| Starts | Quito, Ecuador |
|---|---|
| Ends | Quito, Ecuador |
| Region | South America & Central America |
| Duration | 9 days |
| Tour Operator | Peregrine |
Itinerary
Day 1
Quito
- Your tour will begin with a welcome meeting at 6pm. Please ask the hotel reception for details of the meeting's location.
- Quito sits 2,850 metres above sea level, under the towering Volcan Pichincha. It is a beautiful city, arguably one of the most beautiful in South America. The city stretches along the valley and is surrounded by the Andes.
- Note: Quito is located at 2850 metres above sea level. At this altitude you may experience some of the milder effects of altitude sickness, such as dizziness, insomnia and a shortness of breath. If so, we recommend you avoid any strenuous activity. Before departing it is wise to check with your doctor if you have any pre-existing medical conditions that may make the impact of altitude more difficult or dangerous for you. While your tour operators are trained in first aid and know where the closest medical facilities are, it is integral that you monitor your own health and seek assistance where necessary.
Day 2-3
Cotopaxi
- You will visit the Old Town of Quito on Day 2. The Old Town is awash with history, with more than 30 churches to explore, and a number of fascinating museums. La Compania de Jesus is considered to be the most beautiful church in the Americas, and is definitely one of the most ornate. Calle La Ronda is Quito's oldest street, and it is well worth exploring.
- You will continue on past the Avenue of Volcanoes to a lodge in Cotopaxi area after your Old Town tour on Day 2.
- While you are in Cotopaxi, you will visit the Quilotoa lagoon for a full day visit.
Day 4-5
Cotopaxi- Banos
- You will travel from Cotopaxi to Banos today, but before you depart you will visit the Cotopaxi Volcano, which sits about 5887 metres above sea level. It is the highest active volcano on earth.
- When you arrive in Banos you will realise why it has become a mecca for avid travellers. It sits in a valley of hot springs and waterfalls, and enjoys a small town atmosphere and temperate weather year-round.
- Banos is transformed from a quiet sanctuary of peace and tranquillity on weekdays to a bustling carnival-like festival town on weekends and holidays. The luscious hills, warm water, abundance of adventure activities and excellent food here make it a popular town for tourists and locals alike.
Day 6-7
Cuenca
- On the way we will visit to Ingapirca ruins, you will drive on through the mountains to Cuenca, the capital of the Azuay province today. Considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Ecuador, Cuenca has an old world ambience with a number of 16th and 17th century buildings, including a cathedral built when the Spanish founded the city in 1557.
- The city is in fact much older than this though, once the site of a native Canari village, before it was conquered by the Incas and called Tomebamba, Cuenca's history pre-dates Spanish arrival by hundreds of years. It has been said that the city once rivalled Cusco in Peru for its beauty, but it was flattened during the Inca civil war. As a result of this rich history, Cuenca has been named a Unesco World Heritage site.
Day 8
Cuenca-
- Farewell your fellow travellers as they continue on to Peru.
- Today you will take a short flight back to Quito.
Day 9
Quito
- Your tour comes to an end this morning after breakfast.
