Day 1. – Arrival. 

Transfer to hotel.  Depending on your time of arrival, a look around the city. Night in Quito.

Day 2. – Otavalo Market and Surrounding Area

Our adventure in Ecuador begins with a picturesque view over the province of Imbabura, well-known for it’s spectacular landscapes and it’s famous, colourful handicraft market, open throughout the week.  We’ll take in beautiful locations like Cuicocha lake, Peguche waterfall and the village of Illuman on the way. Night in Otavalo (American breakfast).  

Day 3. - Chota Valley y Angel Ecological Reserve

This day will offer the most natural variety on our trip:  subtropical valleys covered in green reed grass contrast with the vegetation of the Andean plains at over 4,000m, where you may spot one of the species of Andean flora unique to Ecuador, like the gigantic frailejon.  On the way back, we’ll have the chance to visit some ancient African communities, whose origins can be traced back to the colonial era.  Night in Otavalo . In the afternoon, we’ll move on to the Papallacta area. Night at the hot springs of Papallacta (American breakfast, lunch).

Day 4. – Expedition to the Amazon Jungle

Drive from the peaks of the Andean mountains into the flat, far-reaching landscape of the Amazon.  After 4 hours of fascinating journeying, we’ll make our first stop to visit and explore the ancient, legendary caves of Jumandi.  In the afternoon, we’ll continue our trip to the port of Napo, where we’ll sail down river towards our destination.  Night at the lodge in double cabins (American breakfast, lunch, evening meal).

Day 5. – Expedition in the Amazon Jungle

A walk through primary rainforest to observe the typical birds and plants of this region.  In the afternoon, we’ll gain an insight into the life of the local indigenous communities and have an opportunity to learn about their ancestral customs and traditions in the jungle villages.  Night in the cabins (American breakfast, lunch, evening meal).

Day 6. – Expedition in the Amazon Jungle and on to Baños

We’ll head out on a scenic route through the heart of the Amazon jungle to the small town of Puyo, where we’ll stop briefly to visit the Fatima ecological reserve.  In the afternoon, we’ll continue our journey to the town of Baños.  On the final leg of this trip, we’ll take a short walk round a spectacular circuit of waterfalls, unique to this area.  Night in the picturesque town of Baños in double rooms (American breakfast).

Day 7. – Town of Baños

A tour around the outskirts of Baños and its famous tourist circuit of waterfalls: the Pailon del Diablo walk, the Manto de la Novia, and a brief visit to the jungle town of Puyo.  In the afternoon, we return to spend the night in the town of Baños (American breakfast).

Day 8. – Chimborazo Ecological Reserve

We stop off on our way to the town of Riobamba to visit Mayahuasca, the only ecological reserve in Ecuador which hosts vicunas (a kind of camel) living in the wild. In addition, we’ll have an opportunity to take a short walk past the feet of the King of the Andes: 6,310m Chimborazo.  Last century, this was thought to be the tallest mountain in the world, during which time mountaineer Edward Whimper came to Ecuador to attempt the first climb of this Andean giant

Day 9. - On the Andean Train to the Town of Cuenca

A fascinating excursion through the highlands of Ecuador, on one of the oldest rail routes in South America, via the famous (infamous?!) 100 year-old section at the Devil’s Nose.  During the afternoon we’ll call at the ancient fort of Inca Cañari at Inga Pirca, one of the few Ecuadorian fortifications of the pre-colonial era.  Night in Cuenca  (American breakfast & lunch).

Day 10. - Cajas Nacional Park and Cuenca

In the morning we’ll visit the marshy complex of Cajas national park.  It’s 300+ lakes make it one of the most important parks in the country, and with a landscape of singular natural beauty it is just the right setting for excursions in this area.  In the afternoon, we’ll stop over in the handsome colonial town of Cuenca, cultural patrimony of humanity. 

Day 11. – Journey from Cuenca to Guayaquil

Trip down one of the most scenic routes in the South of Ecuador: the descent from the Andean heights to the plains of the Ecuadorian coasts is a marvellous, matchless experience.  During our journey to the city of Guayaquil we’ll have the opportunity to see the sweeping expanses of banana and cocoa plantations which provide Ecuador with export products.  In the afternoon, we’ll visit the city and spend the night in Guayaquil (American breakfast).

Day  12. – Santa Elena Península

Early in the morning, we’ll set out along the gorgeous Pacific coastal route of the Ecuadorian “Costa del Sol”.  Lunch in Montañita, the Ecuadorian surfers’ paradise.  In the afternoon, we’ll reach Puerto Lopez, a small fishing community surrounded by idyllic beaches which is considered one of the most attractive areas on the Ecuadorian coastline and is famous for the Machalilla national park and the treasure island of “Isla de la Plata”.  Night in Puerto Lopez in double rooms (American breakfast). 

Day 13. – “Isla de la Plata” Trip

On this all-day trip to the island dubbed “Mini Galapagos”, we’ll have ample opportunity to observe and enjoy an impressive variety of plant and marine life.  Night in Puerto Lopez in double rooms (American breakfast, lunch).   

Dia 14. – Cloud Forest of Mindo

After 6 hours drive through irrepressible Ecuador, we’ll arrive in Mindo at 1,200m above sea level, widely renowned as a bird watchers’ haven.  The sheer richness of the biodiversity in this cloud forest in the mountains makes an ideal habitat for the remarkable variety of birds in this area.  Night in Mindo in double rooms (American breakfast).

Day 15. – Local Tropical Fruit Plantation

In the morning, we’ll visit an exotic fruit tree plantation, which produces export crops typical of this region.  In the afternoon we’ll go around Mindo’s butterfly house and take a bird-watching walk through the hilly cloud forest.  Night in Mindo in double rooms (American breakfast).

Day 16. – Return from Mindo to Quito

Today we’ll head back to the city of Quito, with a brief look around the ubiquitous equator line site and the monument in the “Middle of the World”.  Night in Quito in double rooms (American breakfast).    

Day 17. – Cotopaxi National Park.

An incredible adventure at the foot of the imposing Cotopaxi volcano which, at 5,897m above sea level, is thought to be the highest active volcano in the world.  Depending on the weather, we’ll have the option to take a short walk through the valley of Limpiopungo or visit the mountain hut at 4,800m and the glaciers of this Andean giant.  Night close to Lasso in double rooms (American breakfast, lunch).

Day 18. - Indigenous Market and Quilotoa Lagoon

Morning outing to one of the traditional indigenous markets in the vicinity.  Around lunchtime we’ll set out on an An interesting and picturesque excursion which will allow us to explore one of the most beautiful regions in Ecuador, the main attraction being the striking lagoon inside the Quilotoa volcano crater.  We’ll also meet residents of this region: painters who depict the distinctive way of life in this part of the Ecuadorian Andes in their naïve art.  Night close to Laso in double rooms (American breakfast, lunch).

Day 19. - Return from Lasso to Quito

Drive back to Quito.  Afternoon free and night in Quito in double rooms (American breakfast).

Day 20. -  Quito City Tour

In the morning, a tour around Quito’s colonial old town, world cultural heritage site.  Afternoon free.