• Guided city tour through the colonial center of Quito (UNESCO World Heritage Site), among others, including visits to these sites: the Parliament of Ecuador, the Independence Square, Cathedral (16th century), Presidential Palace, the Baroque La Compañía de Jesus Church, the church of San Francisco (16th century), Panecillo Hill

• Stroll through the famous colorful Market of the Otavalo Indians in Otavalo, including stopovers in Calderón, Guayllabamba, Guachala, Mira and Cotacachi

• Ride up Mt. Cotopaxi until 4,500 m above sea level, the world’s highest active volcano; hike to the José Rivas refuge at almost 5,000 m and Lake Limpiopungo

• Jungle excursions with native guides through the dense Amazon Jungle in Cuyabeno

• Excursion to Mitad del Mundo (“Center of the Earth”) including visit to Solar Museum (“Museo Intiñan”)

• Relaxing at the beaches of Puerto Lopez, Playa de los Frailles Isla de la Plata and Salango Island

 

 

Day 1: Arrival Quito, Ecuador
Welcome to Ecuador! You arrive in the bustling capital of Ecuador: Quito. At the airport your English-speaking guide welcomes you and takes you to your Hotel Mercure ****.
The city of Quito is surrounded by snow-capped volcanoes and is located only 22 kilometers from the equator. Besides that it is the highest located capital of the world with an altitude of 2,850m. Quito was also given the nick name “Monastry of America” because of its many churches and abbeys. Today you enjoy a city tour through the colonial neighborhoods. Quito’s historic center was declared as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1978. The city is considered as the location with the largest accumulation of art treasures in South America. You visit Plaza de la Independencia, view the unique Jesuit Church La Compañía de Jesús, and those among us free from giddiness have the opportunity to scale the basilica’s tower over ladders – a braveness rewarded with a legendary view over the entire city of Quito! Then you head to the Panecillo which is a 200 m high volcanic hill. Here you also have a breathtaking view over Quito and if the sky is clear you can even marvel at the volcanoes Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Cayambe and Antizana. The statue of the Virgen de Quito with its 45 m is also located on top of the Panecillo. (-/-/-)

 

Day 2 – Indian market Otavalo
Today you will head to the famous Indian market in Otavalo, probably the gaudiest Indian market in South America.  Along the “Ruta de los Lagos” you will discover many interesting places. Right from the beginning, archaic landscapes, crater lakes and volcanoes mark the exciting scenery of your ride north. You will pass Cayambe and Calderón where you can have a look at the famous figures out of bread. At the viewpoint Lago San Pablo you can  enjoy a beautiful view. Stroll through the famous colorful market of Otavalo which catches you with its bustling market atmosphere of native Indians and there is surely an opportunity for you to buy extraordinary weavings and other typical crafts. Besides exotic fruits, vegetables and delicious food, you can also buy ponchos, blankets, tapestry, table cloths and other artfully woven fabrics as well as traditional music instruments or jewelry of the most varying kinds. After sufficient time for shopping, you will finally head back to Quito. On your way back you will make a short stop at the Peguche Waterfall. Tonight you will stay at the same hotel as the night before. (B/-/-)

 

Day 3 – Cotopaxi National Park
Right after breakfast, you start your trip to the Cotopaxi National Park which awaits you with an overwhelming view of imposing mountain scenery. On your way driving on the Panamericana down south you already cross fascinating landscapes. The famous volcano Cotopaxi (5.897 m) is the highest active volcano of the world, however it is also one of the most ascended mountains of the country. After paying a visit to the National Park Museum, you pass Lake Limpiopungo and ride up the active volcano. From the parking space at 4,500 m a. s. l. you walk up to the José Rivas Refuge at 4,800 m. Provided with good weather conditions, you will enjoy a truly unique view. After a  short side trip to the volcano glacier and a packed lunch, you return to Quito. Here you will spend the night in the same hotel as the nights before. (B/BL/D)

 

Day 4: Flight to Cuyabeno
An exciting trip awaits you the following days. Early in the morning you will board the flight to Lago Agrio. From there, you continue to the Cuyabeno Reserve which is the most beautiful jungle part of Ecuador. From here you take the canoe to get to the Cuyabeno Lodge ***. There you stay the following adventurous nights of your jungle excursion. Before you start your first excursion, you will be served a delicious lunch. After the first impressions of the jungle you enjoy a nice dinner. (-/L/D)
 
