Destination: Quito, The northern Andes, Otavalo, Cotopaxi, Patate, Cuenca & Alausí
Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights


For those interested in archeology, Ecuador provides numerous opportunities to learn about and see the testimonials of the presence in our territory of these millenary cultures. 

Thousands of years ago, well before the famous Pyramids of Gizeh were built in Egypt, human settlements established and flourished, particularly along the Ecuadorian coast and later in the Andes and Amazon regions. 

Actually, present day Ecuador’s coast was home of some of the most ancient and remarkable cultures in Latin America, who left a truly superb legacy of their skills and knowledge. The presence of these great cultures is evidenced on the many excavations, site-museums and the outstanding objects which can be admired on dozens of museums, big and small, all across Ecuador.

Join us in this unique adventure through the most outstanding archeological vestiges of the country.


Detailed Itinerary:


Day 1 
Arrival in  Quito (-)

Arrival in Quito, assistance and transfer from airport Mariscal Sucre to hotel. Time to relax and adapt to the city altitude. Quito is located at 2800 mts. above sea level.

Known as the “Andean Shangri-la” or the “Florence of America”, touching its brilliant blue sky at 2800 meters above sea level, Quito was the first city to be declared by UNESCO a World Cultural Heritage Site, in recognition of its historic, architectonic and artistic value. Surrounded by a spectacular setting of snow-covered volcanoes, some 8 of them visible from the city on a clear day, and just a few minutes from the Middle of the World, the capital of Ecuador offers truly breathtaking views. The City’s Historical Center, the largest and best preserved in Latin America, displays on its centuries old narrow streets, plazas, churches, monasteries and monuments a superb fusion of cultures and artistic styles which fascinates visitors and represents an unparalleled historic jewel.

Overnight in Quito


Day 2 
Quito Colonial & The Archeological Museum (B,L)

A wonderful tour through the streets and main squares of Quito Historic Centre, first city in the world to be declared by the UNESCO as “World Cultural Heritage” in recognition for its architectonic and artistic value. Narrow and sometimes steep streets surrounded of a great exhibition of classic architecture, colonial style houses, gracious flowered balconies, charming squares and more than 50 monumental churches, convents, monasteries, cloisters and historic monuments get together at the best preserve Historical center of Latin America to delight our passengers. 

A visit to the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo is part of this spectacular visit; this convent has the best exhibition of architectural and religious art in the colonial city.
In approximately two hours, the passenger will have the opportunity to be delighted by the delicate and unusual beauty of this colonial Convent.

After this unique and special experience passengers will have lunch in one of the city best restaurants.

In the afternoon a visit to the Archeological Museum is scheduled, located at the House of Culture in the city of Quito, This archeological museum displays an extraordinary historic, cultural and human heritage.  The museum counts with more than 1800 pieces which relates the history between 400 AB until the Spanish conquer on 1534. 

The Central Bank of Ecuador has become the tutor of the country’s archeological richness and in addition to promoting and participating on projects and missions of archeological investigation throughout the nation, they are the keepers and administrators of some of the country’s best pieces of pottery, gold ornaments, face masks, anthropomorphic figures and much more objects of great quality, aesthetics and creativity that shows the great artistic development of the pre-Inca cultures as well as the Andean Cosmo vision that remains today on the different rituals and Andean traditions. 

Overnight in Quito


Day  3 
Quito – Tulipe - Mindo (B,L)

The Site museum of Tulipe, presents to its visitors information about the culture of the Yumbos, this ancient inhabitants that built ceremonial structures named tolas and pools all around the area of Tulipe, located at the Cloud Forest. For a further enjoy and understanding of this archeological site, a natural path that borders the river and takes the visitors to the first 6 archeological pools that ends on a circular pool was built. This path also allows visitors to see different representative fauna and flora of the Cloud forest.

Lunch will be served at one of the lodges of the area.

In the afternoon visit the Valley of Mindo: with almost 19.000 hectares the Protected Forest Mindo – Nambillo counts with approximately 200 species of plants, 500 species of birds, 300 species of butterflies, 370 species of orchids and an innumerable mammals.  This species all together forms a unique habitat known as the Cloud Forest. This wonderful ecosystem with constant freshness and humidity is one of the biodiversity hot spots of the World and s located only at 80km north East from the city of Quito.  Mindo offers a great number of activities; you will be able to visit an unusual Butterfly farm, plus a lot of natural paths that will guide you through magic waterfalls and landscapes full of orchids and ferns. Return to Quito.

