8-Day Ecuador Andes Tour: Cotopaxi, Quilotoa, Baños & Otavalo

Day 1 · City linea Quito

1. 1

   Basilica del Voto Nacional

   30 min Admission included

   Catholic church in neo-Gothic style, its construction began in 1884.

   The basilica arises to honor the consecration of Ecuador to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, made by order of the then-president Gabriel Garcia Moreno.

   In the basilica stand out its towers with high tourist potential and incredible views of the city, the National Pantheon of Heads of State, catacombs, 3 chapels, and the Oblate convent.

2. 2

   Plaza de la Independencia (Plaza Grande)

   30 min

   Also known by the Quiteños as the Plaza Grande, is the main square of the Historic Center, represents a political, symbolic, and historical center of the city.

   In the surroundings of this historic square we can find the Palace of Carondelet or Palace of Government, the Cathedral of Quito, the Archbishop's Palace, and the Municipality of the city. In addition, we can see the monument to independence in the center of the square.

3. 3

   Fundacion Iglesia de la Compania

   30 min Admission included

   The Society of Jesus is one of the most important Catholic temples in Latin America. Its facade carved in volcanic stone and its interior covered in gold leaf make it a representative work of baroque and syncretism. The temple belongs to the Jesuit order and its construction began in 1605. In addition, the temple treasures paintings and artistic works unique in the world.

4. 4

   Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco

   20 min

   The baroque style in the church and the large plaza of Quito

5. 5

   La Virgen del Panecillo

   20 min Admission included

   The sculpture located at the top of the Loma of Panecillo corresponds to a representation of the Virgen de Legarda or Virgen Apocalyptica, a Quito work from the 18th century. It was placed in 1975, is 41 meters high, and is currently one of the tallest monuments in the world. It is made of aluminum and seated on a stone base. Likewise, the hill of Panecillo is one of the most charming natural viewpoints

6. 6

   Intinan Equator Museum

   40 min Admission included

   If you are in Quito, the Teleferico is an attraction that you can not miss, because from the top of the volcano Ruco Pichincha you can have a panoramic view of the entire city, and also, you can go hiking, mountain climbing and taste typical food.

   The Teleferico has a journey of 15 minutes and ascends to 3940 m.

7. 7

   Mitad Del Mundo

   20 min Admission included

   the official middle of the world you can stan in both hemispheres.

Overnight at Papagayo logde or similar

Day 2 · Quilotoa lagoon

1. 1

   Laguna Quilotoa

   4 hours Admission included

   The Quilotoa Lagoon is two and a half hours from Cotopaxi National Park. Located in the province of Cotopaxi. Within the Ecological Reserve Los Ilinizas, is the Quilotoa Lagoon. It is an inactive volcano of 6 km in diameter, formed by a caldera of 2.9 km in diameter and 640 m (2,099 ft) deep. Here, rests an alkaline lagoon measuring 3.6 km in diameter and 240 m (787.4 ft) deep. The color of the Quilotoa lagoon is emerald green, resembling a mirror.

Overnight at La Andaluza Hotel in Riobamba

Day 3 · Chimborazo Volcano

1. 1

   Chimborazo Refuge Hike

   4 hours Admission included

   The Chimborazo volcano, considered the highest volcano mountain in the whole Ecuador, it’s located in the famous Avenue of the Volcanoes in the provinces of Bolivar, Chimborazo, and Tungurahua, it’s characterized by its summit, which is completely covered by glaciers and by being surrounded by the fauna reproduction reserve that bears the same name of this volcano, it was created on 1986 and it has a height of 6310 m, (20.702 ft) positioning it worldwide as the closest point to the sun and also has an extension of 58.560 acres.

Overnight at Alisamay in Baños

Day 4 · Baños de Agua Santa

1. 1

   Cascada el Manto de la Novia

   one hour Admission included

   This peculiar waterfall located 10 minutes from the center of Baños is the perfect place to take a break from everyday life. This crystal-clear water source takes its name from the shape of its 40-meter fall and the white color of the waterfall that resemble the mantle of a bride. In this attraction, we can make hiking, tarabita and see lush flora and fauna typical of the area.

2. 2

   Cascada El Pailon

   one hour Admission included

   It is a tourist icon of Baños, it bears this name because the rock formations at the end of the waterfall reflect the face of the devil. This attraction has several wonderful naturally designed trails, a suspension bridge, 2 waterfalls and cabins with basic services. Here we can experience a temperature of 15 °C to 28 °C.

3. 3

   La Casa del Arbol

   one hour Admission included

   The famous tree house of Baños is a two-story cabin located on the edge of a cliff from which we have an incredible view of the Tungurahua volcano. This site has a height of 2660 m.s.n.m. and is located in the hamlet Runtún, an ecotourism trail in which we can perform activities such as hiking, tarabita and swing of the end of the world.

