Andes of Ecuador and Community

Welcome to the country of the 4 worlds: Highlands, Amazon, Galapagos Islands and Pacific Coast. Your private driver-guide will be waiting for you at airport: Welcome! Quito is the capital and the largest city of Ecuador, and at an elevation of 2,850 meters (9,350 ft) above sea level, it is the second-highest official capital city in the world, after La Paz, and the one which is closest to the equator. In 2008, the city was designated as the headquarters of the Union of South American Nations. Quito and Kraków (Poland), were among the first World Cultural Heritage Sites declared by UNESCO, in 1978. Overnight in Quito.

Breakfast. Today, your private guide will pick you up at your hotel and take around the historic center of Quito. The historic center of Quito has one of the largest, least altered and best-preserved historic centers in the Americas. Our guide will transfer you to our colonial past, narrow streets, old and historic buildings, and small workshops. This is a walking tour which allows you to catch with your camera the best of our colonial history; the architecture and surrounding landscapes will give you the best scenery.

Enjoy of delicious lunch in Theatrum restaurant which offers the best regional Ecuadorian food in Quito. This restaurant is located inside of an historic building “The Sucre National Theater” built between 1879 – 1886, it is one of the oldest opera houses in South America.

After this exquisite gastronomic experience, we will drive to the north of Quito city to reach the monument of Middle of the World: which highlights the exact location of the Equator and commemorates the eighteenth-century Geodesic Mission which fixed its approximate location. Visit the city of Middle of the World, shopping and optional visit to the Ethnographic museum (entrance fee not included) that exhibits the different cultural groups of Ecuador by regions. To end of cultural day, we will visit Intiñan Museum (Camino del Sol) whose main objective is to rescue a new image of the existence of a geographical center of the ancient world view and ethnoecological habitat center of the world. Return to Hotel.

Welcome dinner. We will enjoy of modern Ecuadorian cuisine. Bon appetite! Return to your Hotel. (B/L/D).

Cotopaxi National Park is a protected area in Ecuador situated in the Cotopaxi, Napo and Pichincha Provinces, roughly 50 km south of Quito. The Cotopaxi volcano, an almost perfect snow cone that rises to 5,897 meters is unique in the world and is perhaps, next to Galapagos, the greatest symbol of our natural geography, recognized worldwide. The imposing Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world, dominates the landscape of the protected area, which also includes two smaller volcanoes close by; Morurco (4,880 m) and Rumiñahui (4,722 m). Cotopaxi is located in an area called "Avenida de los Volcanoes"(Avenue of the Volcanoes), named by German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt in 1802 referring to volcanoes of the central and northern Ecuadorian highlands. The predominant ecosystem in the park is moorland, with its own unique flora and fauna. Vegetation is principally scrub and small, low shrubs. Visit Limpiopungo Lake (3800 mts.). Moderate hiking while observing wild horses, a variety of ducks, hummingbirds and Andean gulls. Opportunity to amazing photos surrounded by an incredible Andean landscape. Lunch at Tambopaxi… enjoy of Locro Tambopaxi, with cheese and avocado, accompanied, naturally, by a glass of fine wine! Overnight La Cienega Hacienda. (B/L).

Breakfast. During our way to Quilotoa Crater Lake, we will discover a unique Andean landscape, small indigenous villages like Tigua famous for their paints which show the style life of local people. Arrive to Zumbahua (local market) and Quilotoa Crater. Enjoy the view and the bizarre opaque-green of this Andean lake!! Moderate trekking (optional): 45 minutes to descend to the lake. Lunch in a restaurant (local community). Depart Riobamba and overnight in Andaluza Hacienda. Dinner. (B/L/D)

Breakfast and early visit to one of the most authentic Andean markets in South America and Ecuador: Guamote, communities from surroundings villages stream in with goods, local products and animals to sell in this colorful and unique market in the zone. Their clothes face and expressions, way to commercialize their products in middle of the Andes mountains will remain in your memory and heart! Lunch at Inti Sisa.

During this tour you will get an explication of the history of the Inti Sisa project: who started it, why and when and of course what is the mission of the Inti Sisa. We will show and explain you the enormous painting in the dining area: what does it mean, who made it and who are the figures in this beautiful painting. Then we go to the project area where we start with the computer project: who comes here, when and why. In the Sewing project we will show you the different handicrafts that are made. We go upstairs to the kindergarten. Here Intisisa receives every day, Mondays through Fridays more than 40 toddlers: they play, sing, dance, make little artworks and they receive a healthy lunch before they go home. Return to Andaluza Hacienda. Dinner. (B/L/D).

