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Historical Ecuador
Available in 3*, 4* and 5* Hotels
( 9 days, 8 nights )
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A fascinating visit through historical Ecuador including some of the oldest cultures of the Americas; the trip will also cover the Inca period right up to the Spanish Conquistadores. The tour will uncover many unknown facts and reveal the astonishing legacy of the second most important Inca city after Cuzco, Tumipamba, known today as Cuenca.

Day 1: Quito
Arrival in Quito, reception and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2: Quito
After breakfast, a half day visit of colonial Quito, declared by UNESCO as a world heritage site in 1978. A visit to the Old Town, including the Plaza de la Independencia; as the President still conducts business here, access to the inside may be limited. It is also the home of the tomb of Sucre and houses interesting 17th and 18th century paintings.
A visit to the Parque Alameda that houses the oldest astronomical observatory in South America, as well as an impressive monument of Simon Bolivar.
The Plaza de San Francisco which was constructed by the Spanish in 1553 has a high altar made of gold and beautifully carved ceilings. You shall also visit La Compañia, the finest of all Jesuit churches, which although damaged through the years by fires and earthquakes, has since been restored and has a richly sculptured facade and interior.
If time, we will visit some of the markets including the Indian market at Avenida de 24 de Mayo at the base of El Panecillo and the Ipiales market. These are best visited on Wednesdays and Saturdays, the main market days. A visit to the middle of the world monument concludes the day. Return to your hotel.

Day 3: Quito - Otavalo
Today a visit to the colourful Indian market of Otavalo, with its many impressive arts and crafts of the local people. The market dates back to pre-Inca times when jungle products from the east were traded with highland products. Traditional dress is observed throughout the market. In the afternoon return to Quito.

Day 4: Quito - Cotopaxi
After breakfast, we head south through the avenue of the volcanoes and on towards Cotopaxi National Park. During the drive, we shall see several dormant and active volcanoes, including Pasochoa, Ruminahui and Corazon volcanoes along this spectacular journey.
Arrival to Lasso and lunch at the wonderful colonial Cienega Hacienda. After lunch, we shall make a visit to the fabulous San Agustin de Callo Hacienda, at the very foot of Cotopaxi Volcano. The Hacienda was first written about by the Spanish chronicler, Cieza de Leon (1553) and is one of only two major Inca sites in Ecuador. This temple or palace was built around 1440 AD by one of the last Inca emperors, Huayna Cápac, and to this day the remaining rooms prevail as a magnificent sample of the unique style of Inca construction. The site is currently being investigated by Dr. David Brown of the University of Texas, the funding of which was provided by the National Geographic Society. Previously unknown portions of Inca walls and foundations have been discovered throughout the restoration process of the house.
Since the 15th century San Agustin de Callo has served as an Inca fortress, Augustinian convent and temporary home of the French Geodesic Mission whose scientific results helped to determine the true shape of the planet. After the visit, return to Quito and your hotel.

Day 5: Quito - Cuenca
After breakfast transfer to the airport for the flight to Cuenca. Arrival and transfer to your hotel. After lunch, a guided sightseeing tour through colonial Cuenca. Founded by the Spanish in 1557, the old centre has many churches and homes dating from the 16th and 17th centuries lining its cobblestone streets. Many of the buildings also have neo classical French style facades. With many beautiful churches and handicraft stalls as well as the famous flower market, Cuenca is also the cultural and arts centre of Ecuador, a UNESCO world heritage site. A visit to Pumapungo open air museum, which allows for an appreciation of the importance of pre-hispanic Cuenca. Cuenca was originally known as Tumipamba and served as a very important city for the Incas. We shall also visit the archaeological museum which offers an intriguing insight into the major cultural and ethnic group throughout pre-Inca Ecuador ranging from the Canaris to the Valdivian culture. Return to your hotel.

Day 6: Cuenca - Ingapirca - Cojitambo
After breakfast, we continue the journey to the famous Inca ruins of Ingapirca, the most important and the finest preserved Inca ruins of Ecuador. Cuenca was the second most important city in the Inca Empire after Cuzco and was known as Tumipamba. The site of Ingapirca is widely regarded as another temple of the sun or Qoricancha, similar to the more famous site in Cuzco. Visit of the entire complex before lunch at a local restaurant. Before returning to Cuenca, we shall visit Cojitambo, site of one of the three sacred mountains of the Cañaris. Return to Cuenca and your hotel.

Day 7: Cuenca - Guayaquil
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Guayaquil. Transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, a city tour to the district of Las Peñas, containing the city's oldest buildings which were reconstructed after the great fire of 1896. A visit shall also be made to Santa Ana hill with its colourful little houses. The uniforms, tools and first motorized pumps on exhibit at the Firemen's Museum testify to the fires that have marked the life of this city. A trip to Santo Domingo, the oldest church in the city before visiting the Malecón 2000 seafront promenade, filled with bridges that simulate sailboats, towers, gathering spots and grassy areas. Return to your hotel, the 5* Unipark Hotel.

Day 8: Guayaquil - Quito
Free morning before transferring to the airport for the return flight to Quito.

Day 9: Quito
After breakfast, free day before your transfer to the airport for your return flight home.