Shared services with: English-speaking guides 
Tour Runs: Any day, subject to availability
Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights
Destinations: Quito – Mindo Cloud Forest – Cotopaxi National Park – Quilotoa Lagoon – Baños de Agua Santa –Ingapirca – Cuenca
Type of Trip: Culture, Nature
Highlights: 

• Quito: Capital of Ecuador located at 2,850 m in the Andes. Known for its well-preserved colonial historic center, beautiful churches, and a mix of European and indigenous architecture.

• Mindo Cloud Forest: A biodiversity hotspot famous for birdwatching, with more than 500 species of birds, colorful butterflies, and orchids in the lush cloud forest.

• Cotopaxi National Park: Home to the iconic Cotopaxi Volcano, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world (5,897 m), located in the famous “Avenue of the Volcanoes”.

• Quilotoa Lagoon: A stunning turquoise crater lake formed inside a collapsed volcano, about 250 m deep, known for its changing green and blue colors.

• Baños de Agua Santa: Adventure town and gateway to the Amazon, famous for hot springs, waterfalls, and views of the Tungurahua Volcano.

• Chimborazo Volcano: Ecuador’s highest volcano and the closest point on Earth to the sun due to the planet’s equatorial bulge.

• Ingapirca: The most important Inca archaeological site in Ecuador, used as a ceremonial and astronomical center.

• Cuenca: One of Ecuador’s most beautiful cities, known for its colonial architecture, rivers, churches, and rich cultural heritage.

Welcome to Ecuador, our guide will receive you at the Airport at your arrival and he will take you to the hotel. Overnight in Quito.

• Meals included: N/A.
• Overnight: Hotel in Quito.

We will visit some of the most famous squares the old town Quito, churches, and colonial buildings. The Plaza de la Independencia with its Presidential Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, the Municipal Building, the Statue of Independence, and the Cathedral. We will continue to the churches of El Sagrario and La Compañía, and then the church and convent of San Francisco. We will take a look inside the church and be amazed by the exuberant gold that was used to decorate the oldest church in Quito. Then we will move to the Panecillo and the statue of the Virgin of Quito. From here we will have the opportunity to see both parts of Quito and the surrounding snow-capped volcanoes! In the afternoon we will continue the famous Mitad del Mundo. This is one of the most famous attractions in Quito, you can visit the monument or the in-situ museum called Inti-Ñan. You can discover the great details of the solar system, the effect that the position of the equator and ancient cultures and much more...! Then trip to Mindo Area.

•  Meals included: Breakfast.
• Overnight: Hotel in Mindo

This day’s adventure begins at dawn with a visit to the famous Cock-of-the-Rock Lek, where you’ll witness the incredible courtship displays of these vibrant, scarlet-feathered birds. When the mist clears, you’ll watch the energetic males calling and performing in a colourful spectacle that’s sure to captivate birdwatchers and photographers alike. After the lek, the excursion continues with a search for some of the reserve’s most elusive residents: the Antbirds. Although the aim is to spot as many of the five species of Antbirds – Giant, Chestnut, Moustached, Ochre and Yellow – as possible, it’s important to note that sightings can vary from day to day, as these shy birds don’t always appear in time. However, with expert local guides such as Angel, Rodrigo and Andy calling the birds from the dense undergrowth, you’ll have the best possible chance of seeing these rare ground-dwellers. This compact and immersive tour provides a unique insight into the incredible biodiversity of the cloud forest and offers excellent opportunities for birdwatchers with limited time. Whether you are new to ornithology or already experienced, the Cock-of-the-Rock and Grallaria tour offers unforgettable sightings in one of Ecuador's most iconic birding destinations. Then we will return to Quito.

• Meals included: Breakfast
• Overnight:  Accommodation in a double room at the hotel of your choice in Quito.

Departure from Quito through the Pan-American North Highway until arriving at Cayambe town, where we'll have the opportunity to taste the delicious “Bizcochos”, a type of biscuit baked in a clay oven. Then we'll reach the viewpoint of Lake San Pablo for photos and take some beverages. We'll reach then the city of Otavalo. In this area, we'll visit the beauty cascade of Peguche with a short hike around the place. After this visit, we'll have time to visit the indigenous market of Otavalo, one of the largest in America. In this market, the people of the zone sell their textiles and handicrafts. After free time in the market, we'll continue the trip to the town of Cotacachi, recognized for leather clothing and crafts. we'll continue with our final visit of the day, the Ecological Reserve Cuicocha, where the main attraction is the lagoon located inside the crater. It’s possible a short hike around the lagoon. After that return to Quito.

• Meals included: Breakfast.
• Overnight: Accommodation in a double room at the hotel of your choice in Quito.

