You will be picked up at 9am from your hotel/Airbnb (or any other place that’s convenient for you).

Your tour starts with a visit to Museo Casa Guayasamin and the Chapel of Man, a tribute to the most important Ecuadorian visual artist of all times Oswaldo Guayasamín. It is also considered the most important art museum and gallery in Quito and Ecuador.

In the former hillside home of the legendary painter Oswaldo Guayasamin, this wonderful museum houses the most complete collection of the artist’s work, famous for his social justice themes. The visit includes entry to the ”Capilla del Hombre” (The Chapel of Man), a purpose-built art museum dedicated to the peoples of Latin America. 

We will continue Quito’s Old Town, the largest, least-altered and best preserved historic center in the Americas:

- The Basilica of the National Vow: know as “La Basilica”, is the most important work of neo- Gothic Ecuadorian architecture and is one of the most representative of the Americas. It is the largest neo-Gothic basilica in the New World. 

- La Plaza de la Independencia (or “Plaza Grande”) is the principal square of Quito where the Presidential Palace, City Hall and Cathedral are located.

- You will enjoy a typical light lunch in Cafeteria San Agustin, the oldest eatery in Quito founded in 1858 (included). Save room for dessert and/or a hot beverage for a quick visit to República del Cacao Café (on your own), where you’ll also be able to learn about and buy some of Ecuador’s best chocolate.

- The Church of the Society of Jesus: known as “La Compañía”, is a Jesuit church best-known because of its large central nave, which is profusely decorated with gold leaf, gilded plaster and wood carvings. This is one of the most significant works of Spanish Baroque architecture in South America. It is Quito’s most ornate church and (according to many) the country's most beautiful. 

- Church and Monastery of St. Francis: commonly known as “San Francisco“, is a 16th-century Roman Catholic complex. It fronts onto its namesake Plaza de San Francisco. The imposing structure has the distinction of being the largest architectural ensemble among the historical structures of colonial Latin America. The style evolved over almost 150 years of construction through earthquakes and changes in artistic fashion.

- We will finish the city tour at Virgin of El Panecillo: A 45-meter-tall stone monument of a madonna which was assembled on a high pedestal on the top of Panecillo hill. Locals claim that she is the only one in the world with wings like an angel. This hill and the virgin can be seen from anywhere in Quito’s Historic Center. 

Around 4pm we will drop you off at your hotel/Airbnb (or any other place that’s convenient for you).

You will be picked up at 9am from your hotel/Airbnb (or any other place that’s convenient for you).

Weather permitting, you’ll start today’s tour with a ride of the Teleferico gondola lift that runs from the edge of the city centre up the Pichincha Volcano. It’s one of the highest aerial lifts in the world, rising from 10,226 to 12,943 ft. The ascent takes about 20 mins. and is rewarded with the most amazing cloud-high views of Quito and the surrounding mountains, volcanoes and sky-capped peaks.

Then we’ll take a 30-minute drive North of Quito for the following visits: 

Pululahua Crater (weather permitting): is one of only two volcanic craters inhabited in the world, and the only one that is farmed. The land here is extremely fertile because it is volcanic soil. The caldera of this extinct volcano is approximately 3 miles wide, one of the largest volcanic craters in the planet.

Temple of the Sun: Its structure resembles a castle, and is the home of a temple that reveres the Sun like Ecuadorian pre- Columbian indigenous did, and at the same time it’s a museum and art repository for the famous Ecuadorian artist that constructed and owns this complex. 

Middle of the World City: The grounds of this “city” contain the Monument to the Equator, which highlights the exact location of the Equator (from which the country takes its name) and commemorates the 18th century Franco-Spanish Geodesic Mission which fixed its approximate location. Free time to have lunch (on your own) enjoy the complex at your leisure: museums, interactive exhibits, shops, restaurants, ice cream parlors, etc.

Intiñan Museum: this onsite museum located right on top or the Equator Line features interactive exhibits on how the Incas determined the middle of the Earth, plus interesting science experiments such as balancing an egg on a nail and the affects of the Coriolis force on earth.  

Around 5pm we will depart back to Quito and drop you off at your hotel/Airbnb (or any other place that’s convenient for you).

