Experience the Pacific Ocean and Andean Highlands in amazingly beautiful Ecuador! Take in the popular attractions of historical Quito and visit the famous Equatorial Tablet in the middle of the world. Take a visit to the enchanting Lake San Pablo and Cuicocha Crater Lake at the foot of the Cotacaci Volcano. Explore the rugged surroundings and stunning scenery of Cotopaxi National Park and Cotopaxi Volcano on an excursion from Quito.
With a relaxed and happy mood, you will be taking a flight to Quito, the capital city of Ecuador! The tour guide will raise a sign to pick up at the airport, and guests who are close to the flight will be arranged to take the same bus to the hotel. Three meals at your own expense.
Free pick-up airport on the first day of your tour: Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport (UIO)
Free pick-up time on the first day of your tour: 09:00, 20:00. This time is the time for the guests to meet with our staff after picking up their luggage at the baggage claim area of the airline they are taking.
Today we will visit Quito, the capital city closest to the equator. We will first visit the Basílica del Voto Nacional. It is considered the largest Neo-gothic temple in the Americas, and the most important piece of Neo-gothic architecture in Ecuador. Then we will continue to Independence Square. Admire the historical buildings surrounding the square. Afterwards, we will visit the Iglesia de San Francisco. The church houses masterpieces of talented indigenous artists from the famous methods of "Escuela Quiteña" Quito School. One of the highlights of the city tour is the visit of Iglesia de La Compania de Jesus, considered to be a masterpiece of the baroque style. The facade is made of volcanic stone and the interior is all covered with gold. Following, we will go to the Equatorial Tablet, which is the central point of the equator and has great commemorative significance. Finally, we will visit the Intiñan Site Museum to learn about Ecuador's culture and history.
Basílica del Voto Nacional → Independence Square → Iglesia de San Francisco → Iglesia de La Compania de Jesus (include ticket) → Equatorial Tablet (include ticket)→ Intiñan Site Museum (include ticket)
The Basilica del Voto Nacional is one of the most unique and stunning buildings in the entire city of Quito, Ecuador. Not only can you explore the ground floor full of altars, chapel rooms, and more, but you can also climb a few staircases and ladders to a viewpoint from the towers.
Independence Square ( or colloquially as Plaza Grande) is the principal and central public square of Quito, Ecuador. This is the central square of the city and one of the symbols of the executive power of the nation. Its main feature is the monument to the independence heroes of August 10, 1809, the date remembered as the first cry of independence of the Royal Audience of Quito from the Spanish monarchy. The square is flanked by the Carondelet Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace, the Municipal Palace and the Plaza Grande Hotel.
The Basilica and Convent of San Francisco, commonly known as El San Francisco, is a Catholic Basilica that stands in the middle of the historic center of Quito, in front of the square of the same name. It is the oldest and most significant religious site in Ecuador. The structure is the largest architectural complex within the historic centers of all South America, and for this reason it was known as "El Escorial of the New World". San Francisco is considered a jewel of continental architecture for its mixture of different styles combined throughout more than 150 years of construction. San Francisco is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "City of Quito".
The Iglesia de La Compania de Jesus was a summit of the Baroque period in Latin America, built by outstanding Jesuits between 1605 and 1765, inspired by two iconic Roman Jesuit temples: Il Gesu and Saint Ignacio. This temple was built by countless artists from the Quito School, who continued their abilities and dedicated themselves to carving and gilding with thin gold foil of 23 carats per centimeter from the church.
The Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World City) is a tract of land owned by the prefecture of the province of Pichincha, Ecuador. It is located at San Antonio parish of the canton of Quito, 26 km (16 mi) north of the center of Quito. The grounds contain the Monument to the Equator, which highlights the exact location of the Equator (from which the country takes its name) and commemorates the eighteenth-century Franco-Spanish Geodesic Mission which fixed its approximate location; it also contain the Museo Etnográfico Mitad del Mundo, Ethnographic Museum Middle of the Earth, a museum about the indigenous people ethnography of Ecuador.
The Intiñan Museum is located just outside of Quito right next to the Mitad del Mundo monument. Most people know that Mitad del Mundo's equator line is a bit off. Intiñan has its own marker and it's closer to the right spot.
🍽 Lunch included
Today, we will head towards Imbabura known as “The Province of the Lakes”. The highway offers a lovely view passing through Calderón and Guayllabamba valleys. We will make a short stop here to get to know more about local culture. Passing through Cayambe we can get a sight of the snow-capped volcano, the world´s highest point crossed by the Equator Line. This small town is also famous for its salt biscuits with “leaf cheese” and “manjar”. We can make a stop here to try this delacy before we continue to the Imbabura province, named after the Imbabura Volcano, where we will then head to the largest lake in Ecuador, the San Pablo. Next, we will enter Otavalo City that holds a local market every day, an ancient tradition and cultural exchange site among the Otavalo community. Following, we will visit the peaceful Cotacachi Village, famous for its leather, and meet the local craftsmen. Finally, we will visit the charming Cuicocha Crater Lake, and we will head back to Quito in the late afternoon.
The largest lake in Ecuador, Lago San Pablo.
This colorful indigenous market takes place each Saturday and features some of the finest woven products in the region including ponchos, sweaters, wall hangings and shawls.
Cotacachi is a town that is the seat of Cotacachi Canton, Imbabura Province, Ecuador, in South America. Cotacachi is located at an altitude of 2,418 metres (7,933 ft) and had a population of 8,848 in 2010. Cotacachi is an artisan city that is famous for its leather goods and handicrafts. Cotacachi residents are also well known for their carne colorada (filet of pork cooked in red achiote sauce), and queso de hoja (soft cheese wrapped in a plant leaf).
