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 A1 ANDES MOUNTAINS (6 days) After this 6-day trip in the Andes you will have a good idea about the natural beauty of the Andes and cultural heritage of the people living in this high mountain region. Snow-covered volcanic peaks with a visit to the country's highest mountain, deep river gorges, fertile valleys with small rural villages where indigenous people still live in a very traditional way, a famous Indian market, a train ride down Devil's Nose are some of the highlights featured in this program. Day 1 Arrival at Quito airport and transfer to hotel in Quito. Depending on your arrival time, a visit to the old colonial center or another attraction in Quito are scheduled. Day 2 We start our Andes tour by driving northwest to visit the pre-Columbian ruins of Rumicucho and then Mitad del Mundo, the Equator Line monument. Both bear witness to important historical events in Ecuador, which we get to know on these visits. Before that however, we drive first up to Ventanilla, viewpoint of the Pululahua Crater, where you have a breathtaking view of the entire front part of this gigantic volcanic caldera. Afterwards we drive to nearby Mitad del Mundo where you may take the famous pictures of standing with one foot in the northern and with the other one in the southern hemisphere. We also visit the small ethnic museum located inside the pyramid-shaped building , the interesting Solar Museum and the French Pavilion. After a stroll through the souvenir shops and having lunch in one of many restaurants there serving typical Andean food, we continue our tour and drive to Rumicucho, a former Inca fortress. The site is on a terraced hill with a ring wall of stones. Those mostly military structures were always built on strategic locations where one could observe the entire valley but they also served as religious and ceremonial centers. We return back to Quito, where we arrive at around late afternoon and spend our second night. Day 3 We drive for two hours north on the Pan-American highway to Otavalo, Indian town famous for its market. We spend a couple of hours visiting the town and its stands and shops full of Indian artisan crafts. Apart from the famous textiles you are also able to buy other interesting crafts, like pottery, woodcarvings or paintings. Afterwards we continue our trip and arrive at the town of Cotacachi which is famous for its leather work. After having lunch there, we stop at the 10 de Agosto street, where most of the shops are located and we spend a short while for shopping and getting to know the various leather wares for sale. Afterwards we move on to Laguna Cuicocha, which lies at an altitude of 3200m, 18 km past the town of Cotacachi. The lake which formed in this eroded old volcanic crater is 200m deep with 3 islands sticking out in the middle, which are lava domes. Here you have the option of taking a trip in small boats on the lake around the islands or hiking along the crater rim for great views. Return to Quito by way of Cayambe where we stop quickly at the equator line monument. Day 4 Today we turn south and drive on that part of the Pan-American Highway, which is also known as the Avenue of the Volcanoes as many volcanic peaks can be seen on this stretch of the road. We pass the imposing Cotopaxi, the twin peaks of Ilinizas, the smoke belching Tungurahua till we arrive at Ambato, where we take the road towards Guaranda and then to the first refuge of Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest peak. On the way up there we observe the graceful vicuņas which graze in this dry paramo region. Arriving by bus at 4800m, we get then ready to hike then up to the second refuge at 5000m altitude. From there we have the mighty glacier right in front of us and tremendous views down to the valley can be appreciated on clear days. We move then to Riobamba where we spend the next night. First we get our tickets for tomorrow's train ride and later we visit the colonial center of the city. Day 5 We get up early and after breakfast we head to the train station to get a good seat on the roof top of the train for today's adventure. At 7 am the train leaves the station and for the first few hours winds its way through the Andean valleys passing small farms. Also splendid views of Chimborazo can be had and on its way to Alausi, Colta Lake and Guamote are passed. After a break there the train starts its descent down the steep gorge till it reaches the rock face called the Devil's Nose. There it has to switchback as it is too steep for conventional turns. That tract of the railway was considered an engineering marvel one hundred years ago when it was built. Farther below the train stops and turns back again to Alausi. There at 1.30 pm the rail adventure ends and we drive back by bus to Quito where we arrive early in the evening. Day 6 Depending on your departure time, a visit to the old colonial center or to another sightseeing attraction in Quito are scheduled. Transfer to the airport and return to your country.
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