5 day itinerary for Quito

Itinerary

Here's an ideal itinerary for 5 days in Quito:

Day 1: Arrival and City Tour

• Arrive in Quito and check into your hotel
• Start your day with a delicious breakfast at a local cafe
• Take a city tour to explore the historic center of Quito, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Plaza de la Independencia, the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, and the Church of the Society of Jesus.
• In the afternoon, visit the Teleferico, a cable car that takes you up to the top of Pichincha Volcano for stunning views of the city.

Day 2: Otavalo Market and Cuicocha Lake

• Take a day trip to Otavalo, a town famous for its indigenous market. Here, you can buy traditional handicrafts, textiles, and jewelry.
• After the market, visit Cuicocha Lake, a beautiful crater lake located in the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve. You can hike around the lake or take a boat tour.

Day 3: Mitad del Mundo and Pululahua Crater

• Visit the Mitad del Mundo, the equator line that divides the northern and southern hemispheres. Here, you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere and learn about the science behind the equator.
• After the Mitad del Mundo, visit the Pululahua Crater, a dormant volcano that is now a nature reserve. You can hike around the crater and see the unique flora and fauna of the area.

Day 4: Mindo Cloud Forest

• Take a day trip to Mindo, a cloud forest located about 2 hours from Quito. Here, you can go birdwatching, hike to waterfalls, and visit a butterfly farm.
• In the evening, return to Quito and enjoy a traditional Ecuadorian dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 5: Cotopaxi National Park

• Take a day trip to Cotopaxi National Park, home to the Cotopaxi Volcano, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. Here, you can hike to the base of the volcano, visit the Limpiopungo Lagoon, and see the unique flora and fauna of the Andean highlands.
• In the evening, return to Quito and enjoy your last night in the city.

I hope this itinerary helps you plan your trip to Quito! Let me know if you have any questions or need any further assistance.