Ecuador: Savor the Flavors

Upon arrival in Quito, your guide will greet you and transfer you to Otavalo for a two-night stay. Along the way, enjoy the scenic landscapes with stops in Guayllabamba to taste chirimoyas, a heart-shaped local fruit, and in Cayambe to visit a bizcocho factory and sample these traditional biscuits. Once in Otavalo, the rest of the day is yours to relax or explore the area. Otavalo, the capital of Otavalo Canton in Imbabura Province, is home to approximately 90,000 people and is surrounded by the towering peaks of Imbabura (4,630 meters), Cotacachi (4,995 meters), and Mojanda. The Otavaleños take great pride in their indigenous heritage and traditional clothing. Men typically wear white trousers, a blue poncho, and a black hat, while women dress in embroidered white blouses, long black skirts—sometimes with a white stripe—and often weave colorful materials into their braided hair.

Peru Ecuador Map

Chirimoya (Custard Apple)

Bizcochos Cayambe

Otavalo Market

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Hotel Otavalo

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After breakfast, your guide will pick you up for a day filled with nature, culture, and traditional cuisine. You’ll visit the La Calera community to take part in the Pachamanka ceremony, an ancestral cooking method where meats, vegetables, and fruits are slow-cooked underground using heated volcanic stones. While the food cooks for about two hours, take a short walk through lush vegetation to Tun Dun, a sacred ceremonial site. Here, you can participate in a purification ritual before returning to the Pachamanka, which will soon be ready to enjoy in the traditional way. After the meal, head back to your hotel and unwind with a cocktail on the rooftop while overlooking Otavalo.

Andes Mountains

Ecuadorian Native

Volcanic Rock

Pachamanka

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Hotel Otavalo

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This morning, your guide will take you to the Equatorial Monument, a well-known site in Quito. At the Intiñan Museum, you can participate in hands-on experiments, such as balancing an egg on a nail or observing how water flows differently on each side of the equator. While some demonstrations are designed for entertainment, they highlight interesting physics concepts. The museum also provides insights into Ecuadorian culture, including the biodiversity of the Galápagos Islands and traditions of Amazonian tribes. Before heading to your hotel, you'll stop at the House of Ecuadorian Tequila to learn about the plant and production process behind Miske, a traditional local spirit. Afterward, you'll transfer to Otavalo, where you’ll have free time in the afternoon to explore at your own pace. This city, located in Imbabura Province, is home to the Otavaleños, an Indigenous community that has preserved its Kichwa heritage. Otavalo is set against the striking backdrop of Imbabura (4,630 meters) and Cotacachi (4,995 meters), adding to its scenic charm.

Equatorial Monument

Intiñan Museum

Quito Traditional Food

Andes Mountains

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Plaza Grande

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Set out on a guided tour of Quito’s historic center, walking along colonial streets and visiting a lively local market with over 250 stalls selling fresh produce, medicinal plants, herbs, meat, and seafood. Here, you’ll sample Ecuadorian fruits like naranjilla (a tangy citrus), taxo (a sweet-tart passion fruit relative), and babaco (a mild, creamy papaya-like fruit). Next, visit the Iglesia de la Compañía, one of Latin America’s most stunning churches. Inspired by Rome’s Gesú Church, its design features pillars modeled after Bernini’s Vatican columns. Following a 12-year restoration, the church now stands as a testament to the craftsmanship of Ecuadorian artisans. In the afternoon, continue to Cotopaxi National Park, located in Ecuador’s central highlands. The park is home to Cotopaxi, an active volcano towering at 5,897 meters. Though its last eruption in 2015 mainly produced ash, the snow-capped peak remains a striking landmark, though climate change has reduced its ice cover in recent years. The park’s diverse wildlife includes wild horses, llamas, foxes, deer, Andean condors, and spectacled bears. You’ll also visit Limpiopungo Lagoon and learn about medicinal plants with your guide before transferring to your hotel.

Quito City View

Quito

Cotopaxi Lake Ridge

Cotopaxi

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Hacienda Los Mortiños

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Travel to Guamote with a stop at Quilotoa Lake, a volcanic crater lake at 3,914 meters above sea level. Geologists estimate its depth at 250 meters, and its striking emerald-green waters make it one of the most scenic spots in the Cotopaxi Province. Several viewpoints along the rim offer different perspectives of the lake. If time allows, you can hike down to the water—a challenging trek rewarded with the chance to paddle or swim, though the water is quite cold. For the return uphill, an equine "taxi service" is available if needed. In the afternoon, continue to Guamote, a small village in Chimborazo Province with a strong indigenous presence. Around 90% of its population belongs to the Kichwa community, making it an ideal place to experience local Andean traditions. Located about an hour from Riobamba along the Pan-American Highway, Guamote offers an authentic glimpse into daily life in the highlands. Note that there are no ATMs in town, so plan accordingly.

