2 days / 1 night

Nature (Flora & Fauna), Volcanoes, Gastronomy, Ethnic Groups, Train, Culture, Arts & Crafts, Social Project  .Departures: Monday & Friday / from Quito

Day 1: Chefs will teach you how to cook traditional Ecuadorian dishes in Quito, Otavalo and Salinas. We will start this gastronomic route with a panoramic view of Quito on the way to the restaurant. Admire the art of preparing a typical lunch in a colonial restaurant in the Historical Centre, including specialties such as Ecuadorian “ceviche,” which is a special kind of shrimp cocktail. We will spread out all the ingredients hended to prepare a mini-ceviche: onions, tomatoes, diced fish, shrimp, lemon juice, vegetable oil, popcorn, slices of fried green plantain, slices of fried sweet potatoes, and fried manioc (cassava), along with a variety of home-made breads and flavoured butter. Each passenger will be given an apron and a cooking hat. After the group has prepared and tasted the traditional ceviche, we will serve the main course.
Drive to Otavalo, observe preparation of the traditional hot cinnamon alcoholic beverage called canelazo, as well as small cheese-filled turnovers called empanadas. Accommodations in a local hacienda.

Day 2: Breakfast. Departure to the province of Imbabura to take the Chaski Antawa train; perfect opportunity to observe the plantations between the city of Ibarra and the town of Salinas. During the trip you will be able to be part of the greenness of the landscapes and breathe the freshness of the air. Enjoy a typical lunch and learn how to prepare the dessert called “Santa Catalina de Salinas” with exotic fruits from the valley of El Chota. In the afternoon, visit Otavalo and its famous indigenous arts and crafts market, the largest in South America. Back to Quito.