Every: Tuesday, Friday, Sunday
Duration 12 days/11 nights

Day 1.- Transfer in
Reception and transfers to the hotel Dann Carlton.

Day 2.- City Tour to “Mitad del Mundo” (Middle of the World) (B)
 
Drive around the colonial center of Quito and see the stone-carved facade of Ecuador’s House of Congress depicting scenes from Ecuadorian history; Independence Square, with the Presidential Palace and the Cathedral. Visit the church of La Compania (1605), with its breathtaking gilded altars, considered the finest example of baroque art in America and the church and monastery of San Francisco (1535).

Day 3.-  
Otavalo Full day (B)

Start your trip through the Awakening Valley in Calderón with its bread-dough figures and Cayambe for the local food specialties. Passing by some of the most attractive artisan centers and Andean landscapes, you arrive in Otavalo and its famous indigenous market just in time to bargain for hand-knitted wool sweaters, colorful tapestries, wood carvings, silver jewelry, native paintings, woolen and straw hats, and much more. Afterwards, enjoy the amazing landscapes in your way back to Quito. Accommodation at hotel Dann Carlton.

Day 4.-
QUITO – COTOPAXI – BAÑOS (B-D)

Early in the morning we will pick you up from the hotel, by the Panamericana highway, down to the south of Quito, we will pass by many important small towns of Quito and our Country as: Valle de Los Chillos, Aloag, this small town is the connection between “Sierra” and “Costa”, continuing by the “Volcanoes Avenue” here you will have the possibility to view many volcanoes in the way such as Corazon, Rumiñahui, North Iliniza, South Iliniza, Cotopaxi one of the highest snow-capped in the world, continuing our adventure by the Ecuadorian highlands going trough the villages of Latacunga, Salcedo, Ambato and we will also visit the area of Los Salasacas, the craftsmen of the region. Then we continue to Baños, another small city The Door of the Amazon Basin. If the weather allows, we will make a visit to the zone, to admire the beautiful waterfalls, and see tomato trees and a wide variety of orchids growing. Accommodation at hotel Monte Selva.

Cotopaxi Volcano

Day 5.-          
BAÑOS –RIOBAMBA (B-D)

The adventure starts after breakfast we´ll advance along Panamericana high way. Overnight at Riobamba city at hotel Abraspungo, located at the foot of the snow-capped Chimborazo Mount.

Day 6.-     
RIOBAMBA – TRAIN – INGAPIRCA - CUENCA (B-D)

After an early breakfast, transfer to the train station to board the train  for a scenic ride to Alausí. Twist and turn over the Andes, along bridging ravines and river gorges. Arrive to Alausí and prepare to go down the Devil´s Nose switchbacks, one of the most impressive feats of rail engineering in the world, and back to Alausí. (box lunch will be provided). Continue south along the Andes by bus to Cuenca, visiting in route the Inca Ruins of Ingapirca to arrive at dusk. Accommodations and dinner at hotel Carvallo or Crespo.

Ingapirca Ruins

Cuenca streets

Day 7.-  
CUENCA – GUALACEO – CHORDELEG (B-D)

This day guests will enjoy a full day of discovering, at a leisurely pace, the beauty and charm for which Cuenca and it´s surroundings have been recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site. The ride to Gualaceo Valley starts along the Santa Ana's Valley and then high in the mountains, through very scenic landscapes, which change at very curb. Stops are made at the small towns that produce a variety of handcrafts. Visit Chordeleg, famous for it´s gold work. After lunch, we´ll follow the road along the banks of the Santa Barbara River, lined with weeping willows to the village of Gualaceo. Hotel accommodation at Carvallo or Crespo.

Day 8.-          
CUENCA – GUAYAQUIL – SALINAS (B-D)

Early morning after breakfast we depart from Cuenca to Salinas, passing by Guayaquil, you will be able to enjoy the weather change from highlands to the coast, and finish the land trip in Salinas visiting in route Museo Los Amantes de Sumpa, “La Chocolatera”, Accommodation and dinner at Hotel Calippso.

Day 9.-
SALINAS – PUERTO LOPEZ (B-D)

After early breakfast departure by de “Ruta del Sol”, where you will be able to enjoy the view and weather of our beautiful coast passing by small towns such as: Ballenita, Playa de Ayangue . Montañita, Olón, Ayampe, Pto. Rico, Salango’s Museums, Pto. López, Playa de Los Frailes which is part of Machalilla’s National Park. Accommodation and dinner at Atamari lodge.

Coastal city "Ruta del Sol" Beach

Day 10.-
ISLA DE LA PLATA – MANTA (B)

After an early breakfast you will have the opportunity to visit “Isla de la Plata” after this wonderful expedition drive to Manta, one of the most important ports in South America.
Accommodation and dinner at Balandra hotel.

Day 11.-        
MANTA – QUITO

After breakfast. Transfer to Manta’s airport to take the flight back to Quito. At your arrival to Quito, our staff will be waiting for you to take you to the Dann Carlton hotel.

Day 12.-
QUITO  transfer out.

Transfer hotel / airport will be provided to take your flight



Prices 2008 per person:  $1900 (1 - 2 pax)



Contact us for details and availability!