Threads of the Andes

THREADS OF THE ANDES

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WORLD

1 - 7 March 2026

EXPERIENCE OVERVIEW

A 7 day expedition through the Ecuadorean Andes

This journey is designed to CONNECT you with the cultures, nature, and native knowledge of the Andes mountains at the middle of the world.

Over seven days, we’ll explore THREE locations, each carefully selected for their unique environment and the activities they offer to immerse you in the richness of Ecuadorian culture. Visit local artisan workshops focused on textiles, wood, leather, and natural materials, while recharging in pristine reserves and taking part in traditional ceremonies, all nourished by exquisite local cuisine.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS

Discover the treasures of Ecuador in just 7 days! This itinerary offers the perfect balance of culture, history, art, nature, wildlife, and time to relax.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE

Pre-Colombian collections at the Alabado Museum.
Visits to exclusive art-design ateliers.
Exploration of the Middle of the World research center.
Otavalo Market — South America’s largest indigenous market.
Offering ceremony at Cuicocha Lake.
Cotacachi, renowned for its leather craftsmanship.
Artisans’ workshops on natural fabrics and dyes.
Hacienda El Porvenir at the foothills of Cotopaxi.
Storytelling by the fire — legends of the volcanoes.
Connection with the hacienda’s horse herd.
Unique workshop on the ancestral art of weaving horsehair.
Offering to the land as an act of reciprocity.

SHORT ITINERARY

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ABOUT ECUADOR

Ecuador and the Andes Region

Ecuador is known as the middle of the world because it lies on the Equatorial line. It has four regions: jungle, coast, islands (Galapagos), and the Andean highlands. The Chimborazo Volcano, in the Ecuadorian Andes, is the closest point on Earth to the Sun. Most of the water in the Amazon, the “lungs of the world”, come from these mountains. In the local worldview volcanoes are seen as natural pyramids, the original temples that connect Earth and Sky.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

✧ All activities mentioned on the itinerary

✧ Accommodation in single or double rooms in 4 stars hotels

✧ All meals and beverages during the 8 days*

✧ Private transportation

✧ Welcome Kit and Farewell Gift

✧ Preparation call

NOT INCLUDED

Travel insurance
Flights and airport transfers
Additional therapy and treatments
Accommodation before and after the journey
Alcoholic beverages

* Talk to our team to upgrade to single-room accommodation when booking.

* There is a maximum of 13 participants

ACOMMODATION

FIRST LOCATION -QUITO

HOTEL QUITO ★★★★

Located in central Quito, this 4-star, Art Deco hotel offers rooms with private balconies, Wi-Fi & outdoor swimming pool. All rooms are spacious and feature large windows overlooking Quito city or the valley.

SECOND LOCATION - IMBABURA

HACIENDA PINSAQUI - ★★★★

Hostería Hacienda Pinsaqui is a 4-star hotel that offers an excellent service. Each room includes a work desk and WiFi and guests can enjoy a sun terrace, gardens will millenary trees and a restaurant with the best local cuisine.

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THIRD LOCATION - COTOPAXI

EL PORVENIR -★★★★

Hacienda El Porvenir offers a 4-star country house experience. Located in the heart of the Central Andes of Ecuador. Highly recommended by prestigious publications like: The New York Times, Travel+Leisure, Outside Magazine, Affar Magazine, The Financial Times, Travel Weekly and more.

TESTIMONIES

"My very positive experience with this retreat surpassed my expectations. I was pleasantly surprised at every step of the journey. Iza and Fina curated and considered every single detail of the trip to make it a memorable and fulfilling experience. It was beautiful and magical. Ecuador is also an amazing place to visit, where we met incredible and genuine native people who were kind enough to open their hearts and share their wisdom with us."

Jimena

"Every moment was infused with magic, carefully alchemized by the incredible twins, Fina and Iza. Their passion and dedication to creating a space for spiritual growth and reciprocal connection to nature are palpable in every aspect of the trip. The variety and richness of the experiences, from cultural immersion to spiritual awakening, left my heart overflowing with gratitude. Thank you, IntiTwins, for crafting such an unforgettable adventure."

Bárbara

"This trip changed my perspective on life. Inspired by Fina and Isa, I returned home with a deeper appreciation for the natural world and a commitment to living more harmoniously with it. Their teachings and passion for nature left a lasting impact on me. This journey was not just about seeing the beautiful nature in Ecuador and all its energy, it was about seeing the world through new eyes."

Ana Hinojosa

DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY 1

History and Exclusive Art in the Capital

We’ll begin our journey exploring Quito’s historic center, the first city ever declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, we’ll experience the Museo Alabado through an immersive, sound-designed tour of its Pre-Columbian collections. After lunch, we’ll visit exclusive art ateliers of local artists and artisans.

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DAY 02

The middle of the world and the Otavalo Market

We’ll head north through the Andes to visit the Middle of the World Research Center, known by locals as the “real” equator. In the afternoon, we’ll explore the Otavalo Market — South America’s largest and most vibrant indigenous market, alive with color, textiles, and ancestral traditions.

DAY 3

Cuicocha Lake Ceremony and Cotacachi leather

We’ll begin the day with an offering ceremony at Cuicocha Lake, guided by Willak Santillán, an indigenous leader who will share the ancient wisdom of the Andes. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Cotacachi, a picturesque town renowned for its fine leather craftsmanship.

DAY 4

Visit the workshops of living masters in ancient techniques of weaving and natural textiles

We’ll visit the workshop of master artisan Casa Matico, a family that has preserved sustainable methods for generations, keeping the Andean textile heritage alive.

Photo owned by Casa Matico

DAY 5

Hacienda “El Porvenir” and storytelling night

We’ll travel to Hacienda El Porvenir, nestled at the foothills of Cotopaxi Volcano. As night falls, we’ll gather by the fire for an evening of storytelling and Andean legends, where the volcanoes come to life through local myth and tradition.

Photo by Juan Fernando Ayora @Thetravelerslife

DAY 06

Connection and offering to horses,

and Crin weaving Workshop

In the morning, we’ll walk through the forest to connect with the hacienda’s horse herd and take part in a respectful offering and hair-cutting ritual. In the afternoon, we’ll experience a unique workshop on the ancestral art of weaving horsehair, transforming this sacred material into symbolic creations.

DAY 7

“Ayni” planting ceremony, giving back to the land.

We’ll close our journey with an Ayni ceremony, an Andean ritual of reciprocity and gratitude. Each traveler will plant a tree, symbolizing the bond between humans and nature. After this heartfelt farewell, we’ll return to Quito, concluding the tour before lunch.

✧ Weaving ancestral knowledge into our present ✧

✧ Aligning with the vibration of nature ✧

WEATHER & TEMPERATURE

Ecuador’s unique location and geography create a variety of microclimates. During your journey, you can expect an average temperature of 15ºC - 20ºC (68ºF), with ranges from 9ºC (48.2ºF) to 26ºC (79ºF). Please note that Ecuador’s proximity to the Sun results in very high UV radiation levels, so we recommend protecting yourself with a natural sunscreen and a hat.

WHAT TO BRING

It’s essential to pack layers and versatile clothing to comfortably transition from the cold highlands to the warm, humid rainforest.

Short and Long-sleeve T-shirts
Shorts and Long-pants
Rain & Warm Jackets
Waterproof Hiking boots
Closed-toe walking shoes
Small backpack
Hat and Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Natural mosquito repellent
Water bottle