Duration: 8 days
Begins: Quito
Ends: Quito
Trip Code: SEHE
Hotels (5 nts), rustic mountain lodge (2 nts).
7 breakfasts, 1 lunch
Allow USD220-290 for meals not included.
Local bus, plane, private vehicle.
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Arrive at any time.
There are no activities planned until the evening. Please check at the hotel reception for a welcome note from your CEO advising on the time and location of the welcome meeting.
Opt to pre-book the "Quito City Tour & Equator Line" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional on your tour.
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Drive northwest for 2 hours, enjoy the dramatic change of vegetation heading down from the Andes into the cloud forest. Mindo is a tiny town set amidst some of the most beautiful and peaceful countryside in the entire country. It is a centre for both nature and adventure activities. Go walking through the cloud forest and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the different waterfalls, take time to ride up the cable car with amazing views. Visit a butterfly farm and see an array of colourful hummingbirds for which Mindo is renowned. In the afternoon, opt for an organic chocolate tour and tasting. This trip takes roughly 9 hours departing at 7 am, and includes a guide, transport and lunch. Any activities upon arrival will be additional. **Check availability at destination because this tour does not have daily departures.
Enjoy a city tour of Quito. Visit the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with stops at the Basilica del Voto Nacional, La Compañia Church, San Francisco Square, Plaza Grande and the Panecillo, a towering statue of the virgin of Quito who looks out over a stunning view of the city. Drive 25km (16 mi) north of Quito to the Middle of the World, latitude 0º. Stand with one foot in each hemisphere. Please note that this tour starts at 8 a.m. and ends around 5 p.m.
Explore the largest handicraft market in South America, Otavalo market. Villagers from the surrounding countryside come every week to sell handmade goods as well as livestock, fruits, and vegetables.
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Discover some amazing local art, tapestries, and textiles at Otavalo’s famous artisan market, the largest handicraft market in South America. Wander the stalls to meet local artists, and find one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Try to arrive early for the best bargains (it starts at dawn), and try your hand at haggling – it’s expected for every purchase. A good negotiator could get at least 20 per cent off the starting price.
Enjoy a stroll to the famous Peguche Waterfall nestled within a gorgeous protected forest, Bosque Protector Cascada de Peguche. Take in the beauty of this natural wonder that’s also a sacred Indigenous ceremonial site used for purification baths.
Visit the mountain town of Cotacachi, known for its leather goods and handicrafts. Wander the streets of the scenic town and watch craftspeople make handmade leather goods. Take in local living, and be sure to pick up some goods and souvenirs.
Breakfast
Travel by bus to Cotopaxi National Park. In the afternoon, opt to explore the area or mountain bike with views of Cotopaxi Volcano. Spend the night in a mountain lodge near the national park.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Get out and explore the natural beauty of Cotopaxi.
Breakfast
In the morning, visit Cotopaxi National Park before continuing on with a full day of travel to Cuenca. Enjoy a boxed lunch on the way at a viewpoint overlooking the Andes Mountains.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Visit Cotopaxi National Park, home to Cotopaxi Volcano, which stands at 5,897m (19,342 ft). The beautiful cone-shaped, snow-covered volcano is Ecuador’s second highest peak and the highest active volcano in the world. Keep an eye out for park wildlife, including condors, foxes, deer, spectacled bears, and more. For those who want to hike, there are options available (weather permitting). Please ensure you have proper hiking shoes or boots, a waterproof/windproof jacket and warm hats and gloves. Hike is approximately 1.5 hours.
Breakfast | Lunch
This morning embark on a half-day city tour of the colonial city of Cuenca, including the Turi viewpoint, a Panama hat factory and the historical centre. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring or at one of Cuenca’s many cafes.
Head out into this stunning colonial city with your expert local CEO. First visit the Turi viewpoint with sweeping views of the city and surrounding mountains before stopping by a Panama hat factory. Then continue to the historical centre to discover the highlights like the new and old cathedrals and the flower market. Learn first-hand why this city deserves it’s UNESCO designation.
Breakfast
Enjoy a free day to explore beautiful Cuenca. Opt to go hiking in Cajas National Park, visit Ingapirca ruins, or soak in nearby hot springs.
Explore the city’s sights, including cobblestoned streets, red-tiled roofs, art galleries, flower markets, shaded plazas, and museums.
Head out and explore this colonial city!
Head out for an excursion from Cuenca with a visit to Cajas National Park. Tour this natural outdoor playground that combines stunning scenery and wildlife with excellent areas for hiking. The terrain is quite stark, mostly above 4,000m (13,120 ft) in the páramo (grassy highlands), with many clear lakes. Try some of the variety of treks in the park’s vast 28,000 ha, and keep an eye out for oncillas, wild llamas, pumas, and a wide variety of birds, including toucans!
