Land of contrasts – 13 days

Daily Tour
{:fr}Andes{:}{:es}Andes{:}{:gb}Andes{:}, {:fr}Amazonie{:}{:es}Amazonía{:}{:gb}Amazon{:}, {:fr}Côte Pacifique{:}{:es}Costa{:}{:gb}Pacific Coast{:} Tour Guide: Guide francophone

Organized tour / English speaking guide
Regions visited : Andes / Amazon / Pacific coast

Land of contrasts

Tour to discover the three main regions of Ecuador: the Amazon, the Andes and Pacific coast.

Activities to do:
Short walk – Tourism and discovery of the environment

Level  easy                 * From  1590 $

A tour exploring the three main regions of Ecuador: the Amazon, the Andes, and the Pacific coast. We’ll begin the tour with a visit to the famous Otavalo market, bursting with color, friendliness, and joy of living. After exploring the Amazon, we’ll travel on the picturesque Andean train (an unforgettable experience guaranteed). Before heading to the Pacific coast (Machalilla National Park), we’ll visit the city of Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage City, and Ingapirca, Ecuador’s most important archaeological site.

Meals:

Whenever possible, we leave meals to your own discretion.
Ecuador’s cuisine may not be as refined as France’s, but it still caters to every traveler’s desire for discovery. The country offers a rich variety of menus, from gourmet restaurants to simple little restaurats in markets and villages.
Meals listed in the itinerary are included, and those not included are at your discretion. Your guide and travel companion will suggest interesting places and restaurants and can also accompany you on your explorations, if you wish.

Included meals are indicated as follows: B: Breakfast L: Lunch D: Dinner

Itinerary :

Day 1: Quito – Otavalo – Cuicocha Lagoon – Quito

Early morning departure for the province of Imbabura. Visit to the traditional market of Otavalo and excursion to Cuicocha Lagoon. Late afternoon return to Quito. Accommodation in Quito.

Day 2: Colonial Quito – Middle of the World – Quito

Visit to colonial Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Middle of the World monument. Accommodation in Quito. B

Day 3: Quito – Amazon cloud forest

After breakfast, transfer to Misahualli, a small village in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Monkey watching along the banks of the Napo River. Continue the journey by canoe to the lodge (1.5 hours of paddling). Check-in and exploration of the surrounding area. Overnight at the lodge on the banks of the Napo River. B – D

Day 4: Amazon cloud forest

Boat trip on the Napo River and approximately 3-hour hike in the El Jaguar Ecological Reserve, a primary rainforest.
Return to the lodge and in the afternoon, visit a Quechua indigenous family with a tasting of chicha made with yuca (cassava). Return to the lodge in the evening. Overnight stay at the lodge. B – L – D

Day 5: Amazon cloud forest – Puyo – Baños

After breakfast, we will return to Misahualli by dugout canoe. We will then depart for the town of Baños by private vehicle. En route, we will take an excursion to the Pailon del Diablo waterfall, crossing the Pastaza River in a tarabita (cable cart). We will observe the active Tungurahua volcano and have the opportunity to swim in one of Baños’ thermal pools. Accommodation in Baños. B

Day 6: Baños – Wildlife Reserve of Chimborazo – Riobamba

After breakfast, departure for the Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve. Ascent to the refuge at 5,000 meters altitude. Approach to the glacier and vicuña observation. Continue to the city of Riobamba. Accommodation in Riobamba. B – L (box lunch)

Day 7: Riobamba – Ingapirca – Cuenca

After breakfast, departure for the city of Cuenca. En route, visit Ingapirca, the most important archaeological site in Ecuador. Accommodation in Cuenca. B

Day 8: Cuenca

After breakfast, visit the historic center of Cuenca, the Homero Ortega hat factory, one or more museums of the participants’ choice, and do some shopping. Accommodation in Cuenca. B

Day 9: Cuenca – Guayaquil

After breakfast, departure for the Pacific coast and a stop at the port of Guayaquil. City tour: Malecón 2000, Las Iguanas Park, the cathedral, and of course, Las Peñas neighborhood.
Accommodation in Guayaquil. B

Day 10: Guayaquil – Puerto López

After breakfast, transfer to Machalilla National Park on the Pacific coast. Relax on the beach in the afternoon. Accomodation in Puerto López. B

Day 11: Isla de la Plata

After breakfast, we’ll sail to Isla de la Plata and visit the site with a naturalist guide. (This island shares similar characteristics with some of the Galápagos Islands.) From June to September, whale watching is available. We’ll return to Puerto López in the afternoon. Accommodation in Puerto López. B – L (box lunch)

Day 12: Agua Blanca Pre- Inca site – Los Frailes beach

In the morning, we will visit the Agua Blanca Pre-Inca site and its sulfur pools where you can swim. We will stop for lunch, and in the afternoon we will visit the beautiful Los Frailes beach where you can swim and enjoy the charm of the area. Return to Puerto López in the late afternoon. Accommodation in Puerto López. B

Day 13: Puerto López – Quito

You can use the vehicle to return to Quito with the guide. Optionally, you can take a flight from Manta to Quito. B

Customize this trip:

Let us know your desire changes and suggestions and we´ll send you a new travel proposal

Base 2 Pers. 2730 $  Exclusive tour (no other participants)
Base 2 Pers. 2540 $  Group tour (shared with other participants)
Base 3 Pers. 2090 $
Base 4 Pers. 1890 $
Base 5 Pers. 1790 $
Base 6 Pers. 1690 $
Base 7 Pers. 1650 $
Base 8 Pers. 1590 $

The rate includes :

Transportation according to the number of participants
Accommodation in a double room
Meals as mentioned
Entrance fees to the different sites
English-speaking guide
Local guide at some sites

The rate does not include :

International airfare
Drinks, tips, and personal expenses
Personal repatriation/cancellation insurance: in case of serious illness or accident
Supplement for higher-category hotels
Single room supplement: USD 125 (only in the Amazon, subject to availability)
Flights Manta/Quito
For 4 people: Option for greater comfort and flexibility:
Supplement for minibus with driver throughout your stay: USD 290 per person.

Departures every day
Departures are confirmed with a minimum of 2 participants

Tour Description:
A 13-day tour through Ecuador’s three main regions: the Amazon, the Andes, and the Pacific Coast.

Trip Theme:
Family trip, discovery, landscapes, nature, culture

Cities Visited:

Quito
Otavalo and surrounding areas
Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World)
Misahuallí (Amazon)
Baños
Chimborazo
Riobamba
Ingapirca
Cuenca
Guayaquil
Puerto López

Group Size: 2 to 8 participants

Duration: 13 days

Tour Start: Quito

Tour End: Quito or Guayaquil

Physical Level: Easy

Recommended Season: Year-round

Accommodation: Standard hotels, haciendas

Transportation: Private transportation

Requirements:
Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the return date. Visa not required.

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