26 amazing days with a private driver in Ecuador
I’m a private driver based in Ecuador. This is a history about a stupendous trip to the best places in Ecuador. This adventure trip started on July 25th. with two lovely customers. They came from Romania: Iliana and Katherine. In short, we spent the best days driving, eating local food, visiting gorgeous places, watching birds, and many more experiences.
DAY 1. I picked them up at the airport and transfer to Chakana Boutique at the historical center of Quito. I was pleased to meet them.
Private driver to the Indian Market in Otavalo
DAY 2. Our journey started driving from the hotel to the Otavalo. After 2 and a half hours, we arrived at the famous market. In fact, it was a new experience, although it wasn’t as they expected. The market didn´t look really authentic. Later, we drove to the hotel located in the mountain with an amazing view of the lake San Pablo and the Volcano Imbabura.
Private driver in Ecuador: Weavers and handicrafts of Peguche
DAY 3. Early in the morning, we left the hotel and headed to the Waterfall of Peguche. It was a nice walk. In fact, we enjoyed the waterfall and tried to watch some birds. So, this place is a private reserve. Above all, it is managed by the community of Peguche. Afterward, we rode to the lovely town of Peguche. In fact, we visited the Artesanias el Gran Condor to see the weavers. They showed us the whole process of weaving.
Private driver in Ecuador to Cuicocha Lake
Subsequently, we moved to stunning Cuicocha Lake, located at the Cotacachi Cayapas National Park. It is an old crater volcano that collapsed in the last eruption 4.000 years ago. After, we rode on a boat around the lake.
Lastly, we headed to Chaltura. It is a special place where people are the best cookers of guinea pigs. We were very curious to try and taste this traditional local dish. In my opinion, it tasted delicious. After an enchanted long day, we came back to the hotel.
Private driver to Cotopaxi National Park – Ecuador
DAY 4. After breakfast, we drove to Cotopaxi National Park. On the way, we could appreciate the magnificent snow-capped volcanoes like Cayambe, Antisana, and the green valley of Machachi. After 3 hours of driving, we arrive at Chilcabamba Lodge. This stunning lodge is located at 3600 meters. In the afternoon we made a short hike around the area to see the good-looking valleys and mountains.
Private drive in Ecuador: Limpiopungo Lake
DAY 5. This day We started with a nice breakfast. Later our plan was to visit the National Park, so we headed to the North entrance and visit the lake of Limpiopungo. The day was clear and bright. We were impressed with the spectacular views of the Cotopaxi Volcano and the surrounding areas.
We hiked about two hours around the small lake. In this way, we could appreciate the vegetation of the páramo and some species of birds. Later in the afternoon, we returned to the lodge.
Private driver to the Quilotoa loop – Ecuador
DAY 6. Early in the morning we left the lodge and drove to Quilotoa lake located on the western Andes slopes. Similarly, another clear and sunny day. We walked down the trail for about 30 minutes. We were amazed to see the turquoise color of the water changing with the sunlight. As soon as we left Quilotoa, we headed towards the Chimborazo National Park. Undoubtedly, a gorgeous place. My friends stayed at Chimborazo Lodge.
Chimborazo National Park
DAY 7. This day we started with a short hike around the lodge. It is located at 4.000 meters. Even so, It is a challenge to keep the pass at this altitude, nevertheless, the views and the landscapes are the biggest attraction. Likewise, llamas and alpacas are part of this incredible landscape.
The Ingapirca Ruins
DAY 8. After a few days of fantastic adventures, we drove to Ingapirca. On the way, we stopped at Colta, located 20 minutes from Riobamba. This small town has the first church builder in 1534. Further, we took the opportunity to have a short break and a delicious coffee.
Finally, after 4 hours of driving, we arrived at the old Inca Ruins. Iliana and Katherine stayed at Posada Ingapirca. It is a 200 years restored state.
DAY 9. The morning was pretty cold. However, we had high expectations about the ruins and their history. We walked for about 20 minutes and arrived at the ruins. A local guide explained to us the history, construction, and legends of the ruins.
We were satisfied with this visit. A few minutes later, we continued to Cuenca. It was a short drive. Finally, after a long day, my friends stayed at Casa Montalvo. This hotel is located conveniently at the historical center of Cuenca,
Private driver to Cuenca-Ecuador
DAY 10. Cuenca, the beautiful city in southern Ecuador, has a very peaceful, almost small-town atmosphere that makes it very pleasant to stay here.
Cuenca’s Centro Historico is incredibly picturesque and pleasant to walk around. We started walking along the Coverstone streets. We visited the new and old Cathedral Churchs located at the main Calderon Park. Besides, it is located the Flower Market.
Cuenca’s Centro Historico is incredibly picturesque and pleasant to walk around. We started walking along the covered stone streets. We visited the new and old Cathedral Churches located at the main Calderon Park. Besides, it is located the Flower Market. Indeed, here we found plenty of stalls and sellers with wonderfully colorful flowers.