Overnight in Mindo


Day 4 
Mindo, The Intiñan Museum, Catequilla, Rumicuhco Pucara and the Rumipamba Archeological Park (B,L)

In the morning in your return from Mindo to the city of Quito, visit to our planet's Latitude 0´0´0´´where the Intiñan museum known too as “The trek of Sun” will guide us through  the wonderful world of the Andean Cosmo-vision, cultures and costumes. Mixed with didactic games where the physic laws show us the unique events that happen at the middle of the world, this museum expose us the influence of this imaginary line in agriculture and practice of ritualistic costumes pointing at the sun as the principal divinity. This is the place where you can stand with one foot on the northern hemisphere and the other one on the southern hemisphere…a unique experience…

Few minutes away from the Intiñan Museum we find the Rumicucho Pucará. A pucara's principal function was military in nature. Therefore pucaras were always constructed in high places that provided visual domination of the surrounding area, and their buildings were constructed to house and protect their inhabitants from enemies. Additionally, though pucaras were built for defense, their occupants lived like anyone else and made ceramics, weaves, adornments, and tools of stone and bone. This is evidenced by the artifacts recovered from at the Pucara of Rumicucho. Also, there are strong indications that the Rumicucho site was a temple used in ceremonies dedicated to the sun, the moon, and the Earth. According to historical sources, the most important celebrations of the Andean towns happened during the changes of the seasons; during equinoxes (20 and 21 of March and 22 and 23 of September) and solstices (21 of June and 21 of December). The dates when the site was used correspond to the Inca presence in the 15th century, though numerous other ethnic groups also existed simultaneously with the Inca. Among those that stand out are the Quitu-Caranqui, the Pastos, and the Cañaris. (Museum is closed on Mondays)

After your visit lunch in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon two archeological visits had being coordinated:

Archaeological site of La Florida: discovered in 2004, shows deep and fascinating crypts, two of which are home to 16 people who were buried with spectacular large amounts of pottery, shells espóndilus, jewelry and gold.

Archaeological Site Rumipamba: we will find vestiges corresponding to different archeological periods, The Late Formative Period (1500 AC to 500 BC), the "Regional Development" (500 AC to 500 BC) and the integration period (500 AC to 1500 BC).  During your visit you will witness of an incredible number of ceramic pieces, utilitarian art, tombs and architectural remains of the past inhabitants.

Overnight in Quito


Day 5 
Quito – Cochasqui - Imbabura (B,L)

Early departure from Quito to visit Cochasqui, The Otavalo Indian Market and the artisan villages located in the area.

40 minutes away from Quito are located the Ruins of Cochasqui, located 3.100 meter above sea level and with a 240 degrees of a great panoramic view, here,  you will  see hills and snow capped volcanoes as Pambamarca, Pichincha, Cerro Puntas, Cotopaxi, Cayambe and the  Ilinizas.  You can also enjoy of a great view of Quito. Cochasquí is made up of 15 truncate pyramids and about 21 dispersed funeral knolls, all of which are enclosed in a 83,9 hectares area. The pyramids of Cochasqui are considered the most important archaeological site in the Northern Andes of Ecuador. Several hypotheses have been formulated in order to explain the nature and purpose of the monumental complex comprising Cochasqui:
 - It was a ceremonial-ritual center
 - It was a home compound center for native elites (caciques)
 - It was an astronomical center of observation.

Besides the Pyramids, Cochasqui also have an archeological museum that help us understanding the importance of this mystical  place, located a few miles away from the middle of the world. Cochasqui was a very important center for  the pre-inca culture the  “Quitu – Cara” ; culture that use to own a particular  way of settle, different form the rest of cultures found in Meso America an the rest of the Andes. 

To continue with our trip, we will travel north and arrive to Ibarra, and enjoy a visit to the Central Bank Museum of Ibarra for a fascinating encounter with the history of the people who inhabited the northern Highlands, the museum displays a great collection of pieces make in  gold, copper, ceramic, wood, stone and shell.

Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant

In the afternoon visit The Condor Park: As a tribute to this loyal representative of the Andean Cultures and located in an strategic hill with an incredible panoramic view of Imbabura, Cotacachi, Otavalo and Peguche we found th e Condor Park, a non profit organization dedicated to the research, protection, rehabilitation and reintroduction of this emblematic bird as well as the other birds of prey of this area like eagles, cultures, owls and hawks. The Condor Park promotes the approach between men and these wonderful predators seeking in the flight demonstrations the looseness of fright for these fantastic and enigmatic creatures.

At night enjoy dinner at the hacienda.

Overnight Otavalo


Day 6  
From the Northern Andes to the Central Andes (B,L)

Travel from Otavalo to the south through what Alexander Von Houmboldt called the Avenue of the Volcanoes, name that was given because at both sides of the highway, you will have an spectacular view of the Andean Mountain Range.

Arrive to the Cotopaxi National Park, an ecological sanctuary of 36,000 hectares (88,920 acres) surrounding the highest active volcano in the world, with special attractions for nature lovers. We can observe the treeless vegetation of the Andean meadows or “paramo”, its bird life includes the Andean gull, ducks, several species of hummingbirds and if lucky, the Andean condor. Will have the opportunity to see wild horses and perhaps a deer. Visit the National Park, for those who want to take the chance and climb up to the refuge (climb from 4500 to 4800 meters) will have a magnificent view of the area, or hike around Limpiopungo.

At the surroundings of the lagoon Limpiopungo, you can observe the archeological vestiges of what once was the Salitre Pucará built Turing the Ince Empire Extension. Then continue to the Hacienda San Agustin de Callo where you will enjoy lunch. The Hacienda San Agustin del Callo was built on the site of an Inca palace, one of the two most important archaeological Inca sites in Ecuador, and the point furthest north from Cuzco of Imperial style construction, this working farm offers an unrivalled glimpse into Ecuador's rich and colorful past. Since the 15th century San Agustin de Callo has served as Inca fortress, Augustinian convent and temporary home for the French Geodesic Mission whose scientific results helped to determine the true shape of the planet. Famous visitors include Jorge Juan and Antonio de Ulloa who were appointed by the King of Spain to host the Geodesic Mission in 1736, the awesome scientific enterprise organized and led by Charles-Marie de la Condamine; Alexander von Humboldt German scientist and renowned naturalist and explorer and the illustrious English mountain climber Edward Whymper.

Dinner will be served at hotel.

Overnight at the Central Highlands

Day 7 
Cotopaxi - Patate (B,L)

During this full day visit we will guide passengers through a path of color and traditions that dresses the villages of the Central Highlands.

This day will be an unforgettable trip through the world of pottery and Andean religion.  The pottery art is a thousand years old tradition; it shows the relation between the clay, food, pottery objects and men that starts with the harvest, continues with the preparation and use of pottery objects and ends with dead when the body became clay again.

Our first stop will be La Victoria; pottery capital of the Cotopaxi Province; La Victoria is a small and picturesque Andean town where its paths show us side to side different artisan centers.  People creativity is unique the clay objects we found here goes from masks to relief paintings and the traditional piggy bank. 

5 Km. away from La Victoria, we found Pujilí, quichua word that means “The toys shelter” and it is, this small indigenous town well decorated in a colonial stile with narrow stone streets, internal gardens, colonial churches and gentle people displays an incredible range of light colors and beautiful handicrafts. Pujilí, as La Victoria, is famous for its pottery traditions rich in folklore with popular art pieces hand painted for it’s skillfully artists.

The Matriz Church, located at the central park is the only example in Ecuador of a missionary temple and is a sample of the monumental properties that characterize the romantic architecture.

This day is definitely a day of discover and magic, an encounter with artists and indigenous traditions. 

At night, in your hotel, enjoy of a private exposition of 200 archaeological pieces, and have a meeting with the owner of the collection. (This will be a surprise for the group)

Overnight in Patate,


Day 9 
Riobamba - Ingapirca (B,L,D)

Very early in the morning visit the museum of archaeology of Riobamba, where passengers will see the vestiges of the Puruha culture.

