ADVENTURE TRAIN PACKAGE

Four days – Three nights programs

DAY 1: Andean Train, Zip Lines & Horseback riding

Today we will have an exciting experience with the Andean train, departing from the south of Quito, into the valley and village of Machachi. The newly restored Andean Train operates from Thursday to Sunday. On other days, we will do this trip by car.

In case we will do not have the train, our journey will continue driving to reach a Hacienda on the high course of Pita River, once there we will be suited with harnesses and helmets, for an exciting experience on the zip lines. (-/L/D)

After this experience, we will travel to a Hacienda in the Cotopaxi National Park for a good Andean lunch. In the afternoon, we will have a light horseback riding excursion on the open meadows of Rumiñahui volcano. It is also a great opportunity to take great pictures and watch some birds and flora of the region.

DAY 2: Local Market, Latacunga & “The Route of the Waterfalls”

After breakfast, we start our drive south and over the western flank of Cotopaxi volcano, on the way to the city of Latacunga where we shall stop to visit the local market loaded on color, people, and exotic fruits and vegetables.

Following this market experience, we will drive south to reach the village of Baños where we shall enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. The village itself shows quite nice things to see and visit. In the afternoon, we will drive along the Pastaza River Canyon, known as “The Route of the Waterfalls”.

Return to our route to a Centennial Hacienda close to Baños for our check-in and enjoy our dinner. Overnight.(B/L/D)

DAY 3: Nature hike

After a nutritious Andean breakfast, we depart on our morning nature hike into a cloud forest loaded with exotic plants and colorful birds. Return to Hacienda house for lunch and get ready to depart back to Quito by an alternative way, a scenic backcountry drive until the valley of Latacunga and on to another Hacienda in the foothills of Cotopaxi Volcano. Check-in and home-hosted dinner. After dinner, enjoy the cozy fireplace. Overnight.(B/L/D)

DAY 4: Valley of Machachi

After breakfast, we start our drive north to the Inter-Andean valleys. A backcountry drive will take us to the foothills of the snow-capped Ilinizas across extensive farmlands, reaching the valley of Machachi. A great hacienda lunch will be served in the Hacienda.

Afternoon, take a light visit to the hacienda grounds and get ready to continue for our last drive back to Quito.

ARTS CRAFTS TRADITIONS PACKAGE

Four days  – Three nights programs

DAY 1: Traditional Cuisine & Otavalo Market

Departing from Quito north along the Pan-American Highway, we will go to the small village of Calderon to learn about the tradition of bread dough figures by visiting a workshop.

We continue north to the valley of Guayllabamba and to the south part of the valley of Cayambe where the Equator line meets the highway. We have an optional visit where we will meet representatives of this independent project.

From here we continue to the village of Cayambe, to search for a local delicacy, the famous “bizcochos” biscuits made by locals. Try this local snack along with fresh cheese.

We continue our trip to Imbabura, the “Lakes Province” and we will make a great photo stop at Miralago viewpoint. A few minutes further, we will reach a close by Hacienda, to check in and enjoy a fantastic lunch of the well-known cuisine of this property. In the afternoon, we will depart to visit Otavalo and its market, which is famous for its variety of goods and great shopping.

After the market, we will return to the Hacienda, so we can enjoy the gardens and surroundings, and have a delicious dinner. Overnight. (-/L/D)

DAY 2: Weavers, yagchas & Afro Ecuadorian Village

Today we will take advantage of the diversity of the region, so after a good breakfast, we depart north along the side of San Pablo Lake to reach the weavers’ community of Peguche where almost every house has looms. We will visit a local workshop and will learn about their techniques as well as an Andean wind musical instrument workshop.

We will continue north along several villages such as Iluman, known for the felt hat making and the local healers or “yagchas” to reach San Antonio de Ibarra, a village devoted to perhaps the best woodcarving work in Ecuador. There you can visit a workshop by a local artist. Only a few minutes north, we will reach a Hacienda, a former Jesuit property converted into a comfortable resort. Check-in and lunch. In the afternoon, we will head north for an unexpected community-the Afro Ecuadorian village of Santa Catalina de Salinas, where we will learn about the history and traditions. On the way back, we stop at the city of Ibarra to try the local handmade fruit ice cream.

Upon arrival, some time to relax and enjoy a nice dinner as well as good sleep. (B/L/D)

DAY 3: Andean Condor Rescue Center

After breakfast, we depart along the old cobblestoned road south to another colonial Hacienda. As we arrive, we shall check in and get ready for a twenty-minute walk in the Hacienda’s grounds across green pasture fields to their Andean Condor Rescue Center where we will have superb chances for great photos of these majestic birds as well as to learn about their ordeal to survive on this part of the Andes.

