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Ecuador: Highlands & Jungle Lodge

from

USD

1,074

/ person
  • 1
  • 10 Days
PRICE

Gabor Csizmadia

EcoAndes Travel

We are dedicated to the operation of high quality tour packages in Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile and Peru.

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Ecuador: Highlands & Jungle Lodge

from

USD

1,074

/ person
  • 10 Days

Ecuador: Highlands & Jungle Lodge

10 Days in Ecuador, during which you will travel through the Andes, as well as spend 3 days in an Ecolodge in the Amazon Rainforest, learning about flora & fauna, meeting locals, trying local cuisine and participate in many fun activities.

Arrival to Quito

At your arrival in Quito we will greet you and transfer you to your hotel in Quito.

Quito

Quito Historic Center & Equator

Your adventures begin in Quito, where we will visit the old town with its beautiful narrow streets and the colonial churches of San Francisco, La Compañia, and may more interesting landmarks of the Colonial Center. This visit is followed by a short stop at the top of El Panecillo hill from where we get a spectacular view of the city. In the afternoon, we visit the Equator monument the Ethnographical museum, and a representation of the colonial towns or past centuries. Breakfast included. Read more

Quito

Quito - Otavalo

Departing from Quito, we will drive north to the city of Cayambe to try the famous “Biscochos” biscuits, and then continue to the city of Otavalo. After checking in at the hotel we continue to visit the beautiful Cuicocha Lake. We will have some free time for shopping in the nearby Cotacachi town, famous for its quality leather goods. Finally, we will visit the indigenous village of Peguche where we can meet the well-known Otavalo Indigenous people. Breakfast included. Read more

Otavalo

Otavalo - Machachi

In the morning, we will visit the famous Indian market in Otavalo. Our day will continue afterwards up to the beautiful highlands of the Mojanda Lake reserve. On the way, we will enjoy great views of the Ecuadorian Andes and of the Ecuadorian countryside. Afterwards we have a car ride south towards the foothills of the Pasochoa Volcano where we will visit the Pasochoa Forest Reserve. We will have some time to enjoy a nice hike on this beautiful area. We overnight in Hotel accommodations in Machachi town. Breakfast and lunch box included. Breakfast included. Read more

Machachi

Cotopaxi - Sigchos - Chugchillan

From Machachi, we travel southwards along the Pan-American Highway to see the slow and constant activity of the legendary Cotopaxi Volcano, one of the tallest in the world, weather and volcano activity permitting we will enter to the national park to enjoy a hike around the Limpiopungo lagoon located at 3800 m of altitude while enjoying great views of the amazing snow-capped mountain. We will head towards one of the best spots for photography where we might be able to get some truly amazing shots if the weather permits. Then we continue our drive along scenic highlands of the western Cordillera de los Andes and towards the Sigchos town. From Sigchos we continue driving for about 40 minutes to finally arrive to a charming hostel located near Chugchillan town. Breakfast included. Read more

Chugchillan

Chugchillan - Quilotoa - Ambato - Baños

This day we start early in the morning for a beautiful hiking tour (3 to 4 hours) which takes us to the rim of the Quilotoa Volcano where inside of the crater is located a beautiful lagoon. During the hike, we will enjoy amazing views of the highlands of Ecuador. Afterward, we will drive to Zumbahua, one of the most unspoiled highland areas of Ecuador and which offers nice views of the area and the enjoyment of the Indigenous Market (which runs every Saturday). Later, and passing the village of Pujili (Indian market runs every Wednesday), we continue our drive to the city of Ambato and finally in the late afternoon, we will arrive in Baños, a picturesque city located at the gateway to the jungle, where we will stay overnight. Breakfast included. Read more

Baños

Baños - Yacuma Ecolodge

After a relaxing morning, we will drive east towards the intriguing rainforest of the upper basin of the great Amazon River. Following the impressive canyon of the Pastaza River, we will first arrive in Puyo, a town located on the edge of the jungle. From here, we will continue our drive towards the shores of the Napo River, one of the biggest tributaries of the Amazon. After a short welcome talk, you will be taken into your comfortable traditional style bungalows. Solar panels provide hot water in the showers, as well as ambient lighting for the night. After a short rest, we will have a short navigation to the “hidden Lagoon”, where we will do a short hike ideal for bird watching in their natural surroundings, such as: King Fishers (martin pescador), Great Egrets (garzas de rio), Great Blue Herons (garzas reales), and perhaps one of the most strange and interesting birds of the amazon, the Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoatzin), that have a blue face and a punk-hairdo. The smell is quite pungent, giving it the nickname of the stinky bird. In this place we will also try fishing for the legendary Piranha, which you can have for dinner at the lodge if you catch one! We will go back to the lodge, for dinner, and if everyone feels in good conditions a night walk for about 40 minutes can also be arranged after dinner. Breakfast and Dinner Included. Read more

