Day 1 - Welcome to Quito

Upon arrival, after clearing customs, meet your guide at the arrival hall holding a sign board with your name on it. Your guide escorts you to your awaiting private vehicle and transfers you to your hotel where you receive check-in procedures assistance.

Quito, nestled at the foot of the 15,696-foot Pichincha Volcano, is known for its eternally spring-like climate and for the beauty of its well-preserved colonial center. Initially settled by the Quitu tribe in the first millennium, Quito was eventually integrated into the Inca Empire before being destroyed and re-founded in 1534 by Spaniard Conquistador Sebastián de Benalcázar. For nearly three centuries, the arts and intellectual societies flourished under Spanish colonial rule, evident in the historic center’s splendidly restored colonial buildings and churches lining narrow and cobbled streets. In 1809, Quito established the first self-governing junta in the colonies and the liberator Simón Bolívar led the country as part of the Republic of Greater Colombia until 1830 when the Republic of Ecuador announced its independence. Due to the city’s preservation of its blended past, UNESCO declared it the world’s first Heritage Site in 1978. The city is beautifully sitting in an Andean valley at 9,186 feet above sea level, making it the 2nd highest capital city in the world.

Overnight: Illa Experience

Meal Plan:

Day 2 - Quito's Downtown

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, afterwards at a pre-coordinated time, meet your private guide at the hotel reception area to start your tour.

Start this full-day excursion by driving north to the equator at the Inti Ñan Museum, located on the true equator, which displays examples of pre-Columbian life in Ecuador and offers demonstrations on the unique geography, astrology, and natural sciences of the region around the equator.
Ride the Teleférico, one of Quito’s newest attractions offering some of the most spectacular and easily accessible views of the city. Eighteen gondolas soar up the slopes of Pichincha Volcano to the west of Quito. The ride lasts only 10 minutes but soars to an altitude of 4,050 meters (13,300 feet). At the top, the lookout point offers incredible views of Quito, its surrounding valleys and snow-covered volcanoes (along with coffee, snacks, and oxygen if you feel short of breath). We recommend you bring a sweater or a jacket, as the weather can change quickly on this mountain.

An afternoon sightseeing tour shows are some reasons why Ecuador’s capital earned its honor as the world’s first UNESCO Site. Marvel at San Francisco Church and its museum of religious art, La Compañía and the seven tons of gold gilding on its glittering walls, and the bustling Independence Plaza, flanked by the Presidential Palace and Quito Cathedral. Rich in art treasures, fine woodcarvings, and flowering balconies, the historical center is the lifeblood of Quito.

After the visit, you will then enjoy a chocolate tasting to discover the Ecuadorian chocolate history and its unique flavors. Ecuadorian cacao has been acknowledged as the world’s best, due to its aroma, consistency, and flavor. And no matter where anyone tries to grow this kind of cacao, it is only in Ecuador that it obtains its characteristics thanks to the unique weather conditions, perfect for its cultivation. In fact, it is so good that it has been the world’s most exported kind, and nowadays countries such as Switzerland, Italy, and Mexico still import Ecuador’s up-stream beans to make the world’s finest chocolate!

Overnight: Illa Experience

Meal Plan: B,L

Day 3 - Cotopaxi National Park

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, afterwards at a pre-coordinated time, meet your private guide at the hotel for your next excursion to marvel at Volcán Cotopaxi’s perfectly conical shape. Search for wild horses and usually, some condors will be flying around the higher areas of the reserve.

This excursion to Cotopaxi National Park and Baños is a great way to get close (but not too close) to volcanoes. The route takes you south from Quito along the stunning Avenue of the Volcanoes, a nickname bestowed by Alexander Von Humboldt, the German scientist who came to Ecuador in the 18th century.

The park is named for its volcano, the perfectly cone-shaped Volcán Cotopaxi. One of the highest active volcanoes in the world at 5,900 meters (18,000 feet), Cotopaxi dominates the landscape. Walk around beautiful Laguna Limpiopungo, keeping an eye out for wild horses and the endangered Andean condor.

Have lunch at a local restaurant and continue to the hacienda for your overnight stay. Enjoy the last part of your afternoon with a cup of coffee, tea or chocolate sitting in from of an Andean landscape.

Overnight: Hacienda San Agustin de Callo

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 4 - Baños

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, afterwards at a pre-coordinated time, meet your private guide at the hotel to visit an indigenous market and taste the original and delicious Salcedo ice creams.

