• 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

• Visit of the San Rafael Waterfall and one-night-stay at Papallacta including a bath in the hot thermal springs

• 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 Rivas refuge at almost 5,000 m and Lake Limpiopungo

• Hiking around the crater lagoon Quilotoa

• Ride on the spectacular Andes Railway from Riobamba to Alausi (incl. the “Devil’s Nose”), still today the steepest train track in the world

• 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”)

 

 

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 – San Rafael Waterfall and Hot Springs in Papallacta
After breakfast you head to Papallacta which is renowned for its hot springs. On your way you will stop by at San Rafael Waterfall which is the highest and most spectacular waterfall in Ecuador. The water falling almost 160m forms an impressive cloud when it reaches the ground.
Papallacta is located at an altitude between 3,330 and 3,500 m, in a region known for its stark, bizarre Páramo landscape. These hot springs belong to the most beautiful and cleanest of the entire country. The hot springs are fed by the volcanoes Cayambe and Antisana, creating a unique water composition. The area is composed of several pools where the water temperature is between 30 ° C and 70 ° C. This sulfur-containing water is enriched with sodium, chloride, magnesium and calcium. Furthermore it is colorless, odorless and has a slightly salty taste. You can relax in the hotel’s private springs with a breathtaking view on the 5,705 m Antisana. Beside the hot springs there is a Spa-area with sauna or massage treatments (which are not included in the price). Enjoy a trout from the rivers nearby in the hotel's restaurant. Today you spend the night in the Hotel Termas de Papallacta ****.  (B/-/-)

 

Day 3 – 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. (B/-/-)

 

Day 4 – 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 continue your trip to the Hostería La Ciénega ****. Here you will spend the following night. (B/BL/D)

 

Day 5 – Quilotoa
Today you drive to the marvelous emerald green crater lagoon Quilotoa. Arriving there, you can hike up and down or around the edge of the no longer active volcano Quilotoa. Once at the bottom, you could swim in the crater, but this is due to its cold and the sulphurous waters not really recommendable. After your visit to this beautiful lagoon, you will head to the town of Chugchilán. Tonight you will stay at the Hotel Black Sheep Inn ****. (B/BL/D)

 

Day 6 – Quilotoa – Sigchos
After breakfast you head to Sigchos. Here you can enjoy the beautiful landscape from a different point of view: on the back of a horse. From Sigchos to the canyon you go horse riding for about 4 hours. You will stay in the same hotel as the night before. (B/L/D)

 

Day 7 – Ride to Riobamba
You start your day with a trip to Riobamba. On your way you will stop in the little towns of Tigua and Zumbahua. Here you get caught by the flair of typical Ecuadorian villages and can see many Indian people (Indigenas) in their traditional clothes. In Tigua you can watch the indigenas do their typical paintings and if you like, get one of these fine pieces of art as a souvenir. After these short visits you continue your journey to Riobamba. Once you arrive in Riobamba, you will spend the night in the Hacienda Abraspungo ****. (B/-/-)

 

Day 8 – Train Ride to Nariz del Diablo
You leave the hosteria early in the morning (around 6:00 a.m.) for the railway station. From there, you undertake a thrilling ride with an old steam engine or a diesel railcar crossing the spectacular landscape between the Sierra highlands and the coastal region, passing the legendary "Devil’s Nose". There, at Nariz del Diablo, an adventurous zigzag will take you down to the valley! You will enjoy a truly unique panorama during your ride on this last train route preserved in Ecuador. After this experience you will head back to Quito. Tonight you will stay again in Hotel Mercure ****. (B/-/-)

 

Day 9 – 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 10 & 11 – 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 12 – Amazon Jungle
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 13 – Equator Monument 
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 and have free time for the afternoon to do the last souvenir shopping. Tonight you stay at the same hotel as the night before. (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, Papallacta, Cotopaxi, Chugchilán and Riobamba 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.