Arrival in Guayaquil

Guayaquil - Depending on when we arrive in Guayaquil, we can take a city tour.

Guayaquil – El Cajas National Park - Cuenca

El Cajas National Park - After a brief tour of the port city on the Rio Gauyas, we drive through rice and banana fields towards the Andes. We’ll visit a small cocoa plantation along the way. Passing through El Cajas National Park, with its numerous lakes and stunning mountain scenery, we reach the colonial city of Cuenca.

Cuenca – Ingapirca

Ingapirca – Riobamba

Riobamba - During a tour of the beautiful temple and fortress complex of Ingapirca, you’ll learn a lot about its history and the culture of the Incas and the Cañaris. On the way to Riobamba, we’ll visit Ecuador’s oldest church, Inglesia de Balbanera, on Lake Colta.

Chimborazo Reserve – Baños

Chimborazo Province - The journey continues through the picturesque landscapes around Chimborazo (6,268 m above sea level), the highest volcano in the country. In the Arenal, a desert-like area, you’ll see shy vicuñas. We’ll drive to the car park at 4,800 m, from where you can climb to the Edward Whymper refuge at 5,800 m in 45 minutes. In the afternoon, we reach Baños de Aguas Santas, the gateway to the Oriente in the subtropical Pastaza Gorge.

Banos

Banos - Enjoy a hearty breakfast before today’s excursion along the waterfalls route, which follows the Pastaza Gorge towards the Amazon lowlands. At the Rio Verde river, walk through the gorge and subtropical forest to the roaring “Pailon del Diablo” (Devil’s Pan) waterfall. Take a ride on a Tarabita, an open-air cable car, across the Pastaza River. In the afternoon, you can explore the small pilgrimage site of Baños in more detail and relax in the large public thermal bath.

Trip to the Amazon lowlands

Napo Province - Today we set off for the Amazon lowlands. The landscape gradually changes, revealing deep gorges and numerous waterfalls. Eventually, the hilly Amazon lowlands come into view. In Puyo, you can visit a balsa wood factory. We’ll reach the Liana Lodge by canoe from Puerto Barantilla on the Arajuno River.

Jungle experiences in the Amazon region

Tena - Explore the rainforest with a naturalist guide who is knowledgeable about the nature and culture of the Amazon rainforest. Choose two of the following activities to undertake over the two days: a jungle hike, a visit to the AmaZOOnicos (animal sanctuary), a visit to a Kichwa community, or a rafting tour.

Jungle experiences in the Amazon region

Misahualli - Continue exploring the rainforest with a naturalist guide. Again, choose two of the following activities: a jungle hike, a visit to the AmaZOOnicos (animal sanctuary), a visit to a Kichwa community, or a rafting tour.

Return to the Andes

Papallacta - Today we drive to Papallacta in the Eastern Andes. At an altitude of 3,300 m, the wonderful Papallacta thermal baths are set in a unique landscape. If the weather is clear, you can see the snow-covered Antisana volcano (5,753m).

Papallacta – Lasso

Papallacta - This morning, enjoy the thermal baths again and take a short hike through the mystical landscape along the wild and romantic mountain stream Rìo Papallacta. Trees overgrown with orchids, bromeliads, mosses, and lichens line the path. Alternatively, you can visit the Antisana reserve, the fourth highest volcano in Ecuador, which shows a snow-capped peak in Papallacta when the weather is clear. Take a short hike at the Mica mountain lake in the typical Pàramo vegetation. Here, you have the best chance of observing the massive condor in the wild, and with luck, the shy spectacled bear, the white-tailed deer, and various bird species such as mountain caracaras and Andean ibis birds. Continue south on the Panamericana into the “Avenue of Volcanoes”.

Cotopaxi National Park

Cotopaxi National Park - Travel through the beautiful landscape to the Cotopaxi volcano (5,897m) on a natural road. By vehicle, reach a bizarre and barren landscape at an altitude of 4,500 m. From there, you can climb to the Jose Ribas refuge at 4,800 m. Near the refuge, there is an impressive glacier cliff. Take a short hike at the Limpiopungo mountain lake, situated between Cotopaxi and Rumiñahui.

Quilotoa crater lake

Quilotoa - After breakfast, drive south on the Panamericana and then on winding side roads through one of the most beautiful cultural landscapes of the Ecuadorian Andes. In this barren region, farmers cultivate land up to an altitude of 4,000 m. High above the deep Toachi Canyon, reach the deep green Quilotoa crater lake. On the return to Lasso, visit a studio of traditional naive painting in Tigua and a rose plantation in Lasso.

Lasso – Mitad of Mundo – Mindo

Mitad Del Mundo - Today, drive via Quito through the spectacular landscapes of the Andean highlands to the “Mitad del Mundo” monument, built on the equator line about 20 km north of Quito. Stand with one foot in each hemisphere. Visit the interesting museums or the planetarium and learn about the southern starry sky. As you continue your journey, the flora becomes richer until you arrive at an altitude of around 1,500 m above sea level. During your trip, you’ll be informed about the diversity of the ecosystem. The village of Mindo, located in a subtropical valley, is known for its butterflies, orchids, and over 400 species of birds. With luck, you’ll spot rare bird species, butterflies, and plant species along the way.

Bird watching and visiting the orchid and butterfly farm

Mindo - The Mindo-Nambillo Cloud Forest is one of the best areas in the world for international bird watchers. Its biodiversity of hummingbirds, other bird species, and orchids makes this area a biological sensation. Bird watching is a must in this program. At dawn, go bird watching and witness unique natural spectacles. With luck, you’ll discover hummingbirds, toucans, herons, parrots, woodpeckers, owls, tanagers, kingfishers, and the fascinating “Red Rock Cock”. Then, visit an orchid garden and the butterfly house, where you can marvel at a variety of rare butterfly species.

Mindo-Otavalo

Cochasqui Pyramids - Today, head to the Lake Province in northern Ecuador. On the way, you can visit either the ruins of Tulipe at Pacto or the pyramids of Cochasqui, pre-Inca ruins. Near the town of Cayambe, cross the equator. The journey takes you past the mighty and extinct Imbabura volcano, at the foot of which lies the picturesque Lake San Pablo. Finally, reach Otavalo, a city known for its indigenous markets, among the most important in South America.

Cuicocha crater lake and villages

Cuicocha Lake - In the morning, continue to the azure Cuicocha crater lagoon. On a short hike along the steep crater rim, enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding volcanic giants Cotacachi, Imbabura, and Cayambe. Then, continue to Cotocatchi, where you’ll be introduced to the local Andean life of the Otavalo people. Cotacachi is renowned for its leather goods, many of which are handmade here. Proceed to Peguche, where weavers still make traditional wall hangings with naturally colored wool, and visit a music studio to learn about Andean instruments. Take a walk to the Peguche waterfall, an important site in Andean cosmovision.

Otavalo Market – Quito

Otavalo Market - Today, visit the famous Otavalo market, which has been around for 400 years. Colorful fabrics, clothing, jewelry, wall hangings with various motifs, knitted sweaters, colorful belts, hammocks, and other wool and fabric products, as well as carvings made of stone, wood, or jade, are some of the goods bargained for here. Saturday is the main market day, and all the streets of Otavalo are filled with market stalls. Then, travel to Quito and check into your hotel in the old town.

Free day in Quito

Quito - On Saturday, many Quiteños are out and about in the old town, and all the churches hold masses almost every hour. Visit the interesting La Casa des Alabado – Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, which showcases some of the most representative works of pre-Columbian art in Ecuador. Observe around 5,000 archaeological pieces, 500 of which are part of the permanent exhibition. Housed in an elegant colonial-era home, this privately owned museum features contemporary exhibits and an impressive collection of pre-Columbian artifacts, organized thematically around topics such as shamans and pigmentation.

Quito city tour

Quito Old Town - Today, take a city tour of Quito’s historic and charming old town, one of the most beautiful capitals in South America. The city, whose name means “center of the world,” was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Discover Independence Square, surrounded by the Government Palace, the 16th-century cathedral, and the Bishop’s Palace. Continue the tour with a visit to the baroque church “La Compaña de Jesùs,” adorned with gold leaf. Free afternoon.

Transfer to the airport

Quito - Depending on your flight time, the driver will take you to the airport.

• Private transportation
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Parking fees
• Rafting equipment and rubber boots for the jungle

• Gratuities
• alcoholic drinks