Overland Quito and Cotacachi
Duration: 4 days
Highlights: Quito, Otavalo, Cotopaxi National Park.
This 4 day overland programme takes in the highlights of the capital, the Cotacachi area north of the city, and the Cotopaxi National Park.
Itinerary
FULL LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
PLEASE NOTE: THIS OVERLAND EXCURSION OPERATES FROM EITHER GUAYAQUIL OR MANTA
At a breathtaking 2,850 metres above sea level (9348 feet), Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its colonial architecture, is the world’s second highest capital city. By
the time the Spanish arrived in what is now Ecuador in 1532, Quito was a thriving Incan city. But after conquistador Fancisco Pizarro had Atahualpa (Huayna Capac’s
illegitimate son and then chief of the Northern Empire) beheaded in Cajamarca, northern Peru, the Ecuadorian Andes fell to the Spanish very quickly. Just one year later, on
December 6th, 1534, Spanish lieutenant Sebastián de Benalcázar defeated Atahualpa’s General Rumiñahui and founded present-day Quito. But the Incas had put up a
brave fight, and when he saw that defeat was imminent, Rumiñahui preferred to raze Inca Quito to the ground rather than let it fall to the Spanish, and the ancient city
disappeared in smoke and flames. For that very reason there are no Inca ruins to be seen in Quito today: all that was left when the Spanish arrived were the foundations of
the Inca structures. And it was on those bases that they would build the modern city, a host of churches and convents: many of them can be seen today in all their original
glory.
DAY 1 – Guayaquil OR Manta to Quito to Cotacachi
In the morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your short flight to Quito, Ecuador’s capital city. On arrival, you will be transferred directly northwards to your
luxurious hotel and spa in the Cotacachi area.
After lunch, visit Otavalo, a town famous with tourists worldwide for its excellent indigenous market, the best in Ecuador and, according to some, the best in the whole of Latin
America. The market dates back to pre-Inca times, when inhabitants of the jungle area would travel to the town to exchange their produce with the highlanders.
Enjoy a guided tour of the famous market and its rows of stalls selling local handicrafts. You will also visit the fruit and vegetable market. After the tour, you will have plenty of
time to return to the stalls and try your hand at bartering with the local sellers for their products.
Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Overnight at the beautiful La Mirage Hotel & Spa. A member of the prestigious Relais & Château Association (the only property in all of the Andean Nations to have earned
this accolade), La Mirage is a contemporary resort built on the grounds of a 200-year-old hacienda. Wander through the extraordinary fragrant hummingbird-filled gardens,
watching peacocks stroll by, enjoy delightful international and regional cuisine, and relax in the unique and elegant spa for a variety of 17 different optional treatments: there
is no better way to visit the Otavalo area of Ecuador in style.
DAY 2 - Cotacachi to Quito
After breakfast this morning, head back towards the capital, stopping en route at the “Mitad del Mundo” (the Middle of the World), where you will visit the line marking the
Equator – an irresistible opportunity to stand with one foot in the northern hemisphere and the other in the southern hemisphere! After appreciating the vast Equatorial
Monument marking the spot where the Equator was “discovered” in 1736, make your way towards the surrounding leisure complex, where you will have time to browse the
array of souvenir stalls and traditional Ecuadorian handicraft shops and to visit the onsite museum, showcasing the customs and costumes of each of Ecuador’s indigenous
groups.
After lunch in a local restaurant nearby, head back to Quito and Guápulo, a suburb on the outskirts of the city, for a panoramic view of the valley to the east of Quito and of
the beautiful colonial Sanctuary of Guápulo. Afterwards, travel along the broad avenues of Quito’s New Town, stopping briefly to admire the Legislative Palace’s modern
architecture and its stone murals depicting the history of Ecuador.
After a brief visit to the San Agustín Monastery (once known locally as “Quito’s gold convent” thanks to its rich décor) and its Sala Capitular, the site of the signing of
Ecuador’s first Constitution in 1809, arrive in the Plaza de la Independencia, the square at the heart of Colonial Quito. Using the square as a base, visit the Cathedral’s fine
architecture, and see the soldiers guarding the Presidential Palace in their traditional blue, red and gold uniforms, before making your way to La Compañía. This Jesuit
temple has been dubbed by many as the most beautiful church in Latin America due to its awe-inspiring gold-leaf interior, painted ceiling. Its colonial art collection is one of
the best in the world.
