Transport

•Transportation between the hotels, airports, and/or bus stations and back •Spanish-speaking airport transfers

Guide

•Spanish and English-speaking Guide

Meals

•11 Breakfast •1 Lunch

Accommodation

•13 Nights of Accommodation Excursions are mentioned based on regular services with local guides in English

Not included:

Others

•Services not mentioned in the program •Alcoholic Beverages •International Airport Fees *if apply* •Optional Excursions •Tips and Personal expenses •Additional beverages •Laundry service •Communication (calls, faxes, e-mails, etc.) •Domestic and international airport departure taxes •Gratuities or other non-taxes •Tips or other services •Fees not specified in the itinerary

Flights

•International flights

Insurance

Traveñl Insurance

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Day 1 Welcome To Ecuador The Middle Of The World
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Welcome To Ecuador The Middle Of The World

Welcome to Quito. At 9,350 feet (2,850 m) above sea level, Ecuador’s capital is one of the highest cities in the world. Built on the ashes of the northern Inca capital following the 1533 Spanish conquest, Quito is surrounded by majestic Andean peaks, including the restless Volcán Pichincha.

After picking up your rental car, drive about one hour to reach your hotel in the city center. In the city, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, get out and walk through its picturesque plazas, markets, and stores with locally-made hats and other products. By night, experience a rich nightlife and culinary scene.

Meals: -

Accommodation: Quito
Day 2 Traditional Cooking Class – Afternoon Colonial City Tou21000
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Traditional Cooking Class – Afternoon Colonial City Tou21000

Get a taste of the true quiteño experience during a cooking class with a local chef. Learn how to make three traditional Ecuadorian dishes and pick up cooking tricks you can use wherever you go. Throughout the class, you’ll learn about the staples of Ecuadorian cuisine, like empanadas de viento and seco de pollo, and local ingredients, like green plantains, cuy (guinea pig), and yuca. Your work won’t go unrewarded—the dishes you make will come together as a wonderful lunch. Start in Independence Square to see La Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, or La Compañía—a 17th-century volcanic-rock-, cedar-, and gilt-decorated-church. Next, visit La Basílica y Convento de San Francisco, or "el San Francisco," considered Ecuador’s most important church for its scale and history. Stroll on La Ronda, a pre-Columbian walking trail that is now brimming with cafés, live music, and boutiques.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Accommodation: Quito
Day 3 Middle Of The World Monument- Transfer To Mindo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Middle Of The World Monument- Transfer To Mindo

Your driver guide will take you by car to the north of the city, and see a monument commemorating the discovery of the point where the Northern and Southern Hemispheres divide in the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World City). Spend some time visiting a planetarium, a scale model of Quito, several museums, an old train station, and a small chapel. Then your driver Will lead you to Mindo where you will stay the night.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Mindo
Day 4 Visit Mindo Cloud Forest
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Visit Mindo Cloud Forest

Today you’ll explore the lush green cloud forest of Mindo. Its location at the western slopes of the Andean highlands gives this region mild temperatures and lots of rainfall. Thanks to the favorable conditions, the Mindo forest has an incredibly high biodiversity.

You’ll get the chance to see some of the countless birds, butterflies, and insect species that call the region home. Visit the butterfly garden, hike to beautiful waterfalls, or fly between the treetops on a zipline. After, learning to make chocolate and taste your creations.

Then your driver Will lead you to Mindo where you will stay the night.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Mindo
Day 5 Exploring Local Culture: Otavalo Market & Hike The Cuicocha Lake
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Exploring Local Culture: Otavalo Market & Hike The Cuicocha Lake

Wake up early to enjoy the biggest indigenous city in Ecuador and home of the well-known indigenous market where artisans come to sell colorful textiles and other traditional goods. Snack on fruits and other snacks while you browse the stalls for paintings, carvings, hand-painted bowls, and much more.

Enjoy some street food (try the salted mango or frittata con mote—fried pork with cooked corn, then continue to the nearby town of Cotacachi for some free time and more shopping (the town is famous for its leather products).

In the afternoon, stroll along the shores of the volcanic crater lake of Cuicocha. Your guide will tell you about the high-altitude flora and fauna and the history of the lake. You can even take a boat ride around the two islands.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Quito
Day 6 Alpaca Encounter & Kayaking At Quilotoa Lagoon
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Alpaca Encounter & Kayaking At Quilotoa Lagoon

Wake up early to enjoy the biggest indigenous city in Ecuador and home of the well-known indigenous market where artisans come to sell colorful textiles and other traditional goods. Snack on fruits and other snacks while you browse the stalls for paintings, carvings, hand-painted bowls, and much more.

