Discover Ecuador 10 days
Ecuador is a wonderful country to embark on a unique and unforgettable journey through its solemn volcanoes and mountains, navigate the majestic Amazonian waterways and immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of indigenous cities such as Otavalo, Quito, Baños and the impressive Ecuadorian Amazon.
Multicultural and megadiverse Ecuador offers an adventure of cultural encounters, harmony with unsurpassed landscapes full of wildlife, flora and fauna, demonstrating why we are a country that is among the nations with the greatest ecological diversity in the world.
Duration: 10 days
Language: The activity is carried out with a bilingual guide who speaks Spanish and English.
Note: All tours and schedules on this itinerary are subject to change; it all depends largely on weather, season, group limitations, group interests, and decisions made by the guide for the safety of passengers and organized operations.
DAY 1 Quito
Geotours will pick up all passengers at our meeting point Hotel Mariscal Sucre to start our tour at 09:00 AM, our guide will introduce himself to welcome you and provide detailed information about the planned activities.
We will begin our day exploring the cultural and charming Historic Center of Quito. At 10:30 AM, we will begin a fascinating tour that will include the Plaza de la Independencia , the majestic Metropolitan Cathedral and the historic Society of Jesus.
Around 12:00 PM, we will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant on Quito's famous Ronda Street, where you can taste typical traditional Ecuadorian dishes. At 2:00 PM, we will prepare to continue our adventure by visiting El Panecillo, an emblematic place that will give us an impressive panoramic view of the city.
Starting at 3:30 PM, we will explore the Middle of the World, home to the Middle of the World Monument and the intriguing Intiñan Museum, where we will learn about unique phenomena associated with the equatorial line.
Finally, at 6:30 PM, we will move to the picturesque town of Otavalo, enjoying a trip of approximately 2 hours. At 8:30 PM, we will arrive at the hotel at Otavalo Rose Cottage, where we will spend the night, immersed in the tranquility and beauty of this place. You will have time for dinner.
ACTIVITIES
INCLUDES - REMOVAL:
NOT INCLUDED - REMOVED:
DAY 2 OTAVALO
We will start the day at 8:00 AM with a delicious breakfast and a cozy local coffee, the guide will provide information on the planned activities. At 9:00 AM we will begin a fascinating tour of the Otavalo Market where you can enjoy the diversity of handcrafted products and colors in the Plaza de Ponchos, in this place you will have the opportunity to acquire unique and representative souvenirs of Ecuador.
At 10:00 AM we will visit the Otavalo Mother Church in the Plaza de Ponchos, appreciating the colonial architecture and immersing ourselves in the rich cultural history. At 11:00 AM we will move to the local musical instrument factory, discovering together the art behind the making of traditional Andean instruments and participating in the traditional music of the region.
Starting at 12:00 PM you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, exploring the varied Ecuadorian cuisine. At 1:00 PM, concluding the day, we will visit the beautiful Cuicocha Lagoon. Together we will explore the trails surrounding the waterfall and enjoy the serenity of the natural environment.
Finally, at 5:00 PM, we will move to Papallacta, known for its hot springs and natural beauty, enjoying a trip of approximately 2 hours. At approximately 7:00 PM, we will arrive at the hotel in Papallacta, Hostería Don Wilson. Where we will spend the night, immersed in the peace and tranquility of this place.
ACTIVITIES
INCLUDES - OTAVALO:
NOT INCLUDED - OTAVALO:
DAY 3 Papallacta
At 8 AM we start the day with a delicious breakfast and then start with a full-day excursion of adventure and relaxation to the Termas de Papallacta Spa & Resort .
We will start the tour with an excursion through the National Park Cayambe – Coca Reserve , is rich in flora and fauna, and above all characterized by the Polylepis or paper tree. Of course, we will have time to enjoy a restorative experience for body and mind, ending the tour by visiting the famous thermal pools that have alkaline sulphate waters coming directly from Cayambe and the volcanic fissures of Antisana. It is commonly believed that these have healing properties and relieve diseases such as arthritis, digestive problems or malaise. circulation. In this place we will enjoy a traditional Ecuadorian lunch
At 4:00 PM we will head to Lago Agrio, approximately 5 hours of travel.
We will arrive at the Magic Paradise hotel where we will leave our belongings and enjoy the night free to enjoy the city.