Also visit the beautiful Plaza San Francisco and the San Francisco Convent, Ecuador’s oldest church and home to another excellent art collection, before driving up Panecillo
Hill to enjoy a second splendid panoramic view of the city of Quito and the surrounding mountains and volcanoes.
Dinner and overnight at Swissotel, currently the city’s premier 5-star hotel.
DAY 3 - Quito to Cotopaxi to Quito
This morning, leave Quito for a journey of about two hours to the Cotopaxi National Park, the most visited in the whole of Ecuador. The park offers an excellent opportunity to
see the Andean “páramo” (high grasslands) and its interesting flora and fauna. The park’s centrepiece, Mount Cotopaxi (5,897m / 19,300 feet) is Ecuador’s second highest
peak and one of the world’s highest active volcanoes.
On arrival in the park, your guide will point out the typical plant species and indicate some of the wildlife native to the park, including highland hummingbirds.
After a short visit to the park’s Information Centre, make your way towards Lake Limpiopugno, located on the northern slopes of Mount Cotopaxi at 3,800 metres above sea
level. Take a walk around this lake and also visit the Inca Salitre ruins. In the area around the lake and the ruins it is common to see wild horses and llamas.
After lunch, continue your exploration of Cotopaxi’s flora and fauna: you may even attempt to climb up to Cotopaxi’s base camp (4,800 metres / 15,750 feet above sea level
and with excellent views out over the National Park) before making your way back to Quito.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 4 - Depart Quito
This morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
SHORT LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
This 4 day/3 night overland programme explores the highlights of Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s second highest capital city, as well as the Cotacachi
area north of the city. Spend a night in Cotacachi and visit its famous market of Otavalo, and enjoy two nights in Quito to experience its stunning colonial architecture and the
beauty of Cotopaxi National Park, home to one of the world’s highest active volcanoes.
TIMING BREAKDOWN
PLEASE NOTE: THE TIMING BELOW IS INTENDED AS REFERENCE ONLY AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE
DAY 1
00:00 - 00:30 Drive from Pier to Airport
00:30 - 01:30 Check-in and boarding formalities at Guayaquil Airport; Bathrooms available
01:30 - 02:15 Flight to Quito; Bathrooms available
02:15 - 02:45 Arrival procedures at Quito aiport; Bathrooms available
02:45 - 04:45 Drive from Quito airport to Hacienda for lunch
04:45 - 06:15 Lunch at local Hacienda; Bathrooms available
06:15 - 06:30 Drive to Otavalo market
06:30 - 08:00 Tour of Otavalo market
08:00 - 08:10 Drive to La Mirage for dinner and overnight
DAY 2
00:00 - 02:00 Drive to Middle of the World
02:00 - 03:00 Tour of Equatorial Monument and surrounding complex; Bathrooms available
03:00 - 04:30 Lunch at local restaurant; Bathrooms available
04:30 - 05:15 Drive to Guápulo
05:15 - 05:30 Panoramic stop at Guápulo
05:30 - 06:05 Drive to Main Square
06:05 - 07:05 Tour of Quito’s colonial center; Bathrooms available
07:05 - 07:25 Drive to Panecillo Hill
07:25 - 07:35 Panoramic stop at Panecillo Hill
07:35 - 07:50 Drive to Swissotel for dinner and overnight
DAY 3
00:00 - 02:00 Drive to Cotopaxi National Park
02:00 - 04:00 Visit Cotopaxi National Park
04:00 - 05:30 Lunch at local restaurant; Bathrooms available
05:30 - 06:30 Continue visit of Cotopaxi National Park
06:30 - 08:30 Drive back to Swissotel in Quito
DAY 4
00:00 - 00:30 Transfer to airport for onward flight (typically to Manta for northbound itineraries or Lima for southbound itineraries)
Approximate duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights
OPERATIONAL NOTES
- Not suitable for wheelchairs due to uneven ground
- Use of sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses recommended
- Accomodations at La Mirage Hotel & Spa and Swissotel are subject to availability
- Spa treatments at La Mirage are optional and payable directly to the hotel
- Activity level is Easy