The Equatorial Andes
Overview
Embark on an unforgettable seven‑day, six‑night journey through some of Ecuador’s most captivating destinations, Quito, Otavalo, Riobamba and Cuenca. This thoughtfully curated itinerary invites travellers to immerse themselves in the soul of the Andes, moving effortlessly from vibrant highland cities to charming cultural havens framed by breathtaking scenery. Blending comfort, authenticity and a sense of exploration, this experience offers the perfect balance between relaxation and discovery. Whether wandering historic streets, savouring local character or simply taking in the majestic landscapes that unfold along the way, this multifaceted adventure promises memories that linger long after the journey ends.
Important notes:
- Some drives on this itinerary may involve winding roads. If you are sensitive to motion sickness, we recommend planning accordingly.
- Driving times indicated in your itinerary are approximate and may vary due to traffic and road conditions.
- If your itinerary includes domestic and/or regional flight tickets, as well as entry tickets to landmarks that require passport details, you must call Air Canada Vacations immediately upon receiving your booking confirmation. Failure to provide Air Canada Vacations with your passport details may result in the unavailability of domestic and/or regional flight tickets and entry passes for certain landmarks included in your tour package. It is mandatory to call Air Canada Vacations at the number provided in your electronic confirmation as soon as your booking is confirmed to submit your passport details.
Format
Locations
- Ecuador
- Quito
- Otavalo
- Riobamba
- Ingapirca
- Cuenca
- Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World), Quito, Ecuador
- Antisana, Napo, Ecuador
Inclusions
- Round-trip flight to Quito (if the Flight & Hotel option is chosen)
- One-way domestic flight in economy class between Cuenca and Quito
- Shared transfers for all the services within your itinerary
- 6 nights accommodation in select category (3 nights in Quito, 1 night in Riobamba, 2 nights in Cuenca),
- Early check-in upon arrival
- Daily breakfast, unless noted otherwise
- Other meals as per itinerary (drinks not included)
- More Moments activities included:
- Quito half-day city tour
- San Antonio de Pichincha half-day city tour
- Northern Highlands half-day excursion
- Antisana Ecological Reserve visit
- Fortress of Ingapirca tour
- Cuenca half-day walking city tour
- Hotel taxes
- Fees and service charges
- Service of an English-speaking local guide
- Entrance fees for the monuments as mentioned in the itinerary
- Earn extra Aeroplan® points per member on this tour
Itinerary
Day 1
Quito – San Antonio de Pichincha – Quito
Welcome to Quito! Upon arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport, you’ll proceed through customs and immigration. Once cleared, collect your luggage and exit the baggage hall, where a local representative will be waiting to greet you with an Air Canada Vacations sign bearing your name. Your representative will then escort you to your transfer for a comfortable journey to your hotel to check in.
After breakfast, you’ll meet your local guide in the hotel lobby and set off on a captivating half‑day excursion. Your journey begins with an enriching tour through colonial Quito, followed by a brief drive to San Antonio de Pichincha. There, you’ll explore the Intiñan Museum and the Middle of the World monument.
After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
More Moments Activities Included
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Quito half-day city tour
Start your day with an inspiring journey through the heart of historic Quito, beginning at the iconic Plaza Grande, where you’ll enjoy views of historic treasures such as the Archbishop’s Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Government Palace and the beautifully preserved San Francisco Convent. After absorbing the charm and heritage of the old city, continue north toward one of Ecuador’s most fascinating highlights, Latitude 0°0’0”, the symbolic centre of the world. Here, you’ll visit either the Intiñan Museum or the Temple of the Sun Museum, where insightful exhibits reveal the richness of Andean cosmovision, culture and ancestral traditions.
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San Antonio de Pichincha city tour
Begin your visit with a visit to the Intiñan Solar Museum, where interactive exhibits and fascinating experiments reveal the unique forces at play along the Equator, followed by a stop at the iconic Mitad del Mundo monument. Here, you’ll enjoy the rare opportunity to stand between two hemispheres while taking in the vibrant atmosphere of this remarkable landmark in San Antonio de Pichincha.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 2
Quito – Otavalo – Peguche – Quito
After an early breakfast, you’ll meet your local guide in the hotel lobby and set off on a captivating journey into Ecuador’s Northern Highlands, homeland of the renowned Otavalo community. Enjoy a scenic two‑hour drive into the enchanting province of Imbabura, set at 2,530 meters above sea level and framed by serene lakes and majestic mountain landscapes.
Upon arrival, you’ll visit the Otavalo market before continuing to the picturesque town of Peguche, a charming community where many Otavalo families reside and maintain rich cultural traditions.
After your visit, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel to unwind and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
More Moments Activities Included
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Northern Highlands half-day excursion
Wander through the vibrant Otavalo Market, a lively maze of colour, filled with beautifully crafted textiles, ponchos, hats, jewelry and unique handmade treasures, an inviting setting for exploring authentic Andean artistry.
Continue with a leisurely stroll to the nearby town of Peguche, a picturesque community known for its master weavers and traditional loom‑crafted designs. Here, you’ll have the chance to see typical local homes and gain a glimpse into the daily life and enduring cultural heritage of its residents.
Meal(s): Breakfast and lunch
Day 3
Quito – Antisana Reserve – Riobamba
After breakfast, you’ll meet your local guide and settle in for a breathtaking three‑and‑a‑half‑hour journey through the magnificent Andean region. This spectacular 400‑kilometre stretch, famously known as “The Avenue of the Volcanoes,” unfolds as a natural boulevard lined with towering peaks, both active and dormant, adorned with glaciers and shimmering caps of perpetual snow. On clear days, you may even catch a dramatic view of the perfectly symmetrical Cotopaxi, the world’s highest active volcano, rising proudly above the landscape.
