Culinary Journey of Ecuador

Upon arrival in Quito, you will be met and transferred to your hotel where your local representative will assist you with check-in, help with luggage, and provide you with details regarding your itinerary. 

This unique adventure for the senses takes you on a curated walk through the winding streets of downtown Quito. Together we will uncover traditions, history and local life of this enchanting city. As we explore the streets of the historic district, we will enter artisan shops, chocolate factories and hidden sweet shops on a trip that covers the past, present and future of Ecuador’s beautiful capital. Try your hand at making your own truffles at the famous Pacari chocolate workshop, learn time-honored secrets from the master craftsmen of the Escuela Quiteña, and take part in a traditional hat-making lesson. Finish the day with dinner at Pim’s restaurant in Panecillo, perched high in the mountains with an extraordinary 360-degree view of the city. (B, D) 

The adventure begins with Chef Pancho Román at Shungo Solitario Restaurant who will take you to a “Gastronomic Tour” in La Tola, a neighborhood in Quito where you will visit his favorite places to buy ingredients for his restaurant. Stops will include La Bodeguita del Queso for artisan dairy products, a banana warehouse with many types of bananas, the bustling Central Market, and local merchants with farm-fresh vegetables and fruits. After a last stop for lemon, passionfruit and mango ice cream for dessert preparation, you will return to the restaurant for a special cooking class and learn to use traditional techniques to turn your ingredients into incredible dishes. (B, L) 

Depart from Quito heading south through the famous “Avenue of the Volcanoes” to Cotopaxi National Park. The Cotopaxi Volcano is one of the most important landmarks in Ecuador because it is the highest active volcano in the world and the surrounding park boasts lush endemic flora and fauna such as Chuquiragua (also known as the mountaineer’s flower), wild horses, deer, llamas, and more. You can also visit Limpiopungo Lake, located near Rumiñahui volcano or go hiking to observe birds. Following the visit to this incredible volcano, you will be part of the preparation of a traditional lunch with an indigenous family who will teach you more about the real traditions from the Andean region. After this interaction, return to Quito. At the end of the day, you will enjoy dinner at Urko, a restaurant that offers a Cocina Local Experience where their menus are based on “Raymis” or tributes to nature and to the astral cycles in the Andean communities. (B, L, D) 

This morning, you will leave Quito with your guide heading to Otavalo, the town famous for its weekly artesian market. Here, you will visit the textile market located at “Plaza of Ponchos” which is one of the most famous markets in South America. You will find all kinds of handcrafts including tapestries made on the Spanish weaving loom as well as the indigenous backstrap loom. Afterwards, you will enjoy some free time for bargaining and buying with the friendly Otavaleños. After the Otavalo tour, arrive at Hacienda Zuleta where you will have an authentic Ecuadorean cuisine lunch sourced from the farm and made from family recipes, freshly prepared just for you. Then, you will visit the cheese museum and learn how Zuleta’s semiaged, handmade cheeses are produced, beginning with the farm’s fresh milk and carefully processed in the small factory near the guesthouse. (B, L, D) 

Enjoy a morning at Zuleta, then head to San Clemente Community where you will have the chance to know the traditional life of an indigenous community. Additionally, you will experience a Pambamesa (common table) with the different families from the community. Pambamesa represents the generosity of the community where a fabric is placed in the middle of the group in order to put the different dishes that will be shared. After this interaction, return to Quito. In the evening, you will enjoy a pleasant dinner in Portum. This restaurant uses locally-sourced ingredients and fuses traditional Ecuadorian food from all four regions of the county with dishes from all over the world for a truly unique experience (B, L, D) 

Following breakfast, you will be transferred to Quito Airport for your flight back home. (B)