ECUADOR ESSENTIALS 10 days / 9 nights (2020) Rates from $1,045 / person 2—4—6 participants Quito, Lake Region, Amazon, Riobamba, Chimborazo, Cuenca and Guayaquil Ecuador Emotions Excursion Highlights: Adventures along the equator Colonial cities Quito and Cuenca Largest indigenous market in Latin America Lush forests on the edge of the Amazon Impressive waterfalls in Baños Incan ruins OTAVALO QUITO AMAZONIE PEU PROFONDE BAÑOS RIOBAMBA GUAYAQUIL ALAUSI INGAPIRCA CUENCA Ecuador Emotions Itinerary # AGENDA Tababela / Otavalo 1 Arrive at airport in Tababela Travel to Lake Region Otavalo / Quito 2 AM: Indigenous market of Otavalo and villages Peguche, Agato and Iluman PM: Visit Cotacachi and Lake Cuicocha Quito 3 AM: City tour of Quito PM: Visit the “Mitad del Mundo” Quito / Amazon 4 AM: Arrive at lodge on the edge of Amazon PM: Relaxation at the lodge Amazon 5 Activities to choose from at the lodge Amazon / Riobamba 6 AM: Depart for “highway of waterfalls” and “El Pailón del Diablo” PM: Cable car ride to “El Manto de la Novia” waterfall Riobamba / Cuenca 7 AM: “Devil’s Nose” railroad PM: Ingapirca Ruins Cuenca 8 AM: City tour of Cuenca and Panama hat mill PM: Museum of Aboriginal Culture Cuenca / Guayaquil 9 AM: Pumapungo Ruins and Cajas National Park PM: Visit Guayaquil Guayaquil 10 Shuttle to Guayaquil airport Ecuador Emotions Day 1: Arrive in Lake Region Sites of interest: Arrive in the Ecuador’s capital city. Nestled between mountains at 9,350 feet, Quito is the second highest capital in the world. You will land at Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Tababela, just east of Ecuador’s capital city where your driver will be waiting to take you to the hotel. Along the way, take in the postcard worthy views of the volcanoes, lakes, and valleys that comprise Ecuador’s Northern Sierra. This region is home to more than six volcanoes, the most prominent of them being Cayambe (18,996 ft), Cotacachi (16,220 ft), and Imbabura (15,121 ft). These forces of nature make great landscape for lakes big and small to form in their craters, and thus the region is named as such. You will spend the night on the enchanting shores of one of the more well-known lakes of the highlands, San Pablo Lake. Accompanied by: Driver Meals included: None Altitude: Quito 9,350 feet Otavalo 8,307 feet Travel: Airport – Hotel in Otavalo: 1hr15min – 50 miles Accommodations: Cabañas del Lago*** Ecuador Emotions Day 2: Walk Through Otavalo Market and Around Lake Cuicocha Sites of interest: Largest indigenous market in Latin America and impressive landscapes of Imbabura! You will begin your day at the Otavalo market—the most famous indigenous market in South America, where Andean traditions thrive in the form of colorful textiles and handmade jewelry. Here, you’ll be able to admire the work of master weavers and expert leather craftsmen from the surrounding villages of Peguche, Agato, Iluman, and Cotacachi. The perfect place to buy your souvenirs! In the afternoon, you will explore Lake Cuicocha and its two islets. These natural wonders find themselves in Cotacachi-Cayapas Natural Reserve, the perfect site to take in the fresh air and beautiful terrain. You are required to hire a local guide at the entrance of the national reserve (price ref. $40). Set out for the capital where you will spend the night. Quito, colonial city and UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978 named so for its colonial architecture. The city´s namesake was the Quitus tribe who lived in the area before Inca rule. Later, the Spanish founded the city of Quito in 1534. Accompanied by: Driver Meals included: Breakfast Altitude: Cuicocha 10,649 feet Quito 9,350 feet Travel: Otavalo – Cotacachi: 20 min – 8 miles Cotacachi – Cuicocha: 25 min – 8 miles Cuicocha – Quito: 2h 30 min – 78 miles Accommodations: Embassy*** Ecuador Emotions Day 3: Discover Old Town Quito and the Equator Line Sites of interest: Volcanic rock streets of the best-preserve historic center in Latin America and adventures at the equator line! In the morning, walk the streets of the largest and best well-kept historic center in Latin America. Start in the Plaza de la Independencia. There encompassing the plaza are some of the most beautiful churches and convents of the capital. You will have the chance to visit, among others, La Compañia de Jesús whose interior is covered entirely in gold, and the Plaza San Francisco which was built out of volcanic rock. Higher up, you will have the chance to appreciate the grandeur of the world’s second highest capital city from the Panecillo. Here, at almost 10,000 feet, stands the statue of the Virgin of Quito whose placement is said to unite the North and South of the city. From here you will head off to the Mitad