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Please note that the Quito international airport (UIO, Mariscal Sucre) will be closed on the following dates for preventative maintenance on the runway: September 7, 14, and 21, 2024 between the hours of 2am and 12pm. For passengers flying in or out of Quito on these dates, please double-check flight schedules with your airline in case of changes. Internal flights within Ecuador and Galapagos will be adjusted accordingly and any changes to schedules will be communicated at the welcome briefing.
Ecuador Upgraded
9 days, Quito to Quito
Itinerary
Day 1Quito
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.
Booking pre- or post-trip accommodation is highly recommended to fully experience the city and take advantage of the optional activities available.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore before your welcome meeting, but make sure you’re back in time to meet the group. Check for the meeting time on the welcome note at the hotel. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your tour. Please note that normal check-in times apply at our start hotels, but you can usually store your luggage for the day if you arrive early.
Day 2Quito/Otavalo
Journey into the Andean highlands and stop for lunch in the village of Peguche. Travel on to Otavalo, visit one of the largest outdoor markets in South America, and try your hand at haggling. Spend the night in a historic hacienda.
Visit the world famous handicrafts market in Otavalo before spending the night here. Every week people from the surrounding countryside come here to sell handmade goods and other textiles. The market dates back to pre-Inca times when trade was popular between the eastern lowlands and highlands. Otavalo today is famous for its friendly people and Saturday animal market. Be on the lookout for traditional dress while you are here and see if you can get the best price for souvenirs.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Otavalo Handicrafts Market Visit
Discover some amazing local art, tapestries, and textiles at Otavalo’s famous artisan market, the largest handicraft market in South America. Wander the stalls to meet local artists, and find one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Try to arrive early for the best bargains (it starts at dawn), and try your hand at haggling – it’s expected for every purchase. A good negotiator could get at least 20 per cent off the starting price.
Peguche Community Visit
Visit the small highlands weaving community of Peguche. Meet locals in this traditional Andean community and enjoy an included lunch.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 3Otavalo/Papallacta
En route to the village of Papallacta we’ll visit the home and studio of a renowned traditional weaver. Glimpse daily life and observe weaving techniques that have been used for centuries in these parts. In the afternoon, arrive at the Papallacta Hot Springs Resort where you will have time to relax, take a dip into the thermal pools and opt to treat yourself to some available spa treatments.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your Wellness Moment: Papallacta Hot Springs Visit
Soak in the natural hot springs the area is known for and let the mineral waters, which vary in temperature, soothe your body. Make your way through the circuit with views of the Antisana volcano in the distance. After an hour in the mineral springs, the group will have lunch together at the nearby restaurant featuring regional cuisine specialities.
Free Time
Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, as you relax and soak in the natural hot springs.
Otavalo Weaving Lesson
Visit the home and studio of Don Miguel, a man working to keep his culture’s traditions alive. For thousands of years the indigenous people of the Otavalo region have used the backstrap loom to create their woven goods, however new technologies have slowly been pushing out the tradition. Learn how Don Miguel and his family are working to help revive this ancient art as he demonstrates every step of the process, from cleaning the wool, to naturally dyeing it, to backstrap weaving.
Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow
Hiking Excursion
Head out to explore. Take a hike or walk in the areas surrounding Papallacta. Enjoy the region's great natural beauty and views of the snow-capped Antisana Volcano.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Papallacta/Tena
Explore the cloud forest reserve at the Guango Lodge and indulge in a delicious lunch in an orchid garden. Continue on to Misahualli and search for capuchin monkeys there before arriving in Tena. Board a canoe and travel to a jungle lodge on the banks of the Arajuno River and embark on a night walk through the forest with a naturalist guide.
The lodge is located about 40 minutes from Tena along the bank of the Arajuno River. You’ll be staying in cabañas which have private bathrooms, hot water, rainfall-showers, electricity, and a balcony. You can relax in a hammock or deck chair on your balcony to observe wildlife and listen to the music of the jungle. The lodge itself is an open-air lounge with a pool and full service bar all connected by a raised and roofed boardwalk to the rooms.
The lodge is dedicated to protecting the pristine jungle environment and has a dedicated recycling program, energy conservation program and offers biodegradable amenities.
Guango Cloud Forest Excursion
Enjoy an excursion to Guango private cloud forest reserve. Take a guided walk with our CEO to learn about this unique environment, flora and fauna. A bird lovers paradise, keep your eyes peeled for a variety of parrots, toucans, tanagers and more. We will also enjoy the orchid garden lunch at the lodge and observe a multitude of dive-bombing hummingbirds. Seeing 14 species of hummingbirds within an hour is not uncommon, and the Sword-billed hummingbird with it's unique, long bill is sure to amaze you.
Amazon Night Walk
Embark on a night walk with a local naturalist guide to learn about nocturnal creatures of the Amazon. A flashlight and camera are the most important tools on this excursion, which allows us to hear the nocturnal sounds of the forest and to search out bats, owls, a variety of insects, tarantulas, toads and frogs, and possibly snakes. If the sky is clear, we might have the chance to do some stargazing.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 5Tena
Rise early for a canoe ride to visit a parrot clay lick, also known as a Saladero with a naturalist guide. Eat breakfast at the lodge before taking a tour of an animal rescue centre. Afterwards, visit the home of a local Amazonian family to learn about life in the jungle before sharing a homemade lunch.
