In the morning, our guide will pick you up from the hotel to explore Quito, the first world cultural heritage site by Unesco in 1975. You will explore some of the sites in the largest and best-preserved old town in Latin America including the independence square, the Compañía de Jesus Church, and the San Francisco Church. Afterwards, you will drive North and enjoy a delicious lunch on a volcano crater. You will visit the Middle of the World Monument and The Intiñan Museum where you can experience didactic demonstrations of phenomena that manifest on the equinoctial zone. You will learn about how the Incas determined the middle of the earth, plus doing interesting science experiments such as balancing an egg on a nail and the effects of the Coriolis force on earth.
In the afternoon, you will visit Casa Agave for another cultural experience. A cultural museum for this sacred plant for native Ecuadorians. You will understand its historical importance and multiple uses for it as you walk around its botanic garden and its distillery. You will also try some of the products made with agave and will have the opportunity to prepare a cocktail using “miske”, the alcoholic drink made out of agave.
Our guide will drive you back to the hotel for the night.
Accommodation of choice in Quito
Meals included: B, L
You will head west of Quito to a biological hotspot, Mindo. Two of the most biologically diverse ecoregions in the world meet in this valley: the Choco lowlands and the Tropical Andes. This makes the Ecuadorian cloud forest a great place to discover beautiful waterfalls, to observe a large number of bird species, and to visit an amazing orchid garden and a butterfly farm. You will also have the opportunity to learn how the worldwide known Ecuadorian cacao is transformed into delicious chocolate.
In the afternoon, our guide will drive you back to the hotel.
Accommodation of choice in Quito Meals included: B, L
After breakfast, our guide will take you to Otavalo. Here you will visit its famous cultural market, which is a favorite for travelers. This is the largest market of its kind in all of South America, and well worth a visit. You will find some of the finest woven products in the region including ponchos, sweaters, wall hangings, shawls, souvenirs, and more. The Otavalo Market is an ideal place for shopping, but you will also learn about the origins of this tradition and about the culture of Otavalo indigenous groups. Afterwards, you will visit the Peguche Wasi Handicraft Workshop. This is a community recognized for its artisan work. Peguche Wasi offers a wide variety of handmade products. The activity of the day will be a breathtaking experience where you will explore Otavalo’s nature from above on air balloons.
Accommodation of choice in Otavalo Meals included: B, L
Our guide will pick you up and take you to witness, and experience, a different lifestyle at a local community. Our guide will explain to you how its inhabitants work and base their economy in agricultural activities, craft workshops, tourism activities, and small businesses. This visit will offer you the opportunity to immerse yourself in rural life and enjoy their everyday activities. You will be able to participate in the preparation and cooking of the food. While the preparation lasts, which is approximately 2 hours, we will head to visit Cuicocha Lake, to take a short walk and observe the beautiful landscape that the crater lake offers us. In the afternoon we return to enjoy the food that we left inside the pachamanca. After this wonderful experience, our guide will drive you back to Quito where you will rest for the night and prepare for the next day’s adventure.
Accommodation of choice in Otavalo Meals included: B, L
Our guide will meet you at the hotel reception and drive you to the airport for a memorable experience in one of the most pristine destinations on Earth, the Amazon Rainforest. A lodge representative will assist you to check in for your flight. Departing from Quito, a 30 minute flight to Coca will bring you over the eastern Andes mountain range. After landing during the mid-morning, a 5 min transfer will take you to “La Mision” Port, where you will embark on a comfortable covered motor-boat.Here we will ride along the Napo River for about 2 hours while enjoying a box lunch and coffee, which is provided en route.
Along the way, you will have opportunities to spot birds like herons, kingfishers, and others. After arriving at Napo Wildlife Center’s entry dock, we disembark for a short break and to visit the restroom. Next, we take you on a majestic and peaceful 2 hour paddle canoe ride surrounded by trees and wildlife, paddling along a narrow creek that connects to the lake where the lodge is located.
There will be chances to see some species of monkeys as well as large birds like toucans, parrots, or even macaws. A late afternoon arrival to Napo Wildlife Center with an overwhelming view of the Añangu Lake will be accompanied by a welcome drink followed by a briefing from the local manager.
Accommodation at Napo Wildlife Center Meals included: B,L,D
Wake up for an early breakfast and an early start to reach the most accessible parrot clay licks in Ecuador, about 1 hour away from the lodge. Guests reach this destination just before parrot activity kicks off at the clay lick between 7:30 to 8:30am to ensure the best viewing experience. A total of 11 species of parrots, parakeets, and macaws can be seen on a daily basis. Many other animals also visit on a less frequent basis.
Later, hike along a forest trail to visit the Kichwa Community of Añangu and share time with a family on one of their many activities. Enjoy lunch at Napo Cultural Center, where you share with people of the Kichwa community. Then return to the creek and hike through a Terra Firme Forest for about 30 minutes until we arrive at the second parrot clay lick. If the weather conditions permit, we will be able to find different species of parrots, parakeets, and even macaws.
When you arrive back at the lodge during the late afternoon or early evening, a delicious dinner will be awaiting you.
Accommodation at Napo Wildlife Center Meals included: B,L,D
After another early breakfast, we leave the lodge to experience an amazing view of the rainforest from a 36 meter tall canopy tower, a great way to see the hustle and bustle of life above ground-level. This is the second tower at the Napo Wildlife Center, located about 30 minutes from the lodge deep within the Terra Firme forest. As you ascend the 12-floor tower, you pass through different levels of the forest and emerge at the top of a huge Ceiba tree. Flocks of colorful tanagers pass right through the canopy of the tree. Blue-and-yellow macaws fly past while, in nearby trees, adorable spider monkeys search for fruit. Two species of large toucans call in the early mornings and afternoons, and the life of the forest canopy is laid out before you. Birds that are virtually impossible to see from the forest floor far below are suddenly right beside you, usually oblivious to your presence. The canopy tower opens a whole new world to guests of the Napo Wildlife Center!
Lunch is served at the lodge. Your afternoon can include discovering another Terra Firme trail, where we hike along primary forest to see the forest interior, possibilities of finding lizards, colorful manakins, or the unique and endemic Golden-mantled tamarin monkey. After the hike, explore the lake and creeks in a dugout canoe and enjoy a likely chance meeting with our local Giant otter family on the way.
Accommodation at Napo Wildlife Center Meals included: B, L, D
Your last day will entail an early departure and final 2 hour excursion canoeing back to the Napo River. The creek may reveal new sights of giant otters, monk saki monkeys, and rare birds along the way. Once we have reached the river, you will transfer to the motorized canoe to return the way you came. You will arrive in Coca after an approximately 2 hour boat ride in order to check-in for your Coca – Quito flight.
Precise schedule to be announced according to departure details and arrangements.
Our guide will welcome you back in Quito and drive you for a traditional cooking class experience and delicious lunch. Together, you will buy ingredients for the delicious local dishes that you will learn how to prepare. Then, you will head to the chef’s kitchen where you will have hands-on experience with Ecuadorian cuisine. You will judge the result of your cooking skills during lunch.
Accommodation of choice in Quito Meals included: B, L
Our guide will pick you up from the hotel reception again and will drive you to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands. He will assist you with your check in. After a 2.5 hour flight to the archipelago, a local guide will welcome you and assist you to meet the cruise.
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