A journey of flavors around Ecuadorian cuisine and its national products.
*15-day Culinary tour across Ecuador.
Fernando’s feeling about the culinary tour in Ecuador
Ecuador, thanks to its privileged geographical location, its volcanic lands, and its unique and warm climate, is agricultural land that allows countless products to develop in the best possible conditions. From ancestral times until today, Ecuador has seen the growth of rich and varied cuisine, with surprising flavors, specific to each region. Certain foods, still unknown or even unknown abroad, are sure to surprise you.
To explore this incredible range of tastes and high-quality products, we have planned this gastronomic and cultural trip to Ecuador for 15 days, during which you will not fail to discover any national specialty!
At each stage of your trip to Ecuador, we will recommend and book for you the best restaurants according to your tastes and desires. You will visit local artisanal productions which will be happy to share their project and experience with you (wine, cocoa, coffee, rum, exotic fruits, and vegetables).
Your trip to Ecuador will take you through the Andes from North to South, enjoying magnificent encounters around Andean cuisine, but also the striking landscapes of this region. Before following an unforgettable descent of the Andes Cordillera, you will also visit Mindo and its tropical forest reserve rich in artisanal productions of cocoa, chocolate, and coffee.
A dream holiday, around the majestic Cotopaxi and Chimborazo volcanoes, will allow you to taste the culinary specialties of each region (but also of the sublime Guamote market, so typical and not very touristy) while enjoying these exceptional settings.
It is between Cuenca and Guayaquil that you will end your stay, delighting your taste buds in the heart of the most beautiful restaurants of these two pearls of Ecuador.
At the end of your magnificent trip to Ecuador, the “cuy” (guinea pig), the “hornado” (pork-based dish), empanadas, local fruits and vegetables, locros, paila ice cream from Salcedo, wine, cocoa, Ecuadorian coffee, and many other dishes and products holding secrets for you!
Possible extensions: on the Pacific coast, in a magnificent gastronomic lodge by the sea, or in the Galapagos!
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrival and transfer in to Quito | Quito visit> Chocolate degustation > Quito night city tour | Quito > Cuicocha lake> Kawsaymi ancestral cooking class > Hacienda Zuleta | Hacienda Zuleta ( Reserve and cheese factory visit) |
| Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 |
| Hacienda Zuleta > Degustation in Cayambe > Quitsato > Visit of a wine production > Quito | Quito > Mitad del Mundo > Visit of a cocoa production > Mindo | Mindo (bird watching and waterfall hike) > visit of a coffee plantation > Mindo | Mindo > Sangolqui (discovery of local specialties and visit of the market) > Cotopaxi National Park |
| Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12 |
| Cotopaxi National Park (horseback riding and cooking class) | Cotopaxi National Park (Visit) > Salcedo (degustation of the famous local ice creams) > Riobamba | Riobamba > Chimborazo reserve > Salinas de Guaranda > Riobamba | Riobamba > Guamote > Ingapirca > Cuenca |
| Day 13 | Day 14 | Day 15 | |
| Cuenca visit > Visit of a rum distillery > Cuenca | Cuenca > Parc Cajas > Plantations > Guayaquil | Departure transfer to Guayaquil |
Tour highlights :
– Fully private tour with a national English-speaking guide, to fully enjoy an exceptional experience around the culture and history of Ecuador.
– Lunches and dinners in the best restaurants in each region tested and recommended by us.
– Discovery of :high-quality artisan producers : (coffee, chocolate, wine, cheese, exotic fruits, vegetables).
– Traditional cooking classes filled with joy, sharing, and ancestral Andean know-how.
– Visits to :Quito and Cuenca, :colonial cities classified as a UNESCO heritage site and among the most beautiful on the continent.
– Visit the sumptuous Guamote Indian market, typical and not very touristy.
– Extraordinary Andean sites: :Cotopaxi park, Chimborazo: reserve, Cuicocha lake.
