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Quito and Surroundings Avenue of the Volcanoes Galapagos Islands Coast Region Amazon Region

Program Ecuador and Galapagos

Day 1 (06 /08 )

Quito.

Arrival in Quito. Transfer in to your hotel, where you will be served a welcoming drink.

Hotel Mercure Alameda.

Day 22 (07 / 08)
City tour and Middle of the World (B, L)

The tour begins with a great view of Orellana’s way and Guapulo Sanctuary (XVII Century). We will continue towards the downtown, where we will take a walk visiting the Independence Square, surrounded by historically important buildings, such us the Cathedral (XVI Century), the Presidential Palace, El Sagrario Church (XVII Century), and one of the most beautiful baroque churches in South America, La Compañia de Jesus (XVII Century). After some stops to take pictures or just to take your breath back, we will visit the Church and Monastery of San Francisco built few months after the Spaniards arrival (XVI Century). Visit to the Panecillo Hill where the Virgin of Quito, (the only winged virgin) is located. From this perspective you will be delighted by the spectacular view of Colonial Quito mainly.

Continue this amazing tour, we will drive 15 Km. north of Quito, towards the Middle of the World. Here you will have two options, either to visit the Ethnographic Museum, located inside the Equator Monument, which shows a display of the main cultures of Ecuador. This monument was built to commemorate the Geodesic Scientific Mission, which came to Ecuador, during the 19th century, in order to study and measure the Earth Meridian. Or, visit the Inti Ñan Museum, a scientific and cultural Museum, located in the exact place where the Equator Line crosses and where you will be shown with different scientific experiments that you are truly stand on the 0° Meridian.

Hotel Mercure Alameda

Day 3 (08 / 08)

Otavalo Indian Market (B, L)

We will drive north towards the Province of Lakes, Imbabura. During the trip you will taste the different flavors of northern highlands cultures and landscapes. Our fist stop is in Calderon Town, well known for its bread figures. Then, we will continue towards Guayllabamba Valley, where you will be delighted by the different tastes of typical exotic fruits. Continuing north we will arrive in Cayambe town, where you will enjoy the magnificent view of the snow-capped mountain, Cayambe (5,790 m), the world highest point where the Equator Line crosses, and off course taste the famous salt biscuits with leaf cheese.

Arriving to our final destination, Otavalo, you will be impressed by the picturesque view of the Imbabura Mountain and the San Pablo Lake. We will visit the famous Otavalo Indian Market, Cotacachi Village, well known for its leather products, and the Cuicocha Crater Lake.

Day 4 (09 / 08)

Tapir Lodge (FB)

Transfer out to the airport to take the flight to Lago Agrio. Canoe ride down the Cuyabeno River for about two hours, admiring the wide variety of Flora and Fauna. We arrive at the lodge around dusk at 6pm. Room occupation, dinner and overnight in our Tapir Lodge. Our program includes full board.

Tapir Lodge

Day 5. (10 / 08 )

Jungle program (FB)

After breakfast we're off on a 3-hour trip to explore the primary forest, our guide will show us some of the local flora and fauna in the area and at the nearby lake "Laguna Grande". The sorrounding area of this beatiful lake offers the opportunity to admire a great variety of very ancient trees, long lianas, giant palms, bromeliads, and orchids.

We'll also hope to catch sight and hear lots of birds such as woodpeckers, tanagers, macaws, and toucans; and with luck we'll come across two or three species of monkeys. Lunch will be back at the lodge, followed by a short resting period. n the afternoon there's the chance for some piranha fishing and a refreshing dip into the Cuyabeno lagoon. Dinner and overnight in our Tapir Lodge.

Day 6. (11 / 08)

Jungle program (FB)

Today we will visit Alberto, a Cofan Shaman and his family in their small settlement. We will learn about how to use plants for medical reasons and about the Shamans' rituals for healing. Furthermore we will make jungle trek to "Terrafirme" and we have the opportunity to see the ruby poison dart frog (Epipedobates bilinguis) as well as macaws and toucans.

On the way back to the Lodge we visit the small indian community of the Siona-Secoya. We will learn much about how they are living and we will visit their school. Lunch on the way. In the late afternoon, we return to Tapir Lodge. In the evening we will search for caimans with the help of our flashlights.

Day 7. (12 / 08)

Jungle – Quito (B)

Early breakfast. Bird watching and a final taste of the glorious natural surroundings before making our way back to "El Puente", and then drive back to Lago Agrio to catch the flight to Quito. Arrival and transfer in.

Hotel Mercure Alameda

Day 8 (13 / 08)

Cotopaxi – Limpiopungo – Baños (B,D)

We will drive along the Panamericana highway well knows as “The Volcanoes Avenue” towards the world’s highest active volcano, Cotopaxi (5,897 meters). After crossing a Pine forest, we will arrive in Limpiopungo Lake (Clean Lake) which is located 3,800 meters above sea level along the slopes of the magnificent Cotopaxi Volcano. If you wish, we can drive further to the parking lot located at 4,500 meters in order to hike up to the Rivas Refuge at 4,800 meters.

(Good health condition is required in order to hike). Afternoon transport to Baños. Visit the closest cascades such us Manto de la Novia, Pailòn del diable and Ines María.

Overnight in Hacienda Leito

Day 9 (14 / 08)

Baños – Chimborazo – Riobamba (B, D)

Day 2

After breakfast drive to Chimborazo Reserve, you will enjoy a nice trip passing through rural areas. Chimborazo Reserve boasts Lamas and Vicuñas. Drive up to 4,800 meters above sea level and hike up to the Refuge at 5,000 meters or just take your time by to enjoy the impressive landscape at this altitude.

Overnight in Abraspungo

Day 10 (15 / 08)

Nariz del Diablo – Ingapirca – Cuenca (B, BL)

Transport to Alausí. On the way visit the first Spaniard Church built in Ecuador, La Balbanera, and El Colta Lagoon. Arrival and train ride towards the „Devils Nose“. Continue towrads Cuenca, visiting on the way the Ingapirca Ruins, an Inca Complex built over the ruins of a Cañari settlement, an important native culture of southern Ecuador, so it is also possible to find ruins of this culture. In the afternoon continue to Cuenca.

Overnight in Hotel Crespo

Day 11 (16 / 08)

Cuenca – Guayaquil (B)

After breakfast enjoy a city tour of this magnificent city declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage of Mankind. After lunch drive to Guayaquil through the spectacular Cajas roads. After four hours of driving you will be delighted with the change of altitude and landscape. The road reaches 4,000 meters of altitude and is surrounded by a beautiful Paramo landscape, full of lakes. This adventure ends at sea level, where the agriculture of the coast plays an important role in the landscape. Arrive in Guayaquil and overnight.

Overnight in Unipark

Day 12 (17 / 08)

Guayaquil – Galapagos (FB)

In the morning transfer to the airport to take the flight to the Galapagos Islands. Arrival in Baltra and transfer to Coral Ship. Visit the Charles Darwin Station

Day 13 (18 / 08)

Galapagos (FB)

Visit Española Island

Day 14 (19 / 08))

Galapagos (FB)

Visit Floreana Island

Day 15 (20 / 08)

Galapagos (FB)

Visit North Seymour Island. Transfer to Santa Cruz. Afteroon visit Tortuga Bay beach.

Overnight in Hotel Fernandina.

Dia 16 (21 / 08)

Galapagos (FB)