Best of Ecuador's Mainland in 10 Days

Day 1: Quito Airport Pick up to hotel

1. Quito
   45m
   Quito Airport pick up to hotel

Day 2: Mindo is a town in the Andes in northern Ecuador. known for its numerous species of birds, butterflies and orchids.

1. Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve
   45m · Admission ticket not included
   After Approximately 2 and a half hours drive, We will visit a butterfly Farm in which we will be able to see many butterflies typical to this area, you will be able to see the process of growing each butterfly is going through, and if in luck you might even be able to feed a butterfly...
2. Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve
   1h 30m · Admission ticket not included
   We will do Canopy zipline in Mindo Cloud Forest.
3. Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve
   10m · Admission ticket not included
   We will continue by cable cart in the magnificent Cloud Forest of Mindo.
4. Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve
   45m · Admission ticket not included
   We will have a walk in Mindo Cloud Forest.
5. Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve
   30m · Admission ticket not included
   We will visit the Hummingbird Garden in which we would be able to see many hummingbirds on their dinner.
6. Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   Chocolate Tour

Day 3: Otavalo Area

1. Quitsato Sundial
   45m · Admission ticket not included
   That another place where the Equator line passes through, we will make a short break here to see the place.
2. Miralago
   15m
   We will make a stop in this beautiful view point, on a good day you can see San Pablo Lagoon, Imbabura Volcano, Cotacachi VOLCANO.
3. Plaza De Los Ponchos Mercado
   1h 30m
   We will visit the Plaza de los ponchos, South America biggest handicraft market. you will have some time to shop, or just go around if you wish.
4. Cotacachi
   1h
   We will visit Cotacachi town which is famous for its leather goods, you will have some time to shop.
5. Cascada de Peguche
   45m · Admission ticket not included
   Peguche Waterfall

Day 4: City Tour Quito

1. Intinan Equator Museum
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   We will visit intiñan Museum, where the equator line actually go through, you would be able to witness special phenomenon's unique to this place, and also some history and culture.
2. Galeria Artesanal Mitad Del Mundo
   30m · Admission ticket not included
   We will visit "Mitad del Mundo" Monument, where among other things to se, you can take a picture of yourself with one leg in the north hemisphere and the other leg in the south hemisphere.
3. La Virgen del Panecillo
   30m
   We will make a stop to admire "La Virgen del Panecillo", It is located on a hill in the center of Quito, visible from almost all parts of the city. Not only is it the tallest aluminum statue in the world, but it is also the tallest winged representation of the Virgin Mary in the world.
4. Basilica del Voto Nacional
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   The Basilica of the National Vow (Spanish: Basílica del Voto Nacional) is a Roman Catholic church located in the historic center of Quito, Ecuador. It is the largest neo-Gothic basilica in the Americas.
5. Fundacion Iglesia de la Compania
   40m · Admission ticket not included
   The Church and Convent of San Ignacio de Loyola de la Compañía de Jesús de Quito, also known in the Ecuadorian people simply as La Compañía, is a Catholic clerical complex located on the corner formed by calles García Moreno and Sucre, in the Historic Center of the city of Quito.
6. 15m
   The Church of San Francisco is a Catholic basilica that stands in the middle of the historic center of Quito, in front of the square of the same name. The structure is the largest architectural complex within the historic centers of all of America.
7. 1h · Admission ticket not included
   The Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito is a temple of Catholic worship located in the Historic Center of San Francisco de Quito. It is the headquarters of the Primate Archdiocese of Quito and occupies the entire southern flank of the city's so-called Independence Square, which has become its most famous view despite not being its main entrance. In 1995 it was elevated to the Primate Cathedral of Ecuador, which makes it the highest Catholic temple of the Catholic Church in Ecuador.
8. 15m
   Independence Square (Spanish: Plaza de la Independencia, or colloquially as Plaza Grande) is the principal and central public square of Quito, Ecuador. This is the central square of the city and one of the symbols of the executive power of the nation. Its main feature is the monument to the independence heroes of August 10, 1809, the date remembered as the first cry of independence of the Royal Audience of Quito from the Spanish monarchy. The square is flanked by the Carondelet Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace, the Municipal Palace and the Plaza Grande Hotel.

Day 5: Quilotoa Crater Lake

1. Saquisili
   1h
   Two hours South of Quito sits the town of Saquisilí with one of the most colorful and complete indigenous markets in Ecuador; it is also one of the largest and most authentic markets in Ecuador.
   * This market is open only on Thursday, so we will visit this market only if we happen to do this tour on a Thursday.
2. Galeria del Primer Pintor de Tigua - "Julio Toaquiza Tigasi"
   20m
   Here we would be able to see painting with local painting style for Tigua.
3. Laguna Quilotoa
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   Here we will the visit the famous and majestic Quilotoa Crater lake, it is possible to do a short hike, approx. 2 hours down to the lake, you can rest mules for the coming back part, just make sure you do it before you go down.
4. Canon del Rio Toachi
   10m
   Here we will make a stop to admire the stunning view in Canyon del rio Toachi.

Day 6: Waterfalls Road & Casa del Arbol Area

1. Ruta de las cascadas
   2h 30m · Admission ticket not included
   We will go to the waterfalls road, we will make several stops to admire the different waterfalls.
2. La Casa del Arbol
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   We will go up the mountain to Cada del Arbol, we will make several stops to admire the view.
3. Termas de la Virgen
   1m · Admission ticket not included
   You will have the rest of this day off, you can visit the hot springs ¨Termas de la virgen¨ or "El Salado", or do some shopping for souvenirs and presents, up to you, Baños is considered a safe place.

Day 7: Jungle tour in Puyopungo Area (Shared Service)

1. 1m
   Approximate pick up time: 8:45am.
   Meeting point: Hostal Transilvania, please come inside and let one of the staff know you are waiting to get picked up for the Jungle trip.
   
   Itinerary:
   1. Approx. 2 and a half hours drive.
   2. Walk in the jungle approx 45 minutes, you will be given information about traditional plants, and you'll have a chance to practice the liana(do like tarzan).
   3. We will visit Waterfall Hola Vida, which you can swim in.
   4. Approx. 15-20 minutes canoe in the river
   5. Visit the Indian community, here you'll be able to see some domesticated animals, 1.50$ per person. we will practice the "Selvatana", and try some chicha (tipical Indian drink). people from the Indian community will paint your face with warriors motives, we will witness a typical Indian dance.
   6. View point where you can see all the jungle around you, and enjoy a big swing.
   6. You'll visit a place where you can see the process of making chocolate from cacao beans.
   7. Back in Baños approx. on 8pm.

Day 8: Free Day in Baños de Agua Santa

1. Banos
   1m
   Free day in Baños de Agua Santa, you can shop for souvenirs, or can do some extreme activity.

Day 9: Day tour Cotopaxi

1. Cotopaxi National Park
   30m · Admission ticket not included
   We will visit the Interpretation Center, which kind of a museum of Cotopaxi National Park.
2. Laguna de Limpiopungo
   30m
   We will visit "Laguna Limpiopungo", if the weather is good all mountain Cotopaxi reflect in it, and it is a spectacular view.
3. 2h
   We will drive to the parking place, and if you wish and physically capable you can climb up to the Refuge, the altitude might make it more difficult than what it looks.
4. 15m
   We will make a short stop to see Laguna Yambo.

Day 10: Transfer out to Quito Airport

1. 45m
   Transfer out to Quito Airport

Pickup details

Please contact us to set up a meeting place and time.

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Travelers are responsible for bringing infants seats if they want as we do not provide them.