HIGHLIGHTS
- Explore Quito which was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city and has the best-preserved, least-altered historic center in Latin America
- Enjoy Mashpi Reserve, a dedicated research station for rainforest protection and education where you can see more than 400 species, numerous activities, and exciting trails
- Discover Cotopaxi volcano, the most iconic peak of Ecuador’s Andes with a perfectly symmetrical snow-capped cone that catches the eye and imagination
- One of Ecuador’s best-kept secrets is Quilotoa crater lake located at 3900m altitude. Amazing views that will take breaths away who to go just a bit off the usual tourist route.
ITINERARY
Welcome to Quito! Meet with your English-speaking guide/driver at the airport and transfer to the
hotel.
Accommodation: Casa Gangotena
Meals included: None
Visit the Basilica Church, where we will make a brief stop to visit it. After walking through the colonial streets, we will then stop at the Independence Plaza to admire the Cathedraland the Government’s Palace. We will also visit the Company Church, The Sagrario´s Church, and San Francisco´s Church, you will also have the chance to taste Ecuadorian chocolate. After visiting the historical sights, we will go to Teleferico. From a point of more than 13,000 feet (4000 m), you will enjoy magnificent views of the city. After lunch, you will head to the Middle of the World monument, where you can stand right in the middle of the equatorial line and straddle the two hemispheres. You will also enjoy the amazing landscape inPululahua inhabited crater just 5 minutes from the Equatorial line.
Accommodation: Casa Gangotena
Meals included: Breakfast
Departure from Quito to Mashpi Lodge. Arrival at the lodge at noon. After lunch, hike through the forest, followed by gliding above and through the forest canopy, aboard the Dragonfly aerial cable car. Then return to the hotel for dinner and end the day with a night walk.
Accommodation: Mashpi Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast, menu lunch, dinner
Early in the morning, you can begin with a visit to the panoramic terrace of the lodge to watch the sunrise and hear the menagerie of birds that inhabit the ecosystem surrounding the lodge. After breakfast, you will go on a hike toward a waterfall, and then you will head to the Hummingbirds Garden or the Life Centre´s butterflies. After lunch, you can go on eh aerial sky bike, and then you can climb up the Observation Tower to watch the entire reserve.
Accommodation: Mashpi Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast, menu lunch, dinner
On the last day at Mashpi Lodge, after breakfast, you will have more time to explore the forest trails.
Then, you will check out at 11 a.m., and be transferred to your next destination, Sanctuary Lodge, which is in front of Cotopaxi Volcano.
Accommodation: Cotopaxi Sanctuary Lodge (Luxury)
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
You will enjoy the gorgeous natural scenery of the volcano. You will visit the Limpiopungo Lagoon. Take a short hike in the surroundings of Limpiopungo Valley before driving ever higher into this sky-high region, stopping at the 15,800-foot (4830-meter) Padre Rivas Refuge. Depending on your physical condition, you will get the Glacier (5050-meter).
Accommodation: Cotopaxi Sanctuary Lodge (Luxury)
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
Option 1: Quilotoa Lagoon – You will also visit an indigenous local house from the “Paramos” to learn about their traditions and way of life. Visit the town of Tigua, famous for its naive paintings. Continue up to the Quilotoa volcano, where you will be able to descend to the lake located inside the crater or just walk around the crater.
Option 2: We can offer you diverse activities such as:
– Horseback riding (1-2 hours)
– Fishing: Excursion to fish in the wild Pita River.
– Hiking for 1-2 hours: Accompanied by your bilingual guide you can reach a deeper connection to the pure and raw natural areas of the Cotopaxi moorlands.
– Biking for 1-2 hours: your bilingual guide will accompany you as you ride across the high plains.
– Cooking Class: Get to know the culture by preparing a traditional Ecuadorian dish directly with Cotopaxi Sanctuary Lodge’s chef.
Accommodation: Casa Gangotena (Luxury)
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Your guide will pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to the airport in Quito.
Meals included: Breakfast
RATES INCLUDE
✅ Lodging for 07 nights
✅ Meals described in the itinerary
✅ Activities according to the itinerary
✅ Private transport SUV or VAN
✅ Certified Naturalist English – Spanish speaking guides
✅ Use of rain ponchos and rubber boots (in Mashpi Lodge & Cotopaxi Sanctuary Lodge)
✅ Guided activities
❌ In-room service charges
❌ Spa treatments
❌ Laundry services
❌ Telephone calls
❌ Boutique and spa boutique items
❌ Alcoholic drinks and not described meals
❌ Tips and gratuities
❌ Additional private tours or transport services
❌ Dragonfly cable car
❌ Optional activities outside the reserve of Mashpi Lodge (kayak, bike, canopy, ziplines, etc.)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Prices for 2025 are subject to change.
- Please consider that you need to arrive and depart from Quito
- Accommodation in Plaza View Rooms in Casa Gangotena, Suites Yaku in Mashpi Lodge, and Luxury Suites in Sanctuary Lodge.
- Important things to bring: Sun Hat, hiking shorts or light full-length hiking pants, water shoes with non-slippery soles, sandals, windbreaker jacket, sunglasses, shorts, dress or skirt, bathing suit, thin and breathable socks, and hiking shoes. Small backpack, water bottle, ziplock, dry bag, waterproof see-through phone pouch, waterproof sunblock, binoculars, camera, device chargers, towel, sunglasses, and your passport.
- Inform yourself about food safety when traveling to tropical countries. Take the necessary precautions to avoid food poisoning (always wash your hands before eating, don’t eat street food, only eat peeled fruits, etc.)
- It is mandatory to have valid travel and medical insurance. Please inform us of any known medical conditions you have.
- Latin Adventures reserves the right to change the itinerary without prior notice due to weather conditions, availability, National Park regulations or notifications, and unforeseeable circumstances.
- Before confirmation, guests must inform the reservation team of any food allergies, medical conditions, or physical impairment that might affect any part of their stay. Failure to do so, Latin Adventures reserves the right to cancel the booking if it is not deemed possible to carry out packages and its activities.
- Payments made will be subject to cancellation penalties.
- In addition to our cancellation penalties, all financial returns are subject to government taxes, credit card fees, and admin fees. These charges may add up to 10%.
- If a trip is canceled due to acts of God, war, strikes, political unrest, volcanic eruption, earthquake, flooding, tropical storms, global disasters, or any emergencies such as pandemics, epidemics, or other circumstances beyond the tour operator’s or guest’s reasonable control, Latin Adventures will maintain with the original payment and cancellation policies as mentioned in this document.
- Latin Adventures will not be subject to refunds for a proportion of the stay missed due to delayed or canceled flights before or during the journey to the hotel.
- When you book a tour with Latin Adventures you agree to its terms and conditions.
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This was a great way to experience Quito, Ecuador. Our tour guide was Ximena. Having a tour guide who is both a local and knowledgeable was great! She allowed our... read more
mattpT5143UKFebruary 13, 2023