6 Days: Quito, Otavalo, Amazon, Tungurahua, Quilotoa, Cotopaxi...

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Quito | MIDDLE OF THE WORLD | OTAVALO INDIGENOUS MARKET | PEGUCHE TOWN & WATERFALL | CUICOCHA LAKE | COTACACHI COMMUNITY
6 stops
1
Quito
This morning after an orientation meeting we continue to the Middle of the World Overnight: Otavalo Meals: Not included
Admission ticket free
2
Intinan Equator Museum
Visit the Middle of the World Monument, located at a latitude of 0º, and stand with one foot in the Northern and one in the Southern Hemisphere. Here you will learn about our ancestral villages history, to the magnificent effects that the sun produces in our solar cylinder. Travel to the past through our centuries-old huts, discover and understand the physical phenomena of the earth with our didactic examples, observe the path of the sun (Intiñan) in the Acoratene, and of course enjoy a natural and privileged environment. Our main objective is to rescue a new image of the existence of a geographical center about the ancestral worldview and an ethnoecological habitat in the Middle or Center of the world. Then Continue to Imbabura Province. located in the highlands of the Andes Mountains at an elevation of 8,441 feet.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
3
Cascada de Peguche
Visit the Peguche town and walk into the andes forest to the waterfall.
45 minutes • Admission ticket included
4
Otavalo Market
Visit the indigenous market in Otavalo, one of the largest in South America run by the local Otavaleños. Here, enjoy the lively market atmosphere and browse the various stalls for traditional goods such as handwoven cloth and rugs, jewelry and more
2 hours • Admission ticket included
5
One of the most beautiful Lake in Ecuador and an “off the beaten path” destination! Cuicocha lies at the foot of the extinct volcano Cotacachi (4968m) in the Western Cordillera in the province of Imbabura, north of Quito. The fascinating Caldera has a 3 km wide and approx. 200 mts deep crater lake. One of the particularities of Cuicocha Crater Lake that makes it even more special than Quilotoa are the 2 islands in the middle of it, actually they are lava domes, which rise over the water surface. They are well covered with vegetation and support some wildlife.
30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
6
Cotacachi is a small artisan town. Cotacachi has amazing hot springs, lush forests, nature reserves, and snowy summits. Cotacachi's main production is leather goods. In the center of the town, there are dozens of shops with good quality leather products such as jackets, pants, belts, wallets, shoes, bags and more
40 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 2
PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS | HUMMINGBIRD CLOUD FOREST | TENA | AMAZON RAINFOREST
6 stops
7
Termas de Papallacta
After breakfast transfer from Cotacachi Andean Town to the Jungle wildlife reserve On the Route we start to visit the Papallacta Hot Sprigns, is the ideal place to escape from the noise of the city and the daily routine. More than a destination, it is a comprehensive experience that will awaken all your senses.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
8
Here is a paradise for bird lovers and photographers alike; it is not uncommon to see up to 14 species of humming birds in one hour, including the amazing sword-billed hummingbird. Located near the paramo zone and hot springs of Papallacta, surrounded by a 300-hectare reserve & network of trails, offering the perfect opportunity for trekking, wildlife observation & relaxation.
45 minutes • Admission ticket not included
9
Tena
Tena is an attractive place where many travelers find themselves hanging around quite happily for days before or after a trip into the rainforest. Tena has a friendly population, a gorgeous setting surrounded by jungle-covered hills, a lively malecón. White-water (Rafging or Kayaking) fanatics from around the globe come to paddle and play on the high concentration of surrounding rivers
Admission ticket free
10
Misahualli
A popular tourist stop is the small town of Misahualli Ecuador. Located at the junction of the Misahuallí and Napo rivers this sleepy, end of the road town has beautiful jungle scenery and a large sandy beach. The most popular inhabitants of Misahualli are the monkeys. They wander along the beach and into the park at the center of town.
35 minutes • Admission ticket free
11
Napo Province
Once we arrive at the EcoLodge, our staff will welcome you. From there we will continue to relax in the lounge with a fresh tropical drink and a short briefing that will contain general information about the accommodation and activities, provided by one of our naturalist guides
1 day • Admission ticket free
12
TREKKING IN THE JUNGLE Leaving the Lodge, your guide can lead you on half a dozen trails (of varying degrees of difficulty) that can last from half an hour to 4 hours winding through the thick and humid rainforest that connect to the river or lake, crossing muddy roads and always looking for the elusive fauna of the place. FLOATING DOWN BY THE RIVER The water is very refreshing after a hike in the jungle. In this fun activity on a buoy, your ability to row with your hands will be the key, looking at the sky and its banks full of trees, you will feel like part of a dream. You decide if you want to undertake this adventure alone or as a couple. This is one of the quietest ways to enjoy a river in the Amazon. We provide the life jacket
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
RIDE ALONG THE NAPO RIVER | ANACONDA ISLAND | ANIMAL REFUGE CENTER | VISIT INDIGENOUS FAMILY
4 stops
13
Amazoonico Animal Rescue Centre
After Breakfast in your lodge. We walk to the Napo River for ride by canoe to the Animal Refuge Center, which is protecting a number of different animals, some in danger of extinction. Amazónico is not a zoo, but a rescue center for Amazon animals in Ecuador. We can observe some animals in their natural environment at close range
2 hours • Admission ticket included
14
Laguna del Caiman Negro
After the Box Lunch, we walk through the Anaconda island. Here is a paradise for bird lovers and photographers alike. We can observe the caiman on the lagoon, prehistoric bird ¨Hoatzin¨, woolly monkeys, squirrel monkeys, just to name a few...