Baños is the last city still located in the mountain region before reaching the jungle and other towns that are located in the Amazon River basin. After our breakfast we will departure to this lovely town hidden between Andes and Rainforest.

A journey fully of optional activities which will include the “Waterfall routes”: there are nearly a dozen of waterfalls (Manto de la Novia, Agoyan, Machay, etc.), several tarabitas (cable car) across de valley. We have to cross tunnel in the middle of the mountains to reach some waterfalls. Return to Hotel. (B). Optional: Discover the vibrant nightlife in Baños!

Breakfast. In our way to the Amazon we will visit Pailon Del Diablo (Devil’s Cauldron): one of the several waterfalls that is a popular tourist attraction because of the surrounding vegetation and the rocks that divide the waterfall. It is approximately 80 meters high and about 20 meters deep. Landscapes surrounded of an exuberant vegetation and small villages will accompany us until our next site: La Casa del Suizo. Arrive at is Punta Ahuano – a tiny port town on the northern banks of the Napo River, where canoes await to take you on a 20-minute ride downstream to la Casa del Suizo. Check In and lunch.

La Casa del Suizo offers amazing activities to enjoy and discover the rainforest, learn from local communities and share unforgettable times with them. Here, there are a number of walks (with varying levels of difficulty) that can last anywhere from an hour-and-a- half all the way up to four hours, taking you through thick and humid jungle, crossing muddy paths and encountering all sorts of wildlife. All the while your local guide will introduce you to all the hidden secrets and wonders of the jungle. (D)

After breakfast we board a dugout canoe and navigate 20 minutes down the scenic Napo River. The destination is Cosano, where during a two-hour walk through primary rainforest we are going to lookout for tropical birds and interesting vegetation. Just across the river from La Casa del Suizo is Amazoonico, a rescue center for wounded and displaced tropical rainforest animals. Here we can see coatis, tapirs, and several species of monkey, snakes, and a variety of colorful birds, many of which wander around freely. Lunch at La Casa del Suizo. Mid-afternoon, we continue on to the village of Ahuano, where we learn about traditional Quichua culture. A local host shows us how to make chicha, a typical beverage (tasting optional!), and demonstrates the spiritual cleansing rituals still practiced today throughout the surrounding community. Finally, we participate in a blowgun target-shooting contest – but don’t expect to beat the natives! (B/L/D)

We begin the day with an early breakfast. Walking through primary and secondary forest trails, we observe distinct species of birds and insects as well as a great variety of trees and medicinal plants. The guides explain how such plants are used not only in medicine, but also in construction and other local activities. Along the trails, there are several opportunities to up the adventure factor, with hanging bridges and vines for swinging from tree to tree like Tarzan! We go on to experience the true adventure of explorer’s past, building and navigating a raft! On a small river island our guide shows us how to bind balsa logs together with rope to form a ‘vessel’, so those who wish can float down the Napo for about an hour, in route back to La Casa del Suizo. The duration of this visit is around 4 hours. Lunch at La Casa del Suizo, followed by “The Island”: a one-hour walk around a totally flat river island where we can spot a great variety of plants and insects. Later we visit the Mariposario (Butterfly House) where we witness the awesome lifecycles of butterflies. (B/L/D).

Breakfast. Canoa ride. Departure to Termas de Papallacta (entrance fee included) which is located in the Andean highlands, in a unique natural environment. Richness of hydrothermal waters is due its location. The hot springs that feed Termas Papallacta arise from deep geological layers through fissures up to the surface with all its healthy potential. The source temperature of the thermal baths varies between 30°C and 70°C (86°F and 158°F). At the pools the temperature ranges from 36°C to 38°C (97°F to 100.4°F). Arrive at Termas and lunch. Experience relaxation and rest, and maximize the benefits provided by the hot springs, through water jets, whirlpools and hot tubs water with air bubbles, surrounded by the magic of the Andes Landscape. Lodging. (B/L)

Breakfast and departure to Quito. In our way back we will enjoy of amazing landscapes which are part of Cayambe – Coca Reserve; this area includes two very different regions of Ecuador, the high-altitude sierra with Cayambe volcano and the hot, humid rainforest of the Amazon basin as well as the intervening temperate cloud forest. Arrive at Quito area (Hotel near International Airport) and overnight. (B/BL).

Breakfast and Transfer Out. See you soon and we hope you visit us again! End of services.

• This itinerary is subject to change without notice; due to seasonal changes, weather conditions, strikes, Government regulations.
• Rate is subject to change according with hotel and/or lodge, type of rooms available/selected. Programs are subject to Payment Policies, & Terms and Conditions of lodge selected; they were informed to you before confirming the program. Rate is subject to change according availability and Taxes. Christmas and New Year Departures applies surcharge.

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