Explore in more detail :
– The rate decreases as the group size increases proportionally. The estimated price of this adventure is from $— to $—. 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.
Day 1 : Transfer-in to Quito
Arrival to Quito: Arrival in Quito: Transfer from the airport to your magnificent colonial hotel located in the historic center of the capital. You can have a light dinner at the hotel if you wish.
Meal
No
Visit
No
Hike
No
transport
1h00
Day 2: Visit of Quito > Chocolate Tasting > Night visit of Quito
You will visit the heart of the magnificent Ecuadorian capital and its charming monuments. At noon, you will return to the hotel for a superb lunch in complete privacy. In the afternoon, a tasting of chocolates from one of the country’s most prestigious producers will be offered at the hotel. In the evening, another superb night tour in the heart of the city and its alleys will be offered to you in the company of your guide.
Meal
b/L
Visit
5h00
Hike
1h00
transport
1h00
Day 3 : Quito > Cuicocha lake> Ancestral cooking, Kawsaymi > Otavalo
Today, a nice walk awaits you at the Cuicocha Lake, north of Quito. One of the most beautiful natural sites in the Ecuadorian Andes. To extend this exceptional morning, you will enjoy a unique meeting with Claudia, from El Panecillo community, with whom you will share a unique moment of exchange and practice around traditional indigenous cuisine. Tasting of these delicious dishes prepared by you!
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
4h00
Hike
1h00
transport
3h00
Day 4 : Zuleta Hacienda
Full day at Zuleta to enjoy its reserve, meet the magnificent condors, learn more about the artisanal cheese production it hosts, and enjoy some great optional activities!
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
3h30
Hike
0h30
transport
0h30
Day 5 : Otavalo > Winery > Quito
On the way back to Quito, you will discover the real Mitad del Mundo, on the equatorial line from Quitsato to Cayambe. Before returning to Quito, a visit to one of the most prestigious wineries in the country awaits you around a wonderful meeting and tasting. Finally, arrival to the capital, Quito.
Meal
b/l
Visit
5h00
Hike
No
transport
3h00
Day 6 :Quito > Mitad del Mundo > Mindo
Departure for the magnificent Mindo rainforest reserve, and its small and charming village. On the road, visit the Mitad del Mundo museum, located north of Quito. In the afternoon, a visit to a beautiful family chocolate factory, renowned for its quality, awaits you. In the evening, a festival of flavors at a renowned-chef exclusive restaurant, who will prepare a breathtaking dinner for you, imbued with organic and local flavors.
Meal
b/D
Visit
4h00
Hike
1h00
transport
2h00
Day 7 : Mindo (bird watching, waterfalls, and coffee production)
How not to enjoy a bird sighting morning in Mindo -world famous and rightly so among the ornithologist community- Following a magnificent excursion in contact with this omnipresent nature and meeting the famous coq-de-Roche, you will enjoy a pleasant walk to a beautiful waterfall near Mindo, Finally, in the afternoon, visit an organic coffee production that respects the environment, a great meeting around this so important industry in Ecuador.
Meal
b/d
Visit
3h00
Hike
4h00
transport
1h00
Day 8 : Mindo > Sangolqui > Cotopaxi National Park
Early departure to reach Cotopaxi Park, passing through Sangolqui town, south of Quito, to enjoy local culinary specialties and the market filled with typical vegetables! Tell us what you thought of the “hornado” (pork dish) and “cuy” (guinea pig) that will be prepared for you. Installation in a magnificent hacienda on the Cotopaxi Park outskirts, where a sublime night and a very good dinner with Andean flavors awaits you!
Meal
b/d
Visit
2h00
Hike
0h30
transport
4h30
Day 9 : Cotopaxi National Park (horseback riding and cooking class)
Today, a superb hike on the heights of Cotopaxi Park awaits you. Back at the hacienda, you will enjoy a friendly cooking class with the chef. In the afternoon, appreciable free time to carry out optional activities if you wish (mountain biking, tree climbing, etc.)
