Limitless Ecuador

Day 1 -Sunday: Transfer from the airport to the hotel.  

 

Accommodation

 

 

Departing from Quito, in the morning hours along the road that leads to the Amazon Rainforest, we will enjoy a trip of about an hour and a half through the Ruta de la Canela, the same route that the conqueror Francisco de Orellana took in 1542, when he crossed The Andean Cordillera in search of species and gold and where he finally discover the great Amazon River. There will be a brief visit to the Papallacta lagoon that is located in a moor with very cold climate and a beautiful view of natural landscapes, which contrasts with the thermal pools, ideal for an anti stress therapy and highly recommended for your health. All this can be enjoyed inside the tourist complex Termas de Papallacta where you can also take walks on nature trails, optional activities in their fabulous SPA or lunch. Return to Quito.

This tour does not include lunch.

 

 

Departure from Quito via Panamericana Norte until we arrive at Cayambe, where the passengers will have the chance to taste the delicious ""Bizcochos de Cayambe"", a type of biscuit or bread, made in clay ovens (accompanied by cheese of leaf or dulce de leche). After a brief stop in ""Miralago"", to admire a wonderful view of Lake San Pablo, we continue until we reach Otavalo where the native people of the area, ""Otavalos"", elaborate their fabrics.

Those who so wish can choose to stay in this area and our bus will pick them up on the return from Cotacachi (they will not be able to visit Cotacachi) or continue with the route to Cotacachi, well known for clothing and leather handicrafts. On the way to Cotacachi, we will visit a Workshop of Andean Instruments ""Ñanda Mañachi"" located in Peguche.

Once in Cotacachi, you will have enough time to visit the village, leather goods stores and have time for lunch (lunch not included). Return to Quito, picking up the passengers who stayed in Otavalo (place and hour of pick up established by the guide of Andes Nomads ).

** The bus will wait for a time of 10 minutes in Otavalo to pick up the passengers who stayed at that stop, after which it will return to Quito with those who are on board.

 

 

We start to the north of the city with a tourist route along the most important shopping areas, where most of Quito's hotels are located. Then we will go to the Historical Center to visit the Basilica del Voto Nacional Church, where we will make a brief stop and give information about the church, then we go to the Plaza de Independencia, where we will take a pedestrian walk and you can see the Cathedral, the Government Palace, the Archbishop's Palace and the Church of La Compañía, renowned for its impressive gold ornaments and altars, we will continue to the Church of San Francisco built in the seventeenth century. (Church entrances are not included). We will then go to the Mirador del Panecillo, a place renowned for its beauty, where you can admire a beautiful landscape of colonial and modern Quito. 

We will stop in the pink area of the city to have lunch (not included), and then continue north, we will arrive at the Mitad del Mundo (Includes entrance) where you can see the monument that divides the Northern Hemisphere with the Southern Hemisphere of the planet. It was built in the 18th century where the French scientific expedition defined the exact position of the Equator line dividing the world. With extra cost you can enjoy the experiments that prove the location of this privileged place in the middle of the world.

 

 

Departure early in the morning through the ""Panamericana Sur"" route, appreciating beautiful landscapes and diverse ecosystems, as a clear example of the majesty of the Andes. We continue to Cotopaxi National Park, reaching the slopes of the impressive active volcano. We will visit the el Museo del Parque (Museum of the Park), the Laguna de Limpiopungo and we will take an interesting hike to the forest of Chuquirahuas at 4,200 meters above sea level. (If time allows it).

 

We will arrive at the Quilotoa Volcano, which has an impressive turquoise lagoon in its crater, making it one of the most beautiful landscapes of Ecuador. We will take a short walk to appreciate the magnificent view of the volcano (if the weather conditions allow it).

Free time to have lunch (not included).

 

*Does not include: Entrance to the Cotopaxi National Park Nacional