The Highlander

The Highlander ( 8 Days / 7 Nights )

DAY 1 QUITO

Arrival in Quito and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. Overnight.

DAY 2 QUITO

Quito, one of the most beautiful colonial cities of Latin America, is surrounded by spectacular snowcapped volcanoes. The rich mixture of architectural styles and decorative arts of the Quito School of Art, prompted UNESCO to declare the city part of the Cultural Heritage of Mankind in 1979. During our three-hour tour we will visit the Ecuador's House of Congress, the Independence Square, the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, La Compañia Church, and the Monastery of San Francisco. Finally, we will head for the art and crafts gallery, and the City Museum. Balance of the day at leisure. Overnight.

DAY 3 QUITO - OTAVALO - QUITO

The Awakening Valley is the starting point for this trip that takes you to Calderon with its bread-dough figures and Cayambe where you can savor the local food specialties. You arrive in the Otavalo Indian Market in time to start your hunt for hand-knitted wool sweaters, colorful tapestries, straw hats, and much more. In the afternoon we will return to Quito. Overnight.

DAY 4 QUITO - RIOBAMBA

After an early departure from your hotel in Quito, travel to the Cotopaxi National Park and visit the highest active volcano on earth. You can explore the Andean moorlands or hike up to the snow line. After lunch we will visit Ambato, the city of flowers, also known for its fine leather industry. Then we will head for Riobamba, a historic city and birthplace of Ecuador's first constitution. Short visit of the city's highlights ending at the hotel. Overnight at La Andaluza or Hacienda Abraspungo.

DAY 5 RIOBAMBA - CUENCA

Breakfast and departure to Alausi train station through some of the most picturesque areas of the country. Board the train (if available) and experience the adventurous journey through the Devil's Nose while sitting on the roof of the train. Then we will proceed to Ingapirca, the most important religious and political complex left by the Incas. Continuation to Cuenca for overnight accommodations at hotel El Dorado. Note: If the train is not available the circuit will be completed by bus.

Day 6 CUENCA

Today we will enjoy a city tour of Cuenca, considered by many the prettiest colonial city in the country. Cuenca will captivate you with its cobblestone streets, graceful wrought iron balconies, courtyards, and flowered plazas. In the afternoon a visit to a straw-hat export enterprise and a ceramic factory is scheduled.

Day 7 CUENCA - QUITO

At the appointed time you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Quito. Balance of the day at leisure. Overnight.

DAY 8 QUITO - OUT

Transfer out to the airport in time for your connecting or international flight.

Rates

From: USD1062.00