Tour Details
Day 1
Quito- Yanapi Hat Shop - Cotopaxi National Park - Hacienda San Agustín de Callo - Patate
The artisans tradition of Quito is present in the visit to the Yanapi Hat Shop, where guests can observe the process of making hats by hand, of wool felt and fur felt; these high-quality hats are exported to European, Australian and American markets. Along valleys and mountains, arrive to Cotopaxi National Park, which surrounds the magnificent Cotopaxi Volcano, for an up-close view of the Andean paramo habitat and its unique flora and fauna; a number of high-altitude birds can be observed around Limpiopungo Lagoon, and occasionally, wild horses. On clear days, the perfect snow-capped cone of the Cotopaxi Volcano is quite a sight! At the foot of the volcano is a charming hacienda, where lunch is served in a room with Inca walls, perfectly preserved through the centuries -a truly archaeological jewel. After lunch, mingle with the llamas of the hacienda and stroll along a rose plantation, many varieties, many colours, ready for exportation. From here, descend towards the town of Patate, to spend the night at a 300-year old hacienda, hidden among the mountains, a magical ambience, where, as the afternoon mist descends, stories are told about those who left in search of the treasure of the Incas in the nearby Llanganatis - and never returned...
Día 2
Baños - Route of the Cascades - Urbina - Riobamba (overnight at Hacienda Abraspungo or similar)
Alter breakfast, take a spectacular route along the gorge of the Pastaza River to the town of Baños (Baths), right at the foot of Tungurahua Volcano, from where the thermal waters that gave it its name emerge. Drive along the Route of the Cascades to El Pailón del Diablo (the Devil's Cauldron) -the most adventurous will descend (medium difficulty) to observe the impressive cascade up close, surrounded by subtropical vegetation and orchids. The force and sound of the waters can also be appreciated from a lookout point without descending. Lunch is served at an hacienda / hostel in the surroundings, and in the afternoon a short stroll along Baños -a town with an international pulse, full of people from all over the world as well as many locals who pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Holy Water. From here, the route to Riobamba is up the mountain, to where the clouds can be touched, alongside the massive Chimborazo, the highest mountain of Ecuador, on the high paramo where vicuñas graze and scamper - this is a protected Faunistic Preserve. On the hillsides, where the land is worked beneath the plow, one might think the farmer's true objective was to paint the hills in fascinating patterns, not just to till the dark, fertile soil. Great photo ops on this route! Arrive to Riobamba for dinner and lodging.
Day 3
Riobamba-Calpí-Colta-Guamote-Alausi-Ingapirca-Cuenca
After breakfast, visit the Museum of the Conceptas, housing one of the most important collections of religious art in Latin America, exhibited in several rooms that were originally the cloisters or cells where the nuns lived - a few nuns still live here in seclusion. The treasures of art, culture, traditions and religiousness of Riobamba are kept here thanks to the contribution of the visitors. Close to Riobamba is the Indian Community of Palacio Real, where an interesting visit to the Museum of the Llama is offered, an interactive community project to show the important role of the llama in the pre-Columbian ancestral cultures -both in the spiritual part as well as daily life; a short stroll in the community is possible. Next stop is at Guamote, an Indian town, for a short visit to Inti Sisa, an Educational Centre for the Development and Sustainability of Adults and Children. These visits are an important support to the efforts of improvement of the communities, and tourism is one of the main means to do so, while at the same time, guests can have a direct contact with the local people. Then, towards Alausí, where brunch is served to regain strength and continue exploring the Andean world to the south, visiting the Inca Fortress of Ingapirca en-route. Arrival to Cuenca at dusk for dinner and accommodations.
Day 4
Cuenca a World Cultural Heritage Site
Cuenca is Ecuador's third largest city; yet it still retains its pleasant provincial air. Its red tiled roofs, cobblestone streets, flowery plazas and museums make it very special. This comprehensive visit includes the Plaza of San Sebastian, a colorful artisans market, where handicrafts are sold. Then, visit the Museum of Modern Art, featuring an excellent collection of contemporary fine art. Next is a visit to the flower market at the small plaza in front of the carved stone entrance to the church of El Carmen de la Asunción. From here, a stroll to the main square, surrounded by the imposing blue-domed Cathedral, the Court of Justice, the Municipal Palace, the Governor's Palace and the Church of El Sagrario. Then, a drive along the Tomebamba river to admire the city's overhanging houses. Lunch is at one of the excellent restaurants in Cuenca, and in the afternoon, drive for a short visit to a ceramics handcraft shop. Then, observe the whole process of making the famous Panama Hats of high-quality toquilla straw. The Spirit of the Andes adventure ends at the airport - to take to flight to Quito or Guayaquil. Air ticket is extra.
NOTE: The next day, guests can continue to Guayaquil by road via El Cajas or by plane; or on to Loja, overland.
Guests will thoroughly enjoy "The Spirit of the Andes", a four-day immersion into the Andean World, a journey along the history, the spirituality, the Andean flavours, the customs, traditions and legends of the ancestral peoples of the Ecuadorian highlands.
View detailed itineraries of the journey:
www.metropolitan-touring.com/content.asp?id_page=198
Read our blog:
http://metropolitantouring.wordpress.com/2010/05/20/touched-by-the-spirit-of-the-andes-ecuador/
View the pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/metropolitantouring/sets/72157624148332714/show/
Dress in layers (T-shirt, blouse, sweater, coat). Take a warm coat for evening and rain protection.. Sun protection (SPF 40) even if the day is cloudy. Hat or cap. Good walking shoes.
Altitude: 2,550 meters (7,750 feet) to 3,000 meters (10,000 feet)
Average Temperature:
Day 10° to 25° C / 50° to 77° F.
Night 6° to 10° C / 43° to 50° F.
Spirit of the Andes
The Ecuadorian Andes: a journey full of breathtaking landscapes, cultural discoveries, ethnic encounters and culinary delights.
Spirit of the Andes takes guests through the heart of the "Avenue of the Volcanoes", from Quito the capital to Cuenca in the south, Ecuador's third-largest city.
Life and Lore
Throughout the itinerary, travellers gain original and fresh insights into local life, traditions and production, with visits to a traditional woollen hat factory in Quito, a museum dedicated to the Andean cosmovision and a collection of religious works proudly displayed by cloistered nuns near Riobamba, a community school in the highlands, and a Panama hat manufacturer in Cuenca. In the company of expert guides, the journey brings Andean people and lore to brilliant life.
Bountiful Nature
There's also intimate contact with Ecuador's natural wonders, whether wandering amid the páramo moorlands in the shadow the great Cotopaxi Volcano, admiring the dramatic sub-tropical landscapes and feeling the rush of the waterfalls around the spa town of Baños, stopping to spot shy vicuñas on the slopes of the mighty Chimborazo Volcano, or enjoying the views of the rolling hills of the southern Andes around the Inca ruins of Ingapirca.
Read the Spirit of the Andes blog:
http://metropolitantouring.wordpress.com/2010/05/20/touched-by-the-spirit-of-the-andes-ecuador/
View photos from the Spirit of the Andes on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/metropolitantouring/sets/72157624148332714/show/
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