Haugan Cruises - Machu Picchu, Andes and Ecuador Land Tours

Quito is the home to beautiful cathedrals, elegant old mansions, interesting museums, plazas and parks, and is filled with street markets selling a wealth of Ecuadorian jewels, arts and crafts. This wonderful spring-like climate is dominated by mountains, with several snow-capped volcanoes standing majestically in the distance. It was also declared the third most important world cultural heritage site in Latin America, by UNESCO.

Mindo is located some 2 1/2 hours west from Quito and is a fairly small village and popular area for many bird watchers with an altitude of 1390m climbing up to 4770m. An area of Premontane forest has a reserve area at the foot of Mindo called Bosque protector Mindo-Nambillo which is home to some 350 bird species as well as being engulfed in incredible flora and fauna.

Two or three hours north of Quito by bus lies the small town of Otavalo, famous for its Saturday Indian market, which dates back to pre-Inca times, and where bargaining has traditionally been something of an art.

Quito - Mindo - Otavalo
Duration: 4 days
Departures: Everyday

Day 1.-
Early morning pickup from the hotel to the northwest two hours from Quito through the Andean ranges opportunity to see how in few hours you can visit two different weather from highlands to the humming-wood to enjoy the wonderful Mindo's valley, which has one of the richest fauna of the country and of the world with about 350 species of birds. Among them we have partridges, hawks, hill turkeys, humming birds of many types, woodpeckers, rock roosters, jumping birds, etc. the vegetation is mainly formed by natural forest where we find trees such as cedars, white yellow and black cinnamon, avocado, red myrtles, and plants such as orchids, hill lilies, blackberries, hill hot peppers, During this impacting trekking we will have lunch, dinner and Overnight in Tandayapa.

Day2.-
After breakfast, lodge activities, after lunch our adventure continue to the north of the country and visit one of the most important Indian Markets in America, you will be enchanted by the mystical Andean Range of mountains, in Cayambe you will have the opportunity to cross over the Equatorial Line. The majestic greatness of The San Pablo Lake wills captive you. Between the marvelous mountains and the peaceful lake you will find an old town called Otavalo. Dinner and overnight in one of the typical haciendas (Cusin or Pinsaqui),

Day 3.-
After breakfast we will began the visit to the most famous Indian market in South America; there you can buy fine handcrafts like different types of weavings manufactured by its own inhabitants, such as shawls, ponchos, tapestries and sweaters.
Some of the outstanding characteristics of the natives of Otavalo are their outfits and cleanliness. The Otavalo Indians use to wear their ponchos all the time. Afterwards, we will be having a good lunch at a nearby hostelry

Day 4.-
On the third day, visit Cuicocha Lake and the town of Cotacachi, an entire town dedicated to fine leather products. Continue south for lunch, before the return to Quito. Accommodations and all meals are included.
The order of the visits may vary - depending on the weather and the day of the week.

Prices per person: $750

Prices includes: Private transportation, English speaking guide, double room accommodation, all meals, entrances to Mitad del Mundo Museum.

Please ask for single accommodations available.

Hotels:

Standard: Tandayapa (Mindo)
Luxury: Pinsaqui or Cusin (Otavalo)