Return to Hacienda house and enjoy some time to visit this unique house followed by a great dinner and a comforting night’s rest. (B/L/D)

DAY 4: Roses Plantation & Valley of Cayambe

After a good breakfast, we will depart following the same old route south to reach the Valley of Cayambe, considered to be the roses capital of Ecuador, where we will visit an important roses plantation to learn more about this industry which has become the prettiest export of the country.

After this visit, we continue to a traditional restaurant, where we will enjoy a nice lunch. In the afternoon, return to Quito. (B/L/-)

NORTH ADVENTURE PACKAGE

Four days—Three nights programs

DAY 1: Quitsato & Horseback Riding

Departing from Quito north on the Pan-American Highway we will cross the dry valley of Guayllabamba and from there we shall reach the fertile valley of Cayambe; our first stop will be where the road crosses the Equator and will visit the site of Quitsato, an independent project which proposes an innovative view of the Equator. From this point, we shall continue on to the province of Imbabura to reach a Hacienda located in the surroundings of San Pablo Lake. After checking in, we visit a neighboring rose plantation and learn about this booming industry. Return to Hacienda for lunch.

After a short rest, we will have the option of a light horseback ride in this scenic countryside. Return to the hacienda for dinner and a good and cozy fireplace. Overnight. (-/L/D)

DAY 2: Imbabura Volcano & Handicrafts Workshop

After a good breakfast, we start our half-day hike towards the eastern flank of Imbabura volcano across fertile farmlands on old cobblestoned roads and different trails to reach the pass of the valley of Angochahua at 10,000 feet (ca. 3 km) above sea level. Box lunch will be enjoyed along the way. After this, we will descend into the valley to reach the community of Zuleta, well known for its hand embroidery. Visit a local workshop and learn about this crafting tradition.

From there, we drive the last part of our excursion to the city of Ibarra to the Hacienda to check-in. After a good rest and freshen up, enjoy your dinner. Overnight. (B/L/D)

DAY 3: Train & Afro Ecuadorian Village

After breakfast, we drive to the local train station to take a ride on this newly restored railway down the village of Santa Catalina de Salinas, a totally unexpected surprise.

The train ride itself follows the canyon of the Ambi River, crossing on high bridges and tunnels, providing a very dramatic scene. After one and a half hours, we reach the Afro-Ecuadorian community of Santa Catalina de Salinas, where we will learn about the history and traditions of these people. We will enjoy our lunch at a community restaurant. After lunch, we return to Ibarra along a very panoramic drive. A short visit to the old art of the city will show us a lovely colonial-looking town with ample plazas and cobblestoned streets bursting with commercial activity and some historical places.

We will continue to Hacienda overnight. (B/L/D)

DAY 4: Cuicocha Crater Lake

After a good breakfast, we depart south through the village of Cotacachi to the Cuicocha Crater Lake for a great nature five-hour hike following the trail that circles this lake. A good variety of native plants and birds can be seen on this hike, which reaches the Andean tree line to bring you into the open grasslands of the paramo. Of course, all along, the magnificent scenery of the nearby mountains and valleys will show you the beauty of the Andes in its great splendor. Box lunch will be provided and enjoyed along the way.

After this nice hike, we will drive back to Cotacachi for a short stop in this village, known for its great leather craft with superb bargains on these goods. In the afternoon, drive back to Quito. (B/L/-)

SOFT NORTH ADVENTURE PACKAGE

Four days – Three nights program

DAY 1 Quitsato & Imbabura

Departing from Quito to the north on the Pan-American highway we will cross the dry valley of Guayllabamba and from there we shall reach the fertile valley of Cayambe. Our first stop will be where the road crosses the Equator and we will visit the site of Quitsato, an independent project which proposes an innovative view of the Equator. From this point, we shall continue on to the province of Imbabura to reach a colonial Hacienda, located on the surroundings of San Pablo Lake. After checking in we will visit a neighboring rose plantation and learn about this blooming industry. Return to Hacienda for lunch. After a short rest we will have the ooptionof a light horseback ride on this scenic countryside. Return to hacienda for dinner and a good and cozy fireplace. Overnight stay. (-/L/D)

DAY 2 Imbabura volcano & Community of Zuleta

After a good breakfast, we start our half-day hike towards the eastern flank of Imbabura volcano across fertile farmlands on old cobblestoned roads and different trails to reach the pass of the valley of Angochahua at 10,000 feet above sea level. Box lunch will be provided along the way. After the pass, we descend into the valley to reach the community of Zuleta, well known for its hand embroidery. Visit a local workshop and learn about this crafting tradition.

