The Andes and the Amazonia

Ecuador a country of multiple landscapes: snow-capped Andes, Amazonia, coast plains by the pacific ocean. One is able to discover stunning aspects of the country. Enjoy indian markets, hotsprings, mountain areas, local people, the diversity in everything.

HIGLIGHTS • Diverse landscapes. • Andean Mountains. • Amazon jungle. • Otavalo Indian Market. • Colonial cities of Quito and Cuenca • Train to the Nariz del Diablo (devil¨s nose)

ITINERARY

D 1   Quito - Colonial Quito - Otavalo

Quito lies in a long narrow plateau of Pichincha Volcano.  A city rich in colonial art and architecture.  A UNESCO world cultural heritage site is a delightful place to explore.  You visit today the main plaza, the cathedral, La Compañia church, San Francisco Plaza and Panecillo hill (a viewpoint).  You will enjoy a tour of the rich colonial heart before heading out to Otavalo 2 hours drive from Quito.

D 2   Cuicocha  - Cotacachi - Peguche - Otavalo

This morning you will hike by a flooded volcanic crater of Cuicocha.  The trail offers you a variety of Orchids, flora and birds, you might also meet some lizards on the walk.  Most indian communities of the area are dedicated to some form of craft work.  The afternoon is the opportunity for you to explore Cotacachi, popular for its  leather works and Peguche for its excellent weavers.

D 3   Zuleta - San Pablo - Otavalo

A wonderful day to walk through indian rural communities.  You leave Otavalo and drive for 30 minutes to Zuleta, a traditional village popular for its embroidery.  Your hike begins here. and along the way you can enjoy the landscape of cultivated fields as well as the magnificence of mountains such as Cayambe, Imbabura and Cusin.  Return to Otavalo.

D 4   Otavalo market - Quito - Cuenca

Today you spend the morning browsing the busy Otavalo market.  Throughout the hiistory of the region there has been trade between regions, but the market now sells almost as many handicrafts as they produce.  Although the market is on everyday the big day is saturday and you find crafts from all over the country.  In the afternoon return to Quito by road to take the flight to Cuenca (30 minutes).

D 5   Cuenca

Cuenca is the third largest city in Ecuador, at 2550m (8330ft) offers you a glorious architecture.  It is considered to be the birthplace of all kind of artists.  It has jewellery, panama hats, embroidery, ceramics, leather and much more.  The viewpoint of El Turi offers you a spectacular  sight of the city.  Cuenca is the home of the Panama hat (toquilla hat) and while exploring it you will see the various processes involved in making the finished article.   

D 6   Cuenca - Ingapirca - Riobamba

There is not a better way to start the day rising early and heading off towards Ingapirca Inca site at 3230m (10597ft), the largest in Ecuador.  This complex is a fortress which boasts a solar observatory and typically fine Inca stonework.  After the visit you join the transport again to ascend through intensively farmed countryside,and barren valleys before reaching Riobamba.  Today the  journey is characterized by staggering sceneries.

D 7   Chimborazo - Lasso

After an early rise you head to Mount Chimborazo 6310m (20702ft), the highest mountain in Ecuador, which sits over the entire Valley.  The aim today is to trek on the mountain's upper slopes near the refuges.  Amidst the lava fields you may see wild flowers, vicuñas, a variety of birdlife and of volcanic rocks.  You will have magnificent views of the perpetually ice-crowned peak glistening in the sun, and fine panoramas of the distant peak of Tungurahua, Altar and Sangay.  Finally you continue on to Lasso, near Cotopaxi National Park.

D 8   Quilotoa - Lasso

After breakfast you head off this time to Quilotoa lake 3900m (12795ft).  2 hours drive through stunning hills, paramo grasslands, farmed fields, indian communities, furrowed large canyons to get to this volcano.  Already there, you have the option either to walk down to the bottom of the crater and by the water or, trek around on the rim.  Any way, you have a fantastic scenery either way.  In the afternoon return to Lasoo 

D 9   Cotopaxi - Baños

Today you drive to Cotopaxi national Park where you can enjoy vegetation of different altitudinal ranges from 3200m (10499ft) to 4800m (15748ft), bird wildlife, wild horses, lava flows and the cotopaxi itself.  After driving through the park you reach the car park at 4600m (15092ft) from where you start a trek to the refuge and also to the glaciar.  Depending on the time of the year you might have snow at this level.  The day finish with a visit to Limpiopungo lagoon at the foot of Rumiñahui Volcano.  You leave the park to head southeast to Baños.

D10   Baños - Amazonia

Baños is a pleasant spa town that attracts not only foreigners but ecuadoreans, who are drawn by its balmy climate and curative waters. There is no better way to start your day than rising early for an invigorating soak (optional).  The baths are fed by thermal springs at the base of Tungurahua active volcano, and the brown water (a result of mineral content) is reputedly good for one´s health.  This is time then to head off. A long, downhill grind through the incredibly beautiful and waterfalldraped canyon of Pastaza River brings you to the steamy Puyo and from here some more hours to the lodge in the jungle

D 11  Amazon Lodge

You spend the morning exploring part of the vast Amazonian basin on foot.  Your indigenous guide will explain the extraordinarily biodiversity of the rainforest by pointing the important plants.  With luck you may see some of the jungle bird species (kingfisher, parrots, oropendolas, hoatzin. etc,) though larger mamal are mostly dificult to see.  The activities of the afternoon will be according to the interests of the group, you can either visit the Amazoonico Rehabilitation Centre to see some of the region`s threatened wildlife species including coatimundi, tapir, capybara and several monkey species; visit an indian community , walk to a waterfall or just bathe in the river.

D 12   Amazon Lodge - Quito

You set off in the early morning and climbed to the highlands.  A long steep ascend brings you to Baeza and then, Papallacta Pass 4064m (1333ft),  On one of your stops you can bathe in the thermal springs of Papallacta.  After crossing Papallacta Pass you have another steep descent that brings you to Quito. 

PRICES

	3	4-5	6-7	8-10	11-15
Price per person (in US$)	2 020	1 660	1 475	1 365	1 220

Price includes
— Domestic flight Quito - Cuenca.
— Private transport
— 4 stars hotels (economic hotels if you requiered).  Price based in double rooms with private bathrooms.
— meals
— Entrance fees to Ingapirca, Cotopaxi, Quilotoa and Chimborazo,
— English speaking guide the whole trip
Price does not include:
— International flight to Quito
— Airport exit tax $40,70 per person
— Any travel insurance
— Tips for guides and drivers
— Anything not mentioned in the tour