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Quito
Reception and transfer at Quito airport
to the hotel. |
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Quito - Otavalo
Breakfast at the hotel. We will start
the day visiting the famous Otavalo’s
indigenous market and some particular
places such as Peguche, where we can see
manual textile mills;
San Antonio de Ibarra, famous for its
cabinetmaking; and Iluman, known for the
manufacture of felt hats. In Iluman live
the shamans, indigenous healers. We will
stay at a colonial estate or a country
hostel.
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Otavalo – Cotacachi
– Quito
We will visit the town of Cotacachi, devoted
to the manufacture of first-quality leather.
Then we will go to Lake Cuicocha, a privileged
place, because it is situated in a crater
that has two central islets in the middle
of spectacular scenery.
We will see several orchid
species and much high mountain flora (3,220m).
At the end of the day, we will get back
to Quito.
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Nightlife in Quito
Breakfast at the hotel. Free Day
Nightlife in Quito on a Chiva
Don Otto
Optional: We will go to see the night
life in Quito in a unique experience.
At sunset, the buildings of the colonial
center of the Franciscan city are magically
illuminated, and ghosts from the Ecuadorian
ancient times came to visit the place.
We will stroll around the streets of
Quito on the famous and traditional
bus: Chiva Don Otto.
This is a very exciting way to go into
the narrow streets of Quito, accompanied
by live folklore music, and tasting
the typical hot beverage of Quito: El
Canelazo, together with typical sweets
and snacks.
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Museums and Galleries of Art
Breakfast at the hotel. We will start
our visit in the Central Bank Museum,
which has an archeological exhibition
from 10,000 years B.C. Then we will see
the work of Oswaldo Guayasamin, the most
famous Ecuadorian artist in the 20th century,
in his private museum where we will see
his posthumous work: La Capilla del Hombre
(Chapel of the Man).
If we have enough time, we will also
visit the City Museum, which shows an
exceptional panorama of the local customs
and manners of Quito.
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Cotopaxi National Park
Breakfast at the hotel. We will visit
one of the most important volcanoes of
Ecuador: Cotopaxi. We will go to Cotopaxi
National Park. On our way, we will see
different indigenous towns such as Sangolqui
and Machachi; each of them has its own
typical market to be visited. We will
leave behind Pasochoa and Rumiñahui
volcanoes.
We will hear some people talking in “Quichua,”
the indigenous language; and we will be
able to feel the customs of these towns.
Later we will go on our trip to visit
Cotopaxi National Park. It is the most
ancient protected continental area in
Ecuador with the world’s highest
active snow-covered volcano (5,907m).
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Quito
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the Quito
airport. |
