- Code
- PSQL
- Physical rating
- Trip rating
- 12 reviews
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 12
Why you'll love this trip
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While Quito's main cathedral is perhaps more famous, the baroque masterpiece of La Compania de Jesus rivals any church in the world for beauty and architecture
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Enjoy a 1 night 'feature stay' in a converted 16th century residence in Quito's historical centre
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Take a tour of Quito with our specialist historian guide and discover places of the standard tourist trail
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The active volcano of Cotopaxi is the highest in the world. Hike through Cotopaxi National Park towards the volcano's perfectly cone-shaped peak, looking out for wildlife along the way
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Enjoy a 2 night feature stay in a restored Hacienda nearby Cotopaxi volcano
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Explore Cuenca from a different perspective while taking a tour with a true Ceuncano, you will discover parts of Cuenca not many other travellers have the opportunity to see
Is this trip right for you?
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Due to the high altitude of many of the places we visit some people can suffer altitude sickness, regardless of age, gender or fitness. It even happened to Sir Edmund Hillary! Some people aren’t effected at all, but if you are, be sure to drink plenty of water and don’t push yourself too hard. Please see the ‘Health’ section of the trip notes for more important information about altitude sickness.
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Itinerary
Notes: Due to the high altitude of many of places we visit including Quito, Lima and Cusco, some people can suffer altitude sickness regardless of age, gender or fitness. Please see the 'Fitness' sectionin the trip notes for detailed information.
Accommodation
- Patio Andaluz or similar, Feature Stay (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Accommodation
- Hato Verde Hacienda or similar, Feature Stay (1 night)
Included Activities
- Quito - Historian led 'Old Town' city tour
- Quito - Compañia de Jesus visit
- Quito: Equator line museum visit
- Equator Line - Museum visit
- Equator Line - Pan Ice Cream 'Demonstration and Tasting
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hato Verde Hacienda or similar, Feature Stay (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Entering the park you are at an altitude of approximately 3600mts above sea level. You will ascend a further 200 metres by car before reaching your destination, Limpiopungo lagoon.
Soak in the incredible scenery of the area under formidable snow-capped peak. Keep an eye out for park wildlife, including condors, foxes, deer, spectacled bears, and more. You will spend approximately 1-2 hours in the National Park.
Your next destination is Banos. From Cotopaxi National Park the drive will take approximately 1.5 hours, including a stop. This town is a traveller's secret delight. It sits in a beautiful valley surrounded by green mountains, filled with waterfalls and hot springs. Arriving at approximately 4pm you'll have some free time, perhaps head to the hot springs for a soak.
Accommodation
- Sangay Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Cotopaxi - National Park visit
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Soon after lunch you'll drive approximately 30 minutes to Casa del Arbol, a treehouse on the edge of a canyon. Here on a clear day you will have views of Mt. Tungurahua, a nearby active volcano from its precarious perch. You'll head back down to Banos Town, arriving around 4pm. This afternoon you'll have some free time. On weekdays, experience peace and tranquillity as you stroll through the town and its neighbouring hills. For those who like to get active, Banos also has plenty of adventure sports available.
Notes: Due to Peregrine's safety policy our leaders are only allowed to recommend or assist with activities that have been through our safety assessment.
Accommodation
- Sangay Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Banos - Devil's Cauldron visit
Optional Activities
- Banos - Steam baths - USD15
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Carvallo Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Later in the afternoon, set off to discover Cuenca from a different perspective…from Genaro’s perspective! Genaros is a local “Cuencano” whose passion for Cuenca’s history, art and architecture is contagious. Let him show you some of Cuenca’s main attractions, but also be prepared to witness a side of this town that not many travellers have the opportunity to see. The walking tour will go for around 3 hours. Later your leader will offer the group an optional visit to Turi viewpoint, where you will see spectacular views of Cuenca city.
Accommodation
- Carvallo Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Cuenca - Leader Led Orientation walk
- Cuenca - Historian led tour of old Cuenca
- Cuenca - Turi view point
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Antigua Miraflores or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Tips for services you receive as part of your trip including drivers, specialist local guides & porters (excluding your tour leader)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask reception where it will take place.
Later in the day your leader will take you on a walking tour of downtown Lima, including the city's historical centre. Flanked by streets of ornate mansions, palaces and churches, Plaza Mayor is the best place to start any exploration of Lima. Take a walk through the old streets to get a feel for colonial life. On one side of the plaza is the Cathedral of Lima, which houses the remains ofLima's founder, Francisco Pizarro. Visit the nearby San Francisco Monastery, with its catacombs containing some 70,000 human remains. Continue onto the Central market where you'll take a walking tour. The market has a huge variety of fresh produce on offer, including fruits, vegetables and even guinea pigs. You'll also have the opportunity to try some local Peruvian fruits and street food. Next head away from the tourist trail and visit ‘Alameda de Chabuca Granda’ an area really only known to locals, it is a place where people go as a treat to enjoy a variety local street food and authentic Peruvian desserts such as ‘Mazamorra Morada’ a sweet porridge made from purple corn or ‘Picarones’ Peruvian donuts made from local squash called Macre and sweet potatoes served with a sweet syrup, these are a must try whilst in Peru! The tour will finish in Lima main square, with the option to go for an included dinner in Down Town or back to Miraflores.
Accommodation
- Hotel Antigua Miraflores or Similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals
8 breakfastsTransport
Plane, Boat, Bus, Private vehicle, CanoeAccommodation
Hotel Feature Stay (1 night), Hacienda Feature Stay (2 nights) Hotel (5 nights)Included Activities
- Quito - Historian led 'Old Town' city tour
- Quito - Compañia de Jesus visit
- Quito: Equator line museum visit
- Equator Line - Museum visit
- Equator Line - Pan Ice Cream 'Demonstration and Tasting
- Cotopaxi - National Park visit
- Banos - Devil's Cauldron visit
- Cuenca - Leader Led Orientation walk
- Cuenca - Historian led tour of old Cuenca
- Cuenca - Turi view point
- Tips for services you receive as part of your trip including drivers, specialist local guides & porters (excluding your tour leader)

Essential trip information
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