Quito & Cochasqui, Histories of Ecuador

Arrival to Quito, where you will be meet at the airport by our local Spanish-speaking driver and transferred to your hotel located in the city (around 45 min ride).

Quito has an altitude of around 9,350 feet, (2,850 m). Someone flying to Quito from sea level experiences an elevation changes of nearly two miles (3 km) in a matter of hours. Abrupt changes in elevation such as this sometimes have ill effects. In the event that you do experi-ence symptoms of altitude sickness, in most cases, they can be remedied by drinking lots of water, getting rest, avoid cigarettes and alcohol and eat light. The coca tea can help also.
Meals included: X
Transfer with a private chauffeur

Pick up at your hotel in Quito. Departure with a private English-speaking guide and private ve-hicle. You will drive up to Cochasqui pre-inca site. This is an amazing place, where the Quitus Cara people built pyramids, around -500 BC and until the Inca conquest. The guide will explain you all about the construction of the site, and you will also see lunar and solar calendars. It is one of the most impressive pre-Columbian site in Ecuador. The place itself is very special, you can often spot llamas, putting a bit more of magic. After this place we will drive back to nearby Quito at the “Middle of the World Site”. We hop now to the 18th century where a French group of scientists, is sent by the French Royal Academy of Science to Ecuador (at the time still Peru) to try to find the Equator line. The site you will visit is where they found the line at this time, and 200 years later a monument was built to remember this important time of the history of the country. When the middle of the world was then measured with modern instruments, it was found that they were wrong by only 240 meters. Take a picture near the famous monument and then visit of Intiñan Museum where you will participate in several experiences that will show you that yes, you are indeed right on the Equator line. Back to the hotel in the late afternoon.
Tour with a private guide and vehicle
Meals included this day: Breakfast

Pick up at the hotel. This morning we will visit Quito Old Town. Quito has one if not the best-preserved colonial town of South America. Wander in the narrow streets listening to your guides explanations. Visit the best churches, admire the architecture and every detail in each building and stop at a small craft chocolate shop where you will learn about Ecuadorian fine chocolate. It comes from a very rare brand of cocoa “cacao national”, which represents only 5% of the world cocoa production and results in one of the best chocolate on earth. It has won numerous prizes. Later we will visit one of the most beautiful colonial streets where you will appreciate the art preserved in the time using techniques of the famous “Escuela Quiteña” to inspire you to make your own craft in a workshop.
In the afternoon, we will make a stop in “Mirador de Guápulo” where you can learn about Orel-lana´s road, an important part of our history when the Spaniards went in search of the Country of Cinammon. Afterwards, you will visit the museum of Guayasamin painter. He lived in the XXth century and was famous for its unique style. Get to know about his life, and explore his incredible house. The visit also includes a stop at the Capilla del Hombre, his “masterpiece” that was finished after his death. This is not a religious chapel, but more a place for meditation and reflection about human being. It is truly an amazing place worth the visit, that helps understand more recent history of South America through the eyes of the painter. In the early evening our guide will drop you off at your hotel.
Tour with a private guide and vehicle
Meals included this day: Breakfast