COLONIAL HACIENDAS AND ROSES & "CHASKI ANTAWA"

KTQ101 - 2 Days / 1 Night - Departures: Monday, Tuesday, Friday & Saturday / from Quito

Day 1: This trip takes us to the rose plantations that have made Ecuador the second-largest exporter of roses and to a Colonial Hacienda dating back to the 17th century, as well as the valley of Cayambe, the province of Imbabura, the Lake of San Pablo, the indigenous market of Otavalo, the village of Peguche with its traditional looms, and finally Iluman, famous for its felt hat makers.

Day 2: The Chaski Antawa Train (messenger train) rides on the railroad built at the beginning of the 20th century connecting the northern highlands with the tropical coast. From Ibarra, the train climbs down to the warm, dry valley of Ambuqui, going through sugar cane plantations, magical landscapes, and tunnels, and crossing bridges that span large canyons and gullies.

The 26-km ride to Salinas plunges from 2,200 down to 1,500 meters above sea level (7,216 to 4,920 feet) in only about 2 hours. Other sites include the village of Mascarilla; an Afro-Ecuadorian community known for its unique clay masks, And Otavalo and its famous indigenous craft market, the largest in South America. Back to Quito.