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.
PAPALLACTAstand 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 require walking on 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
