Cultural Highlights of Ecuador

Explore and immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of Ecuador in this 12-day friend’s vacation. The highlands hold rich treasures for you to find!

 A Friendcation to the Heights of Ecuador | Anywhere

Quito

Percy Coll Santillan

Catherine Boucher

Standard Room

Set an elevation of 9,350 ft (2,850 m), Quito is the highest capital city in the world. The population of this bustling city is a contrasting mix of Ecuadorians sporting sleek business suits and colorful indigenous clothing. These contrasts exemplify the mix of politics, history and culture that define Quito. Founded in the 16th century atop the ruins of an Inca city, Quito is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a premier destination for those visiting Ecuador.

Hotel Recommendation #1

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EPR Travel

Quito City Tour and Middle of the World

The tour begins with a visit to the Mirador de Panecillo. This viewpoint overlooks downtown Quito and offers travelers a great way to orient themselves to the city and surrounding area. While here, your English-speaking guide will tell you about the history of Quito and also provide information on the city's economy, culture, attractions, and traditions.  
  
Once you've soaked up the view and taken a few pictures, the tour will continue on to the colonial neighborhoods of Quito. You will walk around for about two hours and visit the most emblematic attractions in Quito, including the Iglesia de San Francisco, Iglesia de la Merced, La Catedral, the Plaza de la Independencia, and the Archbishop's Palace. These are some of the most important sites in the city, and you will surely enjoy visiting them and learning about their history.  
  
Next, you will continue the journey at Mitad Del Mundo, or the "Middle of the Earth." This is where Ecuador's namesake, the equator, runs through the country. As such, tour participants will have a chance to stand with a foot in each hemisphere. While here you'll learn about ancient Ecuadorian culture and also visit an ethnographic museum.  

This tour explores both the wonderful city of Quito and the so called "Middle of the World," which is the place where the equator runs through Ecuador. You'll learn a great deal about the history and culture of Ecuador while on this tour.

Transportation, English-speaking guide, Lunch and entrance fees.

Comfortable walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, light waterproof jacket, camera, and water bottle.

Mindo Full-Day Tour

The tour begins with an 8:00 AM pickup from your hotel. The first stop of this tour is at an overlook with views of the Pululahua Volcano. Take pictures and enjoy the wonderful scenery before continuing on to the El Pahuma Orchid Reserve. This reserve spreads out over some 1,500 acres (650 ha) of protected cloud forest. While here you'll learn about some of the 200 identified species within the reserve and also will visit a beautiful waterfall.  
  
The tour continues on to the Mindo-Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve. This reserve has around 22,000 acres (8,900 ha) of primary forest, including everything from jungle to *páramo.* You will visit the Butterfly Farm to learn about the 25 species of butterflies that live in this area. The tour then visits the Nambillo Waterfall.   
  
Next, the tour crosses an impressive canyon over the Mindo River on a cable car. The cable car travels some 230 feet (70 m) above the forest, providing you with an incredible view of the area. Once you're on the other side, you'll walk along a pleasant path to the Waterfalls Sanctuary. The walk takes about 30 minutes, with a trail that runs through lush vegetation.  
  
After this adventure, you'll enjoy lunch in a tasty restaurant. Keep an eye out for hummingbirds and tanagers, which may be perched on the branches of nearby trees. An optional canopy tour is available after lunch.   
  
You will return to Quito and arrive in the city around 6:00 PM.   
  
  
NOTE: In Group Tour or Shared Service does not include the entrance fees nor lunch.

During this full-day tour, you'll explore the El Pahuma Orchid Reserve and the Mindo-Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve. In Mindo, you'll visit waterfalls and a butterfly farm, and take a cable car over the forest.

Private Tour Includes:  Transportation, lunch, English-speaking guide, and entrance fees.
Group Tour Includes:  Transportation and English-speaking guide.

Sunscreen, insect repellent, rain jacket, sunglasses, camera, hiking shoes, water bottle, and comfortable clothing.

Volcanoes Train Full Day Tour

This tour leaves from the Chimbacalle Station. As you continue down the road, you’ll pass by the Pichincha, Atacazo, Pasochoa, Viudita, and Rumiñahui volcanoes.  
  
The road continues into the jungles of Panzaleo, you’ll see the area where locals harvest wood to build the churches of Quito. This tour includes stops in Tambillo and Machachi, small towns where you can see Ecuadorian chagras culture — “chagras” are Ecuadorian cowboys. While you’re here you’ll get to try the hearty Ecuadorian fare for lunch.  
  
See more of the local wildlife at the Granja La Estación farmhouse, which has its own menagerie of native and exotic animals. This farmhouse has an elegant interior and lovely grounds. Next, you’ll go for an easy walk through the cloud forest of El Boliche, a town at the foothills of Cotopaxi.

Ecuador has a chain of volcanoes known as the “Avenue of the Volcanoes.” On this tour, you’ll take a train that passes by some of the area’s impressive volcanoes.

Volcanoes Full-Day Tour

Train ticket and issuing fees, guided tours, light hiking excursions, farm visit,  and round trip transportation to and from train station and Quito hotel.

Jacket for cold weather, comfortable walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, a camera, and money for personal expenses.

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Tena

Nizama VIP Transfer

Standard Room 2Nights/3Days  Program

Nestled between lush hillsides and snaking rivers is the town of Tena, the whitewater capital of Ecuador. Many travelers come here just to raft or kayak on the many rivers that come raging down from the Sierras. For those looking for a drier experience, the surrounding wildlife and indigenous communities also offer a great way to spend your time.

Hotel Recommendation #2

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Baños

Anaconda Lodge

Double Room

Set at the base of the looming Tungurahua Volcano, the peaceful town of Baños gets its name from the many thermal spas that are scattered around the area. It’s an outdoor adventure hub as well, with whitewater rafting, hiking and mountain biking opportunities nearby.