ACTIVITIES
INCLUDES - PAPALLACTA:
NOT INCLUDED - PAPALLACTA:
DAY 4, 5, 6 (Cuyabeno Green Forest Ecolodge)
DAY 4 Accommodation at the Green Forest Ecolodge Lodge
After breakfast at the Magic Paradise Inn at 09:30 AM the driver will pick you up and take you to the Cuyabeno Bridge to begin the tour in Cuyabeno - Green Forest Ecolodge , to head towards the entrance to the Cuyabeno Reserve (Cuyabeno River Bridge) this tour lasts about 2 hours. Lunch will be served and we will immediately begin our exploration in the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador by boat.
On the canoe ride you will be able to hear the sounds of wildlife, while enjoying the scenery along the waters of the Cuyabeno River. On this canoe trip you will be able to observe a great variety of birds, monkeys and other creatures of the jungle. During the trip our guide will provide information about how animals and plants interact within the Cuyabeno ecosystem in which they coexist.
Finally we arrive at the Ecolodge, we will settle in each of the cabins. After dinner our native guide will give us a presentation of the activities for the next few days in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Production Reserve.
ACTIVITIES
DAY 5
In the morning before breakfast, you can hear the sound of birds flying over the jungle and a completely fascinating sunrise. After breakfast, we continue upriver to begin a trek along the banks of the Cuyabeno River, where you can see different species of plants, huge trees, aquatic vines, orchids, medicinal herbs and a large number of wild animals and birds of the Amazon rainforest.
Once you have finished lunch, you will have time to rest, and in the afternoon we will head towards Laguna Grande where we will enjoy a spectacular sunset and we will also be able to watch freshwater dolphins swimming in the water. Once we have enjoyed one of the best sunsets, we will return to the Lodge for dinner.
After dinner, you will embark on an exciting canoe ride where you will see the famous black caimans of the Amazon, during this journey you will hear the mysterious noises of the forest, an experience never to be forgotten.
ACTIVITIES
DAY 6
Early in the morning we will go bird watching downriver, enjoy the sunrise, then have breakfast and finally travel down the Cuyabeno River back to civilization. Transportation will take us from the entrance to the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve to Lago Agrio (meeting point) and then continue with your usual trip in Ecuador. At this point in the tour our services will be finished.
Please note that all excursions and schedules in this itinerary are subject to change; everything depends largely on the weather, the season, group limitations, group interests, and decisions made by the guide for the safety of the passengers and organized operations. Afterwards we will continue with a trip of approximately 8 hours to the city of Baños de Agua Santa, heading to the Santa Cruz hotel, to rest.
Free night to visit the Basilica of Baños, the city center and the Zona Rosa.
ACTIVITIES
INCLUDES - CUYABENO:
NOT INCLUDED - CUYABENO:
DAY 7 -8 – 9
DAY 7
In Baños de Agua Santa, we head to the Santa Cruz hotel, to rest at 8:30 AM, breakfast will be served, then our guide will be present at the hotel reception to welcome you and provide detailed information about the planned activities.
At 10:00 AM, we will meet at the Geotours agency, we will have a bike ride, to the waterfalls route, the first waterfall, Agoyán where we will make a stop to rest and take pictures. The next point is the spectacular waterfall: Manto de la Novia, where we will take a cable car, the cable car ride will take us over the amazing Pastaza River canyon, which will give us a closer view of the waterfalls. The Ecuadorian landscapes will surprise you as we will travel 15 km through the small town of Río Verde and stop to admire the enormous Pailón del Diablo waterfall. Afterwards we will enjoy a delicious lunch (guide recommendations).
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
At 4:00 PM Visit to the Hands of Pachamama and the Tree House
Pachamama Hands: Enjoy a panoramic view from this famous tourist spot, with the giant hand sculptures that represent the connection with nature and Pachamama.
Tree House: Experience the adrenaline rush of the famous "End of the World" swing, where you can swing over the void with spectacular views of the surroundings.
At 3:00 PM, get ready to enjoy the longest canopy tour in Ecuador. Glide through six different lines, which total 2000 meters in length, rising above the trees.
This circuit combines an exciting set of long canopy lines, two Tibetan bridges and a via ferrata where you will climb, all this always tied to a lifeline that will keep you safe throughout this adventure.
Fly through the trees and over the rivers, appreciating the beauty of the mountain range of eastern Ecuador, which will make this an extreme experience that you will never forget!
ACTIVITIES
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Day 8
We will have breakfast at 8 AM and then head to the Geotours Agency at 9 AM to begin the Rafting activity in the upper Pastaza. This is one of the most popular adventure tours in Baños de Agua Santa. Big waves and rapids will be part of this extraordinary experience. Adrenaline and maximum fun are guaranteed in this section, ideal for adventurers and people looking for something extra in every sense in Baños de Agua Santa. Return at 2 pm
Starting at 4:00 PM we will take the tour to Animal Park to explore the fascinating theme park where you will have the opportunity to interact with a variety of animals in their natural habitat. This is an ideal tour for nature and animal lovers, providing an educational and entertaining experience.
