Compare Jewels of the Andes | Haciendas de Ecuador by Latin Adventures vs Adventurous Ecuador by Culture Trip

Day 1: Arrive in Quito

Overnight in Casa Boutique Gangotena

When you arrive in Ecuador’s capital of Quito — which lies at 2,800 meters above sea level at the foot of the Pichincha Volcano — you will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel. 

Day 2: Quito City Tour – Cable Car – Mitad del Mundo

Overnight in Casa Boutique Gangotena

This city tour and Teleférico is a full day tour which includes the Basilica Church, where you will make a brief stop and next visit the “San Juan Mirador” from where you will have a beautiful view of The Colonial Center of Quito. After walking through the colonial streets, you will then stop at the Independence Plaza to admire the Cathedral and the Government’s Palace. Then you will visit La Ronda Street, The Company Church, Santo Domingo´s Church, The Sagrario´s Church and San Francisco´s Church, which was built during the 17th century. After visiting the historical site, you will go to the Teleférico. This is one of the best ways to enjoy the city with views of beautiful valleys, snow-capped mountains and the capital Quito. From a point of more than 13,000 feet (4000 m) high, you will enjoy magnificent views. In the afternoon, you'll will go to Mitad del Mundo which is located fifty minutes from the northwest of Quito (Ecuador). You will visit the current equatorial line and straddle the two hemispheres. In addition you’ll have the chance to participate in several experiments at the Intiñan Museum. Things like watching water go down a drain in a different direction only inches away from either side of the equator, or balancing an egg on a nail, or using an ancient sun dial are some examples of what you can experiment here. Overnight in Casa Boutique Gangotena

Day 3: Otavalo Market – Leather Shops – Hacienda La Zuleta

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hacienda Zuleta

Early in the morning, we will travel to the north along the Panamerican highway through a charming mountain scenery. We will arrive at Cayambe town and have breakfast at Hacienda La Compañia. We will continue to Otavalo and visit the Indigenous market. For centuries, regional markets played an important role in the life of the Indians, and were regular gathering places for trade and socializing. The colorful local markets of the Andean valley are famous for their fine handicrafts. The Otavalo Indigenous market dates from the pre-Inca times and is famous for its textiles. Otavalo is the most famous indigenous market in South America. The Otavaleños barter in silence, in contrast to the raucous noise of other markets. You will have time to visit this famous market and walk through the narrow cobbled, streets filled with Otavalo Indians wearing blue ponchos, white trousers and long braided hair. We stop for lunch in one of the most charming estates in the field. In the afternoon, we will visit the leather shops in Cotacachi. Then we will go to the Hacienda Zuleta, where we will assign one of the lovely rooms overlooking the garden. We will receive a welcome drink and a typical side dish, while its owner tells the story of the hacienda. At dinner we will enjoy a delicious soup, salads and organic vegetables produced on the farm. We will also have the choice of beef, trout or chicken, all following traditional family recipes.

Day 4: Hacienda Zuleta – Condor´s Path - Embroidery center - Private Library Galo Plaza

Accommodation: Hacienda Zuleta

Before the Condor's Path, early risers can go hiking to see the birds or be part of the process of milking cows on the farm. After a country breakfast at the ranch, we will take the Condor´s path, a moderate walk to see condors, archaeological ruins of the Caranqui culture and observe trout farming. The tour can also be done on horseback. Enjoy a picnic lunch if the weather permits; otherwise, lunch will be served at the Hacienda. After lunch, we will visit the embroidery center, part of the foundation of the estate, and the cheese factory. In the afternoon, we will visit the private library of Galo Plaza, former President of Ecuador and Secretary of the OAS (Organization of American States), whose family owns the ranch. After dinner, we will have time to relax in the warmth of the fireplace or enjoy stargazing in the central courtyard. 

Day 5: Hualilagua of Jijón - Hacienda San Agustin de Callo

Overnight in Hacienda San Agustin de Callo

If you want to wake up early, you can enjoy a walk by the Hacienda Zuleta or a short ride. After breakfast, we will travel south to arrive at the Hacienda Hualilagua de Jijón. Lunch will be served in a charming dining room. Continuing south along the 'Avenue of the Volcanoes', we will arrive at the Hacienda San Agustin de Callo. Following in the footsteps of the German scientist Alexander von Humboldt, we will discover what he called the 'Avenue of the Volcanoes' in 1802. This magical route is surrounded by snow-capped peaks. In the past, its natural beauty nourished the mythology of early cultures and later encouraged the Spanish to settle in their skirts. Streams and rivers travel from the mountains to the small villages of adobe houses and farmland. Hacienda San Agustin de Callo is located at the foot of the imposing Cotopaxi volcano. After that if the weather allows, we will visit the Cotopaxi National Park on horseback or bicycle. Back at the ranch, we will meet in the room to delight us with cocktails offered by the owner, who will give an overview of the history of the hacienda. We will enjoy dinner with house specialties including lamb, shrimp and vegetables grown in the garden on the farm. 

Day 6: Local Indigenous Market - Activities in Hacienda San Agustin de Callo

Overnight in Hacienda San Agustin de Callo

After a delicious buffet breakfast, we will visit a local Indigenous market. Color is the essence of ancient Indian markets of the Ecuadorian highlands, the native dress of men and women, stacked skeins of yarn, the blue sky, the brightly colored handmade designs in sweaters and the splendid paintings in Tagua; all these products and handicrafts are displayed in the squares with colorful fruits, vegetables and costumes provide countless opportunities to take pictures. Horse riding. 

Day 7: San Agustin de Callo – Termas de Papallacta Spa

Overnight in Casa Boutique Gangotena.