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
5h00
Hike
No
transport
0h00
Day 10 : Cotopaxi National Park > Salcedo > Riobamba
Today, a full visit of the Park’s interior via beautiful hikes, and ascent to the José Ribas refuge (4,860 meters above sea level)! Departure for Riobamba, and gourmet stop in the village of Salcedo, famous throughout the country for its ice cream! Overnight in a charming hotel!
Meal
b
Visit
0h00
Hike
1h00 à 4h00
transport
3h30
Day 11 : Riobamba > Chimborazo (reserve) > Salinas de Guaranda > Riobamba
It is the majestic Chimborazo volcano and its wild reserve that awaits you today, for an unforgettable visit. You will also visit Salinas de Guaranda city, driven by Europeans around a participatory and fair economic model for all local producers. A Mecca for cheese production in Ecuador, to the delight of the taste buds!
Meal
b
Visit
1h30
Hike
1h30
transport
3h30
Day 12 : Riobamba > Guamote (hike) > Ingapirca > Cuenca
The Guamote market is for us one of the most beautiful, typical, and less touristy in Ecuador. You will appreciate its authentic animal fair. A show not to be missed! Before arriving in Cuenca, heading south, you will discover the Ingapirca ruins and its Inca remains. Arrival in the sublime Cuenca city and installation in your charming hotel in the city center.
Meal
b
Visit
4h00
Hike
No
transport
4h30
Day 13 : Visit de Cuenca
Day dedicated to the heart of Cuenca discovery and its charming attractions. You will also visit a Panama hats factory, which made the city famous around the world. You will also discover a beautiful traditional rum factory, via a superb meeting. In the evening, an exclusive table, next to the chef who will cook in front of you, will be reserved at the Tiesto restaurant!
Meal
b
Visit
7h00
Hike
No
transport
1h00
Day 14 : Cuenca > Cajas national park > Plantation > Guayaquil
On the road that will take you to Guayaquil, you will discover the magnificent and wild Cajas Parc where you will make a charming stop. You will have lunch in a beautiful fruit and vegetable plantation, which you will visit, before arriving in Guayaquil
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
2h30
Hike
0h30
transport
4h30
Day 15 : Departure transfer to Guayaquil
Depending on the time of your international flight, you will enjoy some free time in Guayaquil. A driver will pick you up from your hotel to take you to the airport to be there 3 hours before your departure.
Meal
b
Visit
5h00
Hike
No
transport
0h30
B: Breakfast
L: Luch
D: Dinner
Rate Includes
– All transfers, vehicles, drivers and their costs and fees.
– Accommodation
– National-licensed guides as indicated in the guidance part.
– Meals
– Entrances to sites, museums and national parks specified in the program.
– Licenses (ITK travel agency and our guides and drivers).
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
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***** categoryoffering an irreproachable quality of service. The rooms are luxurious and spacious. .
– Tour : private excursions with your private English-speaking guide.
– Transport and transfers : private, with Spanish-speaking drivers (vehicles type Duster / Hyundai H1 / minibus).
– Physical: no physical level required for this tour in Ecuador.
– Technical : no technical level necessary during this stay.
Clothing :
-1 or 2 light walking trousers
-1 or 2 warm walking trousers
-2 Fleece jackets
-1 warm breathing(type gore tex)
-1 waterproof jacket (type kway)
– light t-shirts
– hike shoes
– casual shoes
-1 pair of gloves for high altitude walks
-1 warm hat for high altitude walks
– beach clothing -if necessary-
– cap
Additional :
-1 water bottle
– sunglasses
– solar cream
– hiking bag (between 25 to 45L)
– hike sticks
– camera normal + waterproof
– backpack
– swimsuit
– repellent (preferably stick)
– binoculars
– Transfers and visits times are indicative.
– For every not included meal, foresee between $5 -popular- and $50 -gourmet- 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.