Columbus Travel - Andes Moutain Tours, Peru and Hotels in Ecuador

Our country, needless to say, owes its name to the Equatorial Line which crosses it 15 minutes to the north of Quito. There you find a monument marking latitude 0º 00` 00”, a unique place where you can literally get a picture of yourself jumping from north to south of the planet. This tour includes a visit to the Ethnographic Museum on site. Certificates are awarded to visitors who take part in this adventure. Accommodation at Dann Carlton Hotel.

DAY 3
Otavalo 2 Days (B-D)
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. San Antonio de Ibarra, famous for the woodcarvings and the town of Peguche where textiles are woven in old-fashioned shuttle looms. Dinner and hotel accommodation. (Casa de Hacienda)

DAY 4 (B)
The second day, after breakfast we´ll visit Cuicocha and the town of Cotacachi, and entire town dedicated to selling fine leather products and many handicrafts. Return to Quito and accommodation at Dann Carlton.

DAY 5
QUITO – COTOPAXI (B-D)
Early morning we will pick you up from the hotel, by the Panamericana highway, down to the south of Quito, we will pass by many small towns important for 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 highest snow-capped in the world, late afternoon accommodation at La Cienega or similar.

DAY 6
QUILOTOA - AMBATO (B-D)
After breakfast our journey begins with a visit to the Quilotoa Volcano, one of the most beautiful places of Zumbahua an inactive volcano that has a lagoon of turquoise blue water inside their boiler. After a walk for the surroundings, we will have time for lunch, after We will be traveling to the southern part of the highlands, crossing by rich valleys and cities as Latacunga and Salcedo. Then we arrive to Ambato The City of Flowers and Fruits. Ambato is the homeland of well-known musicians and poets. It will offer you the opportunity to visit a market that reflects very well the combination between modern life and a native market. The whole city comes alive in the market; in every single corner you will find retailers selling fruits, vegetables, kitchen utensils and unique handicrafts. Enjoy a walk around its historic streets in search of handicrafts and you will be delighted to try a sublime specialty: "bread made of corn" with a lot of flavor.

In this region you will also be able to enjoy a pleasant rest in a hostelry Quinta Loren.

DAY 7
AMBATO – BAÑOS (B-D)
After breakfast will visit the area of Los Salasacas, the craftsmen of the region. Then 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 also the opportunity to see tomato trees and a wide variety of orchids growing. Accommodation at Monteselva or similar.

DAY 8
BAÑOS –RIOBAMBA (B-D)
The adventure starts after breakfast you will have time to visit “Pailon del Diablo”, “Manto de la Novia”, “Agoyan”, in the afternoon we advance along Panamericana high way till we get to the city of Riobamba, located at the foot of the snow-capped Chimborazo (6310). This city has a lot of history to tell us about the first Ecuadorian Constitution, The Cathedral, the museum of “Las Conceptas” and other places. Overnight at Riobamba in Hosteria Abraspungo or Andaluza.

DAY 9
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 the hotel Carvallo / Crespo.

DAY 10
CUENCA FULL DAY (B-D)
This day guests will enjoy a full day of discovering, at a leisurely pace, the beauty and charm for which Cuenca has been recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Its red tiled roofs; cobblestone streets, flowery plazas and museums make it very special. Hotel accommodation and dinner at hotel Carvallo or Crespo.

DAY 11
CUENCA – GUALACEO – CHORDELEG or EL CAJAS (B-D)
Depending on weather conditions, the full day visit this day can be either to El Cajas National Park or Gualaceo Valley. At El Cajas the wind and drizzle can make it very cold, but the surrounding scenery with the glacial lakes is splendid. Great for those who enjoy walking, hiking, observing flora, fauna and bird life.

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 handicrafts. Visit Chordeleg, famous for it´s gold work. Follow the road along the banks of the Santa Barbara River, lined with weeping willows to the village of Gualaceo. Dinner and hotel accommodation.

DAY 12
CUENCA – LOJA – VILCABAMBA (B-D)
Depart from Cuenca and enjoy the Andean scenery. Pass by the town of Saraguro. Then descend into the unique warm valley of Vilcabamba where weather and stress free conditions will allow you to relax. Overnight and dinner at Madre Tierra.

DAY 13
VILCABAMBA – MACHALA - GUAYAQUIL (B-D)
Early morning after breakfast departure from Vilcabamba to Guayaquil, passing by Machala which is known as “World Capital of the Banana", you will be able to enjoy the weather change from highlands to the coast, and finish the land trip in Guayaquil. Overnight and dinner at Grand Hotel Guayaquil

DAY 14
TRANSFER OUT GUAYAQUIL (B-D)
Transfer hotel / airport will be provided to take the flight out to Galapagos Islands or your international flight. You also have an option to take a tour to the GALAPAGOS ISLANDS