Itinerary

1. Day 1: Quito Arrival Day

   • Welcome to Quito! The largest, best-preserved colonial city in America -was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano. Depending on your arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. We can help you organize a day trip (please request in advance). In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel’s lobby for a welcome briefing at 18:00 hours. At this time, we will discuss the details and questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an acclimation and information day. 

   Accommodation: Sheraton Quito Hotel or similar

   Meals included: In-flight 

2. Day 2: Otavalo Market

   • We depart early from Quito and drive north through the majestic Andes. On our way, we will stop at a viewpoint to admire the Imbabura Volcano and Lake San Pablo. 
   • We will head to Pijal, a small village located in the heart of the Andes, to visit one of the AJ sustainable projects called Sacha Warmikua, women from the mountain. 
   • After this beautiful experience, we will visit Otavalo. You will have plenty of time to stroll along the narrow cobblestone streets, filled with the Otavalo Indigenous people wearing the traditional blue ponchos, white trousers and long braided hair. Learn all about their daily activities, typical food and native language. 
   • Explore their famous handicraft market, with its wonderful textiles, alpaca throws and rugs, native paintings, jewellery, tapestries and more. Later, we will arrive at the beautiful and comfortable Hacienda Cusin, where we will stay overnight. 

   Accommodation: Hacienda Cusin or similar

   Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

3. Day 3: First Exploration to the Amazon

   • Early in the morning, we will drive down along a curved panoramic road towards the Amazon Rainforest; as we descend from an altitude of 3000 m to 500 m (9843 ft to 1640 ft), you will observe how the landscape and vegetation change drastically between climates. 
   • Later, we also stop at the “Guacamayos-Macaw Lookout,” located between Antisana and Sumaco National Reserves (low-elevation cloud forest), to observe the magic blanket of clouds that covers the Amazon rainforest until we finally arrive at the Arajuno River, where a motor canoe will take us 20 minutes up the river to the Eco Lodge. 

   Accommodation: Amazon Ecolodge

   Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

4. Day 4: Amazon Hike and Kichwa Community

   • In the morning, we will hike to explore the tropical rainforest, get an interpretation from our guide, learn about medicinal plants, and search for wildlife. 
   • Later, we will enjoy a cultural activity where an Amazonian Kichwa community will receive us, and we learn about their way of life and their interaction with the forest. Appreciate the skills of the indigenous women manufacturing handmade pottery (ceramics). This little business helps to support the indigenous people in their daily lives. Today, we will also have the chance to learn how to make our own chocolate from the raw fruit. 

   Accommodation: Amazon Ecolodge

   Meals included:  Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

5. Day 5: The Road of Waterfalls - Baños Outdoor Town

   • After breakfast, we will reach Rio Verde, located in the UNESCO World Heritage site, Sangay National Park. Here, we will hike down to the second-highest waterfall in Ecuador, the Pailon Del Diablo, where pounding water cascades on the rocks and mesmerizes you as you watch from a suspension bridge. You may also take an optional hike behind the falls. 
   • After another quick drive, we will arrive at another incredible waterfall called El Manto de la Novia, where we will ride in a cable car traversing the canyon of the Pastaza River. 
   • In the late afternoon, we will arrive at Baños, located right on the foothills of the Tungurahua volcano, which has been active since 1999. It has some eruptions every few months, which delight visitors with lava and steam displays that can be viewed from a number of safe viewpoints in the region. Here in Baños, you can also visit a spa or another place to enjoy the area's hot springs. 

   Accommodation: Casa de Luis Hotel or similar

   Meals included: Breakfast

6. Day 6: Tree House - Free Afternoon in Baños

   • In the morning, we will visit the Swing of the End of the World, where the winner of the 2014 National Geographic photo contest took his photo. You will have some time to take an amazing picture of the stunning landscape in the front.
   • We will enjoy optional activities in this incredible town in the afternoon at leisure.

   Accommodation: Casa de Luis Hotel or similar

   Meals included: Breakfast

7. Day 7: Chimborazo Volcano

   • Early in the morning, we will drive through valleys and farming villages to reach the Chimborazo Volcano, the highest mountain in Ecuador with an elevation of 6310 m (20702 ft) above sea level, whose summit is also the furthest point from the center of the earth on the entire planet. On a clear day, the majestic peak of Chimborazo dominates the view for many kilometres. There will be a short hike of 0.9 km (0.57 mi) to reach the elevation of 5000 m (16404 ft), where the glacier begins. 
   • On the hike, we will spot a few of the animals that inhabit this volcanic wonderland, such as the Andean condor, caracara, hummingbirds, and the timid vicuñas. 
   • Once extinct in Ecuador, they have been reintroduced and are now protected; this beautiful animal is related to the alpacas and llamas. 

   Accommodation: Hacienda Andaluza or similar

   Meals included:  Breakfast and lunch

8. Day 8: Palmira Desert - Inca Ruins - Cuenca

   • After an early breakfast, we will take a scenic drive to the small town of Alausí. Here, you will hear about the story of the train of the Devil’s Nose, where the tracks wind through the countryside in a zigzag formation, creating a travel experience like no other. 
   • After this visit, we will continue to this small town of Palmira. Here, we see a desert located at 10498.69 feet, which seems like the Sahara Desert. 
   • We will continue our visit towards Ingapirca, Ecuador's most impressive Inca ruins. We will spend the afternoon learning about this archaeological site, notable for its unique fusion of Inca and native Cañari architecture and its religious meaning. 
   • Later, we will head up to Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its colonial architecture. 

   Accommodation: Carvallo Hotel or similar

   Meals included: Breakfast

9. Day 9: Cuenca UUNESCO City - Gualaceo & Chordeleg

   • Starting in the morning, enjoy a fantastic city tour. Visit Cuenca's most important buildings and notable places, such as Calderon Square, the New Cathedral, El Barranco and El Turi lookout point. 
   • In the afternoon, visit a famous Panama hat factory where we will understand the whole process of making this traditional Ecuadorian hat.
   • In the afternoon, we will visit the nearby towns of Chordeleg and Gualaceo, unique destinations that can be enjoyed on this tour. Chordeleg is well known for his jewellery, especially his silverware. Gualaceo is a picturesque market where locals gather to exchange their products and crafts. Here, you can find traditional Macana shawls, fabrics with intense colors, and folkloric designs.

   Accommodation: Carvallo Hotel or similar

   Meals included: Breakfast

10. Day 10: Free Morning - End of Service

    • You will have this free morning to enjoy the charming city of Cuenca and its surroundings. 
    • Today, our trip will end. Take your memories and photos with you and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you a “buen viaje”!

    Meals included: Breakfast