Ecuador - The Garden Route

Arrival to Quito. Situated in a circle of mountainous peaks of the Andes, Quito has one of the most magnificent settings in the world.  

Today experience the colourful history of colonial Quito during a city tour. Visit the botanical garden, showing the great diversity of the Ecuadorian Flora.

Departure to Otavalo. Visit a rose plantation on the way. Some of the world's most beautiful roses are grown and begin their global journey here. Visit to Hacienda Cusin and its beautiful gardens. After lunch continue to Otavalo and visit South America’s largest street market. Return to Quito.

Morning visit to the middle of the world monument, Mitad del Mundo and the Ethnographical Museum. Continue to Mindo. En-route visit the El Pahuma Orchid Reserve. The garden is a great place to see native orchids and bromeliads in bloom and you will learn about the diversity of montane forest plants.

Day at leisure for individual explorations of the marvellous Mindo Cloud Forest, which has one of the world’s greatest diversities of flora and fauna.

Transfer to Baños. Stop at the Cotopaxi National Park for an easy hike to the Limpiopungo Lagoon, home to several species of orchids and birds. Enjoy fantastic views of the Cotopaxi volcano.

Drive to Puyo and visit the Omaere Ethno Botanical Park. At Omaere, you can learn about the importance of these plants to the indigenous cultures of the Amazon, as well as enjoying the peace and tranquillity of the rainforest.

Drive to Riobamba. En-route visit the Chimborazo National Park, home to the Chimborazo volcano, the highest summit in Ecuador.

Continue to Cuenca. En-route visit the largest Inca site of Ecuador, the pre-Columbian Ingapirca ruins. Enjoy a short nature walk around the ruins.

Morning city tour. Explore the cobblestone streets,  handsome plazas and churches of Cuenca. Later visit the Ecuagenera Orchid Centre, that specializes in the cultivation and reproduction of native Ecuadorian orchid species.

Continue to Guayaquil, Ecuador´s largest city. During the 2,5 hour city-tour, you will get to know the most interesting parts of the tropical and busy pacific-metropolis. The Botanical Garden is an ideal site to watch birds and more than 60 butterfly species. The park is divided into three sections that can be explored through comfortable paths, decorated with drawings by natives from the coast.

International departure flight or start of individual extension program.