This 12 day tour visits Quito, the capital of Ecuador, surrounded by volcanoes in the Andes; and travels through the Avenue of the Volcanoes, takes you on the Devil's Nose railway and visits Cuenca, Ecuador's most beautiful city.
Itinerary in brief |
| Day 1: | Fly from UK to Quito overnight. |
| Day 2: | Arrive in Quito, optional Colonial Quito excursion (2 night). |
| Day 3: | Optional Otavalo excursion. |
| Day 4: | Drive to Riobamba stopping at a refuge in Chimborazo National Park (1 night). |
| Day 5: | Early morning train ride along the Devils nose. Afternoon journey to Cuenca (2 nights). |
| Day 6: | Tour around Cuenca. |
| Day 7: | Morning free in Cuenca, afternoon flight back to Quito (4 nights). |
| Day 8: | Free day in Quito. |
| Day 9: | Optional Bellavista Cloud forest excursion or Papallacta Spa excursion. |
| Day 10: | Free day in Quito. |
| Day 11: | Flight back to the UK. |
| Day 12: | Arrival in the UK. |
Overview
Quito, the elegant capital of Ecuador, is situated high in the Andes at 2,800m, and has a beautiful colonial centre. From here, you can visit the traditional market town of Otavalo and explore the nearby Bellavista cloud forest, home to toucans and hummingbirds. The nearby Quilotoa area is excellent for trekking, with a beautiful emerald-green volcanic crater lake, canyons and traditional villages. The hot springs of Papallacta are an excellent spot for relaxing in volcanic waters or for walking in the mountains. Quito is only 15 miles from the equatorial line, and ‘the middle of the world’ can be visited.
The Avenue of the Volcanoes, running south of Quito through the centre of Ecuador, passes the snow-capped Cotopaxi and Chimborazo volcanoes. You then ride the amazing Devil’s Nose railway, enjoying the spectacular scenery as the train descends the canyon on a zig-zag carved into the rock! You also visit Cuenca, Ecuador’s most beautiful city, where you can explore the lovely colonial centre and buy a Panama hat directly from a factory where the hats are produced. Please note that it is no longer permitted to sit of the roof of the Devil's Nose train.