Adventure through the Northern & Central Andes of Ecuador

Rates include: 1 night at Swissotel or LeParc in Quito and 5 nights at local hacienda or hotel

4 star accommodations: $1640 per person (min 2 guests)
5 star accommodations: $1925 per person (min 2 guests)

Departure Days: Every day

Program Description:

Day 1: Otavalo Market with Peguche & Cotacachi villages
Just one and a half hours north of Quito among the lush volcanic highlands is the Otavalo village. This land is rich in friendly and colorfully attired indigenous people, historic working haciendas, and towering volcanoes with verdant slopes. As we pass into the highlands, we’re treated to a sweeping view of Imbabura and Cotacachi Volcanoes rising above San Pablo Lake. Our first stop is the Otavalo market, famous throughout the Andes for its handicrafts, textiles and tapestries, we will follow to the food market, to see the variety of products consumed daily by the local population. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Overnight at Hacienda Cusin (4 stars) or La Mirage (5 stars)

Day 2: Otavalo & Surrounding Communities
After a relaxed breakfast we will go to Cuicocha for a wonderful partial hike around the crater lake or a ride in a motorized canoe to get a close look at the islets. This will give you the opportunity to see highland hummingbirds and orchids, besides the spectacular Andean scenery; we will follow to Cotacachi for fine leather shopping, we then visit an indigenous weaver of Peguche to witness the ancient back-strap weaving in process, we finish the day with a late lunch at a colonial hacienda or on the shores of San Pablo lake. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Overnight at Hacienda Cusin (4 stars) or La Mirage (5 stars)

Day 3: Antisana Volcano
After Breakfast depart and travel to Antisana volcano and Ecological Reserve, the 90,000 hectares Ecological Reserve, one of the most important sanctuaries for a number of endangered species in the Ecuadorian Andes, home to the magnificent Andean condor, spectacle bear, puma, paramo wolf, and others that find protection in this 90,000 hectares. After lunch we travel to Papallacta Thermal Springs and Spa to enjoy the natural springs and excellent spa service.(breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Overnight at Termas de Papallacta …B,L,D

Day 4: Papallacta Thermal Springs
Located high in the Andes at 10,800 feet above sea level and surrounded by cloud forest and pristine highland moors, it has 26 pools with temperatures ranging from 85 to 157°F, while the air temperature is 57°F; the spa also offers facials, massages, baths, reflexology, mud & clay body wrap; aromatic clay body wrap, hydro-massage, herbal bath, massage with pressure water and more, all these just next door to very comfortable accommodation and hearty meals. Enjoy a morning hike and then relax at the spa. After lunch depart towards Cotopaxi. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Overnight at Hato Verde (4 stars) or San Agustin de Callo (5 stars).

Day 5: Indigenous Market & Quilotoa Crater Lake
After a relaxed breakfast visit one of the indigenous markets held throughout the week in the area to experience a non-tourist market. Your senses will be overwhelmed by the variety of colors, textures, fragances and noise of a typical Andean market, you will find an incredible variety of fruits, vegetables, roots, grains, herbs, spices, small and large animals, clothing, agricultural tools…. Afterwards go to Quilotoa, a

volcano that does not stick out like other volcanoes as it does not have a cone and its crater rim only raises itself gradually from its surroundings with an average altitude of 3,500 m. The crater itself is filled with alkaline water that gives the lake its unique emerald color. Almost the entire outer wall (and even some of the steep inside wall) is used for farming with small fields and pastures, reaching right up to the top. Due to its altitude the scenery en route to Quilotoa includes other volcanoes like Cotopaxi, Illinizas, Tungurahua, Pichincha, Rumiñahui and more, on a clear day even the gigantic Chimborazo. Small indigenous communities like Zumbagua and Tigua add the human touch to an impressive scenery of mountain ranges, agricultural fields, llama and sheep herds. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Overnight at Hato Verde (4 stars) or San Agustin de Callo (5 stars).

Day 6: Cotopaxi Volcano, flora and fauna
At 19,348 ft ( 5,897 m) above sea level Cotopaxi is the highest active volcano in the world, and home to a National Park. The park offers a tundra-like environment and is surrounded by other volcanoes both active and extinct. The area offers good hikes with the opportunity to study its geology and flora and chances to see local fauna, including wild horses and the Andean Condor, the world's largest flying bird. Lunch will be served at one of the area’s historic haciendas. After a relaxed stroll in the region we’ll return to Quito. (breakfast, and lunch included)
Overnight at Swissotel or LeParc