You will be picked up at 9am from your hotel/Airbnb (or any other place that’s convenient for you).

We will head North to the province of Imbabura for an aprox. 2-hour drive. Our first stop will be the Miralago viewpoint to enjoy one of the most breathtaking views in this province: the San Pablo Lake on the skirts of the Imbabura volcano. 

A few minutes later, we will arrive to the Indigenous Market in the city of Otavalo, also known as Mercado del Poncho, one of the largest and most famous markets in South America. The indigenous Otavalo people are famed for weaving textiles, usually made of wool, which are sold at the world-famous Saturday market. In this artisan market you will find anything from jewelry and clothing (including the famous “ponchos”), to traditional home décor. 

Another short ride to the town of Cotacachi. This quaint little artisan town in the middle of the Andes is famous for its leather goods and handicrafts. Here you will have free time to have lunch (on your own) and enjoy the town and shop around. 

Afterwards, a short ride to Cuicocha lagoon, an active volcanic caldera currently filled by water from rainfall, aquifers and melting of glaciers that covered the Cotacachi volcano. The two islands that appear in the center of the lagoon actually constitute four volcanic domes. You will enjoy a guided boat ride around the islands.

Around 5pm we will start our drive back to Quito to drop you off at your hotel/Airbnb (or any other place that’s convenient for you).

You will be picked up at 8am from your hotel/Airbnb (or any other place that’s convenient for you).

We will drive South of Quito towards the Cotopaxi National Park, home of the majestic Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. This active, ice-capped volcano is located about 31 mi south of Quito. It’s the 2nd highest summit in Ecuador (19,347 Ft. ) and one of the world’s highest volcanoes. The last eruption lasted from August 2015 to January 2016. We will visit the Park’s Museum and the Limpiopungo lake in its foothill. Small hike to the “Chuquirahua Forest” at 13,800 feet above see level (weather permitting). 

After enjoying a traditional lunch in the area (not included), we will head towards the beautiful Quilotoa, a water-filled caldera and the westernmost volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes. Since its last eruption, the 2-mile wide caldera has become an 820 ft deep crater lake, which has a beautiful greenish/turquoise color as a result of dissolved minerals. This is one of the most memorable photo opps in the Ecuadorian Highlands. Short walk to appreciate the magnificent views (weather permitting).

Around 5pm we will head back to Quito to drop you off at your hotel/Airbnb (or any other place that’s convenient for you).

You will be picked up at 8am from your hotel/Airbnb (or any other place that’s convenient for you).

The ride will be aprox. 2 hours. You will start your memorable visit to Mindo at the “Mariposario” (butterfly garden) and then onto the Orchid Garden.

Free time for lunch (on your own). In the afternoon, you’ll visit a cacao plantation to learn about the harvesting process and production of chocolate. 

Alternatively, if you’re into adventure and adrenaline, for an additional $25 more you can add the following experiences to your day in Mindo: ZIP LINE + EXTREME SWING + MOUNTAIN CABLE CAR AND WATERFALL SANCTUARY

ZIP LINE:  Journey through 10 different zip lines, using safety equipment and in the company of our specialized guides, where you can enjoy the adventure and adrenaline that offers the sensation of flying between the mountains of the cloud forest of Mindo.

*Maximum weight: 140 kg. Not recommended for people with heart problems, asthma or hypertension.

EXTREME SWING: You have the opportunity to swing like Tarzan in nature! Swing is 40 meters long and 25 meters high. 

*Maximum weight: 198 lbs.

MOUNTAIN CABLE CAR AND WATERFALL SANCTUARY: Enjoy the ride in a mountain “tarabita” cable car with a 530-meter long ride that will take you to the trails where you can visit 6 different waterfalls. This includes hiking in the forest and amazing natural landscapes.

Around 5pm we will head back to Quito to drop you off at your hotel/Airbnb (or any other place that’s convenient for you).

Price includes TWO (2) transfers in private transportation:

- Airport to hotel/Airbnb upon arrival to Quito, and

- Hotel/Airbnb to airport for departure to USA.

Approximate time per transfer: 45 minutes