Machu Picchu - Lake
Titicaca
(11
days/10 nights)
Machu Picchu - Lake
Titicaca
(12 days/11 nights)
Machu Picchu - Lake
Titicaca
(14 days/13 nights)
Colca Canyon - Machu
Picchu
Lake Titicaca
(16 days/15 nights)
Archaeological & Ecological
Treasures
Galapagos - Machu Picchu
Lake Titicaca (or Amazon)
(18 days/17
nights)
Colca Canyon - Amazon
Machu Picchu - Lake Titicaca
(22 days/21 nights)
Machu Picchu
(10
days/9 nights)
Machu Picchu
(13 days/12 nights)
Machu Picchu - Galapagos
(15 days/14 nights)
Galapagos - Machu Picchu
(18 days/17 nights)
Manu National Park
(8 days/7 nights)
Enchanted Isles of the Galapagos
Galapagos
(11
days/10 nights)
Galapagos & the Kingdom of Quito
Galapagos - Andes
(16 days/15 nights)
Galapagos - Amazon
(16 days/15 nights)
Historic Haciendas of the Andes
Cotopaxi - Antisana
- Otavalo
(7 days/6 nights)
© 2008
Inka's Empire Corporation.
All rights reserved.
Otavalo Indian Market - Hacienda Cusín - Artisans' Pueblos
Otavaleña, Otavalo Valley, Ecuador.
Photo: Iolanda Costa.
Land price (2 days/1 night)
Royal US$ 670 Imperial US$ 495
The land price includes escorted transfers, private excursions with a professional guide and driver, entrance fees, indicated category of accommodations, all meals except beverages, all transportation, and travel insurance for guests through the age of 59 years. Over that age, there is a supplementary fee. All prices are per person based on two people sharing a guest room. For a detailed description of our services, see About Our Tours.
Galapagos Cruises
What You Could Add in Ecuador
Iglesia de San Vicente Ferrer, Quiroga, Otavalo Valley, Ecuador.
Photo: Mylene d'Auriol Stoessel.
Discover ancient haciendas, authentic workshops and the incredible landscapes...
Departing from Quito for the day, "barter with the natives" in the mystical Otavalo Valley, view a pre-Inca solar calendar, visit authentic workshops in artisans' pueblos or hike around a crater lake, and have lunch in a Spanish colonial hacienda dating back to 1602.
Highlights
Quito
Day 1: Quito (Otavalo Indian Market & Surroundings). Departure north from Quito. At the foot of the Imbabura Volcano, lies the valley of Otavalo. After exploring the market, visit a pre-Inca solar calendar, then choose between two options. For those more interested in native cultures, visit the village of Peguche, where musical instruments and woolen tapestries are made; the nearby sacred waterfall; San Antonio de Ibarra, known for its woodcarvings; and other artisans' pueblos. For those more interested in nature, drive up to Cuicocha Lake and hike around this flooded volcanic crater. Lunch at the Hacienda Cusín. Returning to Quito under the shadow of the Cayambe Volcano, arrive at the Villa Colonna. Guided evening walk to the Plaza de San Francisco for dinner at the Café Tianquez. Overnight in the Villa Colonna.
Your next destination
Day 2: Quito - Your next destination. Continue on a cruise of the Galapagos Islands or an expedition to Ecuador's Amazon Rainforest.
Imbabura Volcano and San Pablo Lake, Otavalo Valley, Ecuador.
Photo: Mylene d'Auriol Stoessel.
Day 1: Quito (Otavalo Indian Market & Surroundings)
Departure north from Quito. At the foot of the Imbabura Volcano, surrounded by clear lakes, patchwork-covered hills and plantations of corn, lies the valley of Otavalo, a market town ensconced in its own mystical past and whose people are proud of their cultural heritage and traditions. Time to explore the Otavalo Indian market, which dates back to pre-Inca times. The market is an experience for all senses: the aromas of traditional fare, soothing Andean panpipes, a kaleidoscope of colors, soft alpaca scarves and customary bargaining. The Otavaleños are owners of a rich inheritance, the customs of their craft; lovers of the rhythm of their music and their dance; and disciples of the legends of their earth mother, Pachamama. Experience a close encounter with this proud race of people, whose cultural integrity endures, and discover ancient haciendas, authentic workshops and the incredible landscapes and lagoons of these fertile lands of the Gods.
After exploring the market, visit a pre-Inca solar calendar, then choose between two options. For those more interested in native cultures, visit the village of Peguche, where musical instruments and woolen tapestries are made; the nearby sacred waterfall; San Antonio de Ibarra, known for its woodcarvings; and other artisans' pueblos. For those more interested in nature, drive up to Cuicocha Lake and hike around this flooded volcanic crater with its twin islets. Here, you'll observe a particular species of orchid that grows at this altitude (3,220 meters, or 10,562 feet).
Hacienda Cusín, Otavalo Valley, Ecuador.
Photo: Mylene d'Auriol Stoessel.
Lunch at the Hacienda Cusín. Cusín was purchased by the prominent Luna family from King Philip II at an auction in Spain in 1602. The estate comprised the two valleys of Gualavi and La Rinconada, and all the land between the valleys and the lake, approximately 100,000 acres. During the last 400 years, Hacienda Cusín remained, for the most part, in the hands of two different Spanish families and was operated as a farm. After falling into ruins after several decades of neglect, the hacienda was restored in 1990 and opened for international tourism.
Returning to Quito under the shadow of the Cayambe Volcano, arrive at the Villa Colonna, a charming colonial home in the historic district. Guided walk to the Plaza de San Francisco for a simple but delicious dinner at the Café Tianquez. Overnight in the Villa Colonna.
Iglesia de San Pablo and the Imbabura Volcano, Otavalo Valley, Ecuador.
Photo: Mylene d'Auriol Stoessel.
Day 2: Quito - Your next destination
Breakfast. Continue on a cruise of the Galapagos Islands or an expedition to Ecuador's Amazon Rainforest.
© 2008 Inka's Empire Corporation, Luxury Peru Tours & Travel. All rights reserved.