Highlights of Ecuador: Quito, Cotopaxi, Cuenca & More

Casa Aliso is one of the best boutique hotels in Ecuador; full of personality and character and defined by its unique design, decor and ambiance. Delightfully secluded, Casa Aliso is well known to experienced travellers who want to be close to everything, but desire a quieter, more refined atmosphere. True hospitality is discreet and is expressed on a daily basis by a myriad of small gestures.

The place to start exploring Ecuador is Colonial Quito: a city of narrow cobblestone streets lined with whitewashed walls and, rising above, the steeples and cupolas of the city's many spectacularly decorated historic churches. The city has one of the best preserved colonial centers in all South America, and its integrity was assured in 1978 when the United Nations declared Quito a World Cultural Heritage site.

Morning visit to colonial Quito. We will walk through the Main Plaza, where you will see the Government Palace, La Compania, and some of the most important churches built around the XVI and XVII centuries, including the San Francisco Monastery which was started 5 days after the founding of the city in 1534. Then we will visit the city's famous La Ronda street, where we will learn about traditional work in Colonial Quito.

For our last stop, we will also be visiting the 'Panecillo', the hill that dominates the South of the city, and where we will be able to admire the famous statue of Our Lady of the Panecillo and enjoy spectacular views of Quito.

Today we will visit the Quitsato Sundial, a cultural-tourist area located on the equatorial line near the Cayambe volcano, where you will learn about the astronomical knowledge of the region's pre-Hispanic cultures.

We will then head to the town of Otavalo, This is truly one of the most interesting towns in Ecuador, where the local Kichwa indigenous culture is not only plainly visible, but on their rise.

The town's famous craft market is one of the most visited sites in Ecuador, and with good reason. The market is filled with interesting colorful and sometimes rare objects and crafts. Do remember to bargain, but only if you're interested! The market is held every day on one of the town squares at the foot of the majestic Imbabura Mountain. And to help you navigate the market, you will be given a short explanation of the market and provided with a map of the area. The Local Indian Market has been an economic and social center for more than 4000 years.

As part of our day at the market we will visit the workshop of Master weaver Miguel Andrango, in the village of Agato. Miguel's art has taken him abroad, mainly to exhibitions and fairs in the United States where the quality of his work is widely acknowledged. In the small store in the courtyard of his Tawantinsuyo workshop, the walls are covered with bright designs, most with an indigenous motif; the designs are based on Inca patterns but are the work of Miguel and his family. The workshop uses only pure wool and Alpaca; the weavers card and spin it themselves and then dye it with natural inks made from mosses (for yellow) or seeds such as 'Achiote' (for red).

In the afternoon we'll drive to the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve for a visit to the interpretation center and an outstanding view of the Cuicocha lagoon, a deep-blue crater lake on the lower southern flanks of Cotacachi Volcano. After our hike we will stop at the picturesque colonial town of Cotacachi, famous for its leather work.

After breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel and begin the drive south to Cotopaxi National Park.

See the snow-capped summits of the Cotopaxi and Antisana volcanoes before heading to the Interpretation center to learn about the history of this spectacular volcano's major eruptions, as well as the local flora and fauna. We will then visit Lake Limpiopungo and explore the surrounding area on foot.

If you feel like a longer walk, a 2 hour hike will take you to Mt. Cotopaxi's J. Ribas refuge (4,800 m) where you will be able to enjoy spectacular views of the volcano and the surrounding Andean peaks.

Today you will visit Indian markets in the towns of either Saquisili, Pujili, Zumbahua or Latacunga. These markets are as authentic and non-touristic as can be found today in Ecuador today. They are important to the local indigenous people as markets are the center of their social and economic worlds.

Then a visit the Quilotoa volcano crater, where you will be able to appreciate the crater's serenely mysterious green lake. There is an option of a short walk of about 1.7 km along the crater's rim.

On the way back, stop to visit the art galleries in the community of Tigua, where you are able to appreciate the paintings representative of the folklore of this special part of the Andes. The brightly coloured naïve style of the area's painters, currently the third generation, has transcended local boundaries and is now internationally renowned. These days there are a lot of painters in Tigua, but Julio Toaquiza was the first, and is still number one. Visit Julio in his studio, and you will be able to see why his work is appreciated for the bright colours, the meticulous detail, and the stories his paintings tell of life in the high Andes: the volcanoes, the condors, and the indigenous communities with their legends.

Today is the day for the exhilarating train journey down to the 'Devil's Nose', called by some the "most difficult train route in the world". The railroad was originally built to connect the Andes with the coast, and the route climbs up steep slopes, rolls down into river valleys and negotiates a truly massive wall of rock called the 'Nariz del Diablo', or Devil's Nose.

The biggest complication faced by the construction of the Trans-Andean railroad was the Devil's Nose, a mountain with almost perpendicular walls. To overcome this obstacle a zigzag railroad was built that climbs more than 500 meters in less than 12 km with steep ascents and descents. It today remains an impressive piece of engineering.

As part of this dramatic ride, you will take a short walk to a spectacular lookout over the mountains and the train route.

While recovering from the mind-blowing descent you will enjoy the views of the narrow gorge of river Chanchán and will have the chance to learn a bit about the traditions and worldview of the Puruhuas in Sibambe.

Now drive South to Ingapirca, an Inca observatory and fortress. This is the most important Inca site in Ecuador, where the Emperor and his entourage would rest during trips to this northern segment of the Empire.
Ingapirca Ruins, is the largest and best preserved archaeological complex in Ecuador. It was built with stones perfectly carved and joined with natural mortar, this Temple served for ceremonies and rituals of the Cañari-Inca culture, also had strategic-military purposes. It is then onto Cuenca.

One of the first things to notice when entering Cuenca is the magnificent skyline marked by brilliant church domes. And after breakfast you set out on a city tour whose highlight is the city's colonial architecture.

Cuenca's winding rivers, graceful ironwork balconies and beautiful gardens, are part of the pleasant atmosphere of this historic city, declared a Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO in December 1999. This is the perfect place to discover by walking and is ideal for those looking to blend into the relaxed setting of a truly romantic colonial city.

Walking along Cuenca's cobblestone streets or watching the people go by in the town square dominated by the great cathedral is both peaceful and inspiring. With approximately 400,000 inhabitants, this city is considered by many to be the most beautiful city in the country due its architecture, surroundings and small town ambiance.

Cuenca is traversed by four rivers and surrounded by green valleys and its people create some of the finest crafts in the country.

At the end of the tour services end with a transfer to the airport.

Hotel Palace is perfectly located in the heart of Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city, as well as its main port. The hotel is close to the Province Governors Palace, City Hall and the vibrant Malecon 2000 riverside promenade.

Begin your city tour of Guayaquil with a stop Simon Bolivar Park. Learn about historical landmarks from your guide as you stroll through the main streets and avenues of the city. See the statues of Simon Bolivar and Saint Martin in La Rotonda.

Then, head over to Guayaquil's oldest neighborhood, known for its charming restaurants, art galleries and craft shops, and climb the staircase up Cerro Santa Ana (Santa Ana Hill) for a majestic view of the city from more than 1,000 feet (300 meters).

Next, travel to the southern end of Malecon 2000, a 1-mile (2.5-km) stretch of boardwalk overlooking the Guayas River (Rio Guayas) and surrounded by sculptures, ponds and playgrounds.

After your tour, your guide will drop you off at your hotel in Guayaquil.