Authentic honeymoon trip in Ecuador

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Discovery of Quito

  Upon your arrival at Quito International Airport, you will be welcomed and taken to your local accommodation for your first night. In the afternoon, you will have time to explore Quito at your own pace. We invite you to visit the historic district, beautifully restored and in 1975 became the first site to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the countless sites in this district is the Church of La Compañía which, with its 15 tons of gold along its walls, roof, and altar, is considered the most richly decorated church in the world.

• day 2

  Hiking in the Avenue of the Volcanoes.

  

  After a local breakfast, you will head south along the Pan-American Highway through the "Avenue of the Volcanoes," a scenic stretch featuring eight of the ten highest peaks in the country. During an incredible 3-hour excursion in the sublime pastoral valley of Cotopaxi, you will travel along country roads and eucalyptus forests, passing by dew ponds and hedges of Aloe Vera and sisal (agave). In Cotopaxi National Park, you will not miss passing by the highest active volcano in the country. Following sandy roads, we will then descend into the valley of San Agustin de Callo, where you can admire spectacular views across the basin to the rocky ridges above. You will continue your journey to the working farm in the middle of this tranquil valley. Along the way, you will also have the chance to spot the majestic Andean condors as well as other species, such as hummingbirds and brilliant scarlet flycatchers. You will arrive in Lasso in the early evening to spend the night there.

• day 3

  Direction of Pillaro

  This morning, you will leave Lasso to head towards the village of Pillaro, where you will discover the tradition and customs of the Ecuadorian chagras (local cowboys), dressed in their goatskin ponchos and woolen ponchos. The skills of the chagras on horseback and their knowledge of the Andean grasslands of the high páramo plateaus are legendary and impressive. They will welcome you by demonstrating their centuries-old tradition of cattle breeding. Taking inspiration from these true local cowboys, you will enjoy a horseback ride, surrounded by ancient volcanoes, mountain plateaus, and rivers that flow from the massive Andes towards the Amazon and the Pacific.

• day 4

  Horseback riding day in the Andes

  Today, you will leave your charming hacienda to head towards a mountain pass (which peaks at 3,500 meters in altitude), where you can enjoy the magnificent landscapes of the Andean highlands of this wild region. The only other people who venture into these distant Andean páramo grasslands are the local chagras, who come here with their faithful horses to check on their cattle herds. You will continue with a 6 to 7 hour ascent, accompanied by a local rider who will guide you through a sea of grass along the mountain trails, giving you the opportunity to explore the immense Ecuadorian fauna and flora. You will pass through streams of melting snow and by indigenous scrublands. As a guest, you will discover true remoteness in the heart of the Andes, with their impressive views of the surrounding peaks. Crossing this varied terrain at different paces, you will have the chance to gallop across the grassy, open plains before starting a climb. Along the way, it is possible to spot various animal species such as deer, condors, and Andean foxes, as well as high-altitude hummingbirds (Hillstars) darting among the native wildflowers. At the end of the day, we will arrive at our accommodations outside the city of Riobamba.

• day 5

  Aboard the El Nariz del Diablo train

  

  After a good early breakfast, you will board the train that follows the most famous locomotive line in Ecuador: El Nariz del Diablo ("The Devil's Nose Pass"). This journey between Riobamba and the mountain village of Alausi is one of the country's most popular tourist attractions. The pass was once considered the "most difficult railway in the world" due to the challenges of laying a railway line through the mountainous terrain of the Andes. The construction effort faced the vertical rock wall known as the "Nariz del Diablo." This situation was overcome by a series of zigzag switchbacks that take travelers up or down the mountain, offering both pure excitement and spectacular views of the Ecuadorian landscape. After the train ride, you will get back on our horses and follow the Cuadrul River through the high páramo lands, passing by the modest homes and fields of local indigenous families before climbing a huge ridge at the bottom of the valley, where donkeys carry all your equipment. In the late afternoon, we will reach Lake Tres Cruces, where you will set up tents for a night under the stars.

• day 6

  Discovery of the ruins of Paredones

  Early this morning, you will discover Tres Cruces, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the lakes and surrounding mountains, forming the typical landscape of the central Andean highlands. In the afternoon, you will descend the Culebrillas valley to the ruins of Paredones, following the ancient Inca trail to the ruins of Ingapirca, which are 3-4 hours on horseback from the lake. A visit to these ruins will allow you to better understand the Inca culture and its influence on Ecuador. In the indigenous Kichwa language, the name "Ingapirca" means "stone walls of the Inca." Once there, you will see the finesse of the stone masonry as well as the trapezoidal-shaped niches and doors. You will spend the night in Ingapirca.

• day 7

  Guided tour of the historic city of Cuenca.

  

  You will head towards the most beautiful colonial city in Ecuador, Cuenca, which is full of wonders to discover. Once there, you will go to the historic center of the city, where you can visit Calderon Park, the Flower Square, the "Del Carmen" church, and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, better known as the "New Cathedral" and considered one of the largest churches in Latin America. In the afternoon, you will visit the "El Sagrario" cathedral, commonly called the "Old Cathedral", which was the city's first cathedral. Next, you will discover the Paja Toquilla hat factory to observe the creation process of what are called "Panama hats", even though they were actually created right here in Ecuador. You will continue this city tour with a visit to the "Barranco", an area that represents a communion between architecture and the natural environment. The houses along the Barranco (which means "cliff") are perched above a slope, showing their majesty and charm.

• day 8

  Return flight

  After this authentic honeymoon trip in Ecuador, which allowed you to create memorable memories, it is time to say goodbye, at least until next time. Your driver will take you to Cuenca airport so you can reach Quito or Guayaquil airport to catch your international flight.