Quilotoa Lake

Cotopaxi Meditation

Cotopaxi Lake Ridge

Llamas at Lake

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GH Hotel Riobamba

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Begin your day at the Inti Sisa Educational Center in Guamote, where you can visit the kindergarten and see classes in sewing, computers, and English. Then, take a scenic drive through the mountains, stopping at local schools and meeting a traditional weaver in Changchang to learn about their craft. Continue to Chacaza, where you'll experience daily life with an Indigenous family before returning to Guamote. Community tourism not only provides meaningful experiences but also supports biodiversity conservation, cultural preservation, and local economies. End the day with a hands-on empanada-making workshop, followed by a tasting session of your freshly made treats.

Inti Sisa Foundation

Andes Market

Guamote Street

Empanadas

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GH Hotel Riobamba

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Start the day with a visit to Ingapirca, Ecuador’s largest and best-preserved Inca ruin, located 70 km from Cuenca. This ancient site offers insight into one of South America's most advanced civilizations. Continue to Cuenca, also known as Nuestra Señora de los Cuatro Ríos de Cuenca, a city recognized for its cultural significance and colonial charm. Four rivers—Tomebamba, Machay, Yanuncay, and Tarqui—flow through its picturesque streets, which are lined with historic squares and grand cathedrals. Highlights include the New Cathedral and Plaza de las Flores, while the Pumapungo archaeological site reveals remnants of both Cañari and Inca architecture. For a sweeping view of the city, visit Turi viewpoint. Cuenca is also known for its Panama hat production and lively nightlife, with many locals gathering at bars along the riverbanks.

Ingapirca

Ingapirca Ruins

Cuenca Cathedral

Bridge of the Stairs

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Oro Verde Cuenca

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Take a guided walking tour through Cuenca’s colonial center, where picturesque churches, quiet plazas, and charming streets set a relaxed tone. Stroll through lively markets, historic churches, and museums, gaining insight into the city’s culture and daily life. In the afternoon, join a café workshop followed by a hands-on cooking class, where you'll learn to prepare ceviche and enjoy it for lunch.

Cuenca

Cuenca Street

Cookery Class

Ceviche

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Oro Verde Cuenca

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Today, begin your journey to Naranjito, with a stop at Cajas National Park, located just 33 kilometers west of Cuenca. This stunning park, situated between 3,100 and 4,450 meters above sea level, is known for its rugged terrain, tundra vegetation, and fairy-tale-like landscapes. Named after the Kichwa word "cassa," meaning "gateway to the snowy mountains," Cajas is one of Ecuador's most beautiful nature reserves. Not only does it offer breathtaking scenery, but it also provides up to 60% of the drinking water for Cuenca. The park is home to diverse wildlife, including the South American condor, raptors, hummingbirds, and even pumas. After exploring Cajas, continue your journey to Naranjito, where you’ll visit the historic Hacienda La Danessa. The welcoming hosts will share the hacienda’s fascinating history, and you’ll have time to stroll through the lush gardens while enjoying refreshing cold-infused drinks and traditional snacks in this peaceful retreat.

Cajas National Park lake

Cajas National Park

Cajas National Park

Cajas National Park View

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Santval Eco Hosteria

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Spend a full day at Hacienda La Danesa, beginning with the Cacao & Chocolate Experience. Stroll along a scenic teak-lined path to the cacao plantation, where you'll learn about Ecuador’s cacao history and production. Walk the Cacao Trail before heading to a workshop with a local chocolatier to make and taste chocolate in its purest form. Next, enjoy a product tasting, sampling the farm’s handmade jams, raw honey, chocolate, and dulce de leche, all crafted by the local community. You’ll also have the chance to shop for artisanal goods from across Ecuador at La Tienda. Then, experience milking in the gardens, where Hacienda La Danesa—winner of Ecuador’s best dairy cattle award for 20 consecutive years—produces 1,200 liters of milk daily. A guide will demonstrate the milking process, and you’ll have the opportunity to try it yourself. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy. Take a bicycle to explore the surroundings, unwind with a glass of Ecuadorian wine or gin on the Teak Terrace, or relax in the gardens while listening to jazz.

Cocoa

Milking a Cow

Fresh Honey

Hacienda la Danesa Product

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Santval Eco Hosteria

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Your guide will confirm the pickup time from the hacienda for your transfer to Guayaquil Airport. From there, you can either catch your flight home or continue your adventure to the Galápagos Islands—just let us know your preference at the time of booking. Wishing you a smooth and pleasant journey!

Ecuador Flag

Pan Pipes

Andes Market

Happy Travels!

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Santval Eco Hosteria

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