The Tour Bus In Cuenca
Subsequently, we decided to take the Tour Bus. This is one of the most interesting tours around the city. Particularly, we could have a better perspective of the city. It is important to have a sit on the second floor of the bus. We could appreciate the old-style houses, their beautiful balconies decorated with colorful flowers. Likewise, most of the churches along the tour.
The local market in Cuenca
After the tour, we visited the food market. So, we wanted to try the typical local food. In this way, we tried a very traditional dish called “hornado” (roasted pork) and a fresh glass of blackberry juice. It was very delicious.
The Panama Hats
After this nice lunch, we crossed the street and headed towards the Panama Hats Museum. it is a very fascinating place. Indeed, Visitors will be able to know the history of the art of making these hats and will be able to appreciate the process of their production. Certainly, there are hats of many styles, colors, and prices, and they can be personalized. These hats are simply fabulous!
Most importantly, this factory is more than 60 years old, and it used to work only as a factory but now it is also a museum. In fact, this is a fascinating place to learn more about these exclusive hats that have become the pride of the country.
Private driver in Ecuador: Orchids in Gualaceo – Ecuador
DAY 11. We had in mind to make something different. So, this day we drove to Gualaceo to visit the unique and wonderful place for orchids. Undoubtedly, the best place in Ecuador. The company collects the most extensive collection of native orchids. They provided us a guide who made a tour.
Certainly, he showed us the gardens and the processes of how to grow orchids. Without a doubt, we were very pleased with this brilliant demonstration. Later we had a typical lunch in Gualaceo and returned to Cuenca.
Private driver to the Cajas National Park – Ecuador
DAY 12. Early in the morning, I had a delicious traditional breakfast at the market. After, I picked them up at the hotel and drove to the Cajas National Park. We spent a couple of hours exploring the area. In fact, we hiked around La Toreadora Lake. It is the biggest and most attractive.
Certainly, it was more difficult to visit the other lakes because of the altitude. To tell the truth, we were at 4000 meters. As soon as we returned to the car, we continued our trip to Guayaquil.
As a private driver in Ecuador, I decided to take the road Cuenca-Molleturo-Guayaquil. The conditions of the road are good. Above all, the landscape and views are the best I have ever seen in the whole time. After 4 hours of driving, we arrived at their hotel in Guayaquil.
DAY. 13-14-15-16- they had a tour to Galapagos.
DAY 18. After they spent 5 splendid days in Galapagos, I picked them up at the airport and headed up to Coca in the Amazon Rain Forest.
DAY 19-20-21-22. They spent in Shiripuno Lodge in the Amazon Rain Forest.
DAY 23. Quito.
Private driver to Mindo-Ecuador
DAY 24. I picked them up at the hotel and headed to Mindo. We arrived at El Eden Treehouse.
Birding at Birdwatcher’s House
DAY 25. We started a new adventure at 5 am. Even it was very early, we wanted to watch good species of birds. With this in mind, we moved to Birdwatcher’s house, located 30 minutes out of Mindo. In spite of, we couldn’t see as many species as we expected, we could watch some very nice ones. For example the golden and Veryl-spangled Tanagers.
Most importantly, we were very fascinated to see the Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan making a nest. After lunch, we returned to the hotel. We decided to move to another place for staying due to El Eden didn’t like us. Therefore, we booked at Las Terrazas de Dana. This time we felt very happy. We made the best decision. It is a wonderful boutique Eco-lodge. Above all, they provided us all of the luxuries and amenities of a large resort. Also, it was complemented by personal attention and service.
Paz de las Aves Bird Refuge – Mindo Ecuador
DAY 26. We started the day very early. In fact, we left the hotel at 4:30 am. We drove to Refugio Paz de las Aves which is one of the most favorite and most visited places in Mindo.
The most alluring of this place is the “Lek of the Cook-of-the-Rock”. It is certainly one of the most extraordinary spectacles that a birdwatcher can appreciate.
Angel Paz and his brother Rodrigo are the owners of this reserve. They left their farming activities and dedicated themselves to bird watching and conservation. They are the pioneers in hand-feeding several elusive species such as Dark-backed Wood-Quail. In the same way, he does it with several species of Antpittas like it is something completely amazing. At the same time, Angel, mimics the sounds of each species to attract them and these birds respond with relative ease. We got a really good breakfast at this place and then moved to San Tadeo Birding.
San Tadeo Birding
This private residence has been converted to another excellent cloud forest bird viewing and photography site. Further, this efficiently laid out private residence features two different feeder set-ups. The first area features fruit-eating birds such as Golden-naped and Black-capped Tanagers, Blue-winged and Black-chinned Mountain-Tanagers, Golden and Beryl-spangled Tanagers, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, and Black-striped Sparrow.
After we’ve had been amazed with these spectacular tanagers and colorful toucanets, we could walk down a few minutes to their hummingbird feeder. Likewise, here we can expect to see the dazzling colors of Violet-tailed Sylph, Brown Inca, Velvet-purple Coronet, Empress Brilliant, and many other stunning hummingbird species on tap here.
DAY 26. After we spent fantastic days in Mindo, finally we left the place and headed to Quito airport.