Luxury Avenue of Volcanoes Trip

Welcome to Ecuador! An enriching adventure awaits in the historical city of Quito.

Land in Quito where your personal Kuoda host will welcome you upon arrival and escort you to the chic San Francisco de Quito hotel in the heart of the colonial center. You will be guided through your itinerary and have any of your questions regarding your luxury tour of Ecuador answered. Enjoy a restful evening before the excursions begin in the morning.

Guided Tour Through The Beautiful Streets of Quito

Indulge in delicious breakfast at your hotel, afterwards you’ll set off on the first of several private Ecuador tours. Today’s tour will introduce you to the colonial splendor of Quito’s UNESCO-listed old town. During this private city tour, you will be guided through the best-preserved colonial town in Latin America.

Walk down the cobbled streets to arrive at landmarks such as Independence Square, home to the tomb of Sucre (a key figure in Ecuador’s struggle for independence) and the Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito, and the Presidential Palace. You’ll also see Parque Alameda, which houses the oldest astronomical observatory in South America, as well as an impressive statue of Simón Bolívar, who helped liberate Ecuador – along with several other Latin American nations – from their Spanish colonizers.

Depending on timing, you may also visit the Indian market at Avenida de 24 de Mayo and the Ipiales market. The last point of interest on the tour will be the Middle of the World Monument where you can take an obligatory photo of yourself straddling the equator before returning to your hotel.

Visit One of Latin America’s Best Artisan Markets Otavalo Market & Learn About Leather Crafts in Cotacachi

Start with a hearty breakfast then head north for a shopping excursion that is far from ordinary. Today, you’ll be searching around the stalls of Otavalo, one of the most famous markets on the continent. Expect to find all kinds of handicrafts and a mind-boggling selection of colorful textiles being sold by traditionally dressed locals. Enjoy a traditional gastronomic experience and try an authentic home-cooked meal from family-owned restaurants. After lunch, we’ll move on for a guided tour of Cotacachi, the “leather capital of Ecuador.” Learn about the age-old methods used to tan, stretch and mold the leather.

Witness Spectacular Condors, Go Horseback Riding, & visit the Quaint Village of San Antonio de Ibarra

Spot Andean condors, an endangered species and one of the largest birds of prey in the world, at the condor reserve at Espejo. Should you wish to, you can play a round of golf at the nine-hole course nearby or alternatively, take the reins for a horseback ride through the spellbinding countryside.

Afterward, continue your personalized tour of Ecuador at the small village of San Antonio de Ibarra, which has achieved worldwide renown for its woodcarvings and stone sculptures. Admire small yet impressively detailed wooden boxes as well as life-size sculptures of people. Observe the talented artisans chiseling and see in-progress artworks at a workshop.

Return to Quito after lunch.

Leisure day in Papallacta & Return to Quito

Enjoy a day of leisure and freely explore Papallacta at your own pace. Interested in some more relaxation? Indulge in more massages and treatments at the spa. In the afternoon, you will then head back to the wonderful city of Quito.

Thrilling Adventures Await with Volcano Viewings, Impressive Inca Ruins, & Spectacular Open Air Market!

Travel south in style with a private car. This journey will take you down the Avenue of Volcanoes, where volcanoes – both sleeping and active – stand tall on either side of the road. At the far end, you’ll arrive at the elegant centuries-old colonial Cienega Hacienda, located near Cotopaxi volcano. Spend the night in a historical landmark surrounded by impressive natural beauty.

Post lunch, we’ll stop by the Hacienda of San Agustin de Callo, which is one of only two major Inca sites in Ecuador. It was built around 1440 by one of the last Inca emperors, Huayna Cápac, and the perfectly fitted original Inca stonework can still be seen today. After marveling at the Incas’ meticulous masonry skill, move on to an authentic local market, where the smell of spices perfumes the air, and everything from hand-woven ponchos to exotic fruits can be purchased.

Explore The Notable Cotopaxi National Park

Enjoy a day at your leisure to trek through the beautiful Cotopaxi National Park. Take incredible photos of the perfectly formed cone of the park’s eponymous volcano, Ecuador’s second-highest peak. Or you can go in search of the park’s most interesting animal inhabitants, among them white-tailed deer, rabbits, and Andean foxes. There is also the option of exploring the area on bicycles where you will be able to witness so much beauty at the perfect pace. Should you wish, you can also try fishing in the nearby rivers or a horseback trek through the reserve.

Sit down for lunch back at the hacienda before returning to Quito.

Flight to Cuenca & Visit to Ecuador’s Best Preserved Inca Ruins

Your Kuoda host will meet you early in the morning and bring you to the airport for a flight to Cuenca, a city that many consider to be Ecuador’s most beautiful. As you’ll see when you get there, the city is certainly postcard-ready with a coherent ensemble of marble and whitewashed colonial buildings, and a collection of pretty church steeples that punctuate its skyline.

We’ll then travel outside of Cuenca for a private guided tour around the archaeological site of Ingapirca, easily the best-preserved Inca ruins in Ecuador. During the height of the empire, Cuenca was a key power center. Marvel at the tightly fitted low stone walls and the Temple of the Sun, and inspect Inca sculptures, tools, and objects at the nearby museum. After lunch, you’ll be driven back to Cuenca to your hotel of choice.

Tour of Colonial Cuenca

Begin day 10 with an exclusive city tour around colonial Cuenca, whose cobblestone streets, 16th-century houses, and striking churches and cathedrals are a vision of period perfection. Inhale the fragrance of fresh blooms at the flower market, which sets this cobbled plaza ablaze on a daily basis.

Once you’ve got your bearings, you’re free to spend the rest of the afternoon wandering around at your leisure or resting at your stylish hotel.

Sun, and inspect Inca sculptures, tools, and objects at the nearby museum. After lunch, you’ll be driven back to Cuenca to your hotel of choice.

Bid farewell to Ecuador

After an itinerary full of adventure, we understand you may be a bit tired by this point. Therefore, we do our absolute best to ensure your return home is as smooth and hassle-free as possible. Enjoy an early breakfast where your personal Kuoda representative will collect and escort you to the airport. From there, you’ll board a quick flight to Quito, before catching your return flight home.