QUITO ECUADOR (122 x 122)    Ecuador & Amazon 8 Days

Itinerary:

 

DAY 1, Friday - Depart for Ecuador
Depart for Ecuador. Arrive in Quito and transfer to your hotel. The Quito airport is approximately a 1-2 hour drive from the city. Balance of the day at leisure 
Overnight: Quito▲
 
DAY 2, Saturday - Quito City Tour & Visit to the Middle of the World
The morning's tour begins with a visit to the colonial section of Quito to walk along the narrow cobblestone streets and feel the charm of 16th-century Quito. See the Independence Plaza, the Cathedral, Presidential Palace, and the Archbishop's Palace before visiting La Compañia Church or the Church of San Francisco**. Afterward, see the Middle of the World Monument, located at a latitude of 0º, and stand with one foot in the Northern and one in the Southern Hemisphere. This afternoon, transfer by bus to Otavalo. This evening, enjoy an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager, followed by a Welcome Dinner
**Please note that the itinerary may vary slightly based on local conditions and holidays, therefore La Compañia Church may be replaced with a visit to the Church of San Francisco 
Overnight: Otavalo 
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
 
DAY 3, Sunday - Otavalo Market, Transfer to Papallacta
This morning enjoy Peguche, known for it’s beautiful waterfall. Then, enjoy a tour of the market in Otavalo, one of the largest in South America and run by the local Otavaleño Indians. Here, enjoy the lively market atmosphere and browse the various stalls for traditional goods such as hand-woven clothes and rugs, jewelry, fruits, vegetables and more. This afternoon, transfer to Papallacta located in the Andes Mountains. The remainder of the day is at leisure or join the optional tour to Papallacta's spas and hot springs, for which it is famous 
Optional: Termas de Papallacta Spa Package (PM) 
Overnight: Papallacta 
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
 
DAY 4, Monday - Transfer to Amazon Resort
After breakfast, transfer by bus to La Punta Ahuano on the Napo River where you will board a canoe that will take you to your Amazon lodge. Enjoy the serene tranquility that the lodge has to offer and prepare to be amazed by both the wildlife and the culture inherent to the Amazon. In the afternoon, visit Ahuano to have the opportunity to meet a local Quechua family and learn about their way of life first hand before returning to the hotel
**Please note upon arrival the lodge is approximately a 5-10 minute walk uphill from where passengers will exit the canoe 
Overnight: Amazon 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
 
DAY 5, Tuesday - Full Day Amazon
This morning, after a canoe ride you can hike in the Misicocha Private Natural Reserve for approximately two hours while viewing the beautiful flora and fauna up close. The Amazon rainforest is the world's largest ecosystem, so be sure to keep an eye out for the innumerable species of tropical plants and flowers, insects. Enjoy the views as you cross suspended bridges and fly through the jungle on a short zip line basket ride. At the end of the hike, enjoy a rafting trip on a traditional balsa log raft. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Consider a visit to the Butterfly Farm or to the Amazonico Animal Rescue Center 
**Please note this is an active hike and sections of the path include steps. Also, those who participate in the rafting trip will need to step through the water to reach the raft and will get wet during the ride 
Overnight: Amazon 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
 
DAY 6, Wednesday - El Pailon Del Diablo & Baños
This morning, board a canoe for the short trip to La Punta Ahuano and then drive to El Pailon del Diablo or "The Devil's Cauldron", one of Ecuador's most beautiful waterfalls. Enjoy a boxed lunch and continue to Baños to see the magnificent Church and Plaza. You will also be treated to a demonstration on vegetable ivory, a traditional craft that utilizes palm nuts to make jewelry and animal carvings. In the late afternoon, check into your hotel in the Valley of Patate. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure
**Please note that it is an active hike to and from El Pailon del Diablo waterfall 
Overnight: Baños 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
 
DAY 7, Thursday - Hacienda La Cienega
Today enjoy a visit to the Hacienda La Cienega, one of the oldest and most historical haciendas in Ecuador, belonging to the descendants of Marques of Maenza dating back to the 17th century, with spectacular views to the Cotopaxi National Park and volcano, in the background. Enjoy lunch before visiting a local rose plantation where you can see one of Ecuador's most aromatic exports. Return to Quito for an evening at leisure 
Overnight: Quito 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
 
DAY 8, Friday - Depart Ecuador
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
*Please note: Some flights depart shortly after midnight in the very early morning of Day 8 and will require a transfer on Day 7. Transfers depart the hotel approximately 4 hours prior to flight time 
Meals: Breakfast
 
***End of Tour***
 
▲ Due to the high elevation, travel in the Ecuadorian Andes may cause some passengers to experience the temporary effects of altitude sickness. If you have any concerns about traveling to higher than your accustomed elevation, please consult your healthcare provider.
 

Featured Hotels

 Friday Departure
Mercure Hotel Alameda     Quito
Hilton Colon Quito      Quito
Cabanas del Lago     Otavalo
Puertolago Country Inn     Otavalo
Termas de Papallacta     Papallacta
Casa del Suizo    Amazon
Hacienda Manteles    Banos

Escorted Package Includes

  • 7 nights First Class accommodations
  • 2 nights Quito
  • 1 night Otavalo
  • 1 night Papallacta
  • 2 nights Punta Ahuano (Amazon)
  • 1 night Baños
  • Hotel porterage
  • All transfers
  • 16 Meals: 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
  • Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
  • Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout
  • Services of English-speaking local guides
  • Entrance fees per itinerary
 
Special Features 
  • Visit Colonial Quito and walk through its cobblestone streets
  • Stand at the Middle of the World monument
  • Browse for local goods a the traditional Otavalo Market
  • Stay in the heart of the Amazon 
 

 

 

 

Tour code: tig-g1

 

 

 

 

 ***PICTURES COURTESY OF THE COSTA RICA  TOURISM BOARD***

 

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