Meet the Locals: Quito, Otavalo & Patate

10 days
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Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Skip the tourist traps and go off-the-beaten path on this adventure in Northern Ecuador. From historic Quito to the colorful market town of Otavalo, you'll see the most authentic places and walk away with a truly memorable experience. In Quito, get a sense of this incredible city and historic center, which is one of the best preserved in Latin America. A gui...
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$4,396
From$3,569
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Overview

Trip type
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Quito City Tour with City Museum, Equatorial Line Monument & Ethnographical Museum (6 hours)
    • Visit to community of Yunguilla
    • Visit to Cotacachi and Cuicocha
    • Visit to Cotopaxi National Park
    • Visit to Salasaca village, with lunch

What's this trip about?

    Skip the tourist traps and go off-the-beaten path on this adventure in Northern Ecuador. From historic Quito to the colorful market town of Otavalo, you'll see the most authentic places and walk away with a truly memorable experience. In Quito, get a sense of this incredible city and historic center, which is one of the best preserved in Latin America. A guided tour takes you through famous cathedrals and squares, Panecillo Hill and the Equatorial Line, while still leaving you time to explore on your own.  Leave Quito and continue north to the market town of Otavalo. Pick up goods at the colorful market (and haggle for the best price), see a beautiful waterfall, volcanic lake and meet an inspiring non-profit organization doing amazing work with Ecuador's youth.  Head to your next destination of Patate, but first, visit Cotopaxi National Park that's home to a perfectly conical volcano. See jewel-hued hummingbirds on a bird watching excursion, see another awe-inspiring waterfall and visit a local village. Spend one last night in Quito before saying goodbye to your Ecuador friends and heading home. Helpful links for travel to Ecuador: Visa & Passport Info Vaccines & Medications Info

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIndependent
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportRound trip airfare and all internal transport included
Start CityQuito
End CityEcuador

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Local Immersion & Homestays
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

Attractions

  • Cotopaxi
  • Otavalo
  • Quito

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing
  • History
  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion
  • Ruins & Archaeology

Trip includes

    • Round-trip economy class airfare to Quito (UIO)
    • All airport and inter-city transfers
    • 3 nights in Quito at the Hotel Mercure Alameda, or similar
    • Quito City Tour with City Museum, Equatorial Line Monument & Ethnographical Museum (6 hours)
    • Visit to community of Yunguilla
    • 2 nights in Otavalo at the Las Palmeras Inn, or similar
    • Visit to the Cochasqui archaeological site
    • Visit to the Otavalo handicraft market
    • Visit to indigenous houses
    • Visit to school in Peguche
    • Visit to Peguche Waterfall
    • Visit to Cotocachi and Cuicocha
    • 1 night in Quito at the Hotel Mercure Alameda, or similar
    • 2 nights in Patate at the Hacienda Manteles, or similar (with 2 dinners)
    • Visit to Cotopaxi National Park
    • Bird watching excursion
    • Visit to Baños including the Pailon del Diablo Waterfall, with lunch
    • Visit to Salasaca village, with lunch
    • 1 night in Quito at the Hotel Mercure Alameda, or similar
    • Breakfast daily

Itinerary

Day 1 Welcome to Quito!

Arrive in Quito and enjoy a transfer to your first accommodation. Set at the foot of the volcano Pichincha and surrounded by snow-capped mountains, Quito is easy on the eyes. The city is known for its colonial churches, monasteries, paintings, sculptures and th...

Day 2 Quito

Wake up and enjoy a 6-hour tour of Quito's highlights including Panecillo Hill and the “Middle of the World” - the Equatorial Line. 

Later, head to Calle La Ronda, one of Quito's oldest streets. The cobblestone alley features restored historic buildings and a lively bar scene in the evening.

Day 3 Quito

In the morning, drive to the community of Yunguilla located one hour from Quito. This community is focused on the development of sustainable economic alternatives and improving the quality of life through managing natural resources. 

Upon your return to Q...

Day 4 Quito - Otavalo

Take an approximately 2-hour bus ride today to Otavalo. The road descends into the spectacular Guayllabamba gorge and village. With a bit of luck, you will get to see the snow capped Cayambe, which is the highest worldwide point on the Ecuadorian line. On the w...

Day 5 Otavalo

Today you will have a full day exploring the area around Otavalo. Visit a school in the village of Peguche, Peguche Waterfall and several indigenous families. 

You will then return to your hotel and have some free time to enjoy the beautiful gardens of the hacienda.

Day 6 Otavalo - Quito

On your way back to Quito, visit the town of Cotacachi and Laguna Cuicocha. 

Upon your return to Quito, consider visiting Ecuador's National Museum (Museo Nacional) to see magnificent works of pre-Hispanic and colonial religious art.

Day 7 Quito - Patate

Depart Quito for the approximately 3-hour journey south to Patate near the foothills of the still active Tungurahua volcano. On the way, stop at Cotopaxi National Park where you'll see the perfectly conical Cotopaxi volcano!

Day 8 Patate - Baños - Patate

Today, take a short drive to Baños de Agua Santa (commonly referred to as Baños). Known as the gateway to Ecuador's Amazon, the city is a major tourist center for its natural beauty (it is home to more than 60 waterfalls) and its plethora of adventure activities. While here, you'll enjoy a bird watching excursion and a visit to the Pailon del Diablo waterfall. 

Day 9 Patate - Quito

Depart Patate today for your last journey back to Quito. On the way, visit Salasaca village between Ambato and Baños. Admire the local handicrafts in the village and listen to traditional Salasaca music. 

Spend your last night in Ecuador dining on the local cuisine and strolling the historic center of Quito. 

Day 10 Depart Ecuador

Squeeze all your souvenirs into your bag and enjoy a comfortable transfer to the airport. Board your plane and spend your relaxing flight home dreaming about your next adventure.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,569
Price per day$357
Last Updated: 11/8/2024

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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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