Highlands of Ecuador

We visit a lot of our highlights on the way to the South of the Country. Our final goal is Cuenca, our most important city in the Southern part of our country. This is your best way to know our country by car, with flexible and easy schedules during the day. I have included two National Parks and after the first drive relaxing in Baños, where you have several options like hot water springs, spas, little cafes and some amazing sceneries and waterfalls closeby. On the way to Cuenca we can also visit the Inca Ruins of Ingapirca. They´re not huge, but will give us a clear idea of how this place was around 1480 a.d.. Once in Cuenca the itinerary is flexible, and I can accomodate to the clients needs. From Cuenca the best way to get back to Quito is via a direct flight, but if the client needs, I can accomodate and find another way!

Day 1. Meeting in Quito and drive to Baños. On the way visit Cotopaxi National Park. We will walk around a lake at 13.000 feet at the foothills of Cotopaxi Volcano. Overnight in Baños. Day 2. Visit of Baños and its surroundings. We have several options, depending on the activity level that the clients want. Overnight in Baños. Day 3. Drive to Chimborazo National Park up to 4800 meters (16.000 feet) and if the conditions are good we will make a hike to the second refuge located at 5.050 meters. (More than 16.000 feet). After that we drive to Riobamba. Day 4. We start our day driving towards Cuenca. On the way, visit the Inca ruins of Ingapirca. Then we drive the rest of our route to Cuenca. Day 5. Cuenca was declared World Heritage City of the Unesco in 1999. So we will do a walking city tour in the morning. Day 6. Flight back to Quito. Depending on the time of the flight we can do a visit to the Cajas National Park or Gualaceo and Chordeleg Valleys. Tourists could drive back with me if we agree so!