ACTIVITIES
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Day 9
We will start our last day of adventure with a delicious breakfast at 8 AM and then head to the Geotours Agency at 9 AM to begin the activity of Cayoning Cashaurco, located 45 minutes from Baños, offering a complex system of waterfalls, rappelling and jumps that will require participants to combine several skills and abilities. Our specialized guides will ensure throughout the tour that you enjoy the activity and above all that you are always safe.
The canyoning tour in Cashaurco takes the canyoning experience to a whole new level. Practice this amazing adventure sport amidst large amounts of water and the pleasant temperature of the jungle scenery around Baños de Agua Santa.
At 2:30 PM we will meet again at the Geotours agency to take our paragliding tour where you will finally know what it feels like to be a bird! You will fly from a beautiful place in the heights of the Ecuadorian mountains with the best guides.
Our paragliding tour will take place in the Nitón sector, near Pelileo in the province of Tungurahua, about 45 minutes from Baños de Agua Santa. Once there, our guide will explain to you how to take off and land while you acclimatize to the cold wind. Paragliding flights last between 15 and 20 minutes. Depending on the weather conditions and the number of people on the tour, you will have to wait your turn to fly, so it is very important that you wear warm clothing. We will return around 7:00 PM.
ACTIVITIES
INCLUDES HOLY WATER BATHS:
HOLY WATER BATHS NOT INCLUDED:
Day 10 Cotopaxi
COTOPAXI
We start the day with breakfast at 7:30 am to head to the last activity of the tour, the visit to Cotopaxi National Park.
A full-day adventure, a trip along the Avenue of the Volcanoes (North of the Pan-American Highway) along the beauties of the Andean landscape. Choose between a hike to the glaciers, a walk around the Limpiopungo Lagoon, a visit to the local market. Immersing yourself in the Andean Paramo!
Our destination is none other than the highest active volcano in the world: Cotopaxi, at 5,897 meters high, Cotopaxi elegantly adorns the Royal Mountain Range of the Ecuadorian Sierra.
We will enter Cotopaxi National Park to have a close encounter with the biodiversity of the Páramo accompanied by a short ecological guide of the area. After a short walk, let's start the adventure! If the travelers and the physical conditions of the weather are appropriate, we will continue to the parking lot (4500 m. above sea level) in order to ascend to the First Refuge of the volcano (4810 masl).
You will be able to rest and eat some hot soup or hot chocolate at the shelter before continuing the ascent to the Glaciers (depending on weather conditions).
A visit to a local market is another great option to get in touch with the local community. After a long day, at 4:00 pm we head to Quito to finish our tour at Mariscal Sucre Airport.
ACTIVITIES:
INCLUDES - COTOPAXI:
NOT INCLUDED - COTOPAXI:
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY
QUILOTOA
We start the day with breakfast at 7:30 am to head to the last activity of the tour to the Quilotoa lagoon, located southeast of the city of Quito, inside the Los Ilinizas Ecological Reserve, in the province of Cotopaxi. This wonderful lagoon of volcanic origin is very famous for its turquoise waters and is surrounded by typical Andean moor vegetation.
Together we will explore the trails that surround the waterfall and enjoy the serenity of the natural environment. A full-day adventure awaits us at this lagoon, starting with the Shalalá viewpoint, a transparent structure from which it is possible to see all the scenic beauty of the Quilotoa lagoon. The viewpoint is located in the Shalalá community, and is 3,900 meters above sea level. This is the perfect place to get a great photo of the Quilotoa crater and lagoon. To continue, we will visit the Quilotoa community viewpoint, also known as the Quilotoa viewpoint, a place from which you can also get a fantastic view of the natural complex.
We will take a walk to the majestic lagoon along a trail that is approximately 2 kilometers long. Once we have explored and reached the shore of the Quilotoa lagoon, there is the possibility of renting a boat or a kayak to navigate on the lagoon that is housed in a unique and spectacular crater of pure and natural blue water.
Once the activity is over, you can rest while enjoying a delicious and nutritious meal, ending a long day. At 4:00 pm we head to Quito to end our tour at the Mariscal Sucre Airport.
ACTIVITIES:
INCLUDES - QUILOTOA:
NOT INCLUDED - QUILOTOA:
