Day 1: Arrival in Quito
Arrival in Quito. Transfer to your selected hotel.
Light Dinner (depending on arrival time)
Day 2: Visit to the Historic District of Quito UNESCO Cultural Heritage and Middle of the World.
The visit will permit you to get closer to the local culture and its history. On 1978 Quito was renowned as Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO due to the architectonic beauty of the city. We will have time to taste local delicacies: Paila ice creams, quesadillas and confectioneries. At the traditional La Ronda Street we will savour the famous ecuadorian chocolate.
We will travel northwards out of the city towards the Equatorial Valley, 22 kms approx. from Quito, On the XVIII century a French expedition arrived to measure an earth quadrant. A monument shows the passage of the 0º Parallel. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant specialized in organic recipes. We will visit Casa Agave to taste this millenary and healthy drink and learn the process to convert it into spirits.
Welcome Cocktail and Dinner with a view
Day 3: Quito – Northern Andean Region
Departing from Quito we drive north thru impressive mountains to Cayambe, this region is a cattle zone, you can also find farms dedicated to exportation of flowers, but this city is famous for its famous “bizcochos” extremely tasty little elongated cakes. They are an excellent option for breakfasts or appetizers combined with the inevitable leaf cheese.
We will continue our visit to a local community where we can experience and learn about the andean grains and prepare artisanal bread. Lunch in a local restaurant, the menu will include lamb
Overnight in a local hacienda. Local dinner included.
Day 4: Northern Andean Region - Quito
Visit to the Otavalo market. Otavalo is home of traditional cultures skilled craftspeople.
We will enjoy a journey full of hidden wonders, musicians, painters, weavers of local communties. We will visit a local family discovering the andean flavours as we prepare a traditional meals with local ingredients. Possiblity to taste cuy "guinea pig".
In the afternoon return to Quito.
Enjoy a delicious fusion menu dinner in a local restaurant
Day 5: Quito - Papallacta Thermal Springs - Misahualli
Drive to the Amazon rainforest region throught a high point passage in the cordillera. In this area perched in the mountains you will enjoy the marvelous hot water sources at Papallacta.
We continue driving to the east to drop down to reach the Amazon plains, permiting to observe the the impressive change in scenery.
Lunch in the little village of Baeza, famous for the preparation of "Trouts".
Another stop will allow you to discover a hummingbird farm and admire these marvelous birds while sipping a typical beverage of exotic fruits.
Arrival to the Lodge in the afternoon
Day 6 : Amazon Rainforest
A day to explore the exhuberant forest. Different activities are organized: Observation of plants and walks with a local guide to discover the life of amazon ecosystems. In the afternoon, we will meet local Kichwa communities learning about their traditions and day-to-day life. We will have the chance to taste some local food.
Dinner at the Lodge
Day 7: Return to the Andean Region along the Waterfalls Route
Departure towards the town of Puyo. We will visit a Balsa Workshop and will try the famous "volquetero" a mix of toasted corn, andean lupins, banana plaintains and tuna, we will also try spirits from sugar cane. The waterfalls route will lead us to Baños, famous for its thermal springs and breathtaking scenery.
Along the way, we will visit the spectacular Pailón del Diablo waterfall (if weather conditions permits). We will observe other waterfalls, we will climb up to a high point to see the village and enjoy a ride on the End of the World Swing
The name “Baños” comes from the word “Bath”, referring to the thermal springs located in the area. This is a pilgrimage city.
You will have the opportunity to taste exotic fruits, sugar cane juice and "melcocha"
Day 8: Baños - Riobamba
Morning drive to Riobamba located in the center of the country. Visit to the local market to taste the famous "hornado" baked pork and drink a natural and refreshing juice with ice coming from the Chimborazo Volcano. We will then do a short excursion to the volcano. Lunch in a local community, we will have a menu consisting on llama meat.
Dinner in the hacienda
Day 9: Riobamba - Ingapirca Complex - Cuenca
We will drive through colourful quinoa fields flecked in purples, yellows, and reds, alternating with endemic species of flora and wildlife, indigenous settlements, and the remains of ancient cultures. We will visit the first religious building of Ecuador: Balbanera Chapel, located just in front Colta lagoon. Short Stop at Palmira desert. Lunch.Visit the admirable Ingapirca complex, the only big remains of Inca Period in Ecuadorian lands. We will continue to Cuenca, night outing to discover this marvellous Jewel of the southern Andes. Dinner
Day 10: Surroundings of Cuenca
Drive to Paute Valley a cradle of several artisanal villages: Chordeleg, Bulcay, Bulzun, etc.
In Gualaceo we will taste a delicious drink made of white corn and fruits. We will also visit the local market and the fabulous display of colors and shapes.Here we will taste the famous "cascaritas" .
Dinner in a local restaurant
Day 11: Visit of Cuenca
Jewel of Spanish colonial architecture, built over the ruins Tomebamba, an ancient Inca city; we will walk around to enjoy its magnificent houses, colonial balconies and narrow streets. Cuenca has been declared Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. We will also visit the flower market, the Calderon plaza, the new and the old cathedral, the plaza of San Francisco and its market.
Lunch traditional dishes of this region
Afternoon at leisure
Dinner in a local restaurant
Day 13: Cuenca - Guayaquil
Morning departure to the coastal region: we will pass by El Cajas National Park and La Toreadora Lake (4,000 meters above sea level).
Crossing the western slopes of the Andes, we will descend to the coastal plains: a complete change in scenery due to the variation of altitude. We will discover the coast region with its immense fields of bananas, rice, sugar cane, coffee, cacao, among others in the coastal region.
Visit to a cacao growing farm: there we will learn about the harvest, transformation and exportation processes. Short demonstration of the fabrication of unsweetened chocolate and tasting of it. Lunch. We will continue to Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city and the most important port in the country.
Farewell Dinner
Day 14: Departure
At scheduled time transfer to the airport for your international flight.
