Itinerary

1. Day 1: Quito City Tour - Transport to Mindo

   Early in the morning, we will start our city tour at Panecillo viewpoint to admire Quito's wonders from above; then we will walk around for two hours visiting the highlights of the old city such as San Francisco Church, Compañia de Jesús Church and Sagrario Church located on “Calle de la Siete Cruces” or Garcia Moreno Street. Then, we will visit the Presidential Palace lobby at Quito's main Square. Finally, we will visit the first Gothic Church of Ecuador, considered the highest one in the city. This is another beautiful viewpoint to observe, “The Avenue of the Volcanoes”. Then, we will drive towards the Equator Line Museum, and finally, we will drive towards Mindo Cloud Forest for overnight.

   Accommodation: Overnight at Grand Hotel Mindo *** or Similar

   Meals: Not included

2. Day 2: Mindo Full Day Tour - Transport to Otavalo

   We will take the road to the Waterfalls Sanctuary, just 5 miles far from Mindo. At the waterfalls, you will decide how far you prefer to explore with our guide (the waterfalls sanctuary is a large complex of several waterfalls, that depending on your physical conditions, it is possible to visit up to 5 in a roll or simply walk a little bit around, take a short cable car ride and visit one of the nicest ones. We will help you to decide while there). 

   Then, we will return to Mindo town to have lunch in one of the local restaurants (OPTIONAL). After this, you will visit the Butterflies, Orchids and the famous hummingbird farm known as Nataly in town. Finally, it is time to visit the Chocolate farm, where you will learn the entire process before the chocolate brownie goes to your mouth (Ecuadorian Jungle Cultures started preparing chocolate before the Mexicans Aborigines 5000 years ago) 

   At the end of the afternoon, we will continue to Otavalo City and drop you off at your hotel for overnight.

   Accommodation: Overnight at Santa Fe Hotel **** or Similar

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

3. Day 3: Otavalo Market and Surroundings

   Morning visit to Otavalo Handicraft market (one of the oldest Indigenous markets in Latin America); from this moment, you will have enough time to explore and enjoy the area at your own pace. After that, we will take you to visit a sacred waterfall called Peguche. At this place, you will walk for 15 minutes between a nice eucalyptus forest surrounded by colorful landscapes. Also, you will visit a textile workshop to learn more about this ancient weaving technique.

   Then it is time for lunch! You can enjoy it in a local restaurant in Cotacachi town, also known as “the Leather town”, after this you will have some time to explore the famous leather shops with beautiful things to look out for. 

   Before we finish the day, you will visit one of the most impressive crater lakes in the Andes, known as Cuicocha (Guinea Pigs Lake) to take awesome photos and hike for over 1 hour. 

   Finally, we will return to Otavalo for overnight.

   Accommodation: Santa Fe Hotel **** or Similar

   Meals: Breakfast

4. Day 4: Otavalo Market - Papallacta

   After breakfast, we will continue our sightseeing through the Andes, visiting a Rose Farm and all its processes. Then, we will stop at the San Pablo Lake viewpoint to take some photos; this is the most scenic area. 

   After this place, we will continue towards Cayambe town to try the famous biscuits and a cup of hot chocolate. Then we will drive 2 hours to Termas de Papallacta to look for Condors flying (if time and weather conditions permit). The rest of the afternoon, you will have free to enjoy the hot springs complex and maybe a nice massage with volcanic stones for a complete relax.

   Accommodation: Overnight at Termas de Papallacta ****

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

5. Day 5: Flying back Home

   Today is your last day in Ecuador with us, so you can choose, besides taking a free morning to relax at the resort pool or SPA or take a very nice hike around the area. In both cases, the check-out time is at 1:00 p.m.; then, we will drive you to Quitos International Airport for your flight back home.  

   END OF THE SERVICES

   Accommodation: Not included

   Meals: Breakfast