Private transportation with driver – 14 days

14-day tour to discover the Andes and the Ecuadorian Amazon, designed for independent Spanish-speaking travelers. We provide a comfortable vehicle driven by a Spanish-speaking chauffeur who knows the country perfectly. He will advise you throughout the journey on how to visit the sites and share the best tips at each destination. Ideal for a family or a group of friends who speak Spanish!

Itinerary :

Day 1 – Sat: Quito – Otavalo Market – Peguche Community – Otavalo
Departure to Imbabura province. Visit the traditional and handicraft market of Otavalo. Continue to the Peguche community and visit local artisan workshops: musical instruments, wool and cotton textiles. Short excursion to Peguche waterfall. Overnight in a lodge in Otavalo.

Day 2 – Sun: Otavalo – Cuicocha Lagoon – Cotacachi – Condor Park – Quito
After breakfast, head to Cuicocha Lagoon for a short walk around the crater, then continue to Cotacachi, famous for its leather craftsmanship. Return to Quito with a stop at Condor Park, a center for the protection of Andean birds of prey. You will be able to see condors and attend the spectacular flight demonstration at 3:30 pm. Overnight in a hotel in Quito.
B

Day 3 – Mon: Free morning in Quito – Guayasamín Museum – Lasso
After breakfast, free morning in Quito to explore the historic center on foot. At 2:00 pm, departure with your driver to visit the museum of contemporary painter Oswaldo Guayasamín and the Capilla del Hombre. Continue to Lasso, a small village at the foot of Cotopaxi volcano. Overnight in a lodge in Lasso.
B

Day 4 – Tue: Lasso – Quilotoa Lagoon – Lasso
After breakfast, departure to Quilotoa Lagoon. Descent into the crater (320 m elevation drop, 1.6 km trail). Option to return on mule (optional). Visit the local community and its handicrafts (naïve painting on sheepskin). Return to Lasso in the afternoon. Overnight in a lodge.
B

Day 5 – Wed: Lasso – Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve – Guamote
After breakfast, departure to Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve. Ascent to the refuge at 5,000 m altitude. Approach the glacier and observe vicuñas. Continue to Guamote in the late afternoon. Overnight in an indigenous community.
B

Day 6 – Thu: Guamote Market – Alausí – Devil’s Nose Train – Cuenca
After breakfast, visit the traditional Guamote market. Continue to Alausí and take the spectacular train ride along the “Devil’s Nose.” Then head to Cuenca. Overnight in a hotel.
B

Day 7 – Fri: Cuenca
After breakfast, visit Cuenca’s historic center, the Homero Ortega hat factory, and one or more museums of your choice. Overnight in a hotel.
B

Day 8 – Sat: Cuenca – Ingapirca Inca Ruins – Riobamba
After breakfast, free morning in Cuenca, then depart towards Chimborazo province. Visit Ingapirca, Ecuador’s most important archaeological site. Continue to Riobamba. Overnight in a hotel.
B

Day 9 – Sun: Riobamba – Salasaca Market – Baños
After breakfast, depart for Baños, known for its natural hot springs. Stop at the Salasaca market along the way. Free afternoon in Baños with the option to enjoy thermal baths. Overnight in a hotel.
B

Day 10 – Mon: Baños
After breakfast, explore the surroundings of Baños. Excursion along the Route of Waterfalls, cable car crossing over the Pastaza River, and possible view of the active Tungurahua volcano. Overnight in a hotel.
B

Day 11 – Tue: Baños – Misahuallí
After breakfast, continue to the Amazon region to Misahuallí. Observe monkeys on the banks of the Napo River. Overnight in a jungle lodge.
B

Day 12 – Wed: Amazon
Your driver will assist with your transfer to the lodge and return unused luggage to your hotel in Quito. Driver returns to Quito in the morning.

Transfer by canoe (1h30). Installation. Afternoon walk with your guide: discovery of medicinal plants, insects, and birds. Dinner and overnight in the lodge.
B – L – D

Day 13 – Thu: Amazon
Full-day excursion starting at 9:00 am. Navigation on the Napo River and a 3-hour hike in the El Jaguar ecological reserve. Afternoon visit to a Quechua family with tasting of chicha and cassava. Return to lodge. Dinner and overnight.
B – L – D

Day 14 – Fri: Amazon – Quito (bus transfer)
Return to Misahuallí by canoe. Transfer on your own by local bus to Quito. Overnight in a hotel.
B