Amazon Home Experience
Enjoy a truly unforgettable cultural experience with a local Ecuadorian family who’ll welcome and host us for the afternoon at their home in the jungle. Discuss their traditions, beliefs, and history and hear about what daily life is like for them in such a unique environment. Go fishing with them and then watch and listen as they prepare lunch and share insight about their deep connection to nature, as well as their thoughts on the encroachment of the modern world on their traditional way of life here. A marvelous afternoon you’ll talk about for years to come.
AmaZOOnico Animal Rescue Centre Visit
Take a guided tour of amaZOOnico, a rescue and rehabilitation centre that rehabilitates, reintroduces, and cares for animals who are victims of illegal trafficking. See large cats and reptiles up close, and learn all about the important work of this sanctuary.
Parrot Clay Lick Excursion
Visit a parrot clay lick (Saladero) with a naturalist guide. This unique site is where parrots and parakeets gather to eat mineral-rich clay that will help them digest the fruits or seeds they have consumed. Hundreds of parrots and parakeets will approach the treetops and later will come down to the clay bank to eat this soil rich in minerals.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 6Tena/Baños
Say goodbye to the Amazon as you travel to the popular resort town of Baños. Stop for a visit to the Omaere Ethnobotanical Park along the way and walk with an expert guide. Enjoy free time in Baños to partake in adrenaline pumping activities or take a scenic horseback ride in the countryside.
Baños happens to be a popular spot where many Ecuadorian families take a vacation. It will be easy to understand why once you arrive in this mountain town. The town name means “baths” and it’s pretty accurate because of the thermal springs from the Tungurahua Volcano and the baths of melt water running from Tungurahua's glaciated flanks. It’s rumoured by the locals that these baths are good for your health. For an added bonus, wake up early and catch sunrise from one of the many hot springs.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Visit the Omaere Ethnobotanical Park
Visit the Omaere Ethnobotanical Park and discover ethnobotany – the study of the relationship between cultures and the plants around them. Plants are integral to the lives of Amazonian indigenous groups who use them for shelter, nourishment, medicine, and in spiritual practices. Set out on the trails with an expert guide to learn about the diverse plant life and the local Shuar and Waorani people, and enjoy unique botanical experiences like tasting cinnamon and being painted with Achotillo sap.
Free Time
Opt to take a walk through town and visit some shops.
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Horseback Riding - Baños
25USD per personHop in the saddle and explore Baños’ beautiful countryside by horseback. Check out the unique vegetation in the region, and, perhaps, trot over to Tungurahua Volcano for amazing views.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 7Baños
Enjoy a free day to wander through Baños and the surrounding area. You could head out on a hike, lounge in one of the town’s thermal springs, or get your adrenaline pumping on a mountain biking or white-water rafting adventure.
The town is the perfect setting for outdoor pursuits. Activities include horseback riding, canyoneering, hiking, mountain biking, climbing, and rafting on the River Patate.
Free Time
Relax at leisure or opt to take part in some active pursuits.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Baños Ziplining Adventure Bundle
25USD per personBuckle up your harness, put on your helmet, and prepare to launch. Glide along a zipline suspended 850m above the canyon below, dare to let go and reach top speeds as you zip past stunning scenery. Forget your fear as you cross Tibetan Suspension Bridge above Pastaza River. Rock climb up to a second zipline to finish off this adrenaline-filled adventure. Please keep in mind this is a level 3/5 physical activity. Good mobility, no fear of heights, and a strong fitness level are required for you to have an enjoyable experience.
Hot Springs - Baños
4USD per personSoak weary muscles in the thermal baths that Baños is famous for. Head to hot springs at the base of Tungurahua Volcano, which means “little hell” in Quichua, or try some of the baths fed by the melt waters of Tungurahua's glaciated flanks. Rise before the sun for an early soak – watching the sun peak over the mountains while relaxing in the warm waters is definitely worth the early start.
Hiking - Baños
FreeHead to the mountains for some amazing treks; Baños provides the perfect natural setting for outdoor adventure.
Horseback Riding - Baños
25USD per personHop in the saddle and explore Baños’ beautiful countryside by horseback. Check out the unique vegetation in the region, and, perhaps, trot over to Tungurahua Volcano for amazing views.
Mountain Bike Rental
10USD per personHop on your bike and explore the amazing scenery surrounding Baños. Pass by mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and changing vegetation – depending on what path you take. Enjoy the cool wind on downhill stretches, but be sure to bring sunblock; the sun can be strong.
Whitewater Rafting
30USD per personHit the rapids in the adrenaline capital of Ecuador. Choose a river that suits your experience level; there a number with varying ranges of difficulty. Enjoy amazing Andean scenery and a fun-filled ride!
Baños Canyoning Adventure
Jump, slide, rappel, swim and float around Cascadas de Chamana on this canyoning adventure, while enjoying the stunning scenery near Sangay National Park. Please keep in mind this is a level 4/5 physical activity. Good mobility and a strong fitness level are required for you to have an enjoyable experience.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Baños/Quito
Travel back to Quito, the capital of Ecuador, along the Avenue of Volcanoes. Hop out for a quick hike through Cotopaxi National Park and search for wildlife as you explore this park, home to the second highest peak in the country.
Cotopaxi National Park Visit
Visit Cotopaxi National Park, home to Cotopaxi Volcano, which stands at 5,897m (19,342 ft). The beautiful cone-shaped, snow-covered volcano is Ecuador’s second highest peak and the highest active volcano in the world. Keep an eye out for park wildlife, including condors, foxes, deer, spectacled bears, and more. For those who want to hike, there are options available (weather permitting). Please ensure you have proper hiking shoes or boots, a waterproof/windproof jacket and warm hats and gloves. Hike is approximately 1.5 hours.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Quito
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.