AVENUE OF THE VOLCANOES + GUAYAQUIL
(8 Days, Tue. Fri. and Sun from Quito)
Traverse the Ecuadorian Andes from Quito to Cuenca, riding the famous “Devil’s Nose” train to visit the Inca ruins at Ingapirca. Along the way you will have the opportunity to stay at country inns and colonial hotels, all the while enjoying a comfortable and inspiring adventure.
Day 1, Quito:
Upon arrival to Quito’s Mariscal Sucre Airport, you will be greeted by our helpful guide. The guide will serve as a translator, help with luggage, and assist with the car transfer to your hotel.
Once at your hotel you may have dinner if so desired, or consider just settling in for your stay in Quito.
Day 2. Quito:
After an early morning breakfast, the tour will depart towards the city center of downtown Quito, or Centro Histórico, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.
We will start with a panoramic view of Alameda Park and the 
Basilica, followed by a walk down the street of the Seven Crosses. The trip will continue with a walking tour, starting at Independence Square. From here, we will visit the presidential palace, the main cathedral, the gold-plated La Compañía Church, San Francisco Church and San Francisco Plaza.
Once we finish site-seeing you may return to your hotel for optional lunch, dinner, and free evening.
Day 3, Cotopaxi & Markets Full Day:
After an early morning breakfast we will depart heading south towards Cotopaxi National Park. On the way we will pass by different villages such as Sangolquí, Aloag and Machachi. Continuing south on the Pan-American highway to the city of Ambato, we will along the way visit the town of Latacunga and 
its authentic indigenous market (Tuesdays and Saturdays only).
Almost midday we will arrive in the National Park, which is located 59.54km away from the city of Quito. Cotopaxi Volcano is one of the most important landmarks of in Ecuador because it is the highest active volcano in the world. Lush endemic flora and fauna of the area can be observed, including: one of the most representative species is the Chuquiragua (also known as the mountaineer’s flower) wild horses, deers, llamas, and more. While there, you can visit Limpiopungo Lake, located near Rumiñahui volcano (149.96 meters), or go hiking to observe the birds. We can also visit the ruins of Incas del Pucara de Salitre , set on Cotopaxi’s mountainside. An early afternoon picnic lunch will be served before departing towards Quito. The tour will bring you to your hotel for an optional dinner and free evening.
Day 4, Cotopaxi-Baños 
After breakfast we will take the highway heading south to visit the Salasaca village where we will encounter an indigenous community that is extremely important to Ecuadorian culture. Here we can see traditional outfits and customs. The Salasacas are also well known for their handcrafts and artisan market. Midday we will set off for the city of Baños. 
An afternoon lunch is optional before the city tour and visit to “Wedding’s Veil” (Manto de la Novia) and the “Devil’s Pan” (Pailón del Diablo) waterfalls.
In the early evening we will return to the city of Baños, leaving you at your hotel for an optional dinner.
B
Day 5, Baños-Riobamba:
We will enjoy an early breakfast before departing from Baños through Ambato and Chimborazo’s National Park on the way to Guaranda. The tour will visit “El Arenal” to see local vicuñas (the South 
American llama) and continue on to the shelter where you have a beautiful panoramic view.
An early afternoon lunch is option before arriving to Riobamba for a city tour and check in at your hotel. Dinner here is also optional.
B
Day 6, Riobamba-Devil’s Nose-Ingapirca-Cuenca:
After an early breakfast the second day of the tour begins 
departing Riobamba to the south, as we head for Alausi where we will board the train to the “Devil’s Nose”. En-route we will make several stops, visiting the Balbanera Church, Colta Lake, and the indigenous town of Guamote (Note, Thursday is market day). Mid-morning we will arrival at the town of Alausi where we will begin our adventure on Ecuador’s famous “Devil’s Nose” train. About a four hour ride, we will return to Alausi in the early afternoon. Our bus will be waiting to take us to Ingapirca, and tour members are more than welcome to pack a box lunch to enjoy along the journey.
Continuing on, we will pay a visit the Ingapirca fortress, located a
t 3100m above sea level. These ancient ruins are the most important in the country. Their true hisotry is still a mystery, as studies state they could have been a fortress, an observatory or a temple.
After visiting the ruins we will finish our trip on the road to Cuenca, arriving in the early evening for an optional dinner and free evening.
Attention: The public train runs on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. These are the only days available for individual travelers; charters can be arranged for groups. We cannot guarantee the operation of the train route, as the railway suffers continuous damages.
B
Day 7, Cuenca-Cajas-Guayaquil:
Just after breakfast, the tour will depart, heading northwest 
towards Cajas National Park. After a short drive, arrival in Cajas National Park will allow us to take part in different activities such as hiking, fishing, bird-watching, viewing flora and fauna, and more. We can visit the Interpretation Center placed in La Toreadora Lake (the biggest and the most important in the whole complex). Here we will see pictures and interpretations of the park.
A midday lunch is optional before our departure heading towards the city of Guayaquil. On the road we will find mountain scenery and a delightful change of vegetation as we encounter the glorious Ecuadorian coastline. If so desired, we can make a short stop to visit a banana plantation in Puerto Inca (Hacienda Jambeli).
The tour will arrive in the city of Guayaquil in the early evening, just in time for an optional dinner and check in at your hotel.
Day 8, Guayaquil
After a light breakfast, our guides will transfer your party to the airport and assist with all your departure needs.