Afterwards, we will continue to a nearby Hacienda overnight. (B/L/D)

DAY 3 Project of Condor Huasi

Today we will have the opportunity to see the biggest living bird on Earth. The Andean Condor. Condor Huasi project has been created to accomplish the conditional reintroduction of captive Andean condors of Ecuador into the wild. It also includes an educational goal of conserving the páramo (high-altitude grasslands) and this is led by the communities living in the area. The Condor Huasi is located in the property of Hacienda Zuleta, parish of Angochagua, county of Ibarra, province of Imbabura.

Back to the hacienda for lunch. Free afternoon to walk and discover the surroundings of the hacienda with our guide.

Dinner and accommodation at Hacienda. (B/L/D)

DAY 4 Otavalo Market & Traditional Cuisine

Today, our main interests will be gastronomy and an Indian marketplace full of handicrafts. Early in the morning, we will visit Otavalo a famous Indian market where vendors proudly offer a stunning variety of weaving – such as the famous ponchos – among other textiles like roofs, mittens, and scarfs.

The market is often compared to a rainbow due to the colors the textile exhibits. Our guide will take us across the market to get our supplies for lunch. Back to the Hacienda where our hosts will wait for us for a cooking lesson and later, a delicious Andean typical meal.

Free time to explore the Hacienda before we depart back to Quito. (B/L/-)

FOLKLORE & ADVENTURE PACKAGE

Five days – Four nights program

DAY 1 Horseback Riding & Chagras

Departing to the south for about one hour from Quito, we descend into the valley of Machachi, a green territory mainly covered by dairy farms until a detour to access a Hacienda, which is a great way to get introduced to the spirit of the Andean Haciendas and their daily works. Visit the grounds and get suited for an approximately two hours horseback ride along old cobblestone roads and trails leading to a great viewpoint of La Viudita which overlooks the entire valley. Along the way, we can appreciate panoramic views of the Andes. Return to the Hacienda house and freshen up to enjoy a typical lunch hosted by the Hacienda’s owner.

After lunch, get ready for an exciting demonstration by the Chagras, on their riding and working skills.

DAY 2 Local Market in Latacunga & Avenue of the Volcanoes

After a good breakfast we depart south again along the Pan-American highway to reach the City of Latacunga and make a short visit to a nearby Hacienda, a unique colonial property built on the remains of an Inca facility from there we continue to visit one of the rose plantations that one can find in the region.

After this visit, we continue south to the city of Latacunga and visit a local market with colorful scenes of local people and varied fruits and vegetables. From here and only a few minutes away we will enjoy a home-hosted lunch at an artisan’s home where we will learn about their fascinating craft and work.

After lunch we will continue south along the “Avenue of the Volcanoes” on our way to another colonial Hacienda.

Enjoy a typical Andean hacienda dinner and a restful night’s sleep. (B/L/D)

DAY 3 Baños, Route of the Waterfalls & Pastaza River Canyon

Today after a good breakfast we will explore the region of Baños, a well-known and picturesque village that is located on the base of Tungurahua volcano.

Visit the village and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Later we can take an exciting drive down along the Pastaza River Canyon also called the “Route of the Waterfalls”.

After this varied scenery, we drive back to the Hacienda for dinner and overnight. (B/L/D)

DAY 4 Chimborazo & Ceramic workshop

After breakfast we depart back to the heart of the Andean mountains to circle the base of Mount Chimborazo, the highest in the Ecuadorian Andes (6310 maslmeters / 20702 feet) with spectacular views and a good opportunity to see vicuñas, grazing free on these extensive gravel plains.

A picnic lunch will be catered by the Hacienda. Afterward, we will return to the north towards the province of Cotopaxi, with a stop at a local naive ceramic workshop. Our trip will continue to a centennial hacienda, with a three hundred year mansion converted into a hotel some years ago.

Enjoy the grounds of this magnificent state house along with a nice dinner. Overnight. (B/L/D)

DAY 5 Horseback Riding Excursion

After breakfast, we depart to Cotopaxi National Park to reach the Hacienda which has been dedicated to raising cattle for milk and meat production. Upon our arrival we will get suited with riding chaps, ponchos and good hats. We will have a great horseback riding excursion on the extensive meadows of Rumiñahui (A mountain of the Andes of Ecuador).

Return to the Hacienda for lunch.

After lunch, we will start our journey back to Quito with a stop at another old Hacienda that is almost absorbed by the growing city. Here we will have a traditional cup of coffee and home baked bread, from here; we will do our last drive to reach your hotel in downtown Quito. (B/L/-)