Amazon and Andes in Ecuador

Arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito in the afternoon. On arrival, you will drive through the picturesque Andes and charming countryside to Otavalo. Otavalo is famous for its colorful Indigenous market, where handmade handicrafts, textiles and jewellery are sold. After a scenic drive, you will reach your hotel, where you can check in and start your journey in a relaxed manner.

Start your day with a trip to the famous, lively indigenous market in the center of Otavalo. There you will find a wealth of offerings, from traditional clothing to ornate jewelry and local food. Stroll through the alleyways of the market, browse for souvenirs and immerse yourself in the atmosphere with its diverse sounds and scents.

Afterward, you’ll visit the Cuicocha Lagoon, which is located north of Otavalo and was formed around 3100 years ago by a volcanic eruption. You have the option of either taking a five-hour hike around the crater or exploring part of the crater rim to take photos and enjoy the magnificent view over the lagoon. You will then return to your hotel in Otavalo in the afternoon.

After breakfast, set off from Otavalo and enjoy a relaxing drive through the picturesque landscape of the Andes while admiring the breathtaking views. Along the way you may notice the changing vegetation and increasing humidity, meaning you are approaching the cloud forest of Mindo. Upon arrival in Mindo, you will have time to explore the town and enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon offers a variety of activities, such as bird watching tours or a visit to a butterfly farm. Immerse yourself in the magnific nature of the cloud forest and discover its diverse flora and fauna. Overnight stay in Mindo.

Today you’ll make your way to the spectacular waterfalls of Mindo, where you can hike through the cloud forest and admire the refreshing beauty of the waterfalls. After this stop, you will visit an orchid farm to discover the fascinating variety of these flowers. You will then head to a chocolate workshop where you will learn the secrets of chocolate making and make your own chocolate. During the tour, you will have the opportunity to enjoy local delicacies made with chocolate. In the late afternoon, you will have time to explore the city further or shop for souvenirs before returning to your hotel. This tour offers an unforgettable experience that will appeal to nature lovers and foodies alike. Overnight stay in Mindo.

After a relaxing time in Mindo, continue your journey and stop at the equator at Mitad del Mundo. Learn about the fascinating history and geography of this unique place and take part in interactive experiments that demonstrate the effects of the equator on gravity. Finally, the tour takes you back to Quito, where you have the opportunity to continue exploring the charming capital of Ecuador or relax at your hotel.

Experience a fascinating city tour in Quito, the enchanting capital of Ecuador. Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of this UNESCO World Heritage city as you stroll through the narrow cobblestone streets of the colonial center. Admire the magnificent churches and historic buildings, including the impressive Quito Cathedral and the majestic La Compañía de Jesús church. Enjoy the panoramic view over the city from one of the viewpoints in the surrounding hills, such as the Panecillo or the viewpoint of the Monastery of San Francisco. Discover the lively atmosphere of the local markets and try traditional Ecuadorian dishes in the cozy restaurants of the old town. A walking tour through Quito’s historic quarters is an unforgettable experience full of culture and charm.

Your day begins with a scenic drive through the Andes landscape as you approach the national park. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the imposing presence of the Cotopaxi volcano, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. Embark on an exciting drive to the base of Cotopaxi, where you will take a walk around the Limpiopungo lagoon, which stretches out against the breathtaking backdrop of the volcano. For your overnight stay, you’ll go further south to Baños de Agua Santa, known as the gateway to the Amazon region.

After a relaxing overnight stay in Baños, you’ll take an excursion to the famous “Pailón del Diablo” waterfall (also known as the “Devil’s Gorge”). You will follow the course of the Pastaza River through the valley of the same name, passing numerous smaller waterfalls along the way. Near the small village of Rio Verde, you will finally reach the impressive waterfall of Pailón del Diablo. A 15-minute walk takes you to the viewpoints above the waterfall.

In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to relax, either by visiting the thermal baths or making a tour to the famous “Casa del Árbol” (tree house), where you can enjoy the feeling of swinging on the edge of the world. You then return to your hotel in Baños for the night.

You leave Baños and head northwest. The tour starts at the Arajuno Bridge, where you will board a motorized canoe that will travel upstream for about 20 minutes through the tropical forest to the Itamandi Eco Lodge. On this boat trip, you can experience the magic and beauty of the Amazon rainforest by traveling along a river.

Once you arrive at the Itamandi EcoLodge, the staff will welcome you. From there, you will proceed to relax in the lounge with a fresh tropical snack and receive a short briefing that includes general information about the accommodation and activities provided by a naturalist guide, and then proceed to have lunch.

At night, you will enjoy an excursion. A flashlight and a camera are the most important tools for this activity, allowing you to hear and capture the nocturnal sounds of bats, owls, some insects, tarantulas, toads, frogs and possibly snakes. If the sky is clear, you may have the opportunity to observe a large number of stars.

After breakfast, you take a walk through the secondary forest. This activity takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours. In the afternoon, it is time to enjoy a cultural activity. You will learn about the daily life of an Amazonian Kichwa community and their interaction with the jungle. Part of your visit to the community will be to share the famous ‘chicha’, a fermented drink made from cassava that has become part of their festivities and daily consumption. You will take part in the preparation of this drink and taste some of the traditional dishes.

In the end of this visit you will have time to buy some handicrafts made by the indigenous peoples of the region. This small company makes a great contribution to supporting the daily lives of the indigenous people.

Early in the morning, you’ll take a 15-minute canoe ride upstream to visit the Saladero de Papagayos* and admire a unique place where parrots and parakeets gather to obtain the minerals that help them digest the fruits or seeds they have consumed. Hundreds of parrots and parakeets will approach the tree tops and then descend on the mud wall to feed on this mineral-rich soil. Binoculars are essential to enjoy this magnificent natural collaboration. Your tour ends at approximately 9:30 am with a 20-minute ride in a motorized canoe to Arajuno Bridge.

*A visit to the Saladero de Aves clearly depends on the weather conditions.

Upon arrival to Arajuno bridge you will head to the hot springs of Papallacta. These natural hot springs are known for their healing properties and offer a perfect way to relax and revitalize. You can bathe in the warm, mineral-rich waters while enjoying the view of the surrounding mountain landscape. One of the most striking peaks visible from the hot springs is the majestic Antisana volcano. With a height of over 5,700 meters, Antisana is one of the highest mountains in Ecuador and an impressive natural wonder.

Transfer to the airport according to your flight itinerary.