Cuicocha (Kichwa: Kuykucha, "lake of guinea pigs" or Kuychikucha, "rainbow lake") is a 3 km (2 mi) wide caldera and crater lake at the foot of Cotacachi Volcano in the Cordillera Occidental of the Ecuadorian Andes.
🍽 Lunch included
Today’s adventure starts early in the morning when you drive south through the Avenue of the Volcanoes. We will first visit one of the highest active volcanoes in the world and one of Ecuador’s most popular highlights: the elegant Cotopaxi Volcano. This impressive, snow-capped volcano stands proudly in the middle of the beautiful national park that bears its name. Upon arrival at the entrance of the Cotopaxi National Park, your guide will explain about the unique flora and fauna of the area, and about the history of the volcano. Subsequently, you’ll continue to the Limpiopungo Lake, to enjoy a hike through the stunning “paramo”, or grassland, landscape where you can see hummingbirds, wild horses, and other wildlife.
Cotopaxi National Park is located in the central region of Ecuador found with the Andes Mountains. The national park boundaries encompass an area of 128.9 square miles (333.9 sq km). Named for the highest active volcano in the world (5,897 meters), this national park is dedicated to protecting llama and other animals such as bears, wolves, puma and deer.
Limpiopungo Lagoon is a beautiful lake formed by water from the glaciers. It is located very close to the Cotopaxi volcano. Limpiopungo lagoon is like a mirror that reflects the beauty of the surrounding peaks. In fact, the image of the Cotopaxi volcano reflected in the middle of the lagoon. The hike around the lagoon offers excellent views and lots of birds.
🍽 Lunch included
After breakfast, we will take you to Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport (UIO) to end your pleasant journey.
Our staff only provides drop-off service from the hotel at 8:00 in the morning. If the guest has an early flight and needs to leave the hotel before 8 o'clock to the airport, the guide can help the guest take a taxi.
One hand-picked hotel over 4 nights of this itinerary. Open any property for photos, video, a full introduction and what's on site.
Where a day says “or similar”, a comparable property of the same standard may be used on some departures. Room photos are representative; the room category is set by your booked package.
USD$15 per person per day
Free pick-up time on the first day of your tour: 09:00, 20:00. This time is the time for the guests to meet with our staff after picking up their luggage at the baggage claim area of the airline they are taking.
For detailed information, please refer to the last day’s itinerary.
“Ali Travel's service is excellent, and the advisors at every store are professional. We are two seniors and have travelled with them to Cuba, Yellowknife, the Dominican Republic, Cancún and China — every experience was fantastic.…”
“The whole trip went very smoothly. Canace was very professional — she managed the route and timing well and solved any issue promptly, which took a load off our minds. The pacing was just right: relaxed, not exhausting. A very go…”
“Ali Travel was great and professional, highly recommend! Their pricing was competitive and they had a lot of variety to choose from. I look forward to booking with them again for my next vacation!”
Verbatim excerpts from public Google reviews of Ali Travel’s five GTA stores — 4.4–4.7★ across 281 reviews as of August 2026. These are reviews of our service, not of this specific departure. Read all reviews on Google →
Reserve online and pay the CAD $300 per-person deposit right away (unless a different amount is stated for this tour) — that secures your booking. We then confirm availability, usually within 24 hours, and update your booking status — if we cannot confirm your reservation, your deposit is refunded in full. The balance is due 30 days before departure. The deposit option applies to bookings made more than 60 days before departure — within 60 days of departure, full payment is required at booking.
Price adjustments (Travel Industry Act, 2002 — O. Reg. 26/05): increases resulting from retail sales or federal tax changes excepted, if the total price rises by more than 7% you may cancel for a full refund — and no price increase is permitted after you have paid in full.
Card details are entered directly into Moneris, Canada’s largest payment processor — your card number never reaches our servers.
Cancellation charges, from the date we receive written notice:
Once airline tickets have been issued, the air portion is non-refundable regardless of the schedule above.
Ali Travel Inc. is registered with the Travel Industry Council of Ontario as a travel retailer (#50025124) and wholesaler (#50026847) — both checkable on TICO’s public register. Ontario’s Travel Industry Compensation Fund may reimburse you if we, or an end supplier such as an airline, become insolvent and the travel is not provided.
The Fund has a per-person limit, exclusions and a claim deadline — TICO’s page sets out what it covers.
One named consultant stays with your booking from confirmation to your return — the same person for documents, seat and room requests, changes, and anything that comes up while you are away. Call (416) 560-5888 or visit any of our five stores across the Greater Toronto Area.
Passport names and dates of birth are needed because flights are ticketed in your legal name; we never sell your personal information, and it is shared only with the suppliers delivering this trip. Privacy Policy →
Per person · double occupancy · departures 16 Oct–28 Dec 2026
Price notes
International flights not included — quoted from your city.
Maplelux Holidays serves travel agencies. Choose how you would like to continue.
Hilton Colon Quito sits on Avenida Amazonas at the corner of Avenida Patria, facing El Ejido park and the Ejido metro station, with the financial district to the north and the UNESCO-listed historic centre a short drive south. The 255 rooms and suites, including executive accommodation with lounge access, have air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, safe, coffee maker and free Wi-Fi.
There is an on-site restaurant serving a buffet breakfast (for a fee), a bar, room service and an executive lounge, together with an outdoor pool, a fitness centre and a spa. Self-parking is free, the hotel is smoke-free, and check-in is at 14:00 with check-out at 12:00; there is no hotel airport shuttle, so transfers are by taxi or the tour coach.