Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
You'll land in Quito and your driver will meet you after you get through customs. From there, it's a transfer to your hotel in this UNESCO World Heritage city that sits in an Andean valley. This is mostly about getting settled and resting up after your flight.
- Start point
- Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre (UIO), Vía Tababela - Yaruquí Lote 18, Quito, Pichincha 1709, Ecuador (International Arrivals )
Landmarks Quito 
- Day 2
Quito
Head out on a double-decker hop-on hop-off bus to see Quito's historic center and the surrounding Andean mountains from above. The route takes you to the Middle of the World complex where you can stand on the Equator line itself, snap photos with one foot in each hemisphere, and check out the interactive exhibits about this geographical marker.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Quito Panoramic City Tour on Hop-On Hop-Off double-decker bus with audio guide
- Visit to Middle of the World complex with Equator crossing and interactive exhibits
Landmarks Middle of the World Quito Historic Center - Day 3
Pifo - Papallacta
After breakfast, you'll visit an exclusive rose farm in Pifo to walk through greenhouses and see the different rose varieties they grow. You'll learn how they cultivate the flowers, create arrangements, and handle packaging. Later you'll head up to Papallacta in the high Andes to soak in hot springs pools fed by volcanic crater rainwater, with temperatures between 97°F and 104°F (36°C to 40°C). There are optional self-guided hikes if you want to explore the area's plants and over 160 bird species.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Rose farm tour in Pifo with greenhouse exploration and insights into cultivation and packaging
- Access to Papallacta Hot Springs Spa with nine pools ranging from 97°F to 104°F
Optional Activities
- Self-guided hikes in Papallacta to explore diverse flora and fauna
Landmarks Papallacta Cayambe Volcano Antisana Volcano - Day 4
Quitsato - Otavalo - Cotacachi - Cuicocha
You'll travel down the Pan-American Highway to Quitsato, a cultural monument that sits on the equator and measures solstices. Stop to try authentic Ecuadorian coffee and Bizcochos (fried pastries). Then continue to Otavalo for views of San Pablo Lake and Imbabura hill, and walk through La Plaza de los Ponchos, which is the largest indigenous handicraft market in South America. From there, head to Cotacachi to browse their leather goods market, and finish the day hiking to the Cuicocha Lagoon viewpoint inside an active volcanic crater. You'll get photos of the 3-kilometer diameter lagoon and the small islets in it.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Box Breakfast), Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Quitsato solar clock at equator crossing in Cayambe canton
- Shopping at La Plaza de los Ponchos indigenous handicraft market in Otavalo
- Exploration of Cotacachi artisan market for leather goods
- 20-minute stroll to Cuicocha Lagoon viewpoint with photos and panoramic views
Optional Activities
- Browse handicraft stores at Cuicocha Lagoon
Landmarks Quitsato Solar Clock Otavalo Market San Pablo Lake Imbabura Mountain Cotacachi Cuicocha Lagoon - Day 5
Machachi - Cotopaxi
You'll travel through the Andes toward Machachi with time to acclimatize and take photos. Next comes Cotopaxi National Park at 3,200 meters where you can see the towering Cotopaxi Volcano at 5,987 meters. There's a glacier hike that goes up to 5,100 meters, and you don't need previous experience for it. If you prefer, there's also an optional downhill bike ride that starts from the volcano's upper parking lot and descends to Limpiopungo Lagoon at 3,850 meters.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Box Breakfast), Lunch
Included Activities
- Glacier hike to 5,100 meters on Cotopaxi Volcano
Optional Activities
- Downhill bike ride from volcano's upper parking lot to Limpiopungo Lagoon at 3,850 meters
- Mountain hiking and biking activities in Cotopaxi National Park
Landmarks Cotopaxi National Park Cotopaxi Volcano Limpiopungo Lagoon Machachi - Day 6
Saquisilí - Tigua - Quilotoa
Check out the vibrant Saquisilí market to see what indigenous highland life is like. Stop by the Tigua community known for their colorful wooden sculptures and paintings. You'll also see Toachi River canyon, which gives great photo opportunities. The main event is Quilotoa Lagoon, a crater lake with turquoise water where you can hike down to the water's edge, or try kayaking and swimming if that appeals to you. Before heading back to Quito in the evening, you'll have a meal of local food.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Saquisilí market exploration with insights into indigenous highland life
- Visit to Tigua community to see artists and colorful wooden sculptures and paintings
- Quilotoa Lagoon experience with access to hike down, kayaking, and swimming options
Optional Activities
- Kayaking on Quilotoa Lagoon
- Swimming in Quilotoa Lagoon
- Hiking down to Quilotoa Lagoon
Landmarks Saquisilí Market Tigua Toachi River Canyon Quilotoa Lagoon 
- Day 7
Calacali - Mindo
Start with an optional breakfast in Calacali, then drive to Mindo, a lush cloud forest area between the Andes and the Ecuadorian coast. Visit the Butterfly and Orchidarium to see the local species. There's an optional canopy adventure over the cloud forest where you can spot different birds. Next, tour an artisan chocolate factory to see how they make chocolate from start to finish. You'll head back to Quito in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Box Breakfast), Lunch
Included Activities
- Butterfly and Orchidarium visit in Mindo
- Artisan chocolate factory tour with chocolate-making process demonstration
Optional Activities
- Canopy adventure over Mindo cloud forest with bird species viewing
Landmarks Mindo Butterfly and Orchidarium Middle of the World Monument 
- Day 8
Departure from Quito
After a final breakfast at your hotel, your driver will transfer you to the airport for your international flight departure.
- End point
- Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre (UIO), Vía Tababela - Yaruquí Lote 18, Quito, Pichincha 1709, Ecuador (International departures )
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Quito
