DAY 01: ARRIVAL IN QUITO

After our arrival at Mariscal Sucre Airport in Quito, we will be welcomed by our guide and transported to the hotel. Overnight accommodations Hotel Ikala

DAY 02: QUITO

CITY TOUR OF COLONIAL DOWNTOWN AND MIDDLE OF THE WORLD After breakfast in the hotel, the first stop is to explore the Old Town. We will visit the main sites of colonial downtown such us: Plaza de la Independencia, where the Presidential Palace, is located. Also, we will visit the Church of La Compañía (1605), with its impressive golden altars. This is considered as one of the best examples of baroque art in America. Then we will visit the Museum of the City, During the Museum’s tour, it is possible to appreciate that its heritage, in addition to a set of exceptional works and everyday objects, is composed of intangible, underlying manifestations of urban culture: intimacy, anecdotes, legends and traditions: smells and flavors, clothing, social norms and prohibitions, trades and festivals. Through the permanent change in the exhibitions and the policy of involving the community in the Museum’s activities and objectives, the Museum seeks to become a living and active subject of contemporary Quito. Finally, we will go to the viewpoint highest in the historic center, the hill “El Panecillo” from where we will have a spectacular view of Quito. Time for lunch (on your own). Then, we will go to the north of the city towards the Middle of the World, here visitors have the rare opportunity to be in two hemispheres at the same time! We will visit Intiñan interactive museum, the perfect place for kids to experience some phenomenon that occurs when you live on the equatorial line. Here our guide will also explain how Andean culture is related to our location in the world. Finally, if time allows, we have a short visit to the Vivarium of Quito, where adults and kids can observe the endemic species of reptiles and amphibians of Quito and Ecuador. Return to hotel. Meals: Breakfast Overnight accommodations Hotel Ikala

DAY 03: QUITO

DAY TOUR OTAVALO & ANDEAN VILLAGES After breakfast, start your journey driving north towards Imbabura Province, also known as the “Lagoons Province” due to the many beautiful lakes that exist here in the low valleys of the northern Ecuadorian Andes. During the 2.5-hour drive, we will stop in Cayambe to taste “bizcochos”, a delicious biscuit specialty of this area. Then continue to Otavalo, where we will see San Pablo Lagoon and the steep Imbabura Volcano. Then we will visit Condor Park, where at 11:30 (from Wednesday to Sunday) we will be able to observe an spectacle of majestic birds. Condor Park is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection, rescue, rehabilitation, and possible reintroduction to the wild of birds of prey, vultures (Andean condor) and owls. This is a special place to raise awareness about the importance of environmental issues and their relationship with society. We will return to the city of Otavalo for walking tour of the famous indigenous market, considered one of the biggest Indigenous markets in South America. You’ll find beautiful textile tapestries, wooden handicrafts, ponchos, and many different colorful products being sold in the market. Afterward, we will visit the well-maintained trails towards Peguche waterfall, an environmental recreational area, made up of protective forest, with an area of 40 hectares. Peguche waterfall of 18, used in ancestral rituals by the indigenous community, specifically by the Otavalo’s indigenous people, considered one of the most representative native peoples of Ecuador. After this awesome day we will continue our way to Quito. Note: The spectacle of birds has 2 schedules: 11H30 or 15:30 from Wednesday to Sunday. Meals: Breakfast Overnight accommodations Hotel Ikala

DAY 04: DEPART QUITO

Transfer out to your next destination in accordance with your flight itinerary. Meals: Breakfast View Detailed day-by-day itinerary