WHY THIS TRIP
The Due South journey is an ideal complement to any Galapagos or Rainforest tour that explores the unique volcanic spine of the Ecuadorian Andes. As you travel crosscountry, the ecosystem changes dramatically from snow-capped peaks to sweeping grasslands to humid cloudforests. You will be visiting rural villages, strolling through local markets, and learning about sustainable community projects. This sightseeing tour stretches from one colonial city, Quito, down to the charming city of Cuenca, stopping all along the way to appreciate the immense diversity present in one tiny country.
DESCRIPTION
“Due South” offers a quality cultural experience for curious travelers who want to see more than just the Galapagos. Journey along scenic back roads into the heart and hidden corners of rural Ecuador. By following the Cordillera of the Andes from north to south along Ecuador’s rugged central highlands, you will see vibrant and varied local communities who call the mountains home. On this tour, you will take in breathtaking views; visit local villages; explore archaeological ruins; experience gorgeous national parks; travel portions of the legendary Inca Road; and overnight at remote lodges and haciendas.
Your bilingual guide will accompany you as you drive the famous pan-American highway and little-used dirt roads getting further from the urban noise of Quito. Each day is a mix of cultural tours and sightseeing in natural areas. Stopping in Cotopaxi, you’ll marvel at the bright snow-capped cone rising from the middle of rolling, empty grasslands. In Baños, you will walk to the base of the Devil’s Cauldron waterfall spillng out of the dense surrounding cloudforest. And before reaching Cuenca, you’ll explore the mysterious Inca ruins of Ingapirca.
The diverse traditions of the local communities are also a big highlight for any traveler to Ecuador. On this trip, you don’t mearly visit a well-known market and travel back to Quito after a few hours. You’ll be visiting small villages in far flung locations, maintaining their centuries-old customs and producing high-quality handicrafts. We make a stop at a community-run education foundation to learn more about life in this rural area and the challenges they face. We end the tour in the colonial city of Cuenca, known for it’s well-preserved historic architechture, many universities, and lovely cobblestone streets.
Lois K –
Great – The tour guides were good with excellent knowledge of the history and nature of the area. The food was very good except for one lunch, but the staff dealt with it very efficiently.
Thank you for all your help in planning our trip. We now have thousands of photos and 10 hours of video to go through. I would recommend all of our tour companies and of course Detour Destinations to anyone planning a trip. I really enjoy picking and choosing what I want to see and do and also I like to visit my destinations in more detail than most tour companies allow. All our pickups and drop-offs went extremely well and the hotels we stayed in were great. Also all our local tour guides and drivers were very knowledgeable about the local history and nature.
Marion S –
We all really enjoyed this trip, Due South was a great experience. The only problem was for my husband-an expert photographer-he didn’t feel that anything could do justice to the glorious landscapes. The vans were comfortable, guides were excellent (especially the first guide). Accommodations were all first class except the last night was a step down.