The essentials of Cuba
14 days / 13 nights
ARRIVAL TO THE LAKES REGION
Day 1
You land at the Tababela International Airport, east of the capital, where your driver will be waiting to take you to the hotel. You will stay on the shores of Lake San Pablo and have a first look at the volcanoes, lakes and valleys that make up postcard landscapes.
OTAVALO INDIGENOUS MARKET AND VISIT TO THE CUICOCHA LAGOON
Day 2
You will start the day with the Otavalo market, one of the most important in South America. The perfect place to buy souvenirs! You will admire the work of artisans from Peguche, Agato, Iluman and Cotacachi, experts in the manufacture of musical instruments, fabric and leather. In the afternoon, you will explore Lake Cuicocha and its two islets located in the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve. (You must bring a local guide at the entrance to the Cotacachi-Cayapas Reserve, ref. Price: 40 USD)
.
.
Day 3
WALK IN THE PÁRAMO
On your way north you will make a stop at Lake Yahuarcocha, near the town of Ibarra. Then you will continue your expedition to the El Ángel Ecological Reserve, which you will cross on foot to discover the vegetation of the páramo.
.
.
Day 4
EXCURSION IN PRIMARY FOREST AND THERMAL SPRING OF CHACHIMBIRO
In the morning you will walk in the primary forest, then you will head towards the Chota Valley, to the south, the lowest point of this region of the Andes. You will recharge your batteries in the hot springs of the Chachimbiro spring before returning to your accommodation in an exceptional natural setting, surrounded by lakes and volcanoes.
.
.
WALK THROUGH THE LAGOONS OF MOJANDA AND THE PYRAMIDS OF COCHASQI
Day 5
In the morning, you will walk on the shores of the Lagunas de Mojanda, surrounded by impressive landscapes. With a little luck you will be able to observe condors flying over the area. In the afternoon, you will visit the “Cochasquí” Archaeological Research Park, the most important vestige of pre-Inca civilizations in the province of Pichincha, which is more different in its structure from the pyramids of Mesoamerica and the Andes. This complex has 15 pyramids, 21 funerary tombs and 4 museums that preserve a series of historical, archaeological, anthropological, ethnographic and architectural studies of the Quitu-Cara culture. You must bring a local guide at the entrance of the Cochasquí Archaeological Park, (price ref: 3 USD / person)
.
.
ASCENT TO THE CABLE CAR AND CROSSING THE HISTORICAL CENTER OF QUITO
Day 6
You will breathe deeply as you ascend the Rucu Pichincha volcano by cable car. You will arrive at Cruz Loma at about 4000 m of altitude, then you can walk to the viewpoint where there is a swing that will hang you over the city. During the afternoon, you will walk through the cobbled alleys of the largest and best preserved historic center in Latin America. You will start first at the Plaza de la Independencia surrounded by the most beautiful churches and convents in the city. You will be able to appreciate, among others, La Compañía de Jesús, built in 1605 whose interior is covered with gold as well as the Plaza San Francisco, paved with volcanic stones, its church and its convent with the decoration mixed between native and Catholic icons. You will contemplate the city from the viewpoint of Panecillo that dominates the center at 3000 m high.
.
.
Day 7
DISCOVERY OF THE COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK
You will take "the avenue of the volcanoes" to reach the Cotopaxi National Park where one of the highest active volcanoes in the world rises. You will see the interpretation center and Lake Limpiopungo, then you will drive to the parking lot located at an altitude of 4,500 m from where you will enjoy an exceptional view of the surrounding nature. You will not be affected by the altitude that the José Rivas Refuge can climb a little more than 300 m higher. You will need to pick up a local guide directly at the entrance of the national park (reference price: 40 USD). Then you will take the road to Riobamba, in the region of the Chimborazo volcano, the highest peak in the world compared to the center of the earth.
.
.
Day 8
HORSEBACK RIDING AND RESERVE CHIMBORAZO
In the morning, you will take a horseback ride through the ranch. You will explore the Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve, where the highest volcano in Ecuador is located and the summit furthest from the center of the Earth: Chimborazo (6,268 m). During your walk along one of its slopes you will be able to appreciate the mountainous landscape and see vicuñas and perhaps even various types of raptors such as condors, caracaras or falcons. You must hire a local guide directly at the entrance of the reserve (reference price: 40 USD).
.
Day 9
EXPLORATION OF THE RUINS OF INGAPIRCA AND THE COLONIAL CITY OF CUENCA
In the morning, you will discover the archaeological complex of Ingapirca, the main testimony of the Inca presence in Ecuador. You will walk to the Face of the Inca, a gigantic human face drawn by Mother Nature on a cliff. Near the ruins of the temple, you will immerse yourself in the heart of the most beautiful city in the country: Cuenca, a World Heritage Site. UNESCO in 1999. You will be enchanted with its churches, parks, squares and its flower market. You will see the Plaza San Francisco where fabrics from the north of the country are sold. You will also enjoy an exceptional view from the viewpoint of Cerro Turi. You will appreciate the meticulous work of the creators of "Panamas", an Ecuadorian straw hat declared an intangible cultural heritage.
.
Day 10
ESCAPE TO EL CAJAS NATIONAL PARK
You will spend the day in El Cajas National Park, a huge protected area with diverse landscapes where there are hundreds of lakes of all sizes and colors. You will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in this wild nature for a night in the heart of the park.
.
Day 11
TRIP TO THE CHURUTE MANGROVE RESERVE
You will leave the El Cajas national park in the heights of the mountain range to reach the coast and its plantations of banana, rice, cocoa, coffee ... You will walk in the mangroves of the ecological reserve of Manglares Churute where you will see howler monkeys, very colorful crabs and various birds. In the afternoon you will discover a plantation of cocoa, rice and other tropical fruits. You will arrive in Guayaquil, the largest city in the country, nicknamed "the Pearl of the Pacific."
Day 12
FREE TIME TO ENJOY THE CITY OF GUAYAQUIIL
You will have this day to enjoy the city at your own pace, go shopping or even taste delicious seafood dishes. You will be transferred to the Guayaquil airport, 3 hours before your return international flight.
.