The trip will be for 10 days and includes the beauty of the Otavalo region and 5 days through the mountains of Ecuador.

The tour will be run by All About EQ Expeditions, a guide group based in Otavalo.

Highlights of the trip:

-Town of Otavalo (Elev 8,307 ft) area and wedding logistics.

-Cotopaxi National Park is the highest active volcano in the world.

-City of Baños (Elev 5,971 ft), a gateway to the Amazon Basin and its wonders.

-A short hike along the Quilotoa Loop, a hiking path that follows the rim of several volcanos.

-Village of Papallacta (Elev 3,300 ft) - Location of hot spring pools naturally heated by the nearby volcanos.

-City of Quito (Elev 2,850 ft), the capital of Ecuador, and the location of the airport.

Day-by-day description:



Day 1: Upon your arrival, an English-speaking guide and driver will be waiting for you at the airport to bring you to Otavalo so that you can check in at the hotel and rest.

Day 2: After breakfast, you will leave Otavalo and be driven to several very attractive areas around the Otavalo region, where you will have an opportunity to encounter weavers and craftsmen and enjoy the beautiful landscapes the area has to offer. The visit includes the Cuicocha crater lake, Cotacachi town, Peguche craftsman houses, and the town of Agato. Meals will be provided as part of the day's experience.

Day 3: Transportation and guide will be at your service to transport you from Otavalo to the place of the wedding (45 min drive). During the ceremony, all the cultural aspects will be explained. After the festivities, transportation will be ready to bring you back to the hotels in Otavalo.

Day 4: After breakfast in the hotel, you will leave Otavalo and head towards Quito. Along the drive, you will stop at the Cayambe Valley, where the famous solar dial is located, directed on the Equator. We will arrive in Quito, and the afternoon will include a very short sightseeing tour through Quito.

Day 5: After breakfast, you will leave the hotel and head over to the Cotopaxi National Park, located south of Quito. The impressive landscape around this mountain is very rewarding. Once at the park, you will be staying in the beautiful Tambopaxi Lodge, located in the park's northern portion.

Day 6: You will spend the day hiking on the slopes of the highest active volcano in the world and enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. You will first be driven to the parking lot located at Elevation 14,961 FT and hike (about 45 minutes with about 900 FT of vertical gain) to the Jose Rivas refuge. After a short break, which will include snacks, you will continue to the snow line of the nearby glacier. Once you reach the snow line, head back to the parking lot to get lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, you will be driven to Baños, where we will arrive by the end of the afternoon. Lodging is at the Hotel De Mi Pueblo in Baños near the waterfall.

Day 7: Starting from the city of Baños, you will descend on bikes to reach the canyon of the Pastaza River. Along the route, we will see many waterfalls and impressive views. The afternoon will be used to see the sunset at the famous volcano viewpoint called Case De Arbol (house of the tree).

Day 8: Firstly, you will be transported to Quilotoa lagoon, with a stop to visit the Tigua and Toachi canyons on the route. Located inside a volcanic crater, this magnificent lake will be the place where we will enjoy the views of its turquoise waters. There are two possible hikes: one will be from the crater rim to the edge of the water, and the other is from one of the trails to access the rim. Lunch will be in a scenic restaurant. After lunch, you will be driven to the town of Chugchilan. Lodging will be at Mama Hilda hostel, part of the Quilotoa loop, considered one of the most scenic regions of Ecuador.

Day 9: This day will be spent traveling from the Chugchilan area to Papallacta. The route will take you close along the loop around Quilotoa. Along this route, we will see Indigenous people's villages, agricultural fields, and the Illinixas mountains. You will cross through the inter-Andean valleys and head to thermal hot springs located at the beautiful Mountain Spa and resort of Papallacta. This location is in a small valley with mountain views on all sides. You can enjoy the thermal spring water at the spa and resort, which is continuously pumped into several different pools. As well as get a massage or eat at the restaurant onsite. Please see the website for additional details. Termaspapallacta.com

Day 10: From the Papallacta Thermal Hotel, it will be only a 50-minute drive to the Quito airport. You will be dropped off at the airport for your return flight(s).

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE GUIDED TOUR?

• Private transport from the airport to the wedding and throughout the entire trip. It ends with you being returned to the airport.

• Lodging in Hotel Otavalo (Days 1-3), Zaysant ecolodge (Day 4), Tambopaxi VIP lodge (Day 5), Hotel de mi Pueblo baños (Days 6-7), Mama Hilda in Chugchilan (Day 8), and Termas de Papallacta (Day 9). On day 10, you are returned to the airport.

• English-speaking guides who are nationally certificated.

• Full Alimentation, drinkable water, and/or juices for the entire trip, provided as needed. Meals included with this trip's cost start with dinner on the first night and end with breakfast on the last day. Hors d'oeuvres and Dinner on the day of the wedding are provided by Pam and Stephen.

• Entrance fee to national parks and museums and visits mentioned in the program.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE GUIDED TOUR?

• Airline tickets to/from Ecuador

• Drinks or food during the evenings after each day's activities

• Alcoholic drinks

• Activities out of the program (not sure when you will find time)

• Personal equipment

• Personal belongings

• Vaccinations and other medicines

• Travel or/and medical insurance. (requested)

• Tips

AMAZING EXPERIENCE COST?

The listed options below are for adults. Pricing for children will be coming soon! Please reach out if you are interested in and have children along for the tour.

•Option 1: Staying at Hotel Otavalo (town of Otavalo for the wedding) $1731 to $2255 per person. The price will depend on the number of people participating in the tour.

•Option 2: Staying at Hotel EL Indio Inn (town of Otavalo for the wedding) $1400 to $1920 per person. The price will depend on the number of people participating in the tour.

HOW TO CONFIRM THE TRIP?

With your acceptance and use of an official letter, you can transfer/deposit 50% via international money transfer to the bank account of our local tour operator. 50 days prior to the trip, the full payment must be completed.

The money wired must include the cost of bank services and duties.

Billing will be under the name of one of the passengers of the group. Personal bills can be issued if necessary.