast we start with a visit of the Central Bank Museum for an introduction of the history of the country, from Nomads time (11.000 B.C.), pre-Colombian time, the Incas, the golden museum, the Spanish colonial time. Then we get into the old section of Quito, where we start a walking tour from the Independence Square to Government Palace, learn about 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) is going to 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 plaza 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 Equator line to the 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 in the hotel in Quito

DAY 3
QUITO – ANTISANA NATIONAL PARK - HACIENDA LA CIENEGA
Breakfast and 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 Andean paramo ecosystem and by the canyon and cliff, we try to spot the large flying birds of the Andes mountains “ the condors”, with a great 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 La Cienega Hacienda, an absolutely unique the experience at this old hacienda dated back to the16th century.

Here we enjoy dinner and overnight.

DAY 4
COTOPAXI PARK – HIKE LAKE LIMPIOPUNGO – PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS
After our breakfast we start to climb into the Cotopaxi National Park, learning more of the paramo ecosystem. Today we have hike around the Limpiopungo lake at (12.000 ft). Box lunch.
In the afternoon we drive back to the south and then towards to the east into the Papallacta canyon, (the land of the potatoes). We arrive to best Thermal Springs of the 88 springs of the country.
SPA is available with some reservation in advance. The hot springs have 13 pools with different temperatures that you can enjoy.
Dinner and overnight in Papallacta

DAY 5
PAPALLACTA HIKE IN THE PARAMO – OTAVALO CULTURAL TOUR – HACIENDA LAS PALMERAS
In the early morning you can go for 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 2 active volcanoes, Taita Imbabura and Mama Cotacachi Volcanoes, where we enjoy the spectacular view. For lunch you can choose from many good restaurants in the area suggested by our guide. Visit of the traditional Indian home with roaming guinea pigs in a 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.
Dinner at the Hacienda Las Palmeras

DAY 6
OTAVALO – COTOCACHI CRATER LAKE WALK – ROSE PLANTATION - OTAVALO
After breakfast we will drive to Quircocha Lake for hiking, and Cotocachi town famous for lather crafts.
Here you can enjoy lunch on your own and later driving to visit one of the greenhouse where roses of any colors are cultivated.
Tonight you have been invited to dine with a local family, a wonderful way of knowing their culture.
Overnight at the Hacienda.

DAY 7
OTAVALO MARKETS – CALDERON - QUITO
In the early morning, we leave to the famous and traditional Indian market of Otavalo, where you can find craft from all over the country. With a previous bargaining and Spanish lessons, to learn 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 hotel Eugenia

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 3 stars Hacienda/Hotel
• Entrance fee to Cotopaxi and Antisana National Park and Papallacta hot springs
• Daily breakfast and dinner
• Box lunch in Cotopaxi and Antisana National parks
• 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 $ 1,375

*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 15th – 29th
April 5th – 19th
May 3rd – 17th
June 7th – 21st
July 5th – 19th
Aug. 9th – 23rd
Sept. 6th – 20th
Oct. 4th – 18th
Nov. 8th – 22nd