Welcome to Ecuador! We will pick you up from the airport and drive you to your hotel.

Depending on time of arrival we would have a brief meeting to get to know each other and explain to you the next few days.

Today we discover colonial downtown Quito by visiting first local shops that make traditional desserts.

Then we continue into discovering the arquitecture of colonial Quito.

We will be described the materials, shapes, and conidtion of several churches, plazas and traditional building in colonial Quito.

We also have time to intereact with local people, try some local cuisne. In the afternoon we will visit the Middle of the World Monument and the Intiñam musem where we will experience some experiments that prove we are indeed at 0 latitude.

At the end of the day we return to our hotel in Quito (40 minutes drive between Quito and Middle of World Monument).

Meals included (B - D)

After breakfast you will visit the local market where we will have the opportunity to try local fruits and vegetables.

We will do our shopping to later continue to a very cozy ecuadorian restaurant located in downtown Quito, where we will have a private cooking class with the ingredients we previously bought at the market.

We will prepare local ecuadorian dishes and have a tasty lunch.

Afternoon we will go to a tropical dance school, where we will practice some of the traditional latín moves (salsa, merengue, bachata among others).

By the end of the day we will return to our hotel.

Meals included (B - L)

Today we leave Quito and start driving north in the Andes.

On the way we will have a stop at a shop where they produce local biscuits called “bizcochos”.

We will have the opportunity to prepare some and of course have a good traditional snack.

Arrive to the city of Otavalo around mid-late morning. Here we will have time to visit the local handicraft market, where you will experience a variety o textures, scents and materials with which local talented indigenous manufacture their typical handicrafts. We will be at the market approx 1 hour.

After the visit we will go to our boutique hotel nested in the Peguche village. For the rest of the afternoon we have shedule a short hike to the Peguche waterfall to explore the nature and vegetation typical of this area.

Return to the hotel mid-late afternoon.

Dinner at hotel. Meals included (B - D)

After breakfast we will drive towards the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve.

Ecuador has approximate 20% of its territory protected.

We will learn most important and interesting facts about this ecological reserve by the rangers in charge.

Then we will have a 2 hour hike around the Cuicocha lake, which is a lake that lies in a crater.

The hike starts at approx 3000 meters and gets as high as 3400 meters. We will do it very slowly, enjoying the sound of nature.

You do not need to be a proffessional hiker or be at an excellent physical condition to do the hike.

After the hike we will have lunch at Cotacachi town and have the opportunuty to visit some leather shops which is traditional from this town.

By mid-late afternoon we will return to Peguche village where we will visit an indigenous music instrument shop to listen to some traditional music instruments of the Andes as well as manufacture our own instrument.

Return to hotel by end of the afternoon. Dinner.

Meals included (B - D)

Today we leave the Andes.

After 2,5 hour drive, we will have stop at a termal hot springs resort which is located at 3200 meters above sea level.

The spot is beautiful as hot pools are outside surrounded by mountains and nature.

Of course we will assist you to go inside the pools. After we have a refreshing and relaxing time at the pools, we will have lunch and continue driving into the amazon.

We will drive for approx 2,5 hours until we reach Huasquila Amazon Lodge.

Check in at the lodge. Dinner.

Meals included (B - L - D)

Morning will be about adventure as we go inside secondary rain forest.

This is a good opportunity to smell, try, feel the different medicinal platns that grow naturally at the amazon.

We will try at least 10 medicinal plants as we continue to go deeper into the amazon rain forest.

Along the way we will have the opportunity to go into a waterfall, to experience the healing power of water falling right into your shoulders……according to indigenous believes this has a lot of benefitial properties.

After a tasty lunch at the lodge we will visit an indigenous community located 4 km away from the ldoge.

The idea of the visit is to interat with local indigenous people, learn their main traditions, dances, meals and the way they have live their daily lives.

Return to the lodge for dinner.

Meals included (B - L - D)

Today we drive for approx 1 hour to the Napo river, which is the biggest alfuent of the Amazon river.

Once at a location called Puerto Ahuano, we will embark long wood canoes to explore the river.

We will take the canoe for approx 20 minutes. Here we will have the opportunity to go “tubbing” as locals called it, which is float on the river by holding on to flotation devices. This is a unique opportunity to experience the calm of the Amazon from within.

Right after we will have a ecological pic-nic lunch.

On our way back to the lodge, we will stop at the city of Tena, to interach with local people, visit its main park, and simply enjoy a typical afternoon at this cozy town in the Amazon.

Arrive to the lodge before dinner time. Last night at the amazon.

After dinner we will have a presentation of how to make chocolate from the local cacao plants that grow at the amazon.

Meals included (B - L - D)

Today we leave the Amazon and start driving back into the Andes.

We will drive for approx 4 hours until we reach the cozy town of Baños de Agua Santa, nested on the bottom of the active Tungurahua volcano.

On our way we will have a stop at the Pailón del Diablo waterfall, which has a fall of more than 80 meters.

We will have a short hike to get to a location where we can experience the power of the water.

Check in at our hotel mid-late afternoon.

Dinner on your own.

Meals included (B - D)

After breakfast, we begin our journey toward the Chimborazo volcano (south in the Andes). On the way, we will have a picnic lunch in a very cozy spot surrounded by mountains.

After the light lunch, we take a walk from 4,800 to 5,000 meters, moving very slowly across the páramo. It is very important to go at a gentle pace, controlling your breathing and staying well hydrated. The idea of the walk is to experience the sensation of being at over 4,500 meters above sea level, as well as to enjoy the natural sounds of the environment.

At the end of the walk, we will take the bus for approximately 20 minutes to reach a community tourism project located at the foothills of the Chimborazo volcano. There, we will be surrounded by llamas and alpacas. Check-in and dinner

Meals included (B - D)

In the morning, after breakfast, we will have a small activity to share with the local community. Mid-morning, we will depart for the city of Cuenca (approximately a 4-hour drive).

Along the way, we will stop at the Ingapirca ruins, an archaeological complex where the Cañari culture settled before being conquered by the Incas.

We will then continue the journey, arriving in Cuenca in the mid to late afternoon. Check-in at the hotel and dinner.

Meals included (B - L - D)

The day begins with a visit to a toquilla straw hat factory. We will learn about the manufacturing process of the world-famous “Panama hats.” Those who wish may purchase a hat at the end of the visit.

We then continue with a tour of Cuenca’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will visit the cathedral, the central park, and the main attractions in the area.

In the afternoon, you will have free time to enjoy this beautiful city. You may visit your favorite café or take a walk through the historic center. The atmosphere in Cuenca is safe and very welcoming.

Meals included (B - L)

Today we leave the Andes and travel toward Guayaquil. About two hours after departing Cuenca, we will stop at a cacao plantation, one of Ecuador’s signature products. We will learn about the cacao production process and how it is transformed into fine chocolate.

We arrive in Guayaquil around midday. Transfer to the airport to connect with your international flight, or check in at the hotel in Guayaquil to begin the Galápagos extension tour.