An integral discovery of the andes nature & culture…
LAETITIAS’S WORD OVER THIS TOUR
In 17 days, our stay in “Picturesque South Ecuador” will allow you to complete your stay with the most picturesque region of the Ecuadorian Andes. This beautiful and authentic region will make you see the little exploited other side of Ecuador.
The climate is milder there, the city of Vilcabamba attracts many North Americans in search of quietness for retirement. You will twice have the opportunity to visit Podocarpus Park, on the Zamora side and Vilcabamba. You will also discover the colonial Loja town which is an example of cleanliness and recycling, a pioneer town in Ecuador.
You will pass, during your stay, through Zaruma town which is a mining town. You will immerse yourself in ancient gold mines in the heart of Ecuador’s most beautiful village. The south is not the most visited region, but it is one of the nicest surprises you will have on your trip to Ecuador.
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer-in to Quito | Quito visit | Quito > Cuicocha lake > San Clemente | San Clemente |
| Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 |
| San Clemente > Cayambe > Sangolqui > Cotopaxi | Cotopaxi > Tigua | Tigua > Zumbahua > Quilotoa > Riobamba | Riobamba > Chimborazo reserve > Guayaquil |
| Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12 |
| Guayaquil > Churute > Zaruma | Zaruma > Vilcabamba | Vilcabamba | Vilcabamba > Zamora > Parc Podocarpus > Loja |
| Day 13 | Day 14 | Day 15 | Day 16 |
| Loja > Cuenca | Cuenca > Ingapirca > Cuenca | Cuenca | Cuenca > Cajas national park > Guayaquil |
| Day 17 | |||
| Departure transfer to Guayaquil |
Tour highlights :
– Completely private tour, with your English-speaking guide.
– Visit the colonial cities of of Quito, Cuenca, and Loja.
– Discovery of 3 isolated, authentic and picturesque Indigenous markets.
– 5 days in the southernmost part of the country which is an authentic region with very little tourism.
– Discovery of imposing volcanoes as the Cotopaxi and Chimborazo as well as the Podocarpus and the charming Cajas reserve.
Rates/per person:
| 2 People | 4 People |
|---|---|
| $4628 | $3722 |
– The rate decreases/increases according to the group size. The prices provided are based on the “Superior” 3/4**** and “Comfort” 2/3***category. Let us know if you would like this program in the “Luxe” 4/5***** category. The final cost of this trip depends on the way we personalize it specially for you. The exact price will be provided in your personalized quote when you BOOK THIS TRIP.
Rate Includes
– All transfers, vehicles, drivers and their costs and fees.
– Accommodation
– National-licensed guides as indicated in the guidance part.
– Meals (16 breakfasts / 14 Lunches / 11 Dinners).
– Entrances to sites, museums and national parks specified in the program.
– Licenses (ITK travel agency and our guides and drivers).
– Visit to a charming rose farm in Cayambe on day 5
Rate Doesn’t include
– International flights
– Individual equipment
– Visits indicated as “Optional” or “at an additional cost.
– Drinks in bars, hotels, restaurants or villages.
– Not indicated meals
– Tips
Explore in more detail :
Day 1 : Transfer-in to Quito
Arrival in Quito & transfer IN. You will have a first sight of the city, and the country.
Meal
D
Visit
No
Hike
No
transport
1h30
Day 2 : Quito visit
Visit of Quito, UNESCO listed, the Historic Center with its squares, churches, and magnificent colonial streets, and more.
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
6h00
Hike
0h00
transport
0h30
Day 3 : Quito > Cuicocha lake> San Clemente
Transfer of 2 hours to reach the Cuicocha lagoon. You can go around if you wish (4-5 hours of walking). You will then join the community where you will spend the night.
Meal
b/D/L
Visit
0h00
Hike
from 1h00 to 6h00
transport
3h00
Day 4 : San Clemente
A day with your family in the San Clemente community. You will take part in daily activities such as cooking, planting, etc …
Meal
b/d/l
Visit
0h00
Hike
0H00
transport
0h00
Day 5 : San Clemente > Cayambe > Sangolqui > Cotopaxi National Park
You will take the road to the south. You will make a stop in Cayambe in a “rose garden” where you will have scientific explanations. You will continue your journey to Cotopaxi Park where you will spend the night.
Meal
b/d/l
Visit
1h30
Hike
0h00
transport
4h30
Day 6 : Cotopaxi National Park > Tigua
You will visit the Cotopaxi National Park: You will climb to the José Ribas refuge 4.864m / 15.958ft and you will go around the Limpiopungo lagoon. At the end of the afternoon, you will reach the Tigua village. You will stay in a hostel owned by a former Ecuadorian dictator’s relative.