Yacuma Ecolodge (Amazon Rain

Yacuma: Full Day Jungle Activity

After a nice hearty breakfast we will begin a hike deep in the primary jungle of the Yacuma forest reserve. For this activity we have various alternatives. The first alternative is a short 2 hour walk in which the native guide will show us various species of birds, medicinal plants and their usage in shamanic healing rituals, and if we are lucky animals such as monkeys, tapirs, or capybaras. A second alternative of 4 hours across streams and different types of terrain will take us through various species of trees and plants with the objective of reaching the Tutapishco Cave, a.k.a. “the Bat Cave”. We will also get to see many species of plants used for healing as well as food and shelter within the deep primary rainforest. Within the cave, which has not been fully explored yet, a very interesting display of the inhabitants of the cave can be seen: The exiting dance of the amazon Bat (Saccopteryx Bilineata). This cave is considered sacred by the locals, and as the locations where the Shaman will come to renew energy for their sacred rituals. Many animal and birdlife can be observed in this walk, and with some luck, some very interesting mammals from the deep jungle such as monkeys, rodents, etc. exploring the primary rainforest is a very gratifying and fulfilling experience for all travelers. We will return to the camp for a delicious, locally produced lunch, and after resting for a short period, we will visit the home of one of the members of the Kichwa Chontayacu community, where we can appreciate their simple and calm lifestyle. During the walk travelers can learn interact and observe the various crops that grow within the jungle of secondary forests of The Napo Basin. Crops such as Coffee, Bananas, cacao, cassava, papaya, pineapple and oranges are some of the locally produced agricultural products that provide sustenance for the inhabitants of the jungle. Visitors can also observe and buy the locally produced handicraft such as vases, small pots, necklaces, bracelets and many more beautiful crafts. The traditional Chicha drink will also be explained and passed around for everyone to try. If time permits, we will do some fun water based activities such as kayaking or tubing in the river. Conversely we can head back to camp and have a nice bonfire with music and enjoyment after dinner. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included) Read more

Yacuma Ecolodge (Amazon Rain

Yacuma Ecolodge - Quito

For those interested in bird watching, an early start is offered to catch the different species of birdlife rising for the day. At 5:30 am we will go up to the viewpoint close to the lodge to observe the jungle come alive. An impressive view of the amazon jungle from the same levels of the canopy is also very grand from this location. We will return to the lodge for breakfast. We will say goodbye to our friends after breakfast, and we will board our canoe to go back to San Pedro de Sumino. From here, we will begin our ride back to the capital. Breakfast Included. Read more

Quito

Transfer Out

Depending on your flight schedule, we will transfer you to the airport. Breakfast included

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ACCOMMODATIONS

Day in trip
Location
Hotel
Day 1
Location Quito
Hotel Fuente de Piedra 2 or Similar
Day 3
Location Otavalo
Hotel El Indio Inn or Similar
Day 4
Location Machachi
Hotel La Estacion or Similar
Day 5
Location Chugchillan
Hotel El Vaquero or Similar
Day 6
Location Baños
Hotel Monteselva or Similar
Day 7
Location Amazon Rainforest
Hotel Yacuma Ecolodge
Day 9
Location Quito
Hotel Fuente de Piedra 2 or Similar
Day in trip
Location
Hotel
Day 1
Location Quito
Hotel Anahi Boutique Hotel or Similar
Day 3
Location Otavalo
Hotel Hacienda Pinsaqui or Similar
Day 4
Location Machachi
Hotel La Cienega or Similar
Day 5
Location Sigchos
Hotel San Jose de Sigchos or Similar
Day 6
Location Baños
Hotel Plaza Sangay or Similar
Day 7
Location Amazon Rainforest
Hotel Yacuma Ecolodge
Day 9
Location Quito
Hotel Anahi Boutique Hotel or Similar
Day in trip
Location
Hotel
Day 1
Location Quito
Hotel Swissotel or Similar
Day 3
Location Otavalo
Hotel Hacienda Cusin or Similar
Day 4
Location Machachi/Latacunga
Hotel San Augustin del Callo or Similar
Day 5
Location Sigchos
Hotel San Jose de Chigchos or Similar
Day 6
Location Baños
Hotel Luna Run Tun or Similar
Day 7
Location Amazon Rainforest
Hotel Yacuma Ecolodge
Day 9
Location Quito
Hotel Swissotel or Similar

TRIP PACKAGE

Package includes

  • Private transport
  • Double room accommodation with private facilities
  • English/Spanish Speaking guide services
  • Meals as indicated
  • All entrance fees

Package excludes

  • Personal expenses
  • Tips
  • Beverages
  • Extras
  • Personal Travel Insurance (Mandatory)
  • Airfares

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