COLONIAL QUITO CITY TOUR (5 HOURS)

Quito’s colonial city is one the largest and well-preserved Old Town areas in South America. The United Nations through its agency UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in the 1970’s.

The tour begins with a spectacular view of colonial and modern Quito from the hill of Itchimbia.

You will then be driven to the old colonial part of Quito and walk through one of the oldest streets in town called La Ronda. There you will see preserved colonial houses built during the seventeenth century.

You will arrive at the colonial square of Plaza de la Independencia where the Presidential Palace and a Cathedral are located. Our tour will end in Plaza San Francisco where you can rest until you are taken back to your hotel.

OTAVALO HANDYCRAFT TOUR & LUNCH (ALL DAY)

Otavalo is currently considered one of the most popular tour destinations in Ecuador. The beautiful Andean landscapes seen on this tour will make it a memorable experience.

Your first stop will be Cayambe, a quaint town, where you will meet local brothers and be treated to a savory baked biscuit known as “bizcocho”.

After Cayambe, the excursion goes north, to the land of the Otavalos and South America’s most famous Indian fair. You will enjoy the textile market of Otavalo, where guests get quality garments at reasonable prices. Among the items found are: scarves, blankets, wall hangings, woven belts (fajas), hats, handbags, and blouses. Local indian brothers and sisters will accompany you in this marketplace.

PULULAHUA CRATER & MIDDLE OF THE WORLD (7 HOURS) 

Our tour begins with a visit to the Pululahua Crater – a collapsed volcano with great biodiversity and unique geological formations. It is due to this uniqueness that it was declared a Geobotanical Reserve.

You will later be driven to the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World City). There a 90-foot monu-ment topped by a 5-ton globe marks the traditional location of the equator. This is a favorite spot for taking photos since you can stand with a foot on each hemisphere. There will be time for shopping at handicraft stores and also for lunch. Brothers will be there to guide you. It will be a good opportunity for associating with your local and foreign brothers.

Bethel Tour – Guayaquil

A Bethel tour was offered also, but since it was a 9 hr bus trip away, we decided not to try it this time. We’d love to hear from some of those that went – we’re sure it was awesome.

Note: The photos and information on this page is taken from the Ecuador branch convention website.