del Mundo. Don’t leave without a picture of yourself in two hemispheres at once! From the Panecillo, you can look out over the entire city of Quito north to south. The peak was home to a sun-worshipping temple which was destroyed during Spanish occupation. In 1975, the statue of the Virgin of Quito was placed upon the hill, she represents the Virgin Mary. Accompanied by: Driver Meals included: Breakfast Altitude: Quito 9,350 feet Panecillo 9,895 feet Mitad del Mundo 9,186 feet Travel: Quito – Mitad del Mundo: 45 min. – 19 miles Accommodations: Embassy*** Ecuador Emotions Day 4: Escape to the Edge of the Amazon Sites of interest: Andean hot springs and arrive in the Amazon! On the drive from Quito to Tena you’ll be able to observe the fascinating change in ecosystems between the highlands and the orient. First you’ll pass through the village of Papallacta at over 13,400 feet where, should you so desire, you can stop to soak in the natural hot springs known for their tremendous healing powers. You will traverse some of the most biodiverse forests of Ecuador to finally reach the plains of the Amazon and arrive at Casa del Suizo. After dinner you will coordinate your activities for the following day with the lodge staff. Accompanied by: Driver + Shared local guide at lodge Meals included: Breakfast + dinner Altitude: Papallacta 10,600 feet Tena 1,962 feet Travel: Quito – Tena: 4h – 130 miles Accommodations: Casa del Suizo*** Ecuador Emotions Day 5: Adventures in the Amazon Sites of interest: Immersive activities in the biodiverse forests of the Ecuadorian Amazon! Listed below are the activities that you have to choose from (to be scheduled with the discretion of the local guide depending on the availability of activities, physical condition of the participants, and weather permitting): - Cosano / AmaZoonico: Cosano is located 20 minutes away by boat and from there you can choose from a selection of hikes varying in duration and difficulty level on which your guide will inform you of the different flora and fauna you will find along the way. You will return to Casa del Suizo in a boat known as a ‘boya’. Upon your return you can also visit the animal sanctuary ‘AmaZoonico’. - Misicocha: Start off with a boat ride and finish on foot as you traverse the natural reserve. Throughout the tour your local guide will keep you informed about the plants you come across as well as their medicinal uses. - Chicha, traditional pipes, pottery and boatbuilding: Learn about the natural surroundings and the role they play in local culture from a Quichua family. They will show you how to make ‘chicha’ (a typical drink), different variations of traditional pipes and pottery, hunt, and build a typical wooden boat. - Island Exploring: In this activity you will learn about local agriculture and observe the different insects and birds of the region. - Butterfly Haven: Here, wander around a greenhouse with 20 different species of butterflies that are born and raised in the haven itself. Accompanied by: Shared local guide Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Accommodations: Casa del Suizo*** Ecuador Emotions Day 6: Stop in Baños Along the Highway of Waterfalls Sites of interest: Pailón del Diablo waterfall! You will make a short stop in Puyo where you’ll visit an artisanal balsa wood workshop and a rum distillery before arriving in Baños, the mountain town at the base of the Tungurahua volcano. You won’t want to leave town without trying some regional sweets made from cane sugar. Between Puyo and Baños you will take the “highway of waterfalls” to reach the “Pailón del Diablo” waterfall and take a cable car ride over the Pastaza River to the “Manto de la Novia” waterfall. Keep an eye out for other falls along the way! You will spend the night in Riobamba comforted by views of the tallest mountain on Earth, the awe-inspiring Chimborazo (20,560 ft). Chimborazo has long been an important symbol of Ecuador and is thus included in its coat of arms. Guidance: Driver Meals included: Breakfast Altitude: Tena 1,962 feet Baños 1,820 feet Riobamba 9,035 feet Travel: Tena – Puyo: 1h 20 min – 50 miles Puyo – Pailón del Diablo: 55 min – 30 miles Pailón del Diablo – Riobamba: 1h 35 min – 50 miles Hike: Pailón del Diablo: 1h – 1 mile (easy) Accommodations: Casa Real*** Ecuador Emotions Day 7: Zigzag Aboard the “Devil’s Nose” and Visit Ingapirca Ruins Sites of interest: Devil´s Nose railroad and the Incan Ruins of Ingapirca! Upon your arrival in Alausí, you’ll board the train on the “Devil’s Nose” railroad. Indulge in beautiful Andean landscapes all while enjoying a unique and extraordinary feat of engineering famous for its zigzagged route. In the afternoon, you will discover the archeological ruins of Ingapirca.