Quito, Cotopaxi, and Mindo: Andes, Volcano, and Cloud Forest in 3 Days

Quito: Colonial Historic Center, vantage points, and the Mitad del Mundo. Cotopaxi: Active volcano, hike to the refuge, Andean páramo. Mindo: Cloud forest, birdwatching, waterfalls, and adventure.
• DAY 1 | QUITO.
Start time: 8:30am
We'll start in the colonial heart of Quito, a World Cultural Heritage Site:
✓ Basilica del Voto Nacional: climb up to the towers and the "Christ" on the façade; panoramic views of the city.
✓Plaza Grande, Government Palace, Archbishop's Palace, and Metropolitan Cathedral.
✓ Church of the Society of Jesus: Quito's Baroque jewel, with over 50 kilos of gold leaf inside.
✓Time to have lunch with local cuisine.
✓Chocolate tasting: More than 10 varieties of flavors and chocolate percentages to sample.
✓ Panecillo Hill: The Winged Virgin of Quito and a vantage point with a 360° view of the city.
✓Cable car: Ascent to the foothills of the Pichincha volcano, short hike to the vantage point, swing, and spectacular views of the entire Quito Valley, Cotopaxi, and other snow-capped peaks on clear days.
✓Mitad del Mundo and Intiñan Museum.
✓ Intiñan Museum: Experiments on the Equator Line (balancing an egg, Coriolis force), more interactive and fun.
Middle of the World City: Official landmark to the equator.
✓Return to hotel

• DAY 2 | COTOPAXI.
Start time 7:30 a.m. | Bring a scarf, a hat, sunglasses, and very warm clothing, as it is cold and very windy.
Approximately 2-hour drive to Cotopaxi National Park
✓ Visit to the José Rivas Shelter: Ascent, hike from the parking lot to the shelter at 300 meters above sea level.
✓ Limpiopungo Lagoon: Easy and accessible hike along the lagoon, with the possibility of spotting condors, white-tailed deer, and Andean waterfowl.
✓ Visit to the Mariscal Sucre Interpretation Center: Where you can learn about the flora and fauna of Cotopaxi National Park
Departure from Cotopaxi National Park
✓Time for lunch
✓ Return to hotel

• DAY 3 | MINDO..
Departure at 6:30 or 7:00 a.m. to make it to all the activities
✓ Breakfast en route
✓ Stop at the Pululahua Crater Vantage Point: Geobotanical Reserve with an active inhabited crater, the first in the world after the Aogashima Crater in Japan.
Two hours from Quito lies Mindo, the gateway to the Chocó Andino, a UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve with one of the highest concentrations of bird biodiversity on the planet. This is where the heat and many adventures begin.
✓ San Tadeo birdwatching: Chance to observe 15–20 species of hummingbirds up close and hand-feed them. You'll also see multicolored tanagers and quetzals, and with a bit of luck, we'll spot a toucan.
✓ Nambillo Waterfalls: Hike to the waterfall and cross the valley in a suspended basket with panoramic views of the cloud forest.
✓ Canopy/Zip-lining: Several zip lines for your adventure in the air.
✓ Mindo Butterfly Garden: Explanation of the complete life cycle, from egg to adult butterfly.
✓ Time for lunch: Varied menu
Tubing on the Mindo River: Floating down the river on inner tubes, a fun and refreshing activity
✓ Return to hotel
✓✓ End of activities.

لضمان التوفر، احجز في أقرب وقت ممكن. الحجز المبكر يستحق النظر خاصة إذا كنت تخطط للرحلة خلال موسم الذروة مثل العطلات العامة أو عطلات نهاية الأسبوع.

يمكنك إلغاء هذه الرحلة بدون تكلفة حتى 24 ساعات قبل بدء الرحلة. إذا قمت بالإلغاء بعد 24 ساعات أو لم تحضر في الرحلة، فسيتم تحصيل السعر الكامل للنشاط. التأخر في الاستلام أو المغادرة سيعتبر كعدم حضور.