booking for 2026-2027!
IN OUR LADY'S FOOTSTEPS
A Marian Pilgrimage Through Ecuador & Colombia
EXPERIENCE LENT LIKE NEVER BEFORE IN THE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY OF ECUADOR
THE A.L.E. TEAM
(March 2027)
Every detail of your sacred journey is in expert hands; spiritually, logistically, and on the ground.
Fr. Luis Hernandez Spiritual Director St. Christopher
Alicia Bozza Pilgrimage Guide & Tour Director
Diana Carrasco Ecuador Ground Director
Daniel Bozza Official ALE Photographer
Our Sacred Journey- Day by Day
Every day of your pilgrimage is filled with sacred wonder.
DEPARTURE DAY
DAY 0 ~ Tuesday, March 2, 2027
The Journey Begins
8:30 pm
Arrive at the
ST. CHRISTOPHER
parking lot.
Leave your car safely on parish grounds. Board the van together as a community of pilgrims.
9:00pm
~ Bus departs for JFK
10:30pm
~Arrive JFK
· Check in · Security
1:00 am
~ AVIANCA Quito flight
Sleep over the ocean.
Wake up in Ecuador. ✈️🙏
WELCOME TO QUITO!
DAY 1
Wednesday, March 3, 2027
7 am
Arrive at the Quito Airport
10:00 am
Our first stop ......
NUESTRA Señora DEL BUEN SUCESO
at the Convent of the Immaculate Conception ~ the 1st Marian apparition site of our pilgrimage.
10:30 am
Then, LA COMPANIA DE Jesús ~the most breathtaking gold leaf church in the Americas.
12 pm
~MASS AT SAN FRANCISCO
~Lunch at HASTA LA VUELTA SEÑOR
~CACAO MUSEUM
~Rest at our hotel
Welcome dinner at ACHIOTE.
MITAD DEL MUNDO
DAY 5
Sunday, March 7, 2027
Sunday Mass at Iglesia María Auxiliadora ~ the beautiful Salesian parish where faith and music fill the air.
Stand on the equator where dancing and music celebrate the center of the world. 🌍
Lunch at Calima ~ home of the best Locro de Papa you will ever taste in your life. 🍲
Dinner at VISTAS HERMOSAS sweeping views of Quito as the sun goes down over the volcanoes!
ICONIC LANDMARKS
DAY 3
Friday, March 5, 2027
9 am
The Basílica del Voto Nacional ~ the largest Neo-Gothic Basílica in S. America!
12 pm
Mass at the CHURCH OF SAN FRANCISCO~ the oldest church in the Americas.
1 pm
Lunch at LA CAPILLA ~ with the little empanada cart right at your table. 🥟
3 pm
EL PANECILLO ~ stand before the Virgin of Quito and her museum.
PIMS for a drink~ right across from El Panecillo.
Dinner at
VISTAS HERMOSAS
🌙🍽️🙏
PAPALLACTA SPA
DAY 4
Saturday, March 6, 2027
The volcanic thermal pools of PAPALLACTA~ nestled high in the Andes at 10,000 feet. Soak. Breathe. Let the volcanic waters do their work.
Lunch at the new PAPALLACTA restaurant ~ gorgeous & worth every bite.
Mass at the PAPALLACTA CHAPEL ~ Fr. Luis celebrates in one of the most intimate and sacred settings of our journey. 🙏
On our way home ~ CAFE EUROPA~ a darling stop for café and something sweet. ☕
LET'S GO TO MINDO!
DAY 2
Thursday, March 4, 2027
Into the cloud forest we go! Morning with the HUMMINGBIRDS~ dozens of species darting through the forest like living jewels. Then the blue morpho BUTTERFLIES ~the most magical creatures in Ecuador. A gentle walk to a breathtaking WATERFALL.
Lunch at SERENITY ~a hidden gem nestled deep in the cloud forest. Then a hands-on Cacao demonstration at YUMBOS
~ Back to Quito for EMPENADAS CHILEAN~ where only locals go 🦋🐦🍫
CULTURAL MARVELS
DAY 6
Monday, March 8, 2027
Cayambe ~ warm bizcochos and queso de hoja. Ecuador's most beloved roadside tradition. 🥐
Quitsato ~ stand on the true equator. Not the monument ~ the real one. 🌍
Otavalo ~ the most celebrated indigenous artisan market in all of South America. Weavings, jewelry, leather, and connection.
Today, we will visit the cathedral in Otavalo.
SAN ANTONIO
DAY 7
Tuesday, March 9, 2027
San Antonio de Ibarra ~ visit the workshop of master sacred woodcarver Hernán García ~ where art becomes devotion. 🎨
The Cathedral of Ibarra ~ a moment of prayer and beauty. ⛪
The Taita Imbabura Train ~ riding through the Andes. 🚂
Lunch at Rancho San José ~ on the shores of Lake Yahuarcocha. 🌊
A day of sacred craft, sacred paths, and the living art of Ecuador. 🙏
TOWARD OUR LADY
DAY 8
Wednesday, March 10, 2027
We journey north ~ Tulcán Cemetery ~ one of the most extraordinary places in the Americas. 🌿
Cross into Colombia ~ Las Lajas Sanctuary ~ where Our Lady appeared on the wall of a cave and never left.
We return to Ecuador ~ hearts forever changed.
Rest at our hotel ~ nestled in the Andes. 🏔️
OUR BLESSED ECUADOR RETURN
DAY 9
Thursday March 11, 2027
We leave Hotel Estelita ~ rested and full of grace after yesterday's encounter with Our Lady.
The road back to Quito ~ through the magnificent Andes ~ carrying Las Lajas in our hearts.
A visit with a local community ~ sharing culture and connection along the way. 🤝
Back to beloved Quito ~ our farewell dinner together ~ celebrating everything we have seen, felt and received. 🕯️🍽️🙏
OUR RETURN HOME
DAY 10
Friday, March 12, 2027
We wake in Quito one last time ~ savoring every last moment of this sacred city.
A final morning ~ one last view ~ one last prayer of thanksgiving. ☕🙏
Transfer to Quito airport
11 am
~ Avianca flight home.
3 pm
We land at JFK ~ the bus waiting to carry us back to St. Christopher's ~ back to our cars ~ back to our lives.
But not the same lives we left.
Our Lady walked with us every step of this pilgrimage. She sends us home changed ~ blessed ~ and forever hers
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & ACCESSIBILITY
In Our Lady's Footsteps is designed with our travelers' comfort in mind. However please note the following:
🚶♀️ Las Lajas Sanctuary involves stairs and is not wheelchair accessible. Travelers should be able to navigate steps with minimal assistance.
♨️ Papallacta thermal pools have some uneven surfaces.
🌿 Mindo Cloud Forest includes a gentle 20-minute walk to the waterfall ~ walking sticks available.
All other destinations are accessible with moderate mobility.
This pilgrimage is rated: EASY TO MODERATE Designed for travelers who can walk comfortably for 2-3 hours with rest stops.
Questions about accessibility?
Please contact Alicia directly before booking. 973-580-7943 | alicia@alicialovesecuador.com
The cost for the Land Package is $3550, Double Occupancy $3850 Single Occupancy
All meals, All Lodging, All ground transportation, All entrance fees, English speaking guides are included.
The Transportation Package (air and transport back and forth to JFK) is to be determined.
1st payment ($1000)will be due Aug end.
