The Road Less Travelled Itinerary 2019 – 2020

Day 1 Stay in Baños Day 4 Visit the Peguche Waterfalls Day 6 Walk through an old colonial town Free afternoon and evening in Baños. At 8pm, we An early morning to get the best views of the will meet with the Road Less Traveled Guide and get Cotopaxi at sunrise and then for the drive all the way North of the city, at Mitad Del Mundo, we hit the equator line all the information for the trip to come. Overnight in to the volcano to hike up to the refuge at 4800m altitude and at the Inti Ñan museum you will experience standing in Baños at the Backpackers . (volcanic activity permitting). two different hemispheres. In the afternoon, walk through the If the conditions permit we get the chance to hike further old colonial town of Quito. We visit the cathedral and climb Day 2 to Chugchilán up to the glacier that covers the peak of the Cotopaxi. the tower, from where you get a breath-taking view over the After this adventure in the high mountains we drive back to huge city stretched out in the Andean valley. After a delicious Departure from Baños at 9am, drive to Quilotoa where we the Panamericana and to the northern part of the Andes. dinner enjoying the view from the roof top terrace at the first enjoy the impressive view from the edge of the crater We visit the fascinating Peguche Waterfalls close to the town Secret Garden we begin the coastal part of the tour with an and then hike down to the lake that fills the crater of the of Otavalo where we stay at the charming Hostel Valle del overnight bus ride to the town of Puerto Lopez. extinct volcano. We kayak in the lake. For those who don't Amanecer right in the centre of town. feel like hiking the steep path up again there is the possibility Day 7 Explore Machalilla Marine Park to do it on horseback. After having lunch we go on a scenic After checking in at our hostal, we explore the Machalilla hike that leads us through the canyon of the Toachi river. Day 5 See an extinct volcano national park and visit the indigenous community of Agua Transfer to Chugchilán, a remote village nested in a beautiful After breakfast we explore the Otavalo indigenous Blanca, an archaeological site that once was the “capital Andean landscape. We settle in our rooms at Hostal markets, one of South America's most impressive and “of the manta culture. After a visit to the museum, hike Cloudforest, a simple but cozy family-run accommodation. famous markets. through forest hat leads to a natural sulphur lake where we Dinner and overnight at the hostel. After lunch, explore more of the northern highlands. take a relaxing bath. At the Hosteria Itapoa, our cabin-style From the scenic Mojanda lakes, we see the Fuya Fuya, accommodation, we get immersed in the easy-going lifestyle Day 3 Travel to Cotopaxi an extinct volcano of 4275m altitude. After that a of the beach. Follow the Panamerican Highway further north to drive to Quito, Ecuador's capital, and check in at the the Cotopaxi area. At lunch time we arrive at our Secret Garden hostel. Day 8 Sail around the 'Silver Island' beautiful accommodation, the Cabañas Los Volcanes, Take a boat trip to discover the Machalilla Marine Park and a comfortable lodge located at one of the best spots of Isla de la Plata, the “Silver Island”, see some of the typical this area with amazing views of the Cotopaxi and other species of the Galapagos Islands like the blue-footed booby. extinct volcanoes. We will hike in the area to acclimatize From the boat, dolphins and sea turtles can be seen with to the altitude. Back at the lodge a warm and cozy some luck! fireplace and a delicious dinner await us. Day 9 Travel home

After a relaxed morning at the beach we leave for Quito and your flight home. On this last day, lunch and dinner are not included.

VESA retains the right, as per our Terms and Conditions to alter this itinerary at any time. Accomodation  Hostel Backpackers Inn  1 night

Cloudforest Hostel  1 night

Cabañas Los Volcanes  1 night

Hostal Valle de Amanecer  1 night

Secret Garden Quito  1 night

Overnight bus  1 night

Hosteria Itapoa  2 nights

Dorm accommodation separated into male/female. Some doubles available. Electricity, full bathrooms.

Inclusions 

 All accomodation

 Activities and tours (except for last day)

 Breakfast, lunch and dinner (except dinner Banos day 1 and lunch day 9)

 All

VESA retains the right, as per our Terms and Conditions to alter this itinerary at any time.