Haciendas and Markets

One of our most popular Ecuador tours--takes you through the famous Otavalo Indian market, as well as the more remote local handicraft communities throughout the highlands. Stay in elegant haciendas surrounded by centuries of local history and culture. Visits are also made to Cotopaxi National Park, and the cloud forest waterfalls near Baños. You’ll stay in Quito, Otavalo, Lasso, Patate & Riobamba.

2007 Departures: Any Friday/minimum of two passengers

2007 Prices: 

• 3 star Quito hotel $1450
• 4 star Quito hotel $1490
• 5 star Quito hotel $1550

• Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
• Single supplement available on request

Itinerary

Day 1 (Fri): Arrive Quito and transfer to your selected hotel.

Day 2(Sat):Quito-Otavalo. Early departure for Otavalo, in the province of Imbabura and characterized by picturesque lakes, magnificent sierras and terraced, patchwork farmlands. In the local market you will be able to purchase ponchos, embroidered blouses, ceramics, wall hangings, leather crafts and locally produced jewelry of the finest quality. The tour includes a visit to San Antonia de Ibarra, the woodcarving center of Ecuador. The town is home to hundreds of artisans whose workshops are dedicated to the crafting of beautiful sculptures. We spend the night in the hacienda Pinsaqui, where the chandeliers, ornate beds and tiled floors create the aura of a bygone era. (B, L)

Day 3 (Sun): Otavalo-Lasso. After an early breakfast, we set off to visit the nearby towns where there are plenty of opportunities to buy local products and admire the scenery. We lunch at a pleasant hosteria in the Puembo area before continuing our journey to Lasso, where we spend the night at the historic La Cienega hosteria. A delightful hacienda, tastefully and elegantly designed, it is approached along a long, broad carriageway lined on both sides by fragrant, towering Eucalyptus trees. (B, L)

Day 4(Mon): Lasso-Cotopaxi National Park-Patate. An early start sees us traveling along the Pan-American Highway and into the Cotopaxi National Park in the heart of the Andean paramo. We cross through a deer and llama reserve and gently ascend the flanks of the volcano, passing through fields of ancient lava strewn with boulders until arriving at the base of Cotopaxi ( 19,700’) the wolrd’s highest active volcano. On leaving the National Park, we travel on to Ambato and visit the town’s bustling fruit and vegetable market, the largest in Ecuador. After lunch we drive to Hacienda Leito, where we spend the night. This charming and family-owned hacienda at the entrance to Llaganates is so welcoming you’ll feel as though you’re in your own home. If you are lucky, you will have a wonderful view tonight of the very active Tungurahua volcano. On a clear night you can see the lava flows, and hear the eruptions. (B, L)

Day 5(Tue): Patate-Banos. A short but scenic drive takes us to Banos--a small, charming town surrounded by waterfalls and orchids and nestled in the shadows of the Tungurahua volcano, high above the Amazon basin. After lunch, we take a trip to admire one of the nearby waterfalls before returning to Patate and our overnight stay at Leito. (B, L)

Day 6 (Wed): Another short drive brings us to Riobamba. Our stay enables us to explore the town as well as visit the Conceptas Museum, dedicated to religious artifacts. After lunch we drive out to Guano where we see how rugs are manufactured before returning to Riobamba and spending the night at La Andaluza. (B, L)

Day 7(Thu): Head north to Saquisili to visit local market—one of the most authentic in Ecuador. Lunch en-route to Quito. Overnight at your selected hotel. (B, L)

Day 8 (Fri): Transfer to the airport, or continue with more sightseeing. (B)

B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner

Trip notes:

• This trip begins and ends in Quito, Ecuador, which can be reach by daily flights on a wide variety of airlines.
• Latin American Escapes offers excellent discounted international airfares from most US cities, local airpasses, and complete land packages through-out Latin America.
• Combine this trip with a Galapagos cruise, Amazon adventure, or add a few extra days in Quito to explore the city, ride the famous Teleferico, or visit the museums and art galleries.

To confirm reservations:

A deposit of $300 per person is required to confirm reservations. In addition, the following payment procedures apply:

Payment for airline tickets is due at the time tickets are issued, but no later than time of final payment.

Last Minute Bookings: Last minute reservations (less than 30 days before departure) will be accepted, subject to availability, if payment has been received, and documents can be delivered. Any special communication costs and delivery charges will be at the client's expense.

Revision Fee: Revision fees will apply once the initial deposit has been received. Charges will vary based on itinerary, and extent of changes, with a minimum charge of $50. Changes requested after documents have been issued (generally with-in 30 days) will incur a minimum $100 change fee, plus additional services requested.

International bookings: We gladly accept bookings from passengers outside the US. However, an additional surcharge of $50 per booking is applied to cover additional shipping charges.

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS--At the time we receive written notification that you must cancel your trip, money will be returned less the following cancellation fees:

Trip Documents: Trip documents will be forwarded approximately 3 weeks prior to travel, and once all payments and completed application forms have been received.

Risk and Responsibility

In arranging these trips, Latin American Escapes, Inc. acts only as the agents for the owners, contractors and suppliers actually providing tour services for these trips with whom Latin American Escapes, Inc. has no legal connection or joint ownership. These local tour operators attempt to conduct these trips as described in the preceding itineraries. However, it is possible that due to transportation schedule changes, weather, delays and unforeseeable acts of God, humans or nature, itineraries may vary from what is described. Participants are responsible for extra costs due to travel delay or itinerary changes for reasons beyond our control and assume all risks, whether identified in advance or unforeseen, as described under Limitation of Liability, and Trip Member Responsibility, located in our Terms and Conditions, which all travelers agree to sign. Traveler's insurance is not included, but is offered, and is strongly recommended. CST # 2023695-40.