Self-Drive Experience In Equador: The Andes, The Amazon Rain

Arrival at the International Airport in Quito. Meet and greet with local guide.Private Transfer to your selected hotel.Overnight in a 4* Hotel

Breakfast. Guided visit to the Colonial district of Quito, to discovering a World class historic district: declared by UNESCO Cultural Heritage in 1979.   At the agreed time, you will start the visit at the Independence Square “Plaza Grande” and stroll in the beautiful colonial district and get marvelled by the impressive religious and civil buildings dating from colonial times. The most remarkable examples of Barroco can be admired in churches and convents. You will visit La Compañia, San Francisco Convent its cloisters and climb to the towers. Lunch during excursion. Overnight in a 4* Hotel 

After breakfast, transfer to the Rent A Car Office to pick up the car and comply all the procedures.  You will be assisted by your English speaking guide. Route: Rent a Car Office - Otavalo region  2 hours aprox – 130 km Indigenous market “Plaza de los Ponchos Visit the craft market, beautiful for its colors and the wide variety of crafts: ponchos, fabrics, scarves, straw hats, silver jewelry, ceramics, etc.  The inhabitants are famous for their traditional fabrics and outfits: blue ponchos, white trousers, sandals and braid for men, embroidered blouses, "anacos" (typical skirts), golden glass necklaces  for women. The big market is held on Saturday. Peguche Village and Waterfall Peguche village, located a few kilometers away from Otavalo, is the weaving center, where the majority of the inhabitants devote themselves to the artisanal weaving, using a belt loom or a pedal loom. There are a couple of ateliers to observe the different designs and uses of looms and vegetal pigments to obtain colors.  Close to the village is Peguche waterfall, important ceremonial and purification place for local communities. (Entrance fee not included) You can visit an Atelier of Andean musical instruments and even create one for you Cuicocha Lake & Cotacachi village  Cuicocha lagoon (3,200 m above sea level) is located inside the crater of an active volcano that has collapsed on itself millions of years ago. Possibility to hike up about 10 minutes for a beautiful view of the lagoon and two islets, the hike down leads you the Sacred Ñan, through several ancient monuments used by the locals: sun dial, moon dial, ritual bath and an altar of offerings  Cotacachi village is famous for the elaboration of leather goods.  San Pablo Lake and Lechero San Pablo Lake is a ritual place, there is the belief that the lake was originated when the daughter of an important Curaca fallen in love with a shepherd, the local yachag helped the two lovers to elope, but the father was advised to prevent it. The couple   was separated, the shepherd was condemned to death, the girl begged for mercy to Taita Imbabura, that moment a huge thunder crossed the sky the shepherd was converted in a tree “Lechero” and the girl was converted into the lake. Parque Condor Parque Condor has a beautiful panoramic view towards the four cardinal points. To the north-east you can admire the Imbabura Volcano; to the north-west the Cotacachi Volcano and even Cuicocha lake and the town of Cotacachi. The mission of this center is the protection, rescue, rehabilitation, and possible re-introduction to the nature of birds of prey, vultures (Andean condor) and owls. Many of the species were rescued from illegal captivity or from inappropriate environments. At Condor Park, they find a shelter where they can remain calm or recover to be released.  (Entrance fee not included) Activities in a local community with a family  Drive to an indigenous community where your host family welcomes you to your guest room (private bathroom, hot water) and invites you to participate in their daily activities (there is no set schedule or plan of activities, the idea is to see and learn about the everyday life within the family/community, please ask for supplements). Overnight at selected hotel or with a host family.