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Pure Ecuador

(19 Days)

Quito | Mindo | Otavalo | Papallacta | Amazon Region | Baños | Cotopaxi | Riobamba | Cuenca | Guayaquil

Day Routing
01 Quito

Arrival at the airport in Quito and transfer to the hotel.

02 Quito

City tour through Quito to dive into its colonial history. Afterwards visit to the Equatorial Line Monument "Mitad del Mundo".

03 Quito - Mindo

Transfer from Quito to Mindo. On the way there visit to the community Yunguilla. Upon arrival the guests will be welcomed at the community and get an impression of their various projects during a walk through it. Lunch in the community is included. Afterwards drive to Mindo.

04 Mindo

Visit to a butterfly farm to get to know the diversity of the endemic species. Afterwards visit to a coffee plantation with tasting. There you will get to know all about the process of producing coffee and the cultivation of coffee plants.

05 Mindo - Otavalo

Visit to Pahuma Reserve. With its hundreds of native species of flora and fauna it is a truly paradise for lovers of nature. Later on the journey will continue to Otavalo. 

06 Otavalo

Visit the school project in Peguche. This project looks after the education and adequate care of children in need. Upon arrival in Otavalo, you will visit the worldwide known Indian handicrafts market.

07 Otavalo

Participation in a kawasaymi cooking project of an indigenous kichwa family. Typical Andean dishes and their preparation will be explained and tastet.

08 Otavalo - Papallacta

Visit to the thermal baths of Papallacta, which are known as the most beautiful and cleanest ones in the country. After the bath it is possible to go for a walk to explore the typical flora and fauna of this region.

09 Papallacta – Amazon Region

Transfer from Papallacta to the lodge El Jardín Alemán in Misahuallí. Depending on the time of the arrival exists the possibility to enjoy a first short walk on the premises of the lodge. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

10 Amazon Region

Participation in one of the offered excursions, e.g. a full day canoe-tour to reach the protected forest “Misicocha” for a hiking tour through the forest and visit of an indigenous village to learn how to prepare "chicha", a fermented yuca drink which you can try afterwards. Fullboard at the lodge.

11 Amazon Region - Baños

After breakfast, visit to an indigenous community, to learn more about their culture, music, habits and medical plants. After that transfer to Baños.

12 Baños

Hike to the famous waterfall "Pailon del Diablo" east of Baños.

13 Baños - Cotopaxi

Today visit to Salasaca, a kichwa village between Ambato and Baños. Afterwards, continuation to Huasalata to watch the natives weaving in a traditional way and manufacturing ponchos. Finally transfer along the "Avenue of the volcanoes" to the hotel near Cotopaxi.

14 Cotopaxi

Visit to the National Park Cotopaxi. Walk near the "Laguna de Limpiopungo" to learn about the typical vegetation of the so-called "Páramo". Optional: Horseback riding to the viewpoint "Guardianes del Volcan" or Mountain Biking tour. 

15 Cotopaxi - Riobamba

Visit to Quilotoa, the lagoon inside a crater. On a hike at the wonderful lagoon the guests will be able to enjoy the beautiful landscape, including a big variety of flora and fauna. The journey will continue southwards to Riobamba, where a great number of indigenous communities live.

16 Riobamba - Cuenca

Visit to the lntiSisa foundation, a non-profit foundation that supports the local population of Guamote. The education center, a weaver and an indigenous family will be visited. The ride continues to Cuenca.

17 Cuenca

City tour in Cuenca to see the historical buildings, the "Todos los Santos" ruins, the flower market and the main square. Afterwards visit to the small district of Sigsig, famous for its handicrafts. 

18 Cuenca - Guayaquil

Transfer to Guayaquil. On the way, visit to a cocoa project to watch the single production steps which are necessary to produce chocolate and taste the final product. After arrival in Guayaquil the guests will go on a short panorama city tour. 

19 Guayaquil

End of the roundtrip. Transfer to the airport for individual homebound flight.