Our trip will continue today to the Cotopaxi National Park. The Cotopaxi is considered the largest active volcano in the world at 5897 meters high (19,347 feet high). During our stay in the National Park, we will admire its natural environment, its Flora and Fauna. Our first visit would be the insitu museum of the park and then the beautiful Limpiopungo Lagoon, on a clear day, the view of the volcano reflected on the lake's surface is magnificent. The car will reach the parking lot and from there we can hike for about 800 meters for visiting the refuge of the volcano, near of the glaciers.

• Meals included: Breakfast.
• Overnight: Accommodation in a double room at the Local Hacienda hotel of your choice in Cotopaxi Area.

On this day we will continue the trip south to the Quilotoa Lagoon. The magical lagoon is in the middle of a crater with watercolor turquoise, making the place one of the most beautiful and photographed landscapes of Ecuador. We take a short hike to appreciate the magnificent view of the volcano (if weather conditions allow). Then we’ll have the option to hike to reach the banks of this marvelous lagoon. (Requires advanced physical level) Late in the afternoon, we'll go to Baños, where you will spend the night. Overnight in Baños.

• Meals included: Breakfast.
• Overnight: Accommodation in a double room at the hotel of your choice in ​Baños.

Rafting (Pastaza River Level III – IV) The tour starts at 9 am, we pick you up at your hotel. In our van we will take you for approximately 40 minutes to the Pastaza River. Upon arrival you will receive all the personal equipment for this tour and our guide will give you a technical and safety talk, he will explain everything related to this activity; here you will also have time to practice, all this will make you feel safe and with a lot of encouragement to continue with the tour. Once ready, we begin to descend the Pastaza River (Level III – V) you will enjoy a lot of adventure on a journey of approximately 2-3 hours. At the end of the trip you will enjoy a delicious lunch. In the afternoon we’ll make a hiking for visiting the famous "Pailon del Diablo cascade"; a beautiful and majestic waterfall around the cloud forest of the zone. Then we will travel to Riobamba.

• Meals included: Breakfast.
• Overnight: Accommodation in a double room at the hotel of your choice in ​Riobamba.

Our trip will continue from Baños to Riobamba. we'll visit the Chimborazo volcano for hiking to the refuge. We’ll reach the area of the Andean train called the famous "Devil’s Nose”, the tour is not operating at this time due to the company of trains being “out of business” but our guide will show you the operation and the route… After this visit, if the time allow it, we’ll reach the Inca Ruins of Ingapirca, (Days of service: Wednesday to Sunday) famous place of Inca ancient times. Ingapirca is the most important pre-Columbian archaeological site in Ecuador. It is located in the southern Andean region of Ecuador, at 3,160 meters above sea level, in the province of Cañar. Finally, we'll reach Cuenca city

• Meals included: Breakfast.
• Overnight: Accommodation in a double room at the hotel of your choice in ​Cuenca.

City tour around the city of Cuenca, a beautiful city declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You will be able to discover its cultural and architectural diversity. visiting the most important churches and monuments of this city. We will also visit the Turi viewpoint, where you will have a panoramic view of the entire city. After lunch (not included) we will visit the colonial tows of Gualaceo and Chordeleg, two of the most important towns near the city, famous for their handicrafts made with gold and silver, and for their colonial traditions. Overnight in Cuenca.

• Meals included: Breakfast.
• Overnight: Accommodation in a double room at the hotel of your choice in ​Cuenca.

We will visit the El Cajas National park, here you will be able to hike around the Toreadora lagoon. The national park is formed by hundreds of lagoons are the remains of the last ice age, the small and big lagoons are connected by internal small rivers, whose crystal-clear waters flow into the Pacific Ocean. The hiking also includes a part of the famous forest of "trees of paper". After this visit, we'll continue the trip towards the coast of Ecuador to reach the city of Guayaquil. On your arrival, we'll make a short city tour around the city and its main tourist places. Overnight in Guayaquil.

• Meals included: Breakfast.
• Overnight:  Accommodation in a double room at the hotel of your choice in ​Guayaquil.

Breakfast. The guide will pick you up at your hotel at assigned time according the time of your inbound flight. Transfer to the airport.

• Meals included: Breakfast.

• Private transportation during the whole program with English speaking guide-driver.
• Accommodation in double room with private bathroom.
• Meals according the description of the program.
• Excursions according to the itinerary.
• Isla de la Plata tour. 
• Museum entrance fees during the land program.

• Meals not specified in the program.
• Extra activities are not specified in the program.
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
• Personal expenses.
• Gratuities.
• Wire transfer costs or credit card fees.
• Any other non-specified.