8-Day Ecuador Adventure Tour From Quito To Cuyabeno
Highlights
Quito, Cotopaxi National Park, Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
nature, sightseeing, Wildlife
Private Tour
8 Days
Medium
English, Spanish
Description
Embark on an 8-day journey through Ecuador, starting in Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next, explore the breathtaking landscapes of Cotopaxi National Park and the enchanting Quilotoa Lagoon. Then, immerse yourself in the Amazon Rainforest's vibrant ecosystem in Cuyabeno, experiencing the rich culture of the Indigenous Siona community. Finally, conclude your adventure with a tour of colonial Quito and a visit to the Middle of the World monument.
Itinerary
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Day 1: Arrival in Quito
- Welcome to Quito, the capital of Ecuador!
- Arrive at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO), where your driver will meet you and transfer you to your accommodation in the city center.
- This is a one-hour trip. Quito's entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site at 9,350ft (2,850m).
Overnight: Quito
Meals included: None
Group type: Private
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Day 2: Cotopaxi National Park - Quilotoa Lagoon
- After breakfast, you will start your day at the border of Cotopaxi National Park.
- You will then visit Lake Limpiopungo in the park's highlands.
- Here, you will have a spectacular view of Cotopaxi Volcano's gigantic cone. Lake Limpiopungo offers a variety of birds and occasionally even wild horses.
- A short walk around the lake will allow you to admire the Andean plant and animal life.
- If time permits and the altitude does not affect you, hike up to the refuge Jose Ribas on 4800 m and enjoy the view of the National Park.
- Return to Quito and prepare for your overnight shuttle to Cuyabeno!
Meals: Breakfast
Group type: Private
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Day 3: Hola Cuyabeno! The Gateway to the Amazon: Arrival to the Lodge
- Reception at El Puente de Cuyabeno in the morning, and transfer to Cuyabeno River.
- Box lunch in the route. Here our Naturalist Guide will give information about the Reserve, important recommendations, and other tips to begin the two hours navigation through Cuyabeno River to the Big Lagoon, where the Lodge is located.
- Along the river, you will find several species in its natural habitat as monkeys, toucans, parrots, insects, and exuberant Amazonian vegetation.
- Arrival and check-in.
- Night walk in the primary forest to observe amphibians and reptiles for about one hour.
- Return to the lodge for a welcome cocktail and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included
Group type: Small group
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Day 4: Into the Heart of the Cuyabeno: A Rainforest Adventure
- In the early morning, we venture into the rainforest to seek out monkeys and birds in the vibrant tropical ecosystem.
- After returning for breakfast, there's some downtime to unwind.
- Later, our guide leads us on a rainforest trek, sharing their insights into the delicate balance that allows diverse life forms to thrive in harmony.
- Along the way, we might encounter colorful butterflies, frogs, and diverse flora, all while listening to the melodies of birds.
- We return to the lodge for lunch, followed by leisure time for swimming, soccer, or a siesta.
- In the afternoon, a paddle canoe journey along the Cuyabeno River immerses us in the dense jungle.
- On the riverbanks, we spot diverse wildlife, including monkeys, macaws, toucans, and sloths.
- There's also a good chance of encountering pink river dolphins in this impressive river landscape.
- After dinner, we explore the lodge's surroundings in search of nocturnal creatures like insects, spiders, snakes, and frogs, all of which come to life as the sun sets.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included
Group type: Small group
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Day 5: Amazonian Culture and Laguna Exploration
- After breakfast, we will immerse ourselves in the Indigenous Siona community, gaining insights into their daily life and traditions.
- We will witness the making of 'Cassave,' a regional manioc bread, and learn about their rich cultural heritage.
- Returning for lunch, we will embark on an afternoon adventure by motorized canoe, heading upstream to Laguna Grande.
- Amidst the flooded forest ecosystem ('Igapó'), we will discover diverse wildlife and enjoy a serene swim at sunset.
- As night falls, we will seek out bats and caimans, wrapping up a day of cultural discovery and Amazonian exploration.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included
Group type: Small group
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Day 6: Saying Goodbye to the Amazon: Heading Back Home
- It is time to bid farewell to the Amazon, but not without a final morning canoe adventure to soak in the jungle's morning magic.
- After an early morning breakfast, prepare for your journey home, complete with a packed lunch for the road.
- As you cruise upstream and reach 'El Puente de Cuyabeno' before noon, a friendly tourist bus will be there to take you back to Quito.
- Keep those Amazon memories close as you head back.
Meals: Breakfast Included
Group type: Small group
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Day 7: Colonial Quito City Tour And Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) Monument
- Start in Independence Square to see La Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, or La Compañía—a 17th-century volcanic-rock-, cedar-, and gilt-decorated-church.
- Next, visit La Basílica y Convento de San Francisco, or "el San Francisco," considered Ecuador's most important church for its scale and history.
- Stroll on La Ronda, a pre-Columbian walking trail that is now brimming with cafés, live music, and boutiques.
- Then your driver guide will take you by car to the north of the city, see a monument commemorating the discovery of the point where the Northern and Southern Hemispheres divide in the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World City).
- Spend some time visiting a planetarium, scale model of Quito, several museums, an old train station, and a small chapel.
Meals: Breakfast
Group type: Private group
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Day 8: Departure from Quito
- Today you are free to explore Quito on your own before getting picked up for your transfer to the airport.
- At the designated time, meet with your driver at the hotel and head to the airport for your flight home.
Meals included: Breakfast
Group type: Self guided
What's Included
What's Excluded
Know Before You Go
What To Bring
Meeting Point
Cancellation Policy
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No refund in case of any cancellation.
Price
Persons | |
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1 to 1 | /person |
2 to 16 | /person |
This is a private tour |