Overnight at Alisamay Hotel

Day 5 · Puyo, the jungle of Ecuador

1. 1

   Cascada Hola Vida

   2 hours Admission included

   "Hola vida" is an ecological reserve located in Pastaza, its objective is to be a center of environmental education, scientific research, rest and recreation. In this reserve it is possible to visit a shaman, observe the process of creating Kichwa ceramics, taste cane juice (trapiches), visit the Pastaza River Lookout, take a motor canoe ride along the Pastaza River. The complex has two beautiful waterfalls and during the tour, you can see some Quichuas communities located in the sector, one of them, the Community of Cotococha.

2. 2

   Parque Etnobotanico Omaere

   one hour Admission not included

   It is an ethnobotanical reserve of reforested tropical forest and botanical garden, its objective is the conservation and care of important and useful species for indigenous Amazonian cultures. It has an area of 15.6 hectares

   The park was founded in 1993 with the collaboration of a Shuar community and the support of the French. In this place, we will find food, cultural and medicinal species that are being safeguarded so that their uses are diffused and valued, and you can also learn about the Waorani and Shuar cultures through a guided visit by the inhabitants of the communities themselves.

Overnight at Alisamay Hotel

Day 6 · Cotopaxi National Park

1. 1

   Cotopaxi National Park

   5 hours Admission included

   A must stop on your visit to Ecuador. Located 60 kilometers south of the city of Quito. It is the second-highest and most active volcano in Ecuador, after the Chimborazo volcano, the Cotopaxi Volcano. It’s localized between the provinces of Pichincha and Cotopaxi. Additionally, it is a very popular choice among mountaineering and hiking lovers. As well as those who enjoy being surrounded by nature and beautiful landscapes.

Overnight at Mercure hotel in Quito

Day 7 · Otavalo Market and Peguche Waterfal

1. 1

   Mitad del Mundo Globe Guachala

   30 min Admission included

   Quitsato is a cultural space, its main attraction is focused on a solar clock of 52 meters in diameter and 10 meters high, elaborated in the center of a large stone mosaic that indicate the different lines of the solstices and equinoxes, as well as the hours of the day.

   In addition, we have a natural viewpoint, located on the equator and we can observe the cultivation of agave and products made with them.

2. 2

   Miralago

   20 min

   It is an inn and tourist establishment that offers services of food, lodging and sale of crafts located in Otavalo. This place is characterized by the incredible panoramic view offered by Lake San Pablo and the Imbabura volcano, as well as being a source of commerce and rescue of the native architecture of the area.

3. 3

   Otavalo Market

   3 hours

   The Otavalo Market has a colorful poncho square. It is also one of the most important and popular indigenous markets in Ecuador and South America. Also, Otavalo has a large indigenous population of Otavalo. And their native language is Kichwa. On the Otavalo Market, you can find typical food places. And several places where the Otavaleños sell their handicrafts. For example textiles, ponchos, blouses, shirts, and handmade alpaca tapestries. The Otavalo market or Otavalo fair is most active every Saturday.

4. 4

   Cascada de Peguche

   40 min Admission included

   The waterfall of Peguche, located in Otavalo, is a 30 m high waterfall. Around this attraction there is a complex where you can hike, there are swimming pools and recreation areas. This place stands out for its history, as ancient cultures considered it a place of purification, and today it still hosts ceremonies during the feast of the Inti Raymi.

Overnight at Indio in hotel in Otavalo

Day 8 · Mindo cloud forest

1. 1

   Stop 1

   one hour Admission included

   Mindo cloud forest has several options to enjoy the hummingbirds watching, which are made in groups, in the morning or afternoon in the middle of the cloud forest of Mindo, another option is to go to Mindo cloud forest Lake where they have spaces with several species of hummingbirds. This will be our first stop during the Mindo cloud forest day trip.

2. 2

   Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve

   2 hours Admission included

   We will hike to reach the Mindo - Nambillo Cloud forest reserve to visit the waterfall which is formed by the Nambillo River and has become a natural and attractive spa in Mindo Cloud forest, the waterfall is 49.21 fts (15 m) high and you can make jumps of 13.12 and 39.37 fts (4 and 12 m) for those who enjoy risk sports. The Nambillo waterfall has two natural pools for the enjoyment of crystal-clear waters without any risk.

3. 3

   Mindo

   40 min

   Mindo Cloud Forest Zip line (optional)Mindo zipline is one of the most outstanding activities in Mindo cloud forest, the Mindo zipline is an adventure sport where a tour is done through steel cables, by means of a pulley and safety equipment, the distance of the cables can be 32.8 – 65.6 or 131.2 ft (10, 20 or 40 meters) long, during the flight in the Mindo zipline you can observe the trees, the fauna that inhabits them and experiences a unique adventure through the Mindo cloud forest.

4. 4

   Mindo

   one hour

   Butterflies Farm Mindo Cloud forest

   You will visit the butterfly garden Mindo, which is part of the botanical garden. In the butterfly garden you can appreciate and learn about the four stages of life of butterflies. The butterfly garden Mindo has more than 12,000 species which can be observed nearby.

5. 5

   Mindo

   1 min

   Mindo Cloud Forest Chocolate Tour

   To finish the Mindo Tour you will learn about the chocolate elaboration process and the tasting of this delicacy during the Mindo Chocolate Tour. After a wonderful day on the Mindo tour, you will return to Quito.