En route to Riobamba, you will visit the Antisana Ecological Reserve, a serene high‑altitude refuge that adds yet another layer of natural beauty to your journey. Afterward, you’ll continue toward Riobamba, where your hotel awaits.
Upon arrival, you’ll check in and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure, an ideal moment to unwind and take in the Andean atmosphere.
More Moments Activities Included
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Antisana Ecological Reserve
Enjoy a day of pristine high-altitude wilderness in the Ecuadorian Andes. Explore the unique Andean páramo (moorlands) and learn about its fascinating ecosystem, home to a variety of native flora and fauna. Keep your eyes open for the possibility of spotting the majestic Andean condor soaring above. On a clear day, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Antisana Volcano, a towering stratovolcano with a large glacier, which at 5,704 m is the fourth-highest volcano in Ecuador. This visit offers a perfect blend of nature, wildlife and stunning Andean landscapes.
Meal(s): Breakfast and lunch
Day 4
Riobamba – Ingapirca – Cuenca
After breakfast and check out, your journey continues with a scenic five‑hour drive toward Cuenca. As you travel through the highlands, enjoy sweeping panoramic views and take in the striking transitions of the Andean landscape, with possible opportunities for photo stops along the way.
En route, you will visit the impressive Fortress of Ingapirca, a remarkable glimpse into Ecuador’s pre‑Columbian history.
Following this fascinating visit, your journey resumes toward Cuenca. Upon arrival at your hotel, you’ll check in and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
More Moments Activities Included
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Fortress of Ingapirca tour
Start your day with a scenic drive south from Riobamba, through the breathtaking Andean highlands and the historic lands of the Cañari culture. Arrive at Ingapirca Fortress, the most important Inca archaeological site in Ecuador. Explore the Temple of the Sun, perfectly aligned with the sun’s rays, and discover a fascinating blend of Cañari and Inca architecture. Visit the onsite museum to admire ceramics, textiles and metalwork, and stroll through the ruins while learning about the daily life and cosmology of these remarkable pre-Hispanic cultures.
Meal(s): Breakfast and lunch
Day 5
Cuenca
After breakfast, you’ll meet your local guide in the hotel lobby and set out on a fascinating half‑day walking city tour of Cuenca. This immersive experience offers the perfect introduction to one of Ecuador’s most charming and culturally rich cities, known for its elegant architecture, historic atmosphere and vibrant artistic spirit. As you explore, your guide will share insights that bring the city’s heritage to life, making this tour both engaging and enriching.
At the conclusion of your visit, you will be transferred back to your hotel to enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure.
More Moments Activities Included
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Half-day walking city tour
Today’s journey begins with a charming walking experience through the historic heart of Cuenca, where elegant churches and beautifully preserved façades reflect the city’s rich architectural heritage. Along the way, visit traditional artisan centers that showcase the craftsmanship for which Cuenca is renowned. Here, you’ll gain insight into the creation of ceramic pieces, the famous Panama hat, gold and silver jewelry and intricate embroidery, offering a glimpse into the artistic traditions that continue to shape the city’s cultural identity.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 6
Cuenca – Quito
After a leisurely breakfast, you will have the morning at leisure to enjoy Cuenca at your own pace.
After the check-out formalities are completed, you’ll meet your local tour guide in the lobby of your hotel, who will take you to Mariscal Lamar International Airport to catch your flight to Ecuador’s capital, Quito.
Upon arrival, you’ll collect your luggage and exit the baggage hall, where a local representative will welcome you and escort you to your transfer to take you to your hotel.
Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 7
Quito – Canada
After breakfast and check out, your local representative will pick you up from the lobby of your hotel and take you to Mariscal Sucre International Airport to catch your flight back to Canada.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Accommodations
Where you'll stay
Location
Hotel
Room details
Unless otherwise indicated, guests will stay in a standard room at all hotels during the trip.
Bed size(s): 1 king or 2 twin beds. Rollaway beds available upon request (locally)
Room occupancy: Maximum 2 guests (2 Adults or 1 adult + 1 child)
Room details
Unless otherwise indicated, guests will stay in a standard room at all hotels during the trip.
Bed size(s): 1 king or 2 twin beds. Rollaway beds available upon request (locally)
Room occupancy: Maximum 2 guests (2 Adults or 1 adult + 1 child)
Important Information
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Dec 5/26 & Dec 12/26 (Saturdays) and Dec 6/26 & Dec 13/26 (Sundays)
Jan 1, 2026 – Jan 31, 2026 – weekly on Saturdays and Sundays
Feb 13/26, Feb 20/26 & Feb 27/26 (Saturdays) and Feb 14/26, Feb 21/26 & Feb 28/26 (Sundays)
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Not included:
- Gratuities
- Airport taxes (where applicable)
- Meals not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
- Beverages during meals
- Porterage of luggage at hotels
- Additional hotel services (laundry, minibar, room service, etc.)
- Transfers for optional activities, or any additional transfers outside those listed in the itinerary
- Entrance fees to landmarks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Optional activities and excursions
- Visa fees (where applicable)
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- Car: For all airport-hotel-airport, sightseeing and intercity transfer services
- Plane: From Cuenca to Quito
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The properties included in the Superior Accommodation category feature a selection of 3+ and 4-star hotels