Hotel Recommendation #3

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Cuenca

Deluxe Double Room

Cuenca is a colonial marvel and one of the most attractive cities in Ecuador. Nestled in the highlands, its charming streets, grand plazas and churches span multiple levels of the mountainside, making the city more than postcard-worthy.

Hotel Recommendation #4

Cuenca City Tour

This tour begins with a pickup from your hotel, after which you will be guided along the cobblestone streets of Cuenca. You'll visit the Plaza Abdón Caldeón, Cuenca's central park, and the new Catedral de la Inmaculada. Often called Catedral Nueva, this cathedral is awe-inspiring and impressive. You'll also visit the older Catedral El Sagrario, which is also known as Catedral Antigua (Old Cathedral). This is the oldest building in Cuenca, and was constructed during the 16th century.   
  
At Plaza de las Flores, you'll stroll around a small plaza that's filled with vendors selling colorful, fragrant flowers. Nearby is El Carmen de la  Asunción, a beautiful church that was founded in 1682. Next you'll visit a factory where Panama hats are produced, and will then tour the Museum of Modern Art. This museum houses various works from Ecuadorian artists, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, engravings, and more. If your tour is held on a Thursday or Saturday, you'll also make a stop at the Market Square Rotary and have the opportunity to purchase handmade crafts and souvenirs.   
  
The tour then visits the viewpoint of El Turi, where you'll enjoy a beautiful panorama of the city.  Finally, you'll walk down the "All Saints" street and observe the Cañari and Inca ruins, as well as Spanish colonial buildings.       
  
  


One of the most attractive and charming cities in Ecuador, Cuenca is best experienced with a tour. During this city tour, you'll visit important cultural and historical sites, and walk away with a sound understanding of this provincial capital.

Transportation and English-speaking guide. Note: Entrance fees to attractions are not included.

Full Day Gualaceo-Chordeleg

Each of these towns’ craftsmen sells their goods in open-air markets. This tour takes place in a fairly rural part of the Andes, and on your trip you may see locals dressed in traditional, colorful Andean garb.    
  
Your first stop is in Gualaceo, where you’ll see handmade leather displayed in the marketplace, including lots of leather shoes. Gualaceo is the ideal spot to stop for lunch. You can find plenty of *hornado* on offer, which is a succulent dish of slow-cooked pork marinated in lime juice, *chicha* (beer made from corn), and native spices. This area is also known for a drink called *rosero* – a blushing concoction that combines lots of local fruit with sugar, cinnamon, and star anise. For an even smoother drink, get a rosero served with a splash of white wine.    
  
Not all of the Gualaceo’s charms are manmade. Gualaceo’s main attractions are its orchid farms. You’ll visit orchid gardens in Gualaceo to see these flowers in shades of pink, yellow, and purple. Gardens here have thousands of species of orchids, including a large variety of hybrid species.    
  
The town of Chordeleg is known for its filigree jewelry. Its reputation for ornate, silver jewelry has grown so much that large replicas of their famous earrings hang from the lampposts.    
  


While you’re in Cuenca, get the most out of the local artisan scene with a full-day tour of the nearby villages of Gualaceo and Chordeleg. Each of these towns is located in the mountains that surround Cuenca, about an hour outside of the city.

Gualaceo and Chordeleg

Transportation, English-speaking guide, entrance fee, and lunch.

Snacks, money for tipping and personal expenses, comfortable hiking shoes, warm clothing, hat, sunscreen, light waterproof jacket, camera, and a water bottle.

Alternatur Cuenca

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TAME, Linea Aerea de Ecuador

Otavalo Full Day Tour

This tour departs from Quito. As you head north on the Pan-American Highway, you'll pass through Guachalá (which is home to an old Mitad del Mundo monument) and eventually make a stop Cayambe, where you'll taste the town's famous biscuits. These biscuits, which are prepared in a clay oven and served with cheese, are utterly delicious.   
  
After enjoying the food, you'll continue on and make a brief stop at a viewpoint that overlooks Lake San Pablo—take pictures and soak up the beautiful scenery. Once you arrive at the town of Otavalo, you'll explore the marketplace, where local vendors sell a number of items. Search for hats, sweaters, necklaces, textiles, and more here.   
  
Tour participants also have the opportunity to continue on to Cotacachi, a town that's known for producing high-quality leather goods. After exploring Otavalo (and perhaps Cotacachi), you'll return to Quito.   
  


This full-day tour visits Cayambe and Otavalo, the latter of which has one of the country's best outdoor markets. You'll try tasty Ecuadorian food and have the opportunity to purchase high-quality, locally produced handicrafts during this tour.

Comfortable shoes, camera, sunscreen, snacks, and water bottle.

1-888-456-3212

1-844-840-8780

44-800-088-5758

1-844-840-8780

1-888-456-3212

44-800-088-5758

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Hidden Local Gems

Photo Opportunities

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Easy Sightseeing

City-Life Energy

Rugged Exploration

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My dream trip in Peru
Peru
Costa Rica
Vietnam
Ecuador
Thailand
Belize
Indonesia
Guatemala
Panama
Laos
Cambodia
Honduras

That I’ll spend with Group type
My Spouse/Partner
My Family
Myself
My Friends

Is filled with Trip type
Natural Wonders
Culinary & Cultural Encounters
Adventure Sports
Hidden Local Gems
Photo Opportunities
Mind & Body Rejuvenation
Easy Sightseeing
City-Life Energy
Rugged Exploration
Rest & Relaxation
Romantic Moments
Mind-blowing Vistas
Off-The-Beaten-Path Exploration