Visit the ruins of Ingapirca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is approximately an hour and a half drive north of Cuenca, through some of Ecuador's most beautiful countryside. Although it is a major Inca site, not a lot is known about its history.
Slather volcanic muds on your face and body and relax in the natural hot springs.
Explore the countryside near Cuenca, visit nearby towns well-known for handicrafts, weaving, and textiles. Learn about the weaving process and pick up a shawl, guitar, or straw hat directly from the people who make them.
Breakfast
Fly back to Quito and enjoy the night in this historical city.
Your CEO will escort you and assist you at the airport in Cuenca and once you arrive to Quito our G representative will be there to escort you to the hotel and give you additional information for optional activities in your free day in Quito.
Get out and explore this beautiful city.
Breakfast
Depart at any time.
Depart at any time.We recommend booking pre or post nights in Quito for additional time to explore. The optional activities may require additional time, speak to your CEO/ G representative for assistance booking these activities on trip.
Drive northwest for 2 hours, enjoy the dramatic change of vegetation heading down from the Andes into the cloud forest. Mindo is a tiny town set amidst some of the most beautiful and peaceful countryside in the entire country. It is a centre for both nature and adventure activities. Go walking through the cloud forest and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the different waterfalls, take time to ride up the cable car with amazing views. Visit a butterfly farm and see an array of colourful hummingbirds for which Mindo is renowned. In the afternoon, opt for an organic chocolate tour and tasting. This trip takes roughly 9 hours departing at 7 am, and includes a guide, transport and lunch. Any activities upon arrival will be additional. **Check availability at destination because this tour does not have daily departures.
Enjoy a city tour of Quito. Visit the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with stops at the Basilica del Voto Nacional, La Compañia Church, San Francisco Square, Plaza Grande and the Panecillo, a towering statue of the virgin of Quito who looks out over a stunning view of the city. Drive 25km (16 mi) north of Quito to the Middle of the World, latitude 0º. Stand with one foot in each hemisphere. Please note that this tour starts at 8 a.m. and ends around 5 p.m.
Breakfast
dates start-End | Availability remaining spaces | Price Per Person | |
---|---|---|---|
Dec 2024 | |||
Fri, 27 Dec - Fri, 03 Jan | 6 Request | £779 | Request a quote |
Jan 2025 | |||
Fri, 17 Jan - Fri, 24 Jan | 1 Request | £819 | Request a quote |
Feb 2025 | |||
Fri, 14 Feb - Fri, 21 Feb | 3 available | £819 | Request a quote |
Fri, 28 Feb - Fri, 07 Mar | 5 available | £819 | Request a quote |
Mar 2025 | |||
Fri, 21 Mar - Fri, 28 Mar | 6 available | £819 | Request a quote |
Fri, 28 Mar - Fri, 04 Apr | 7+ available | £819 | Request a quote |
Apr 2025 | |||
Fri, 18 Apr - Fri, 25 Apr | 7+ available | £819 | Request a quote |
Fri, 25 Apr - Fri, 02 May | 7+ available | £819 | Request a quote |
May 2025 | |||
Fri, 09 May - Fri, 16 May | 7+ available | £899 | Request a quote |
Fri, 23 May - Fri, 30 May | 7+ available | £899 | Request a quote |
Jun 2025 | |||
Fri, 20 Jun - Fri, 27 Jun | 7+ available | £949 | Request a quote |
Jul 2025 | |||
Fri, 11 Jul - Fri, 18 Jul | 7+ available | £949 | Request a quote |
Fri, 25 Jul - Fri, 01 Aug | 7+ available | £949 | Request a quote |
Aug 2025 | |||
Fri, 22 Aug - Fri, 29 Aug | 7+ available | £949 | Request a quote |
Sep 2025 | |||
Fri, 05 Sep - Fri, 12 Sep | 7+ available | £899 | Request a quote |
Fri, 19 Sep - Fri, 26 Sep | 7+ available | £899 | Request a quote |
Oct 2025 | |||
Fri, 03 Oct - Fri, 10 Oct | 7+ available | £899 | Request a quote |
Fri, 17 Oct - Fri, 24 Oct | 7+ available | £899 | Request a quote |
Nov 2025 | |||
Fri, 28 Nov - Fri, 05 Dec | 7+ available | £819 | Request a quote |
Dec 2025 | |||
Fri, 19 Dec - Fri, 26 Dec | 7+ available | £819 | Request a quote |
Fri, 26 Dec - Fri, 02 Jan | 7+ available | £819 | Request a quote |
Jan 2026 | |||
Fri, 02 Jan - Fri, 09 Jan | 7+ available | £819 | Request a quote |
days, From £949 pp
7 days, From £629 pp
8 days, From £3,459 pp
17 days, From £9,359 pp
8 days, From £2,349 pp