Depart for a visit to one of the indigenous markets of the area, where you will be able to experience a genuine Andean local market with people buying and selling local produce, crafts, and other goods. Visit Salcedo town to be delighted by its delicious and traditional layered ice creams: Made with local fruits and using a particular technique to prepare them, this snack has been the attraction of the town since 1950. Afterwards, continue through the Andean slopes to your next overnight stay at hacienda: Located in Patate, just in front of the beautiful Baños de Agua Santa, we can find Hacienda Manteles, a perfect place to spot the Tungurahua Volcano, Ecuador´s most active elevation. Enjoy the trails of the hacienda that cross Andean ecosystems where you will enjoy the amazing nature surrounding this hidden hotel.

Overnight: Samari Spa Resort

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 5 - Ecuador's Most Impressive Waterfalls

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, afterwards at a pre-coordinated time, meet your private guide at the hotel reception area to start your tour.

Enjoy all the nature that Baños de Agua Santa has for you. Head east to one of Ecuador’s most impressive waterfalls, Pailón del Diablo, traveling along a spectacular road that offers amazing views of the upper Amazon basin.

In the afternoon, walk around town and visit the church and museum dedicated to the Virgin of the Holy Water or one of the many balsa wood or tagua seeds carvers. Lunch at a local restaurant and then head to Riobamba for the night.

Surrounded by snow-capped peaks such as Ecuador’s highest peak Chimborazo (6,310 metres, 20,565 feet) Riobamba, the former capital of Ecuador, is known as the Sultan of the Andes. With its colonial architecture and cobblestone streets, Riobamba’s Old Town is a favorite among visitors; Parque Pedro Vicente Maldonado is a highlight. Other places worth visiting are the Natural Science Museum at Colegio Maldonado and the religious art museum at Concepción Convent.

Overnight: Hacienda La Andaluza

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 6 - Welcome to Guayaquil

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, and meet your private guide at the hotel reception area for your transfer to Hacienda la Danesa

La Danesa is a traditional dairy and cacao farm with over 145 years of rich heritage and history, located about an hour's drive from Guayaquil, Ecuador. Family-owned and managed by the third-generation Olsen family, the farm offers a unique selection of tailor-made activities for guests, including horseback riding trails, hands-on artisan chocolate making, and other hacienda-related programs. La Danesa is just 30 meters above sea level and it is the perfect adventure to combine with Galapagos excursions without having to worry about altitude sickness.

Overnight: Hacienda La Danesa

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 7 - Exploring Hacienda La Danesa

In the morning enjoy breakfast and rest of the day you will enjoy different activities at the Hacienda.

Cacao Plantation: Ecuador is recognized for offering the finest quality cacao in the world. Guests will visit the cacao plantation where they will have the chance to taste raw cacao at different ripening stages and a hands-on experience of making artisan chocolate. (1 hour)

Bicycle Trails: Guests can take fat-tire bicycles and ride around the farm to explore at any time. A map and cycling route signs will guide visitors through different trails. (1 hour)

Cow Milking: Hacienda La Danesa celebrates 20 years of recognition to be the best dairy farm in coastal Ecuador. It produces 1,200 liters of high-quality milk per day. To make lunchtime even more special, La Danesa presents one of its grass-fed cattle to give a first-hand experience of milking and trying unpasteurized fresh milk. Overnight guests can join the early morning milking session. (15 minutes)

Petting Farm Animals: At La Danesa, taking the best care of its large and diverse stock of farm animals is very important. From goats, horses, and cows to birds, chickens, and many more. It is a truly fun experience for both kids and adults to bond with the farm animals and have a taste of an authentic country life experience. (30 minutes)

Optional activities with an additional cost: Horseback Riding

Overnight: Hacienda La Danesa

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 8 - Guayaquil City Tour

Enjoy breakfast at the hacienda, afterwards at a pre-coordinated time, meet your private guide at the hotel reception area to start your tour.

Start your Guayaquil city tour by visiting an enormous Iguana tile sculpture before continuing along Carlos J. Arosemana Avenue to admire tiled artwork along the city’s highways. On Centennial Park on 9 de Octubre Avenue, see the city’s regeneration, passing the first fire station, the Masonic Temple, and buildings from the start of the 20th century. Continue down Chile Street, known for its street market, and visit Seminario Park, also known as Ïguana Park, in front of the Cathedral. Continue up to the intersection with Olmedo Avenue, passing by the First State University of Guayaquil, an old building with white columns and wide windows, typical Guayaquil architecture.

Your second stop is at South Market in Malecon 2000 to visit the Integration Plaza and artisans’ market, Union Club, and the first fort where a statue of José Joaquín de Olmedo, the first mayor of Guayaquil, stands in front of the Guayas River. Continue along Malecon Simón Bolivar to the Civic Plaza, the Moorish Tower, City hall and the Rotonda.

Overnight: Hotel del Parque

Meal Plan: B,L

Day 9 - Departure

After an enjoyable breakfast, head to the airport for your departure flight.

Overnight:

Meal Plan: B