This excursion is the perfect extension to connect Quito and Guayaquil through the Andes. You can also do it the other way around, from Guayaquil to Quito. As with all of our packages, we can tailor made this itinerary to meet your individual needs.
4 Nights Program Overview
Day 1 | Quito to Cotopaxi National Park and Indigenous Market |
Day 2 | Baños Waterfalls |
Day 3 | Devil`s Nose Train Ride – Ingapiprca Ruins – Cuenca (L) |
Day 4 | Cuenca City Tour Half Day + El Cajas National Park |
Day 5 | Guayaquil City Tour (3 hours) + Transfer out |
Itinerary
Day 1: Cotopaxi National Park and Indigenous Market
Pick up from Quito Hotel. Drive along the Pan-American Highway known as “The Volcanoes Avenue” towards one of the world´s highest active volcanoes-Cotopaxi (5,897 m). We will reach the entrance of Cotopaxi National Park. We drive on a third class road through a pine forest to Limpiopungo lagoon, a glacial Andean lake located at 3,800 m, along with the slopes of the magnificent Cotopaxi volcano. If weather conditions allow, we will drive further to the parking lot located at 4,500 meters in order to hike up to the shelter at 4,800 meters. In the afternoon we will visit an Indigenous Market in this area. Afterwards, we will continue to Baños for accommodation
Day 2: Baños Waterfalls
Afternoon drive to Riobamba through “El Arenal”, an arid location in the slopes of Chimborazo Mountain. This gigantic mountain was included in the famous 1802 expedition led by the renowned German scientist Alexander Von Humboldt. If time and weather allow, this location offers amazing views of wild llamas, vicunas and alpacas. Accommodation in Riobamba.
Day 3: Devil`s Nose Train Ride – Ingapiprca Ruins – Cuenca (L)
Afterwards, the guide and driver will bring you to Tolte’s Community. Here you will have lunch in the restaurant of the community, while enjoying a traditional dancing show. After lunch you will be able to choose among different activities during your visit-stay in the community: You can descend 330 stairs to a viewpoint, which is a perfect place to appreciate the zig-zag from Devil’s Nose and take fabulous pictures; you may choose between horse-back riding or a biking tour in the surrounding areas of the community, and you are also able visit an organic local farm to see how the community develops agro-tourism.
In case that passengers don’t want to do the round trip at the devil’s nose train ride, there is an option of riding horses from the Train station up to the Restaurant, this is a wonderful ride that will let you enjoy a great landscape. This activity has a supplement of USD $16.
After this visit, we drive to Ingapirca Ruins where a walk through this place will take you back to the past. These are the best preserved and unique Inca ruins in Ecuador. Arrival in Cuenca and overnight.
Day 4: Cuenca City Tour Half Day + El Cajas National Park
In the afternoon, only 30 minutes away from Cuenca we will find the El Cajas National Park; it consists of over 200 lagoons and has a surface of 28.544 hectares. It is a very important water resource for Cuenca and Ecuador. Thus achieving the international Ramsar wetland categories in 2002, area of international importance for bird conservation IBA 2003 and Candidate Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO. The rivers and tributaries that originate here flow into the Pacific and Amazon. Also, we can find the “Intercontinental Water Division” in this area. We visit the high part of the park 4.000 m.a.s.l. approximately, 45 minutes of walk. Then we move toward the Toreadora Lagoon, where we have a walk of approximately three hours. Then we will drive to Guayaquil city. Accommodation.
Day 5: Guayaquil City Tour (3 hours) + Transfer Out
In the afternoon, fly back to Quito or take an international flight (depending on which airline you depart, we can arrange a night city tour in the previous evening).
END OF SERVICES
Inclusions
Inclusions:
- All transfers throw the itinerary.
- All accommodation in 3* Hotels.
- Other meals as specified in the program.
- All excursions mentioned in the itinerary.
- English speaking naturalist guide on all excursions.
Not included
- Air ticket to/from Galapagos (subject to change without previous notice)
- Any item not specified
- Extra meals or beverages
- Tips
- Personal expenses
Airfares
Travel Just 4U has competitive South America Flights to get you to the starting point of your chosen Holiday. Contact one of our Travel Consultants for a full quotation including airfares, stopovers and any additional travel you wish to organize.