Meal
b/D/l
Visit
3h00
Hike
1h30
transport
3h45
Day 7 : Tigua > Zumbahua > Quilotoa > Riobamba
Short transfer to visit the Zumbahua Andean Indigenous market. You will then reach the Quilotoa lagoon (you can go around the lagoon – around 5 hours). You will then reach the city of Riobamba.
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
3h00
Hike
1h00
transport
3h30
Day 8 : Riobamba > Chimborazo reserve > Guayaquil
You will visit the Chimborazo reserve where the volcano of the same name culminating at 6310m / 20700ft. You will then reach the largest city in the country, Guayaquil.
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
0h00
Hike
1h00
transport
4h00
Day 9 : Guayaquil > Manglares Churrute > Zaruma
You will go towards Churrute mangroves where you will go by canoe through this very special biotope. You will take the road to the famous mining town of Zaruma.
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
2h00
Hike
0h00
transport
5h00
Day 10 : Zaruma > Vilcabamba
Visit the city and the gold mines of Zaruma. In the afternoon you will reach the town of Vilcabamba which is famous for its hiking trails.
Meal
b/l
Visit
4h00
Hike
0h00
transport
4h30
Day 11 : Vilcabamba
Free day in Vilcabamba. Many trekking paths are marked from your lodge.
Meal
b
Visit
0h00
Hike
up to 7h00
transport
0h00
Day 12 : Vilcabamba > Zamora > Podocarpus national park> Loja
This morning, transfer to Zamora town in the heart of the tropical forest. You will have the choice between various hikes in the Podocarpus Park heart. You will take the road to sleep in Loja.
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
0h00
Hike
30' to 4h00
transport
3h30
Day 13 : Loja > Cuenca
Transfer to the colonial city of Cuenca. You will have a free afternoon in this city.
Meal
b/l
Visit
0h00
Hike
0h00
transport
3h30
Day 14 : Cuenca > Ingapirca > Cuenca
You will head to Ecuador’s largest Inca site, Ingapirca. You will return to Cuenca in the afternoon.
Meal
b/l
Visit
1h30
Hike
0h30
transport
2h00
Day 15 : Cuenca
Visit of Cuenca, a city classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Meal
b/l
Visit
6h00
Hike
0h00
transport
0h00
Day 16 : Cuenca > Cajas park > Guayaquil
Short transfer to Cajas Park. You will take a short hike in the heart of this sublime reserve. You will reach Guayaquil in the afternoon.
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
0h00
Hike
0h30 to 2h00
transport
4h30
Day 17 : Departure transfer
Transfer to Guayaquil airport.
Meal
b
Visit
0h00
Hike
0h00
transport
0h30
B: Breakfast
L: Luch
D: Dinner
«Comfort » category : charming and comfortable accommodation 2/3*** category. Clean and offering an adapted-to-European and American customer service.
« Superior » category : charming accommodation 3/4**** category. Top of the range quality infrastructure and personalized service. Spacious and tasteful rooms.
« Luxe » category: top of the range accommodations 4/5***** category offering an irreproachable quality of service. The rooms are luxurious and spacious. .
* Andes:
=> Private Guide/Driver (Days 2, 3, 5-16) : private transfers, activities, and excursions accompanied by your local English-speaking guide with his own vehicle. (Vehicle type: Kia Sportage or Hyundai H1).
=> Driver (on Days 1, 4, & 17) : private transfers accompanied by your local Spanish-speaking driver (Vehicle type: Kia Sportage or Hyundai H1). Your driver will understand English allowing you to communicate the essentials.
Note : for 4+ people you will be accompanied by an English-speaking guide + a Spanish-speaking driver.
Clothing :
-1 or 2 light walking trousers
-1 or 2 warm walking trousers
-2 Fleece jackets
-1 breathable warm jacket(type softshell)
-1 waterproof jacket (type gore-tex)
– light t-shirts
– hike shoes
– casual shoes
-1 pair of gloves for high altitude walks
-1 warm hat for high altitude walks
– cap
Additional :
-1 water bottle
– sunglasses
– solar cream
– hiking bag (between 25 to 45L)
– hike sticks
– camera
– binoculars.
– No specific physical or technical level is required for this trip. However, Some walks will be planned, they will not be physically hard but you will have to accept to walk 1 to 2 hours straight.
– Transfers and visits times are indicative.
– Foresee between $ 5 and $ 30 per meal not included, per person.
– Tips: we recommend between $ 10 and $ 20 per worked day for a guide, and between $ 5 and $ 10 per worked day for a driver.
– Have a look at our USEFUL INFORMATION page to better prepare your adventure!