ANDES-PANORAMA-9 DAYS-TOUR / Welcome to the best information site about Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands....

/ ANDES PANORAMA (9 Days)/

Cotopaxi National Park - Quilotoa Lagoon - Indigenous markets - Baños - Pastaza Canyon - Chimborazo - Train ride to the famous Devil's Nose - Ingapirca Ruins - Cuenca - Cajas.National Park

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On this trip you will experience the magic of the mountains and valleys of the South American Andes followed by a short trip to the coast. Majestic volcano peaks, richly colored markets, historic Incan Ruins, and crystal lagoons fill this exciting trip. You will travel to Baños, the gateway to the Amazon, followed by a trip to the colonial city of Cuenca, both inviting you to explore. Take your time and soak up all the culture and fun you can in your 9 enchanting days in the Sierra. ITINERARY

9 days from Quito to Guayaquil, with departartures on Fridays, Sundays, and Tuesdays
9 days from Guayaquil to Quito, with departartures on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays

Trip includes:	- Completely private tour - Certified bilingual guides - Lodging in the Hotel of your choice - Taxes and Park entrance fees.
Not included:	- All of the meals and drinks not mentioned - Personal purchases - Tips
Note:	For 3 to 5 people, a single room is already included in the price. If you would like to have more people stay in a single room, you must let us know ahead of time. We can arrange prices for groups of more than the above quoted numbers.

	[ reservations ]

ITINERARY

Day 1	Quito - Cotopaxi National Park. We will head south along the "Avenue of Volcanoes" towards Cotopaxi National Park. The peak of the Volcano (5,897 ms) overlooks the scenic Limpiopungo Hill (3,830 ms) and the lagoon of the same name. In our vehicle we will climb to an altitude of 4,500 meters to observe the magical view of the landscape. After a long walk, we will arrive at the Jose Ribas Refuge (4.800m) (optional). Near the refuge we will see a glacial precipice. In the afternoon we will travel to the Hacienda. We will spend the night at the Ciénega Estate (first class) or the San Agustín de Callo Estate (luxurious).
Day 2	Quilotoa Lagoon. Isolated pueblos and breezy valleys are the focus of the day as we travel through the Cotopaxi province. The Indigenous people have learned to harvest the mountainous area at altitudes of 4,000 meters. In the center of this region is the town of Zumbahua, from which we will travel on mules to the nearby lagoon. We will spend the night in the above mentioned Hacienda.
Day 3	Cotopaxi National Park - Latacunga Market, Saquisilí, or Pujilí -Baños. Depending on the day of the week, we will visit the colorful markets of either Latacunga, Saquisilí, or Pujilí, for an unforgettable adventure. In the evening, we will arrive in Baños, located at the foot of the Tungurahua Volcano, where perhaps we will observe an evening eruption. We will spend the night in the Hostería Monte Forest (first class, tropical climate) or in the Luna Runtún cabañas (luxurious cabañas with a view of Baños).
Day 4	Baños and Pastaza - Canyon. This is an adventure packed trip to Pastaza Canyon, the gateway to the Amazon Jungle. Little by little, the landscape changes, and we will see deep gorges, diverse waterfalls, and tropical vegetation. We will take a long walk to the Verde River and to the great Pailón del Diablo Waterfall. Here, we can admire the majestic and powerful cascading water. In the afternoon, we will have free time in Baños. This attractive city and its surroundings offer the visitor many attractions, which can be visited on horseback, on foot, or on bike. This is our last night in Baños.

Day 5	Baños - Chimborazo - Riobamba. Picturesque and diversely colored landscapes surround the trail to the highest peak in the country, Chimborazo Volcano (6.310m). In the shadow of this immense volcano we will cross "El Arenal ", home to the timid vicuñas. At an altitude of 4,800 meters, we will park our vehicle and climb to the refuge at an altitude of 5,000 meters. We will continue our trip to Riobamba where we will spend the night at the Hostería El Troje (first class) or at the Albergue Abraspungo (luxury).
Day 6	Riobamba - Train to the "Devil's Nose" - Ingapirca. Today's schedule consists of an adventurous train ride. After having traveled through fascinating landscapes the train arrives at Devil's Nose, a wall more than 100 meters formed in the shape of a zig zag. The trip continues along a narrow path leading to Ingapirca. We will spend the night in the unforgettable Ingapirca Inn.
Day 7	Ingapirca - Cuenca. The largest ruins in Ecuador are located in the small city of Ingapirca, in the Cañar province. While visiting the ruins, we will learn about the diverse culture of the Incas and the ancestral sayings of the Canaris. In the afternoon, we will go to Cuenca and spend the night at the Crespo Hotel (first class) or at the Hotel Oro Verde (luxury, outside of the City Center).
Day 8	Cuenca. The center of Cuenca offers visitors views of its old houses and colonial architecture. The Tomebamba River, the market, the flower market, and the main plaza and its cathedral are among the main attractions of this charming city. We will visit a Panama Hat factory and see how the hats are made. We will spend the night in Cuenca.
Day 9	Cuenca- Cajas National Park. In less than one hour we will reach Cajas National Park, a humid and mountainous area with more than 200 small lagoons. In this beautiful place we will take a long hike. Later we will travel to our final destination: the city of Guayaquil.