We will enjoy a delicious breakfast in San Agustin de Callo, then we will head to Termas de Papallacta Spa in where you will experience an unforgettable day in a unique and friendly atmosphere, in the midst of a unique natural environment, where the combination of hot springs and the comfort will provide experiences of relaxation and rest. 

Day 8: Travel back home

Transfer to the airport for the return trip.

DAY 1

Arrive in Quito

Upon arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport, you’ll be whisked off to your hotel in the Old Town district of Quito (the second-highest capital city in the world, at 2,850m/9,350ft above sea level) and meet our Local Insider at 6pm, who will accompany the group throughout the trip. In the evening, get to know your fellow travelers over a welcome dinner, washed down with a cold Pilsener – Ecuador’s favorite beer. Be sure to get a good night’s rest ahead of an action-packed day exploring the city tomorrow.

ACCOMMODATION

• Hotel Patio Andaluz

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Welcome dinner

DAY 2

Explore Quito and attend an Ecuadorian cooking masterclass

Kick-start the trip with an optional morning visit to the Equator – head to the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo and Intiñan Museum, where you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere. Regroup in Quito’s historic center (a Unesco World Heritage site) for a walking tour of the Plaza Grande, Presidential Palace and La Compañía church. After admiring the impressive array of colonial architecture and wandering down lively La Ronda street, you’ll embark on a gastronomic journey at Altamira restaurant. Learn how to prepare a variety of traditional Ecuadorian dishes in a cooking masterclass, capped off with a chocolate-tasting session.

ACCOMMODATION

• Hotel Patio Andaluz

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Quito walking tour
• Ecuadorian cooking masterclass and market visit
• Chocolate-tasting session

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Ciudad Mitad del Mundo and Intiñan Museum visit

DAY 3

Go horseback riding in Cotopaxi National Park

Today, you’ll journey south towards Cotopaxi National Park, dominated by the 5,897m (19,347ft) high Cotopaxi stratovolcano – the second-highest peak in Ecuador. If the conditions are clear, you’ll spot the snow-capped summit as you hike around the Limpiopungo glacial lagoon. Learn all about the flora, fauna and eruption history of the park at the Interpretation Center. Next, set out on a scenic horseback ride, where you’ll be introduced to the chagra cowboy culture of the Ecuadorian highlanders. Following a picnic lunch in Salitre, continue on to your mountain hacienda for the night.

ACCOMMODATION

• Chilcabamba Lodge

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Limpiopungo Lagoon hike
• Cotopaxi Interpretation Center visit
• Horseback riding

DAY 4

Hike round Quilotoa Lake and visit a Tigua art studio

Prepare yourself for another unforgettable hike as you venture to Quilotoa – a volcano on the westernmost edge of the Ecuadorian Andes, off the usual tourist trail that's known for its emerald-green crater lake. After a short walk round the rim, stop by a Tiguan studio owned by Julio Toaquiza – an artist who pioneered a vibrant painting style, depicting life in the high Andes. In the afternoon, you can shop for handcrafted souvenirs at Salcedo Market – it’s a great place to get under the skin of Andean culture. Next stop, Baños – widely considered the adventure capital of Ecuador.

ACCOMMODATION

• La Floresta Hotel

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Quilotoa Lake hike
• Tigua art studio visit
• Salcedo Market visit

DAY 5

Cycle the magnificent Baños Waterfall Route

Start your day by visiting the Swing at the End of the World. Attached to a mountaintop treehouse, it offers jaw-dropping views of the Tungurahua volcano and the valley below. Feeling brave? Why not give it a go? From here, you'll embark on an adventurous bike ride to three waterfalls on the road from Baños to Puyo: Agoyán, Manto de la Novia and the 80m (262ft) high Pailon del Diablo (Devil’s Cauldron). The water from these falls eventually runs into the Amazon River. Enjoy lunch with the Yaku Runa indigenous community before moving on to Tena – the gateway to the Amazon rainforest.

ACCOMMODATION

• Kuyana Amazon Lodge

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Swing at the End of the World visit
• Baños Waterfall Route bike ride
• Yaku Runa project visit

DAY 7

Go white-water rafting on the Jatunyacu River

Ready for an adrenaline rush? Today, you’ll go white-water rafting through the jungle on the Jatunyacu River – one of the main tributaries of the Amazon River. Meaning 'big water’ in the native Quechua language, the Jatunyacu features a combination of wild rapids and flat, scenic stretches, allowing you to appreciate the rainforest scenery around you. Spend the afternoon relaxing at the lodge. Come nightfall, take a guided forest trek and listen out for birds, monkeys and reptiles.

ACCOMMODATION

• Kuyana Amazon Lodge

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• White-water rafting
• Jungle night hike

DAY 7

Follow the Natural Oils Trail at Kuyana Amazon Lodge

After breakfast, you'll go on a guided hike to learn how natural essential oils are extracted from Amazonian plants for medicine and aromatherapy. Cool off with a refreshing dip in the waterfalls before making your way back to the lodge for lunch. It’s then time to leave the jungle behind and head up towards the Andes. You’ll eventually arrive in the village of Papallacta, where you can relax in hot springs or book yourself in for a soothing spa treatment at the hotel. Cap off your trip with a farewell group dinner.

ACCOMMODATION

• Termas de Papallacta

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Natural Oils Trail guided hike
• Waterfall swim
• Farewell dinner

DAY 8

Depart from Papallacta

The time has come to pack your bags as your Ecuadorian experience comes to an end at 9am. After one final breakfast, you’ll be driven back to Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito. Bid farewell to your fellow travelers and catch your flight home – or extend your stay by joining our Galápagos Islands trip.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Airport transfer