Day 1: Arrival in Quito
Upon arrival at Quito Airport, your guide will welcome you in Ecuador. Transfer to your selected hotel and overnight
Meals included: Breakfast.
Day 2: Visit to the Historic Distric of Quito Unesco Cultural Heritage
On 1979 Quito was renowned as Cultural Heritage Site by Unesco due to the architectonic beauty of the city. Quito owns the biggest and better preserved colonial center in Latin America, you will have the opportunity to discover the marvelous religious and civil buildings dating colonial times. The most impressive examples of Barroco can be admired at La Compañia de Jesus at San Francisco Church. At La Ronda Street, you will learn about the ancient and traditional games and more about the daily life of quitenos as well as taste some of sweets and local delicacies. We will climb to Panecillo Hill to have a magnificent view of the city and then to Itchimbia for a different perspective of Quito. Overnight at selected hotel
Meals included: Breakfast.
Day 3: Flight to Coca - Lodge
Transfer to the airport for flight to the Amazon region. Upon arrival in Coca village you will be transferred to the pier and the by motor canoe down Napo River to your selected Lodge
In the afternoon short hike in the surroundings. Overnight at selected lodge
Meals included: Breakfast, box lunch or light lunch, dinner.
Day 4 and Day 5: Amazon Rainforest
Experience the Amazon Rainforest: several activities are including during the program: walking excursions, night outings to observe the forest and in search of Caymans, motor and paddle canoe rides along streams and lakes, visit to a local indigenous community and more. Overnight at selected lodge
Meals included: Breakfast, box lunch or light lunch, dinner.
Day 6: Return to Coca and then flight back to Quito.
After breakfast, we will be transferred to Coca village to take our flight back to Quito.
In the afternoon we will drive to the high points of the city to enjoy nice panoramic views. Overnight at selected hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 7: Quito – Northern Andean Region Otavalo – Ibarra – Quito
Departing from Quito we drive north on a 2 hours ride across impressive mountains to the valley of Otavalo in the Imbabura Province. Otavalo is home of traditional cultures skilled craftspeople and the world-renowned Otavalo market.
We will enjoy a journey full of hidden wonders, musicians, painters, weavers and the skillful woodcarvers who keep the renowned Quito School of Art style alive. Delve yourself into this amazing world of colors and textures while we explore the northern valleys of the Ecuador.
We will return to Quito and spend the night in this world heritage city. Overnight at selected hotel
Meals included Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Volcanoes Avenue -Riobamba
We will begin our journey south along the Avenue of Volcanoes. If the weather permits, you can spot up to twenty volcanoes some extinct or dormant for centuries, some active and full of life.
Here, the Andes range splits into two ranges that run in parallel. The fertile valley in-between these stone, volcanic walls hosts a treasure trove of biodiversity and a hive of agricultural activity. Our first stop will be a Panoramic view of Cotopaxi Volcano. We will visit a local market depending on the day of the week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday) There is also a chance to learn about rural life and meet the farm’s animals, such as fluffy llamas. We will traverse high pass at Urbina (former train station). Overnight in a historic Andean Hacienda in the hearth of the Andes.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Riobamba – Ingapirca Complex - Cuenca
We will drive through the heart of the Central Andes, amid colorful quinoa fields flecked in purples, yellows and reds, alternating with endemic species of flora and wildlife, indigenous settlements and the remains of ancient cultures. Wewill visit the first religious building of Ecuador:Balbanera Chapel, located just in front Colta lagoon.
At Guamote market (held on Thursday only), one of the last truly indigenous markets in the Andes, there is time to wander, admire and barter for goods.
Visit the admirable Ingapirca complex, the only big remains of Inca Period in Ecuadorian lands. There are many theories of these buildings: military fortress, astronomical use, ceremonial construction. You will visit the In-site Museum and learn about the history of the Inca Empire.
We will continue to Cuenca, night outing to discover this marvelous Jewel of the southern Andes. Overnight at selected hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Cuenca – Guayaquil
Visit to the historic center and a Toquilla Straw Hat Factory, In the afternoon we will continue our journey to Guayaquil. The route will ride us from the Andean slopes to the tropical planes that burst in colors with rice, sugar cane, pineapple, banana and cacao plantations. Overnight at selected hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 11: Guayaquil : Historical Park
Panoramic visit of the Economic Capital of the country, Visit the Historical Park and learn about the flora and fauna of the region as well as the local traditions and living ways of the early 19’s. We will visit a traditional hacienda, were we will take a tour around its fields to learn about the farming and harvesting of the Ecuadorian cocoa bean, a bean so exquisite considered the best in the world. We enjoy a fine dining experience amid the lush gardens before continuing onwards. Overnight at selected hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12: Flight to Galapagos
At scheduled time, transfer to the airport for your flight tothe Galapagos Islands.
Embark on a 4 day or 5 days land program or cruise according to your interests
Day 15 / 16:Flight back to mainland and international connection
