Itinerary:

DAY 1 

Today is the beginning of an incredible layover in Quito!! Your tour guide will pick you up from “Mariscal Sucre Airport" of Quito, according to your flight schedule, holding a sign with your name on it. Then he will drive you approximately 45 minutes up to Quito! Once you arrive to the city, you will stay the overnight at Hotel Reina Isabel, which is in a very privileged location in Quito's New Town!

DAY 2

Your tour guide will pick you up at 8:30 a.m. from your hotel to drive you directly to the viewpoint of the Pululahua Volcano, one of the two inhabited craters in the world! This volcanic complex consists of a main boiler, a central volcano with two craters and the remains of a third party, and several volcanic domes within the caldera located on the edge and outside of it. Then you head to the Intiñan Museum, geographically located at 0 degrees, 0 minutes and 0 seconds, that marks the division between northern and southern hemisphere as established by French Geodesic Mission in the eighteenth century, you will see beautiful displays of different ethnic groups in Ecuador, plus the story of their lifestyles, explained by a specialist tour guide! This is an opportunity to be photographed with both of your feet on the northern and southern hemispheres at the same time! On the way back to Quito, you will pass close by the equatorial monument. In the afternoon you go to the historical centre of Quito, which is the first world cultural heritage site (UNESCO 1978)! During your walk, you will pass through the Independence Square, scene of many dramatic battles of revolution in the history of the Republic of Ecuador. And you will have the opportunity to visit the Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace, the Church of the Society of Jesus of Quito, summit of the Latin America Baroque, the charming neighborhood of La Ronda, and the Church and Convent of San Francisco, built in 1540! You will be back in your hotel approximately at 3:30 p.m. to rest, or to keep exploring the modern part of the city by your own!

DAY 3

Otavalo is located in Imbabura province, 86 km north of Quito, this town is now one of the most important tourist destinations of Ecuador, surrounded by mountains, lakes, rivers, streams and springs, making this small city a paradise where you always return! The city of Otavalo is worldwide known for the famous handicraft Indian Market. Departure at 8:00 a.m., bound to the colourful town of Otavalo and most famous Indian fair in South America! You take the Pan-American Highway, which takes you through spectacular mountain scenery, to enjoy amazing views of local people and their communities, while conducting their activities and daily life! Your first stop will be at "Guayllabamba" where you can taste the "chirimoyas", typical fruit of the region. We also visit the viewpoint of Cayambe, to admire and photograph the beautiful valleys and snow-capped mountains that are surrounding this place! Before going to Otavalo, you will visit the viewpoint of "Laguna San Pablo", at the foothills of Imbabura volcano. You continue your journey, and then you arrive at the Otavalo market or "Plaza de Ponchos" showing varied handmade indigenous crafts! It is also possible to visit the rural parish of "Peguche", where we can learn more about the local culture and the weaving process of the tapestries! After having a tasty lunch you'll visit the Cotacachi village, known as the "music capital of Ecuador", rich in the production of fine leather garments, which are displayed and sold in small shops along the city centre. Then you will drive up to Cuicocha Crater Lake, located in the Cotacachi volcano (5.000 m - 16,404 ft). Once we finished, you will be back in Hotel Reina Isabel approximately at 5:00 p.m.

DAY 4

According to your flight schedule, you will be picked up from your hotel to drive you back to the airport, in order to take your flight, on time, to continue your exciting journey in South America! End of services.

RECOMMENDED DAYS: Any day of the week. 

Include:

• Airport transfers IN / OUT
• Private Transportation
• Certified English speaking guide
• Cuicocha Crater Lake entrance fee
• 3 Hotel overnights
• Mentioned accommodation or similar (depending on availability)
• Hotel Breakfasts
• Lunch Day # 2 and 3
• Mentioned excursions and visits

Exclude:

• Other meals
• Drinks
• Entrance fees

Recommendations:

Important outfits: Camera, sunscreen lotion, insect repellent, cap or hat, sunglasses, gloves, bathing suit, towel, sandals, binoculars, backpack or handbag, comfortable walking shoes or tennis shoes, T-shirts, long sleeves shirts, long and short trousers, windbreaker and waterproof jacket, warm sweaters, passport, and some cash (US dollars) for entrance fees, meals or drinks.

Tour average temperature: 10 C° - 24 C°  /  50 F° - 78,8 F°   

Insurance: It is responsibility of every traveler that he/she is adequately insured against personal accidents and medical expenses during his/her trip to Ecuador, as well as having travel cancellation and baggage insurance to protect himself/herself.

Tour booking policy: Our tours are based on private transportation and guiding services. - All tour prices are given in US dollars. - All services should be fully prepaid before starting the tour. - Bookings must be done through www.ecuadorbesttours.com, or by paying directly at our offices. - For last minute bookings, our clients must request availability via phone call or email. After confirming availability, bookings must be fully prepaid before starting the tour. - Especial physical conditions, allergies and dietary restrictions must be informed to a EBT's representative in advance. - Our tours will be guided in fluent English or Spanish languages, as it is required. - EBT shall have no liability with passengers in case of accidents or sickness. Therefore, EBT deeply recommends a private travel insurance. - EBT reserves the right to cancel or suspend tours depending on weather conditions, natural disasters, government regulations, suspicious diseases, etc. Always regarding for the safety of the passengers. - Under no circumstances, EBT will refund any money on the same day that the tour takes place. - Cancellations must be done 5 days previous departure day. - Flights cancellations, or last minute flight changes are totally out of control or responsibility of EBT. - Children under 3 years old don't pay. - EBT never offers any refund if a cancellation happens within 5 days before tours departure date. - EBT always offers a 60% refund of the total amount if the client decides to cancel a tour 6 days or more, before tours departure date.