Quito & the Countryside

Upon arrival, our representative offers a welcoming reception and will transfer you to the hotel. A documentation kit, detailed program explanation plus luggage and hotel registration assistance is offered.

A wonderful tour through the streets and main squares of Quito's Historic Centre, the first city in the world to be declared by UNESCO as a "World Cultural Heritage" site. Narrow and sometimes steep streets surrounded by classic architecture, colonial style houses, gracious flowered balconies, charming squares and more than 50 monumental churches, convents, monasteries, cloisters and historic monuments make Old Town Quito the "Centre of it All" and an amazing experience.

A visit to the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo is part of this spectacular visit; the convent has the best exhibition of architectural and religious art in the colonial city. Treasures such as the Chapels of El Rosario and Pompeya whose walls and columns are decorated in gold with an original blend of vegetable and anthropomorphic figures are a vivid example of the world famous Quito School of Art. The Convent of Santo Domingo displays colossal doors and ceilings covered with oil paintings and gold leaf; I will take you back in time to the height of Colonial power and influence.

It is then a short drive to the north of the city of Quito where you reach Latitude 0'0'0'" - centre of the world - and where you find the Intinan Museum. Place one foot in the northern hemisphere and the other one on the southern hemisphere, watch the water gurgle down the drain in one direction then - no more than 2 inches away - see it drain in the opposite and the test of tests - balance and egg on a nail head!

You'll visit the museum of Guayasamin that exhibits excellent samples of pre-Columbian, colonial and contemporary art from the private collections of the famous Ecuadorian artist Oswaldo Guayasamin.

Following this is a visit to "La Capilla del Hombre" (Chapel of Man), the inside of which is covered with a mural by the artist. It narrates the history of "El hombre Americano", but was incomplete at the time of the Guayasamin's death, and remains unfinished.

The Chapel holds some of Guayasamin's work as well as that of other well-known Latin-American artists, from Pre-Columbian to the contemporary. The altar of the Chapel holds an eternal flame in defense of peace and human rights.

An early start takes you due north on a beautiful scenic drive to the province of Imbabura, a magic land of lakes and mountains of outstanding beauty. The day beings by learning about the customs of the indigenous population of the area as you delve into the relationships between them and nature.

The Northern Highlands are the home of the Otavalo Community, the Otavalos are known around the world for their weaving patterns and textiles which pre-date the Spanish conquest. The market is world known for its colorful textiles, woven on back-strap and shuttle looms, its piles of ponchos and hand-made textiles, hats, Indian jewelry and creative handicrafts. This is a unique occasion to wander through a maze of color and enjoy some fun bargaining - and you must bargain! Grab some quality handicrafts at superb prices for yourself or as gifts for friends and family back home.

After breakfast you will be transferred by car to the Antisana region. The Antisana Volcano is the fourth highest mountain in the Ecuadorian Andes. Massive glaciers feed water to lakes and rivers of the reserve, which sustain the abundant wildlife of the region. Fifty percent of the Andean Condors that live in Ecuador have chosen Antisana as their home, as well as many other species of highland birds. You will spend the day in a hacienda located in this area. The hacienda is surrounded by a rocky wall, which is one of the preferred nesting sites and habitat of Andean Condor, so there are plenty of opportunities to see them flying around the area. Return to Quito in the early evening.

After breakfast, you are transferred to the airport for your onwards travels. But why not complete your Ecuador experience with a trip to the Galapagos, coast or the Amazon. Ask your South American specialist for more information.