Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
Your flight lands at Quito Airport and you'll be greeted by your driver who takes you to a hacienda perched on Pichincha Volcano's slopes. The views of the Andes surrounding Ecuador's capital are right there from the property. Once you settle in, you can either kick back and relax or wander into the city on your own, depending on what time you arrive.
- Start point
- Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre (UIO), Vía Tababela - Yaruquí Lote 18, Quito, Pichincha 1709, Ecuador (Airport Pick-Up)
Optional Activities
- Explore Quito city center (self-guided)
Landmarks Pichincha Volcano 
- Day 2
Middle of the World
Start with Quito's historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you'll walk through narrow streets and large plazas. Inside La Compañía church, the gold-covered interior is hard to miss. Later, head up to Panecillo Hill for views in every direction, then drive north to the Middle of the World monument where French explorers marked the equator back in 1736. The Inti Ñan Museum sits right on the actual equator line with interactive exhibits about Ecuadorian culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Quito's historic city center
- Visit La Compañía church
- Visit Panecillo Hill
- Visit Middle of the World monument and exhibition halls
- Visit Inti Ñan Museum
Landmarks La Compañía Church Panecillo Hill Middle of the World Monument Inti Ñan Museum - Day 3
Quito to Otavalo
Travel north into Imbabura province to reach Otavalo, which runs one of South America's largest markets. You'll walk through narrow passages between vendors selling traditional clothing, handmade jewelry, and crafts. From there, head to nearby Peguche to visit local families in their workshops where they weave alpaca and llama wool into clothing and instruments by hand. Your hacienda for the night sits just outside Otavalo.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Otavalo market
- Visit Peguche indigenous town
- Visit local artisan workshops in Peguche
Landmarks Otavalo Market Peguche 
- Day 4
Cuicocha Lagoon
Continue exploring Imbabura by visiting Cuicocha Lagoon at Cotacachi Volcano's base. A volcanic eruption 3,100 years ago created this crater lake, now ringed by forest with two islands in the middle. You can follow trails along the rim to different viewpoints or opt for a full 4-5 hour hike around the whole lake. Stop in Cotacachi town to see leather shops the area's known for, then return to the hacienda for dinner by the fireplace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Delicious dinner with cozy evening by hacienda fireplace)
Included Activities
- Visit Cuicocha Lagoon
- Trail walk on crater rim with viewpoints
- Visit Cotacachi town
Optional Activities
- Full hike around Cuicocha Lagoon (approximately 4-5 hours)
Landmarks Cuicocha Lagoon Cotacachi Volcano Cotacachi - Day 5
Avenue of the Volcanoes
Head south from Otavalo, passing through Quito as you move into the central Andes. You'll drive along the Avenue of the Volcanoes toward Machachi with a stop at Pasochoa Volcano and Reserve, a biodiverse spot where about 100 bird species live. Pop into a local rose farm to see the variety Ecuador grows and exports. Your hacienda tonight sits near Cotopaxi National Park where clear skies might reveal the volcano's cone tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Pasochoa Volcano and Reserve
- Visit local rose farm
Landmarks Pasochoa Volcano and Reserve Cotopaxi Volcano 
- Day 6
Cotopaxi National Park to Riobamba
Rise early to catch Cotopaxi Volcano's views if the weather cooperates. After breakfast, explore the national park on foot, bike, or horseback. Cotopaxi ranks as Ecuador's second-highest summit and you might spot wild horses, various birds, and if you're lucky, an Andean Condor. Your guide will identify species around Limpiopungo Lagoon before you continue south to Riobamba for another night at a traditional hacienda.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Cotopaxi National Park (on foot, by bike, or on horseback)
Landmarks Cotopaxi National Park Limpiopungo Lagoon - Day 7
Chimborazo - Baños de Agua Santa
Visit Chimborazo Volcano, Ecuador's highest at 20,702 feet/6,268 meters and technically the closest point to the sun from Earth's center. Watch for wild vicuñas in the protected reserve foothills as you drive. Depending on altitude tolerance, hike to the refuge and warm up with coca tea, which some say helps with altitude effects. An optional mountain biking tour down the curvy slopes offers more adventure. Later, head north to Patate and Baños de Agua Santa.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Chimborazo Volcano protected reserve
Optional Activities
- Hike up to the refuge and enjoy mountain views
- Biking tour down mountain slopes
Landmarks Chimborazo Volcano Patate Baños de Agua Santa 
- Day 8
Baños de Agua Santa
Baños de Agua Santa means hot springs and today you choose your pace. Relax in town or head into the mountains and jungle for rafting, canyoning, hiking, horseback riding, or mountain biking. Pack clothes for changing weather. The Avenue of Waterfalls leads to Pailón del Diablo waterfall, a dramatic cascade forming a small gorge viewable from ground level and an overhanging bridge. The 15-minute walk downhill is easy, though returning takes longer. Head back to your hacienda by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Relax in healing hot springs
- Walk around Baños de Agua Santa town
- Rafting excursion
- Canyoning excursion
- Hiking excursion
- Horseback riding excursion
- Mountain biking excursion
- Visit Pailón del Diablo waterfall
- View Pailón del Diablo from overhanging bridge
Landmarks Pailón del Diablo Waterfall - Day 9
Baños de Agua Santa to Quito
Your driver picks you up at the hacienda and takes you back to Quito Airport for your international flight, a drive lasting about 2.5 to 3 hours. You'll leave with memories of Ecuador's volcanoes, markets, and mountain landscape.
- End point
- Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre (UIO), Vía Tababela - Yaruquí Lote 18, Quito, Pichincha 1709, Ecuador (Airport Drop-Off)
