Accommodation

•11 Nights of Accommodation

Transport

• All airport transfers from/to the Airport with a private English speaking Driver • Assistance during transfer in/out from and to the airport • Car Rental for mainland Ecuador, unlimited kilometers, GPS, and LDW Coverage

Guide

•Spanish and English-speaking Guide

Meals

•11 Breakfast •0 Lunch •0 Box Lunch •0 Dinner

Not included:

Flights

•International flights

Insurance

•Travel, medical or any type of insurance

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Arrival In Quito
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Arrival In Quito

You will arrive at Quito International Airport; rental car reservations will be properly made and the counter agent will have your information prior to your arrival at the rental car counter located a few steps next to Local Arrivals.

The car rental agent will ask for your passport, driver’s license, and credit card for a deposit in case there are any traffic speed tickets or damages to the vehicle that will not be covered by the insurance.

The entire city of Quito is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, standing at an altitude of 9,350 feet (2,850 m) and welcoming visitors with its picturesque plazas situated between mountain peaks. The city has an abundance of market stands, shamanistic healers, and fourth-generation hat makers, as well as a vibrant and sophisticated culinary and nightlife scene.

Meals: -

Overnight: Quito
Day 2 Free Day In Quito
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Free Day In Quito

Spend today exploring Quito at your own pace. Visit the historic Old Town to discover the colonial churches of San Fransisco, La Compañia, and other historical landmarks, or head to the fascinating Equator Monument, which also houses the Ethnographical Museum. If you’re feeling adventurous, ride a cable car up the slopes of nearby Volcán Pichincha for dizzying views over the city from 12,942 feet (3,944 m).

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Quito
Day 3 Quito – Otavalo Market & Cuicocha Lagoon
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Quito – Otavalo Market & Cuicocha Lagoon

In the morning, head to Otavalo. The city is the 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 fritada 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. You can even take a boat ride around the two islands.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Otavalo
Day 4 Otavalo – Cotopaxi Hacienda
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Otavalo – Cotopaxi Hacienda

After a delicious breakfast, you will head south to Cotopaxi National Park. You can visit Lake Limpiopungo as well as the El Salitre Inca ruins, 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. You will reach your traditional Hacienda just in time for lunch (not included). The afternoon is at leisure. You may choose to go for a scenic horseback excursion at the foothills of the Rumiñahui volcano, explore the surroundings of the Hacienda on a mountain bike or just relax in your cozy room.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Cotopaxi Hacienda
Day 5 Cotopaxi Hacienda – Pailon Del Diablo – Baños
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Cotopaxi Hacienda – Pailon Del Diablo – Baños

In the morning, you will leave your hacienda in Cotopaxi National Park and head to the town of Baños (approx. 3 hours), famous as one of Ecuador’s outdoor capitals. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and rest a little bit. Driving south from Baños in the afternoon, following the "Avenue of waterfalls", you will follow the Pastaza River on its way through the valley of the same name. Passing some waterfalls, you will reach the village of Rio Verde, where you will stop to visit the well-known El Pailon del Diablo (The Devil’s Cauldron) waterfall. You may also rent a bike and ride to the waterfall.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Baños
Day 6 Free Day Baños
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Free Day Baños

This small town is known for two things: naturally heated thermal baths – the namesake of Baños, Ecuador – and adventure sports! Nearby Baños, you’ll find mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and hot springs to explore on your own in a day full of adventure.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Baños
Day 7 Baños – Chimborazo – Riobamba
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Baños – Chimborazo – Riobamba

Today you will leave Baños after breakfast and make your way to the impressive volcano Chimborazo. You should already be able to spot it several times along the way. If the altitude does not affect you, take a walk to the refuge Carrell at 4.800 m and enjoy the splendid view of surrounding valleys and mountains. Afterward, continue your journey towards Riobamba, where you will spend the night.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Riobamba
Day 8 Riobamba – Cuenca
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Riobamba – Cuenca

This morning you will continue your journey south to Cuenca, passing through the dunes of Palmira. If time and weather conditions allow, you can pass through Baños del Inca, which contains some special ruins and a fantastic hot spring. From here you will continue to Cuenca where you will be able to spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Cuenca
Day 9 Exploring Cuenca
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Exploring Cuenca

Stroll through the cobblestone streets of Cuenca’s old town and see the various plazas and churches. 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

Overnight: Cuenca
Day 10 Cuenca – Cajas National Park – Guayaquil
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Cuenca – Cajas National Park – Guayaquil

Your first stop today is the beautiful Cajas National Park. This National Park comprises more than 200 interconnected high-altitude lagoons. The Cajas is not only a source of many rivers but even connects to the Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean. You have some time to enjoy the view from the lookout or to take a short walk to one of the many lagoons. Afterward, you continue your journey westwards and you can stop at a Hacienda where you will get to know the process of chocolate making and where you may have a delicious, local lunch. In the afternoon, you will drive through lush vegetation until reaching Ecuador’s biggest city, Guayaquil.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Guayaquil
Day 11 Free Day In Guayaquil
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Free Day In Guayaquil

Today you will explore Guayaquil with your car rental, we suggest starting with a visit to the Seminario Park, a very popular meeting point for young Ecuadorian lovers. Furthermore, this little park is well-known for its land iguanas which laze about in the trees while they catch the sun. You can visit the Cathedral, built in classical gothic style and then we move on to Guayaquil’s famous wide, tree-lined waterfront, “El Malecon”, that runs alongside the river Guayas. The next stop will be the historic local government buildings, the “Palacio Municipal” and then the “Palacio de Gobernacion” (the Government Palace). Right in front of this palace is the Moorish clock tower “La Torre Morisca”, which was built in 1843, and with a little effort climbing its steep stairs, we can enjoy the views across the city. La Rotonda, another historic monument, is a statue that marks the meeting between Simon Bolivar and Jose San Martin in 1822. The old district of Las Peñas, a vestige of old Guayaquil to the north end of the Malecon, is a picturesque neighborhood built on the Cerro Santa Ana hill on the edge of the river. Climbing the stairway amid the brightly painted wooden houses, you will gain a different perspective of Ecuador’s largest city.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Guayaquil
Day 12 Sightseeing & Departure From Guayaquil, Departure
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Sightseeing & Departure From Guayaquil, Departure

Make your way towards Quito’s Airport, and drop off your car rental to return back home. Make sure to return de vehicle in the same conditions, if you had any mishappen with the rental car make sure to let us know in advance.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: -

12 days tour

12 Days Self Drive

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip 12 Days Self Drive

Arrival In Quito

Free Day In Quito

Quito – Otavalo Market & Cuicocha Lagoon

Otavalo – Cotopaxi Hacienda

Cotopaxi Hacienda – Pailon Del Diablo – Baños

Free Day Baños

Baños – Chimborazo – Riobamba

Riobamba – Cuenca

Exploring Cuenca

Cuenca – Cajas National Park – Guayaquil

Free Day In Guayaquil

Sightseeing & Departure From Guayaquil, Departure

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