we'll arrive on 9th march at 5 am and depart 7 days later
thanks for your tips, i said those three cities cos they r the one suggested by LP guide for 1 week trip
maybe we can do like this:
1 quito
2 day trip to cotopaxi (if it's worth a day trip)
3 quito
4 banos
5 banos
6 banos-quito
7 quito
would it be nice?
Again: Quito is not worth spending time in unless you are intent about seeing the Old Town of a colonial capital.
If I went again I would avoid it totally (If possible). Quito is a huge urban sprawl. Consider Hosteria San Carlos, which is a hotel very close to the Quito Airport. (It's got some charm) Banos, Mindo, Cotapaxi, Otavalo, are far better Ecuador experiences without the hassle of Quito. The buses around the country are great. Cheap, and on time.
Rics in Wyoming
Ecuador is full of beautiful places and there are lots of fun things to do. It is always difficult to advice someone else of what to do when you don’t know what they are interested in. Rics writes that you should avoid Quito, but I love Quito very much and will definitely spend a few days there during my next visit to Ecuador. Taste is personal.
You say that you choose these three places because they were recommended by Lonely Planet for a one week visit. I presume that you then have looked at photos and read about things to do in those places and feel that they are good places for you to visit.
Your suggested itinerary is the opposite of what I suggested. Have you read the posts in this thread carefully? I advise you to go back and do so again! As I wrote in a previous reply I think it is better to do a daytrip to Cotopaxi (if that is what you want to do) in the end of your trip, because of the altitude.
As you arrive early, at 5am, you can take a taxi from the airport to Quitumbe Terminal and take a bus straight to Baños. However, you might be tired after a long flight and rather stay in Quito than to continue your travel.
thanks guys
all uor tips are great
i just have to undertsand what to do
i d prefer speding the first day in quito after a long flight indeed
Yes Quito is worth at least one day of your short trip....Don't miss out on it really and wandering around the colonial centre can be quite relaxing so you will be right for the rest of the week - especially if you like cities as you stated in your original post...
This trip might just be enough to whet your appetite for a return visit...
Well Baños is a nice place to do various things but touristy. I would try and do part of Quilitoa Loop and try to fit in the Thursday market at Saquisili.. I really enjoyed the animal market..quite entertaining and of course the crater lake at Quilitoa. I would fit that in with Cotopaxi as they are both quite high altitude and cold because of it so wear warm clothes. You won't have much time for very much else as a week isn't long enough but should whet your appetite to come back for a longer visit. Have a great time. I can't wait to return to live there later this year.
I saw in your post below that you are most interested in cultural highlights, so visiting the villages and a market in the Quilotoa area is a good option. Besides the market in Saquisili there is one in Zumbahua on Saturdays. The animal markets start very early so if you want to visit a market go there early.
Market in Zumbahua: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/3fbdb/183424/