1 hour • Admission ticket included
15
Ahuano
We also visit a family in one of the indigenous communities to learn about their cultivation habits, medicinal plants, as well as the ancestral way of hunting with blowguns and handmade traps in the forest Return to the Lodge
1 hour • Admission ticket free
16
NIGHT HIKE IN THE JUNGLE The frog concert announces that the forest takes on another life in the dark. Do not forget to bring a flashlight for this tour, where we can observe: fishing bats, nocturnal monkeys, owls, snakes, some amphibians, tarantulas, toads, sighting of alligators and possibly snakes. This is also a great opportunity to OBSERVE THE STARS and constellations!
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 4
WATERFALLS ROUTE | THE DEVIL´S CAULDRON WATERFALL TREK | THE SWING AT THE END OF THE WORLD | TUNGURAHUA VOLCANO | BAÑOS
7 stops
17
Tena
Enjoy this journey from the jungle on napo province to Baños de Agua Santa on Tungurahua province, along the Ecuadorian landscapes will suprise you. The tour we will start with the balsa craft in the puyo city located on the pastaza province
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
18
Mirador Mira Mera
This is a trip in the adventure capital of Ecuador. We will start the tour on the Route of the Waterfalls, you will travel in cable car on the Pastaza River to obtain extraordinary panoramic views of the river, mountains and beautiful jungle landscapes in Tungurahua Province You will have free time to do extreme activities such as canopy, tibetan bridge, extreme swing and many more
30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
19
Cascada El Pailon
Along the way to visit the powerful El Pailón del Diablo ¨The Devil´s Cauldron¨, one of Ecuador´s most beautiful waterfalls Lunch not included
2 hours • Admission ticket included
20
Cascada el Manto de la Novia
The next point is the spectacular waterfall "Manto de la Novia". The Cable car will take us above the amazing Pastaza river canyon, which will give us a closer view of the waterfalls.
45 minutes • Admission ticket included
21
The hand of the Pachamama , is the most recent attraction of this beautiful viewpoint, in which a giant hand emerges from the earth to provide tourists with a unique place to admire the landscape of the Tungurahua province and take spectacular photos.
35 minutes • Admission ticket not included
22
La Casa del Arbol
We will go up to the ¨Swing at the end of the World¨ in La Casa del Arbol, from where you can see the epic mountain of the Tungurahua volcano.
45 minutes • Admission ticket included
23
Banos
In the afternoon, check into your hotel in Baños Town City by Night | Dinner not included & Lodging
12 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 5
SALASACA INDIGENOUS | TIGUA CRAFTS | QUILOTOA CRATER LAKE
5 stops
24
Salasaca Mercado Artesanal
Next to the church on the Ambato–Baños road, behind a statue of a local man donning a black poncho, this market has some great local artisan goods, including Salasaca's famous wool ponchos and hand-woven rugs and tapestries. The busiest day is Sunday, but at least a few stalls open daily.
35 minutes • Admission ticket free
25
Pujilí, a town known for its ceramics. Many lndians gather here, with their llamas loaded with colorful fruits, vegetables and other goods.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
26
Tigua
We will visit the Community of Tigua, cradle of Naif art artists. In the gallery we can see the different articles made by hand. The paintings are hand painted on llama and sheepskin leather. Here we will be able to appreciate the raising of the guinea pigs and the agriculture of the area.
35 minutes • Admission ticket free
27
Canon del Rio Toachi
On our way to Quilotoa we will visit the Toachi Cannion, we will be able to enjoy the incredible landscapes
35 minutes • Admission ticket included
28
Laguna Quilotoa
When we get to Quilotoa (3900 msnm) in the Illinizas Ecological Reserve we will make the walk to the turquoise lagoon, there are other options of trails, according to the degree of difficulty and the weather we will take the best path.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 6
COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK | MACHACHI | QUITO
5 stops
29
After the Breakfast we drive around 2 hours along the range of the Andean Mountains we can find the Cotopaxi Active Volcano (5897 mts), Chimborazo Volcano (6263 mts), filled with an exceptional variety of flora and fauna species.
5 hours • Admission ticket free
30
Cotopaxi National Park
We enter the Cotopaxi National Park, where we register and we can access the protected area. The fist stop is at the Mariscal Sucre Interpretation Center, with an exhibition of photographs and information about the Area. Panoramic View at the Limpiopungo lagoon, from here we can observe the different species of birds, native plants of the area and the volcanoes near the park: Pasochoca, Quilindaña, Rumiñahui and others....
6 hours • Admission ticket included
31
Finally Guided horse-back riding over the páramo, close to herds of wild horses and fighting bulls. We can also see various species of high-altitude birds (Condors are frequently spotted) and native flora against a backdrop of spectacular scenery. The ride take us up to 4200 mts (2 hours) After relishing the freedom of nature at its wildest and enjoying the exhilaration of galloping with the pure wind of the high Andes. The rides take us inside the exclusive trails of our Hacienda at the majestic páramos and native forest of the Cotopaxi area, where our native guides intertwine legends, history and tradition in their tales.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
32
Machachi
Travel to the Machachi, it is a city surrounded by the volcanos Atacazo, Corazon, Rumiñahui, Illinizas Peaks, Viudita Hill, Pasochoa, and Sincholagua Lunch Not Included
1 hour • Admission ticket free
33
Quito
Return to Quito City | End Tour
Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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