Ecuador Highlands, Cotopaxi, Antisana and Papallacta Tours

Ecuador Highlands

The joy of living with the simplicity and relaxed atmosphere of a bygone era. The two Andean cordilleras that run parallel and cross Ecuador from north to south, offer a most varied topography: volcanoes and snow capped mountains, green valleys with impressive Colonial cities like Quito and Cuenca, quaint Indian villages, farmlands, haciendas, lakes and rivers of crystal blue waters.

The capital of Ecuador, Quito, brings the past to life in its museums, monasteries, the carved stone facades and golden altars of its many churches, as well as in the Archaeological Museum that displays centuries of pre-Columbian treasures. Enjoy scenic, Colonial and artistic Quito, then stand with a foot on each hemisphere at the Middle of the World.

The province of Imbabura is located in northern Ecuador, a picturesque land of lakes, majestic sierras and terraced farmlands, home to the Otavalo Indians, industrious and enterprising people, who offer their products at the famous outdoor market, full of ponchos, embroidered blouses, ceramics, wall hangings, native jewelry and authentic Panama hats. Near Otavalo are charming country inns and haciendas to stay overnight, and explore this wonderful area at a more leisurely pace.

Beginning in Quito and going south, is the Avenue of the Volcanoes with unparalleled views of the Andes. Mount Cotopaxi dominates the landscape of a National Park of the same name, where llamas graze and high-elevation bird species fly, including the Andean Condor. Our exclusive Hacienda programs provide an in-depth experience of Andean flavor, with stays at marvelous properties, as guests of the owners. For the more adventurous, the Andes are the perfect setting for trekking, hiking, mountain biking, bird watching and many more outdoor adventures.

Spectacular train rides, on exclusive coaches of the Expreso Metropolitan Touring, run from the Andean highlands to the Pacific shores, with the thrill of zigzagging the sharp angles of the Devil's Nose.

Private tours offer exclusive arrangements with multilingual guides for both FIT´s or groups. Semiprivate tours are operated on vans with a maximum of nine guests; while our sharing bus tours have a capacity of up to forty guests. Both semiprivate and sharing bus tours are guided with English/Spanish speaking guide only.

Cotopaxi National Park by Train & Lunch (1 day, from Quito) Thursday to Sundays only (private) MT-145T This route is surrounded by snowcapped summits and the mystical beauty that, in times past, nourished the mythology of early cultures and later provided incentive to the conquering Spanish to settle here.     Cotopaxi National Park, full day, daily from Quito, includes lunch at Hacienda San Agustín de Callo or similar, MT-145B Tour to Cotopaxi Volcano National Park has a unique experience for nature lovers, Cotopaxi park with 36.00 hectares is a very nice reserve, in addition stay at San Agustin del Callo Hacienda with more than 400 years of history and built up over an Inca castle ruins is a really nice experience.     Cotopaxi Volcano National Park, 2D/1N daily from Quito, overnight at Hacienda La Ciénega, all meals, private, MT-147 The hacienda la Cienega and Cotopaxi Volcano National Park tour is a natural and cozy tour, with traditional flavour in the stay at Hacienda la Cienega, combines nature in the Cotopaxi Volcano national park and la Cienega Hacienda.     Antisana and Papallacta Excursion, 2D / 1N, daily from Quito, includes accommodations and all meals MT-156 This is a spectacular excursion to the high Andes of Ecuador, into the paramo and the montane forest, rich in unusual flora and fauna. The voyage starts with a drive to the Antisana volcano, the fourth in altitude in Ecuador, covered with glaciers and snow, and the surrounding Ecological Reserve.     Antisana Ecological Reserve, full day, daily, from Quito, includes lunch, private, MT-157 This is a spectacular day trip out of Quito to the volcano Antisana, the fourth in altitude in Ecuador, covered with glaciers and snow, and the surrounding Ecological Reserve.     Cotopaxi and the Avenue of the Volcanoes,3D/2N, daily, from Quito MT-350 Follow the footsteps of the German scientist Alexander von Humboldt and discover what in 1802 he called the “Avenue of the Volcanoes”. This route is surrounded by snowcapped summits and the mystical beauty that, in times past, nourished the mythology of early cultures and later provided incentive to the conquering Spanish to settle here.     Cotopaxi Volcano National Park, full day, daily from Quito, includes box lunch or lunch at a hosteria of the area, private, MT-145 Cotopaxi Volcano National Park tour is an ecological sanctuary of 36,000 hectares (88,920 acres) surrounding Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world.

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