Departure to Alausí in order to take the public train/autoferro through the “Devil’s Nose”.  The steep descent is accomplished by a series of switchbacks down the steep mountainside which makes this trip an exciting one.

Note: Operation of the train is subject to  be modified without prior notice due to climatic conditions, damage on the rail ways etc… Operation is only on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

After the excursion on the train will be heading to the south, to Ingapirca the most important archaeological vestige of Ecuador.

Overnight in Ingapirca


Day 10 
Cuenca  and the  Temple Route (B,L)

Very early in the morning visit Ingapirca; The Ingapirca Castle is without any doubt the most important archeological vestige left by the Inca Civilization in Ecuador. Despite the great number of studies made in the area, is a mystery until today the final use of this architectonic complex. Its different spaces make us doubt if it was a fortress, a center of astronomic observation or a temple devoted to the sun and the moon. After breakfast departure to south, to Cuenca, located at 2 hours from Ingapirca.

Cojitambo, located at 11km away from the city of Cuenca we find the archeological complex of Cojitambo.  Cojitambo is a quichua word that means “seat and rest”; the cultural used that Cojitambo had is a mystery until today, but, the royal paths, big stairs and curved stones bases, seems to be what once was a sacred temple for sun adoration and magical rituals, as well as a force place to stop while the chasquis where doing their job. (Chasquis:  Inca character that use to take the mail from on place to another).

Pumapungo, the in site museum of Pumapungo is great dimension sample of what was once a neighborhood of the ancient Tomebamba, the complex is an architectonic testimony of a rich pre-Hispanic culture that was the result of the fusion between two ethnic groups:  the Cañaris and the Incas. Pumapungo displays an incredible archeological exhibition. During the visit to this museum the passenger will observe, watch and learn through a didactic way the significance of the worship spaces that are part of the complex plus histories of warriors, divine women, priests and rituals devoted to the sun. (Closed on Sundays)

Overnight in Cuenca


Day  10 
City Tour in Cuenca - Guayaquil (B,L)

Cuenca City Tour: located at the Southern Highlands in a picturesque valley surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery we found the city of Cuenca declared by the UNESCO a World Cultural Heritage in 1989. Cuenca, known as well as “Santa Ana of the 4 rivers”, was specifically built to satisfy the demands of the Spanish elite during the conquest period; today this city displays with glamour a French Neoclassic architecture represented in its nicely decorated balconies with colorful geraniums, main squares and colossal churches that exalt the monumental beauty of this old colonial city.

Our excursion is an encounter with traditions, emblematic shields, culture, art and religiousness, is a walking stroll through the city historic center, a special path that will allow us to admire the magnificence art and cultural diversity of the city exploring some the most unusual angles and perspectives.

Lunch will be served in a local restaurant.

After lunch transfer to the airport to get your flight to the city of Guayaquil. At your arrival assistance and transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in Guayaquil


Day 11 
Guayaquil (B,L)

Full day excursion in Guayaquil, in the morning your first visit will be to the Presley Norton Museum. Located in the recently restored “Villa Herlina” built in 1942 we find this unique exhibition of life and culture of Ecuador’s first inhabitants. The museum holds a sample of 129 selected archeological pieces of a collection of over 8,000 artifacts that belonged to Presley Norton, a passionate researcher and collector of Ecuador's archeology.
The archeological pieces are not displayed chronologically or by the culture they belong to, but rather by topics: figurines, the development of pottery, everyday life utensils, and finally the complex world of Ecuador's first inhabitants' cosmology, with Shamanism as a link between Earth and the greater dimensions.

After your visit lunch in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon visit the city of Guayaquil.  This three-hour journey will give us a glimpse into the life of this city port; among the most interesting places, are the •Malecon 2000 the new riverside development,  Las Peñas, the city’s most traditional colonial neighborhood, Cerro Santa Ana (Santa Ana Hill) with its multicolored houses, most of them converted now into smalls and picturesque cafés, the Historic Centre with pedestrian squares, fountains and great historical buildings.  Guayaquil is a great city to discover¡

Overnight in Guayaquil


Day 12 
Departure (B) 

At an appropriate time assistance and transfer to the airport to get your International flight.


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