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Ecuador Mainland Adventure

INCLUDED:
  • 7-night accommodation

  • Private roundtrip transfers airport/hotel

  • Equipment as needed

  • Entrance fees to sites & excursions as specified in Itinerary (shared)

  • Daily breakfast

  • Meals as indicated (B-breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner)
     

NOT INCLUDED:
  • International & domestic air tickets and airport taxes

  • Meals not specified on the itinerary 

  • Tips & gratuities 

  • Personal expenses 

ITINERARY

7 NIGHTS / 8 DAYS

Day 1: Quito (B)

Arrival in Quito and transfer from the airport to the hotel.

Day 2: Quito (B)

After breakfast, we will start our city tour. We´ll drive from the north of the city, where the Quito´s commercial and residential area is located. We’ll continue to the colonial area where we will have a walking tour through the streets of Quito’s historical centre. Visiting Plaza de la Independencia, surrounded by the main buildings which governing the political and the religious life of the city and the country; the Cathedral, Archbishop’s Palace, The City Hall and the Government Palace. La Compañía Church where you can appreciate its magnificent architecture. The tour continues in our transportation to the Panecillo Hill, a landscape where the winged Virgin of Quito stands, it custodies the city of Quito and where you can see the shape of its streets and a large view. After city Tour we will do Middle of the World Monument. At the end of the tour return to the hotel. Overnight in Quito.

 

Day 3: Otavalo (B)

After breakfast, we will visit Otavalo.  Departing from Quito, we set route for Otavalo through the Panamerican Highway You will pass through Cayambe, site of the rose exporting plantations and the San Pablo Lake. We arrive into the famous Otavalo Town, site of the largest Indian market in Latin America. Otavalo is busiest during Saturdays and Sundays but any day is great to do shopping. The Otavalenos are famous for their quichua culture and their entrepreneurship and textile industry. Here we’ll have free time for shopping at the market. We´ll take lunch at Cotacachi town, famous for its leather works.  Here we will make a brief stop for anyone interested in shopping for leather goods, such as jackets, boots, etc. We will visit Cuicocha Lake and return to Quito. Overnight in Quito.

Day 4: Drive to the Amazon (B, D)

This morning, we will drive north-east to Papallacta, this route was taken by the Spanish conquistador Francisco de Orellanain 1542 as he crossed the Andes mountain range upon discovering the Amazon and Amazon River. is located just 67 km (40 miles) from Ecuador’s capital.

 

With an altitude of 3300 meters (10,824 feet) above sea level and a cold wet climate. We will have lunch .We´ll continue driving into the Amazon Region and will take a short walk around the lodge before dinner. Overnight at a lodge.

Day 5: Amazon (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we will depart the lodge for a canoe trip on the Misahualli and Napo River to the protected forest of Misicocha where we will walk in the forest. We will admire the extraordinary flora and the exotic sounds of the primary rainforest. If we are lucky, we might see toucans, oropendolas, parrots and small monkeys. The local guide will explain the flora and fauna of the Amazon Region with special emphasis on medicinal plants. We will have lunch in a typical hut with a wonderful view over the Napo River We will return to our canoe and ride upstream to visit the Indian village of Muyuna and find out how to prepare ‘chicha’, a fermented yuca drink. Finally, we continue our canoe ride to visit a local witch-doctor. We will learn about the medicinal plants, witness a cleansing ceremony and experience the blowpipe, a traditional form of hunting. Overnight at a lodge.

Day 6: Misahualli River (B, L, D)

Today we go for a walk with a native guide who will explain the typical plants of this area and their daily use. During the hike, we will pass through a labyrinth of high rocks with caves and amazing vegetation. After lunch, we will walk along the Misahualli River to the small village of Pununo where we cross a suspended bridge and enter the territory of the Indian Community of ‘Alto Pununo’ where we will see how the local Indians live and work. Overnight at a lodge.

Day 7: Quito (B)

Return to Quito. Overnight in Quito.

Day 8: Quito – Out (B)

Transfer to the airport for your flight back home or to an on-going destination.

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