Days 5 & 6: Amazon Jungle
Let the jungle adventure begin! Guided hikes immerse you in the alien and fascinating world of the earth’s largest natural reserve. The Amazon jungle is the world's largest contiguous tropical rain forest and has a biodiversity that has still not been fully discovered. Another secret of the Amazon jungle tracks are suggestive of an ancient, sophisticated culture that should have existed in the depths of the forests. This unique landscape is home to about 10% of all animals and plants occuring on earth. Well-known species include more than 400 mammals, more than 1,000 bird species, 3,000 species of fish and 100,000 insects and at least 40,000 plant species. You undertake jungle excursions (in primary and secondary rainforests), watch birds and insects, and an indigenous expert explains medicinal plants and the unique vegetation. You also visit a community that lets you have a glance at its way of living and culture. Furthermore, you undertake exciting trips in a dugout, spying out monkeys, birds, pink dolphins and other animals. In the Laguna you can also go for a swim while the sun is setting down. If you are lucky, you can also spot caimans and nocturnal birds at a nocturnal excursion. Of course, you live in perfect harmony with nature and in the nights are caught by the mysterious sounds of the jungle. The nights you spend in the jungle lodge. (B/L/D)

 

Day 7 – Amazon Jungle & Transfer to Quito
After breakfast, you leave the jungle, deeply impressed. Once again, you take a boat ride back to Cuyabeno Reserve and from there continue (in private vehicle) to Lago Agrio. Here your flight back to Quito is already waiting for you. Tonight you will stay again in Hotel Mercure **** in Quito. (B/-/-)

 

Day 8: Equator Monument & Transfer to Puerto Lopez
After breakfast, you ride on to Mitad del Mundo, the equator monument a few kilometers north of Quito. There you also pay a visit to the near-by Museo Intiñan. In this museum you have the possibility to check and prove the position at the zero line. Then you return to Quito where you catch your flight to Manta. From there you continue your journey to the fishing village of Puerto Lopez which lies in a bay of the Pacific near the National Park Machalilla. On your way there you also visit Montecristi. You spend the night at the Hosteria Alandaluz *** in Puerto Lopez. (B/-/-)

 

Day 9: Puerto Lopez & Playa de los Frailles
After breakfast you start your trip to Playa de los Frailles. Enjoy the beach and a short trekking surrounded by this beautiful scenery. If you want you can also go snorkeling and explore the underwater world. Later on you visit the Community of Agua Blanca which is the first Eco-tourism community along the Ecuadorian coast. Here you also visit the Agua Blanca Museum which houses a variety of local finds. Many of these finds have been simply picked up and contributed to the museum while others come from a few of the partially excavated dig sites near the village. Playa de los Frailles and Isla de la Plata belong to the National Park Machalilla which protects a coastline of 50 km with forests and coral reefs. As the night before you stay again at the Hosteria Alandaluz ***. (B/BL/-)

 

Day 10: Puerto Lopez & Isla de la Plata
Early in the morning you head towards the bird island “Isla de la Plata”, also called small Galápagos, by speed boat. During your hike across the island you might get the chance to see blue-footed boobies and frigate birds. Whale watching should be on your itinerary during the months from July till September. During these months the circumstances are perfect as the humpback whales are coming to the Ecuadorian Pacific for pairing and the birth of their offspring. Get on your snorkeling equipment and discover the fascinating underwater world and swim with turtles. In the evening you return to your hosteria in Puerto Lopez. (B/BL/-)

 

Day 11: Puerto Lopez & Salango Island
Today your destination is Salango Island. You go there by speed boat early  in the morning. On this island you can observe a variety of marine species, native birds and exotic flora. It is also one of the most important places for diving or snorkeling. Here you can observe a great variety of colorful fish and unique coral reefs of the Ecuadorian coast. Furthermore, you can watch one of the largest colonies of pelicans, blue-footed boobies and frigate birds. Of course, you can go kayaking or snorkeling during this trip to discover the diverse flora and fauna on this island. The night you spend again in the same hostería as the nights before. (B/BL/-)

 

Day 12: Puerto Lopez
Today you can spend a free day on your own. For example, you can marvel at  the hustle and bustle of fishermen, who advertise their fishing in the early morning in Puerto Lopez or just relax on the beach of the little fishing village. Tonight you stay the last night in the Hosteria Alandaluz ***. (B/-/-) 

 

Day 13: Flight to Quito
After breakfast you start your trip back to Quito where you will arrive in the afternoon hours. Here you can spend the last hours of your vacation with shopping for souvenirs or strolling through the streets of this colonial city. You spend the night in the Hotel Mercure ****. (B/-/-)

 

Day 14 – Quito, Departure
The time has come to say good-bye to an exciting and diverse country. After breakfast you are taken to the airport. From here you will start your return trip with many unforgettable memories. (B/-/-)

 

 

 

Services Included

 

• English-speaking guides from / to Quito

• All rides (partially in public busses), and transfers, excursions, etc.

• Accommodation in good 3 *** and 4**** hotels & hostels typical for the country, in Quito and Puerto Lopez as well as 3 nights in a jungle lodge in Cuyabeno

• Natural guides in rain forest expeditions

• Meals as stated in tour description

 

Not Included

 

• Meals not listed and all drinks

• National park fees and other entrance fees (approx. 30 USD) as well as international exit and airport tax (approx. 45 USD)

• Personal expenses and optional activities

 

Please note

• Participants must have a valid international health insurance.
• We reserve the right to change the tour program due to force majeure, weather or organizational reasons.