Enjoy some street food (try the salted mango or frittata con mote—fried pork with cooked corn, then continue to the nearby town of Cotacachi for some free time and more shopping (the town is famous for its leather products).

In the afternoon, stroll along the shores of the volcanic crater lake of Cuicocha. Your guide will tell you about the high-altitude flora and fauna and the history of the lake. You can even take a boat ride around the two islands.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Cotopaxi
Day 7 Cotopaxi National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Cotopaxi National Park

After breakfast, you will leave Quito and head South to Cotopaxi National Park. You will visit Lake Limpiopungo, located in the highlands of the park. Here, you will have a spectacular view of Cotopaxi Volcano’s gigantic cone. Lake Limpiopungo offers a variety of birds, and occasionally even wild horses. A short walk around the lake will allow you to admire the Andean plant and animal life along the way. If time permits and the altitude doesn’t affect you, hike to the refuge Jose Ribas at 4800 m and enjoy the spectacular view.

In the afternoon, you will arrive at a traditional Hacienda near the National Park where you will spend the night.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Baños
Day 8 Reconnecting With Nature At Baños De Agua Santa
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Reconnecting With Nature At Baños De Agua Santa

After breakfast, you will leave Quito and head South to Cotopaxi National Park. You will visit Lake Limpiopungo, located in the highlands of the park. Here, you will have a spectacular view of Cotopaxi Volcano’s gigantic cone. Lake Limpiopungo offers a variety of birds, and occasionally even wild horses. A short walk around the lake will allow you to admire the Andean plant and animal life along the way. If time permits and the altitude doesn’t affect you, hike to the refuge Jose Ribas at 4800 m and enjoy the spectacular view.

In the afternoon, you will arrive at a traditional Hacienda near the National Park where you will spend the night.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Baños
Day 9 Riobamba & Hiking Ingapirca Ruins
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Riobamba & Hiking Ingapirca Ruins

Cuenca, 160 miles (259 km) south of Riobamba is the final destination for today’s road trip, with stops along the way. First, see the Ingapirca pre-Inca ruins, one of the largest archeological complexes in Ecuador. Learn how the site has cultural influences from Cañari and Inca, and at 10,498 feet (3,200 m) above sea level was a strategically located settlement to manage an entire empire. Climb through the Cañari settlement ruins, and look out for llamas roaming freely. At the end of your archaeological exploration, continue on to Cuenca, traveling the remaining 43 miles (70 km) south.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Cuenca
Day 10 Exploring Cuenca And Surroundings, Gualaceo, Chordeleg
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Exploring Cuenca And Surroundings, Gualaceo, Chordeleg

Stroll through the cobblestone streets of Cuenca’s old town and see the various plazas and churches. With your car rental you will be able to explore around and beyond: Explore the beautiful scenery of the Azuay province and the picturesque small villages, such as Chordeleg, known for silver and gold handicrafts, Gualaceo with its orchid farm or Zigzig with its market. Return to Cuenca in the afternoon for another night at your hotel in the colonial part of town.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Cuenca
Day 11 Cajas National Park To Guayaquil
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Cajas National Park To Guayaquil

Your private transportation will pick you up and take you to El Cajas National Park and make your way to the largest city of Ecuador: Guayaquil.

El Cajas National Park, with its 200 glacial lakes and numerous hiking trails, is one of Ecuador’s most beautiful places, located 32km west of Cuenca. During this trek, you will cross gaps and Polylepis forests and your guide will explain about moorland vegetation. The highlight will be getting to the Garden of the Virgin of Cajas or Tres Cruces Viewpoint at 4160 masl.

After stopping by for lunch on the way, you will head for a 3:30 hour drive along with your guide, where you will approach one of the highest points in the Ecuadorian highlights to descend towards the Coast of Ecuador, rice plantations will follow your way until reaching Guayaquil, where you will be dropped off at the hotel to relax and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Guayaquil
Day 12 Transfer Out
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Transfer Out

Upon arrival at Quito airport, you will connect on the same day with your international flight so you can return home with some everlasting memories. See you next time!

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

12 days tour

12 Days Quito To Guayaquil

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip 12 Days Quito To Guayaquil

Welcome To Ecuador The Middle Of The World

Traditional Cooking Class – Afternoon Colonial City Tou21000

Middle Of The World Monument- Transfer To Mindo

Visit Mindo Cloud Forest

Exploring Local Culture: Otavalo Market & Hike The Cuicocha Lake

Alpaca Encounter & Kayaking At Quilotoa Lagoon

Cotopaxi National Park

Reconnecting With Nature At Baños De Agua Santa

Riobamba & Hiking Ingapirca Ruins

Exploring Cuenca And Surroundings, Gualaceo, Chordeleg

Cajas National Park To Guayaquil

Transfer Out

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