Meet the Locals: Quito, Otavalo & Patate



Member Savings
Sign in to see which companies give additional
savings to Travelstride Members (it’s free)
Overview
Highlights
- Quito City Tour with City Museum, Equatorial Line Monument & Ethnographical Museum (6 hours)
- Visit to community of Yunguilla
- Visit to Cotacachi and Cuicocha
- Visit to Cotopaxi National Park
- Visit to Salasaca village, with lunch
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Trip includes
- Round-trip economy class airfare to Quito (UIO)
- All airport and inter-city transfers
- 3 nights in Quito at the Hotel Mercure Alameda, or similar
- Quito City Tour with City Museum, Equatorial Line Monument & Ethnographical Museum (6 hours)
- Visit to community of Yunguilla
- 2 nights in Otavalo at the Las Palmeras Inn, or similar
- Visit to the Cochasqui archaeological site
- Visit to the Otavalo handicraft market
- Visit to indigenous houses
- Visit to school in Peguche
- Visit to Peguche Waterfall
- Visit to Cotocachi and Cuicocha
- 1 night in Quito at the Hotel Mercure Alameda, or similar
- 2 nights in Patate at the Hacienda Manteles, or similar (with 2 dinners)
- Visit to Cotopaxi National Park
- Bird watching excursion
- Visit to Baños including the Pailon del Diablo Waterfall, with lunch
- Visit to Salasaca village, with lunch
- 1 night in Quito at the Hotel Mercure Alameda, or similar
- Breakfast daily
Itinerary
Arrive in Quito and enjoy a transfer to your first accommodation. Set at the foot of the volcano Pichincha and surrounded by snow-capped mountains, Quito is easy on the eyes. The city is known for its colonial churches, monasteries, paintings, sculptures and th...
Wake up and enjoy a 6-hour tour of Quito's highlights including Panecillo Hill and the “Middle of the World” - the Equatorial Line.
Later, head to Calle La Ronda, one of Quito's oldest streets. The cobblestone alley features restored historic buildings and a lively bar scene in the evening.
In the morning, drive to the community of Yunguilla located one hour from Quito. This community is focused on the development of sustainable economic alternatives and improving the quality of life through managing natural resources.
Upon your return to Q...
Take an approximately 2-hour bus ride today to Otavalo. The road descends into the spectacular Guayllabamba gorge and village. With a bit of luck, you will get to see the snow capped Cayambe, which is the highest worldwide point on the Ecuadorian line. On the w...
Today you will have a full day exploring the area around Otavalo. Visit a school in the village of Peguche, Peguche Waterfall and several indigenous families.
You will then return to your hotel and have some free time to enjoy the beautiful gardens of the hacienda.On your way back to Quito, visit the town of Cotacachi and Laguna Cuicocha.
Upon your return to Quito, consider visiting Ecuador's National Museum (Museo Nacional) to see magnificent works of pre-Hispanic and colonial religious art.
Depart Quito for the approximately 3-hour journey south to Patate near the foothills of the still active Tungurahua volcano. On the way, stop at Cotopaxi National Park where you'll see the perfectly conical Cotopaxi volcano!
Today, take a short drive to Baños de Agua Santa (commonly referred to as Baños). Known as the gateway to Ecuador's Amazon, the city is a major tourist center for its natural beauty (it is home to more than 60 waterfalls) and its plethora of adventure activities. While here, you'll enjoy a bird watching excursion and a visit to the Pailon del Diablo waterfall.
Depart Patate today for your last journey back to Quito. On the way, visit Salasaca village between Ambato and Baños. Admire the local handicrafts in the village and listen to traditional Salasaca music.
Spend your last night in Ecuador dining on the local cuisine and strolling the historic center of Quito.
Squeeze all your souvenirs into your bag and enjoy a comfortable transfer to the airport. Board your plane and spend your relaxing flight home dreaming about your next adventure.
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Great Value Vacations.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Great Value Vacations Reviews & Ratings
Other Great Value Vacations Reviews
All was awesome
All was awesome
Iceland did not disappoint
Hotel was nice and quiet. Tours were wonderful - transportation was comfortable and the guide, Philip, made our experience memorable by combining his story, facts a...
Everything went smoothly
Everything went smoothly other than having to wait several hours to get into our hotel room. The resort is nice but very pricey and it is difficult to eat anywhere e...
Tour Operator
About Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
Save time
Save money
Travel confidently
Logistics
Accommodation
Become a member
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations