Ecuador is a plurinational as well as pluricultural country. This gives to the country more beauty and attraction to the tourist. You will be able to find a big variety of species and also you will admire Ecuador's beautiful landscapes.
The day starts with a tour of the Historical City Center. We'll visit the major churches, museums, and plazas of Downtown in Quito. Afterwards, we'll visit the most famous of all Quito landmarks, the Panecillo, the famous mountain-top statue which can be seen from almost any point in the city. From the top, if its clear, we'll be able to see nearly 100% of the city from North to South and as an added bonus, many of the gorgeous snow-capped volcanoes which surround the city. Then, we'll head north to tour the equator museum and statue and stand on the actual equator, aptly named "La Mitad del Mundo".
Day 2
We head down the "Valley of Volcanoes", to one of Ecuador's most beautiful volcanoes, Cotopaxi, considered by many to the 2nd most perfect cone shaped volcano in the world, after Mt. Fuji. Once we get to the National Reserve Boliche, located at the base of Cotopaxi, we'll visit the Limpiopungo Lagoon – a serene volcanic Andean lagoon, where we'll have the opportunity to observe, in their natural setting, Llamas, Alpacas, ducks and a variety of birdlife. After visiting the lagoon, we'll head up to the "Jose Rivas" refuge located at 4800 meters – approx 15,000 ft! Once arriving, we'll have a filling snack and rest for awhile before going up to visit the edge of the actual Cotopaxi glacier. Photographs of the volcano from here are spectacular!
Leave Quito in the morning, head down the Panamerican Highway until we arrive in Latacunga (approx 1 ½ hrs.) From here, we'll travel a spectacularly scenic minor road going to the Quilotoa Crater Lagoon – 3910 meters or approximately 11,000 ft. Here we'll enjoy a nice box lunch and then return to Latacunga via the Andean villages of Pujili and Zumbagua. Once reaching Latacunga, we'll go immediately to the popular destination of Baños (+1 ½ hrs.) where we'll spend the night.
Day 2
In the morning, we'll walk up to the (active) Tungurahua Volcano overlook for a spectacular (and truly unforgettable look at a currently active volcano). Later in the morning, we'll leave to head down the Valley of the waterfalls, passing some of the countries most impressive Andes-made waterfalls of the country: Agoyán, Manto de la Novia – where we'll get to go over the waterfall and to the other side of the river in a chairlift, Inés María, and the most incredible Pailón del Diablo – where we'll be able to get incredibly close to this waterfall's incredible power (bring a light rain jacket if you don't want to get wet!) We'll first see these waterfalls from afar, before seeing all of them close-up. For waterfall lovers, this will be a stunning day! We'll spend the night again in Baños.
Day 3
In the morning, we'll visit the Baños Zoo and then later in the morning, complete our decent down the Andes to the jungle city of Puyo. Once in Puyo, we'll take a bike tour of the city center and visit the very nice Omaere Park. We spend the night in Puyo.
Day 4
This a full day! We leave in the morning to go right back up the Andes, seeing all those glorious waterfalls again from the other direction, until we reach the laid-back Andean city of Riobamba. We'll take a city tour of its incredibly well preserved colonial historical center and then go visit the town of Guano. Afterwards, we'll continue on the way to Guaranda and Salinas – famous for their chocolate and cheese. Once we're full of those delicacies, we'll continue on the way to the famous small town of Alausi for the next day's ride down the "Nariz del Diablo" or "Devil's Nose".
Day 5
A scenic day spending part of it on the top of a train as we head down the Devil's Nose in the morning. Then, we'll continue on to Azoguez. We'll take a quick visit to the wonderful Biblian Church and stay the night in Azoguez.
Day 6
Most of the day, we'll spend at Ecuador's most important Incan ruins, Ingapirca. While it's not Machu Pichu, it is an impressive ruin with many ancient structures easily recognized. Ingapirca, served the politcal and religious center for Cacicazgo Cañaris in 1480. Later, we'll leave for one of Ecuador's most beautiful and historic cities, Cuenca.
Day 7
The day starts with a city tour of this fascinating city. So well preserved, Cuenca was recently added to UNESCO's World Heritage list. Afterwards, we head to the fantastic National Cajas Park – a true jewel of the country and of national parks on the continent where we'll spend the rest of the day (worth a week for lovers of unspoilt nature and Andean flora and fauna!). We'll spend the night back in Cuenca surrounded by ancient Spanish architecture.
Day 8
After a week in the Andes mountains, we'll now head to the coast for some sun, sand, and beach. In the morning, we'll catch a flight directly to Guayaquil (no time to sleep here 'cause this flight only lasts about 30 minutes). Once in the country's largest city, we'll take a city tour visiting the city's most famous and most gorgeous churches, parks, plazas, and of course the Historic Park BCE. At night, we'll take the must-do stroll along the city's newly remodeled oceanside boardwalk. We spend the night here.
Day 9
In the morning, we leave Guayaquil and head the beach city of Salinas (different from the mountain Salinas on day 4). Here, we will visit their very interesting, and tasty, chocolate factory as well as be able to see some Sea Lions. After spending time on their famous and very popular beach, we'll take a quick tour of the city and then head up the coast to Valdivia. Here, we'll visit their quite nice local museum and finally continue up the coast to the laid-back fishing village of Puerto Lopez where we'll stay the night.
Day 10
A really special day. In the morning, we'll travel up the coast a bit perhaps the county's most beautiful, pristine and unspoilt beaches, Los Frailes. Located inside a national park, entrance is restricted, keeping it extremely well protected. Afterwards, we'll go to the Machalilla National Park, another of the country's gems. We'll visit the spectacular Piqueros overlook and then take a trip to the extremely unique, and very special, archaeological ruins of Agua Blanca. The ruins are very important for this region which was once autonomous. The park itself is filled with rare wildlife and so a specialized wildlife expert will be provided for an eye-opening and memorable experience to this rarely visited corner of the country. We stay the night again in Puerto Lopez.
Day 11
An unforgettable day, especially during July and August. This day we'll spend the entire day on the "Isla de Plata", or Silver Island. With luck, we'll see Humpback whales in route to the island and perhaps once there as well. We'll take a boat trip of approximately 2 hrs out to the island, spend the morning observing the unique, Galapagos-like wildlife on the island and then have lunch there. In the afternoon, people will have the option to go snorkeling to see the amazing marine wildlife that only Isla de Plata can offer (and, well, Galapagos too, but that's a little further away). We'll spend the night again in Puerto Lopez.
Day 12
Our last full day on the trip, we begin by leaving Puerto Lopez and heading north along the coast to the very laid-back fishing village of Puerto Cayo (who also has some fantastic beaches). Then, we'll turn inland to head to Jipijapa. We'll have lunch here and then spend the afternoon in the small village of Montecristi – known worldwide for their hats – the high quality version, and original, of the better known "Panama Hat". The town offers some nice churches and the chance to do some shopping for handcrafts, including the famous Montecristi hats, before heading back to Quito the next day. We'll then leave for our final stop at the coastal city, Manta. We'll take a short city tour and visit the Central Bank Museum of Manta before being free to enjoy some great seafood.
Day 13
Breakfast and return to Quito on another "long" flight – 45 minutes.
Includes :
All transportation – buses, cars and flights
Bilingual guide
Food and Hotel
Entrance fees to all museums, reserves, national parks, zoos, waterfall, park entrances, chairlifts, boat fees and bicycle rentals.
Train tickets
Entrance fee to the Architectural complex
Not included :
Alcoholic Beverages
Entrances to any clubs or bars
Recommended Equipment :
Comfortable shoes - Hiking Boots and Tennis Shoes
Clothing for cold weather (Highlands) and warm weather (Coast)
Backpack
All necessary photographic equipment and accessories
We leave on a full day heading north. First we'll pass through the small town of Pomasqui and then San Antonio de Pinchincha. Then we'll visit the quaint ruins of Rumicocha and later make our obligatory stop at "Mitad de Mundo" – or at "the equator". Then after crossing the equator into the Northern Hemisphere, we'll stop at the peaceful Pululahua crater and then go to Tulipe and finally arrive at Mindo – the Emerald paradise gem of Ecuador. After arriving, we'll hike to the Nambillo waterfall where those willing participants can slide down the natural rock water slide as well as other fun waterfall activities.
Day 2
After a peaceful night's rest in Mindo, we'll spend the day enjoying the paradise that is Mindo. We'll take a nature hike to see the abundance of plants and animals that Mindo proudly boasts. We'll hike along Mindo's peaceful rolling mountain river and look for exotic birds, butterflies and orchids. We'll also visit a butterfly nursery holding literally hunderds, if not thousands, of butterflies before returning to Quito.
Leave Quito heading east through Cumbaya, Tumbaco, Pifo and finally arriving at Papallacta where we go immediately to the sensational thermal baths. After a long relaxing soak, we'll continue later in the day to the quaint jungle town of Baeza and el Chaco before returning to Quito.
You may leave Quito on the 10:30 flight for the 20 minute trip to Lago Agrio or you may take the bus (8 hrs). Once in Lago Agrio, we'll meet at the main bridge for a canoe trip down the Cuyabeno River until we reach our cabins in Cuyabeno. We'll eat dinner and then take a night time nature hike.
Day 2
After breakfast, we'll take a canoe trip to Caiman Lagoon to experience the amazing jungle serenity of this Amazon lagoon. Then we'll have lunch and take a small hike through primary virgin forest with an in-depth explanation of the plants and their use. Later, we'll relax, swim and watch the sun set from the magnificent Great Lagoon.
Day 3
After breakfast, we'll take a hike to the Siona Community. Our bilingual guide will explain the culture and traditions of the native inhabitants here. In the afternoon, we'll fish for Piranhas and at night we'll take a canoe ride down the river to get an up-close (yet safe) look at alligators and crocodiles.
Day 4
In the early morning, we'll head out to so some bird watching and enjoy the early peacefulness of the Cuyabeno River. We'll then return to Lago Agrio by 4pm to go back to Quito either by plane or bus.
Includes :
Bilingual Guide
Transportation from Lago Agrio to Cuyabeno
Equipment (raincoats, rubber boots, insect repellent, life vest)
Cabin with private bathroom and shower
All food
All excursions
Not included :
Transportation Quito – Lago Agria – Quito
Entrance to the Cuyabeno National Reserve ($20)
Food before and after tour
Any alcohol beverages
Recommended Equipment :
Light clothes, head lamp, paper and pen or pencil, binoculars
Formed by volcanic eruptions over millions of years, they are located a very remote 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador. These islands remain shockingly unspoilt and are where Charles Darwin invented the theory of evolution after studying the islands' many different species of Finches. Thus, the islands remain of high scientific importance. e fact they are located so far from the coast and weren't inhabited by humans until 150 years ago, has helped the hundreds of species of animals develop over 1000's of years without the slightest fear of human beings.This fearless wildlife is unmistakably one of the biggest reasons to visit as truly no where else on the planet will one encounter animals in their original, natural, wild habitat that are absolutely not bothered in the least by the presence of humans. In fact, in the case of land iguana, you have to be careful not to step on them because many just refuse to move!The species found on Galapagos are often endemic, meaning they cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Some of these include land tortoises, the Galapagos Penguin (the 2nd smallest in the world), land and marine iguanas, Darwin Finches, the famous Blue-footed Booby and it's cousin the Red-footed Booby.harks (Galapagos shark, white tipped shark and the extremely rare and fascinating Hammerhead, among others). For birds, a small sample include Frigates and its similar cousin the Cormorant, Flamingos, Pelicans, the enormous Albatross. The water is of course crystal clear and the snorkeling and diving there is among the best in the world (ask any expert!).
