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

Accommodation

● 13 Nights of Accommodation

Meals

● 13 Breakfast ● 0 Lunch ● 0 Box Lunch ● 0 Dinner

Guide

Spanish and English-speaking transfer

Others

● English-speaking airport transfers

Not included:

Others

● $500 Dollar reimbursable deposit during car rental services ● Traffic speed tickets, tolls, and fuel surcharge ● Meals not explicitly specified in the itinerary ● Extra drinks ● Personal expenses ● Expenses not specified in the program ● Alcoholic Beverages ● International Airport Fees *if apply* ● Optional Excursions ● Tips and Personal expenses ● Obtaining and updating passports, travel insurance, and excess baggage fees. ● 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

● 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.

From there you will take a ride for approximately 2 hrs to your hotel in Papallacta Hotsprings.

Meals: -

Overnight: Papallacta
Day 2 Papallacta Hot Springs - Otavalo Hacienda
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Papallacta Hot Springs - Otavalo Hacienda

After a delicious breakfast, take a dip in the warm water and let any stress from your travels melt away as you admire the views of polylepis trees and the Antisana Volcano in the distance.

Papallacta Hotsprings is a popular tourist destination in Ecuador. The hotsprings, which are located in a mountain valley near the Andes, boast of therapeutic and healing powers due to their high mineral content. Visitors can enjoy a range of activities including soaking in the hot pools, steam baths and Jacuzzis, as well as a variety of treatments such as massages and mud baths. The resort also offers a number of other amenities such as a spa, restaurants, a pool, and a variety of lodging options. Papallacta Hotsprings is a great destination for anyone looking for a relaxing and rejuvenating experience. In the afternoon, you will head to Otavalo Hacienda.

Meals: Breakfast

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

Otavalo Market & Cuicocha Lagoon

In the morning you can start visiting to market of Otavalo. Otavalo features one of the most important traditional markets in South America. Here, the indigenous people of the surrounding areas gather to trade anything from animals over handicrafts to fresh vegetables and fruits. Take a stroll through the streets and maybe try some of the local street food such as salted mango or fritada con mote, and fried pork with cooked corn. In the afternoon you will hike around the crater lagoon of Cuicocha. On the trail, your guide will explain to you the high-altitude flora and fauna and the history of the once-active volcano. Alternatively, you can ride in a boat around the two islands.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Otavalo
Day 4 San Pablo Lake - Parque El Cóndor - Quito
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

San Pablo Lake - Parque El Cóndor - Quito

After breakfast, you will leave Otavalo and head to San Pablo Lake. This lake is one of the most beautiful areas in the province of Imbabura, 4 km west of the town of Otavalo and 2670 meters over sea level. La Laguna de San Pablo is an ecosystem that includes some representative species such as herons, ducks, some amphibians, and many aquatic plants.

Amazing activities await you and your family. After that, you will enjoy a delicious and traditional lunch in front of San Pablo Lake shores.

After this marvelous experience, you will be taken back to Quito for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Quito
Day 5 Free Day Quito – Cotopaxi Hacienda
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Free Day Quito – Cotopaxi Hacienda

In the morning, you will be able to explore The Colonial Center of Quito was already named world cultural heritage by the UNESCO in 1978 and is home to many beautiful, historic buildings and squares.

You can visit the Plaza Grande and the beautiful churches La Compañía and La Basílica, and walk down the oldest street of Quito—La Ronda. Afterward, you can visit the equatorial monument Mitad del Mundo, where French scientists determined the position of the central line many years ago. In the afternoon you will head to Cotopaxi Hacienda.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Cotopaxi National Park
Day 6 Free Day Cotopaxi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Free Day Cotopaxi

After breakfast, head south to Cotopaxi National Park. Stop at Limpiopungo Lagoon for a short hike to take in the panoramic mountain views. You’ll also see the El Salitre Inca Ruins, located in the park’s highlands. Keep an eye out for wildlife—Lake Limpiopungo is home to a variety of birds and occasionally even wild horses.

In the afternoon, explore the national park on horseback. Ride through beautiful páramo (typical Andean landscape) before enjoying the rest of the evening in front of the chimney in the cozy traditional hacienda.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Cotopaxi National Park
Day 7 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 a number of 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 8 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 9 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 10 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 11 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 12 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 13 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 14 Departure From Guayaquil
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Departure From Guayaquil

Make your way towards Guayaquil’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: -

+11

14 days tour

14 Days Self-Drive

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip 14 Days Self-Drive

Arrival In Quito

Papallacta Hot Springs - Otavalo Hacienda

Otavalo Market & Cuicocha Lagoon

San Pablo Lake - Parque El Cóndor - Quito

Free Day Quito – Cotopaxi Hacienda

Free Day Cotopaxi

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

Departure From Guayaquil

Experience Style

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Experience Type

Physical Rating

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