DAY 1:
Early in the morning 07.30 AM we will pick you up from your Hotel and start our private Tour with a four wheele drive car and guide an amazing tour to Baños trough the volcanoes avenue: Atacazo, Rumiñahui, Corazon, Illinizas, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, once we arrive we will visit the described highlights, an incredible place to visit... It is one of the most popular tourist spots in the country. Baños is popular with Ecuadorians and foreigners alike. Its popularity remains undiminished despite the many thousands of visitors each year. Some people love it and spend a week or more; other travelers think the town too 'touristy' and pass on through. Baños is in a beautiful spot and there are many attractions in the area - it's definitely worth visiting!!!

Red-tiled roofs are a feature of many Andean villages. You can decide for yourself whether to "love it" or "leave it". The majority of readers give it a positive review, athough several do disagree. Unless you've just arrived in Latin America, you'll know that Baños means 'baths,' which is precisely what the town is famous for. Some of the "baths" are fed by thermal springs from the base of the active Volcano "Tungurahua", which means "little hell' in the Indian language "Quichua". Other baths have run-off water running into them from Tungurahua's icy flanks. Locals swear that the baths are great for your health. While that is a debatable point, it is true that the casual atmosphere of this pretty resort town makes it an excellent place to unwind after some hard traveling. Few travelers can resist the opportunity to relax here for a while. .

The baths are not the only attraction in Baños. The elevation of Baños is 1800 meters. This gives the city an extremely agreeable climate; also, the surroundings are very green and attractive. There are good opportunities for both short walks and ambitious climbs of the Volcano Tungurahua, as well as El Altar, an even more ancient volcano, some 25 km south of Tungurahua. Both of these are in Parque Nacional Sangay, which is described below.

Baños also serves as the gateway town into the jungle heading to Puyo and Misahualli. East of Baños the road drops significantly and giving exceptional views of the upper Amazonian basin that stretches away before you. In the town itself, there are more attractions: an interesting basilica, a small museum, a little nightlife and restaurants selling typical Ecuadorian food.

There is an other smaller "Baños" near Cuenca, also offering thermal pools to its visitors.

This small population is found 1800 meters above sea level and it is famous for the thermal waters that originate from the active volcano Tungurahua (5.016 m). Furthermore, Baños is surrounded by mountains, rivers, waterfalls and forests giving reason to being the third place most visited in Ecuador. Don't doubt the opportunity of lengthening your stay in this city for the great quantity of activities that they can be found here. Being a tourist site, a large selection of infrastructures, hotels, restaurants, trip agencies, banks, telecommunications exist in the area.

The climate is very agreeable and, opposed to most of the small cities of the Andes, Baños has a lively night life.

We recommend that you plan a little of time to visit the Basilica of the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Holy Water found in central park. This Church was built by Dominicos, and in its interior exist ancient tables.

Also exists a small "museum" of crafts, religious art, and a sample of different animal species.

On the principal street exist several shops that sell different types of candies, such as guava that are sold in small wood boxes. Also, you will see people in small shops that "beat taffy". This is a candy made of sugar cane and is mixed with nuts and other ingredients when it is hot.

One of the typical plates of this area is the cuy, which is hard for many tourists to eat; however, the local people consider this as one of the better Ecuadoran plates.

You also have to visit the local market and view the great diversity of the tropical fruits that are marketed, between the most important are, tree tomato, babaco, and naranjilla.

Many of the tourists that come to visit this place are amazed by the ascension of the volcanoes and by their incredible levels of cold weather! Nothing is better for this than a bath in one of the warm thermal water pools. There exist 3 places where you can enjoy the thermal waters. The most well-known is the Pool of The Virgin that is found near the city and it is easy to recognize because it is near a large waterfall. There are also hot water pools and cold water pools. Another place to visit within Baños are the pools of Santa Clara. An other alternative is the Pool of the Salty that is found some 10 minutes west of the city.

Day 2: PLACES TO VISIT NEAR BAÑOS

As usual, every trip comes with alternatives. One of the alternate places of interest is the Bridge of San Francisco on the Pastaza river. The bridge is found traveling on the highway toward Riobamba or Ambato and following a side-road toward the right. The bridge is located in an extremely narrow and deep cannon on one of the largest rivers in Ecuador. Continuing along the road you will notice a sign that indicates the Ines Maria Waterfall. To arrive at the waterfall, you need to descend approximately 10 minutes on a steep path. We recommend this visit for the impressive geological rocks polished by the force of the river.

Another site is the Dam of the Agoyan. This is one of the hydroelectric plants more important of the Andes. This dam is found on the road towards Puyo. Also optional tours by bike or horse riding, in the afternoon return to Quito