COTOPAXI,  RIOBAMBA, CUENCA & GUAYAQUIL TOUR

5-day tour departing from Quito

“This program is the most ideal form of exploration in the Ecuadorian Andes traveling from north to south. As you come through the highest point in Ecuador and finish at the sea level in Guayaquil”

Enjoy amazing sceneries and cultures tucked away in the highlands of Ecuador. You will experience unique places, exploring endless territories with your guide as you watch, taste and feel Ecuador through the eyes of a local.

5 Days Cotopaxi, Cuenca & Guayaquil

ITINERARY

You will begin this amazing journey driving south from Quito traveling down the Avenue of the Volcanoes, finally arriving at the Cotopaxi National Park. This massive volcano stands out impressively and can be seen from the various regions surrounding the park. Inside the park you’ll have incredible photo opportunities while experiencing the highland paramo and the different animals and flora known for existing in the park. You will have lunch after this visit and then you will continue the trip to reach the city of Riobamba where you will stay overnight.

After an early breakfast it will be time to visit the highest volcano in Ecuador, the mighty Chimborazo and its incredible landscapes. You have the opportunity to visit a local man who has become an icon of the area that has dedicated his life to protecting the glaciers of the volcano. His life’s story is so enthralling that he has made international and worldwide fame, he is known as the “Last Iceman”. The tour will finish with the visit of Ingapirca, archeological ruins from the reminiscences of the Inca empire. You will arrive in Cuenca in the late in the afternoon where you will stay the night.

It is easy to enjoy the beautiful city of Cuenca. You can see how it conserves many Ecuadorian traditions and why it was also named a World Heritage Site for its well-preserved colonial areas, historical buildings and cathedrals. The streets are teeming with history and culture, while the locals dot the streets with their artist handiworks from jewelry, scarves, knitted pieces, paintings and more. Visiting all the highlights of this city will take you to old churches, museums and culinary taste. Cuenca is also known as the original creator of the Panama hat and is also a great place to view artisanal pottery, a gift of artistry crafted from pre-incan times. You will spend the night in Cuenca.

Today you will see for yourself just how dramatic the landscapes can change so quickly from region to region in Ecuador. Leaving the highlands of Cuenca and descending to the coast will allow you to visit the El Cajas National Park. It is home to 786 lagoons ranging in size from small to large and the astounding shapes and formations of the terrain will certainly leave you speechless. The environment itself seems to have escaped from a movie, while the flora and fauna are precious to the area as many are endemic. Nearby you can enjoy the cacao and mango farms where it is possible to taste passion fruits and see where and how the chocolate is grown, produced and processed. The final stop will be in the city of Guayaquil, which is the biggest city in Ecuador and so called “Pearl of the Pacific” as an important trading and business port.

Today you will be transferred to connect with your international flight back home or to the Galapagos Islands for a cruise experience. There are many other options available in order to continue exploring the beautiful country of Ecuador.

Prices 2023

Prices Per Person

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONFIRSTSTANDARD
1 Guest
USD 2,620.00
USD 2,202.00
2 Guests
USD 1,520.00
USD 1,285.00
3-5 Guests
USD 1,258.00
USD 1041.00
6-9 Guests
USD 984.00
USD 784.00
10-16 Guests
USD 879.00
USD 686.00
Single Supplement
USD 237.00
USD 106.00

INCLUDED:

  • Private services with local English-speaking guide
  • Services and entrance fees as detailed in the itinerary
  • Meals detailed in the itinerary

  • Permanent assistance by our operations department

NOT INCLUDED:

  • Meals and services not mentioned in the program
  • Personal expenses

  • Tips

TripAdvisor Reviews

What our customers say

Dear Veronica,

My husband Pradip, Vajarias and I want to thank you for organizing our fantastic trip to Peru.

All the tour guides and the transfers were very smooth. Hotels were excellent. All the tour guides organized were very well informed and in Cusco our tour guide helped us to get to the airport safely when there was a transportation strike.

We had amazing experience in Amazon at Refugio Amazonas lodge too.

Thanks again.
Alka Amin

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Mario Antonio, UK, May 2019

Dear Gabriela,
Good Morning.

My husband Pradip, Vajarias and I want to thank you for organizing our fantastic trip to Peru.

All the tour guides and the transfers were very smooth. Hotels were excellent. All the tour guides organized were very well informed and in Cusco our tour guide helped us to get to the airport safely when there was a transportation strike.

We had amazing experience in Amazon at Refugio Amazonas lodge too.

Thanks again.
Alka Amin

View more reviews

Alka Amin, USA, May 2018