Ecuador + Amazonia Tour

Breakfast in the hotel. Sightseeing tour of Quito + Ruco Pichincha Volcano. During a sightseeing tour of Quito, you will see fascinating panoramas, churches, domes and rooftops that are historical relics, and learn about colonial art, architecture, culture, legends and traditions. Quito, the capital of Ecuador, was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Incan city and is located at an altitude of 2800 m. Despite the earthquake of 1917, the city has the best preserved and least altered historical center in Latin America. The architecture and rich interiors are examples of the Quito School of Art, which is a fusion of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish and indigenous art. Artists of this school worked in stone and wood to give shape to the most important religious events. After an hour and a half walking tour exploring the Old Town, you will understand why Quito was the first city in the world to be included in the UNESCO cultural heritage list. Quito takes its name from the Quitus tribe, which inhabited the region long before the Spanish conquest. In 1533, Sebastian de Benalcazar took possession of the city, which was first the capital of the Inca Empire, and in 1541 it was elevated to the rank of a Spanish city. Its full name is San Francisco de Quito. The city was the capital of the state of Quito until the end of Spanish colonial rule. The Franciscan Order was the first of the orders to establish itself in Quito. The Franciscans immediately began construction of the monastery, which became a center of education and art and had its own schools of painting and sculpture. Around the main square, Plaza Grande, are the main buildings of the country: the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Archbishop's Palace and the City Hall. We will visit the best example of colonial art in the city - a Jesuit temple, the facade of which is covered with intricate carvings. We will also visit the Gothic Basilica del Voto Nacional: This religious building was designed by a French architect, inspired by Notre Dame Cathedral. The Basilica of the National Vow is considered the most representative work of neo-Gothic architecture in the country and one of the most outstanding in Latin America. The Basilica of the National Obedience was founded in the 19th century and is considered unfinished, has gargoyles on the façade, as well as endemic animals of the country and region, such as caimans, turtles, gannets, monkeys and others. This religious temple is 140 meters long, 35 meters wide and has a central nave of 30 meters high. The two front towers are 115 meters high. The Basilica is one of the tallest buildings in the city! Quito is a capital city and has many contrasts, you can appreciate this by visiting the old city and new areas. You will get a beautiful view of the entire city from the Panecillo observation deck with a statue of the Virgin Mary with wings, the patroness of the city. At noon we will continue our journey to the Ruco Pichincha volcano. Transfer to the Teleferico cable car. There is no better way to appreciate Quito's privileged location in the Andes than by taking the Teleferiqo cable car to the observation deck. The ascent lasts 20 minutes and begins at an altitude of 2950 meters and reaches 4100 (length - 2.5 km), where there is an observation deck with views of almost the entire city. We will climb to the top of the Cruz Loma hill. A short hike through Páramo, a high-altitude ecosystem of the Andes mountain range. This is a short hike with beautiful views of Ecuador's capital, Quito, and the surrounding volcanoes. In clear weather, we will be able to see the volcanoes of Cotopaxi, Antisana, Cayambe and others. Lunch box included. Stops: Basilica of the National Vow, Main Square, Golden Church, San Francisco Square, Hill with the Virgin Mary, cable car. Accommodation at the Patio Andaluz 4* hotel (breakfast, lunch box)

Breakfast in the hotel. Excursion to the city of Otavalo. Drive towards the province of Imbabura. Along the way, we will stop in the village of Guayabamba and try a typical fruit of the region - cherimoya (a delicious fruit of the Annonaceae family). Passing through the town of Cayambe, we will visit a family in the region who make biscochos (traditional cookies) and puff pastries. Pause for coffee and biscocho and continue the journey. At the Miralago observation deck we can enjoy beautiful views of the Imbabura volcano and Lake San Pablo. Around noon we will arrive in the city of Otavalo, where we will visit the famous Ponchos Square with the largest Indian market in all of South America. Free time for shopping. You will be able to stroll through the colorful market, bargain and buy Indian handicrafts. Next we will travel to the village of Cotacachi, famous for the production of leather goods, after which we will continue our journey to the beautiful Peguche Falls, which is a sacred place for the local Indian communities. A short walk to the waterfall through the eucalyptus forest. Transfer to a beautiful old hacienda for the night. Free time for walking around the hacienda. Stops: Guayabamba with cherimoya, Cayambe with biscocho, observation deck, Otavalo market, Cotacachi with leather goods, Peguche Falls. Accommodation at the Pinsaqui Hotel (breakfast)

Breakfast in the hotel. Cotacachi-Cayapas Nature Reserve and El Angel National Park. The Ecological Reserve of Cotacachi-Cayapas (RECC) was declared a protected area on September 24, 1968 for the purpose of scientific research and experimentation. The area of the reserve is 243,638 hectares. The territory of the reserve is covered with forests by 59.5% and shrubs by 16%. This protected area has the largest number of ecosystems in the country. The reserve begins at an altitude of 35 meters and ends at an altitude of 4939 meters, at the top of the Cotacachi volcano. It covers tropical forests, rainforests and rainforests, which are heavily influenced by the Pacific Ocean. This natural reserve is part of the tropical jungle. The symbol of the reserve is the condor. This area is one of many protected areas in Ecuador. Within the reserve we will visit the crater lake Quicocha. A short walk along the crater and a boat ride on the lake. Next we will continue our journey towards the El Angel Nature Reserve, where we will discover endemic flora species: Frailejones (Espelecia) and one of the few polylepis forests in the world. After dinner, a short night walk with torches through the mysterious thousand-year-old forest of Polylepis trees, during which the guide will tell us one of the legends of this mysterious forest. Stops: Cuicocha Crater Lake, El Angel Park. Accommodation at Polylepis Lodge (breakfast, dinner)

Breakfast in the hotel. Excursion to El Angel National Park. The El Angel Ecological Reserve covers an area of 15,715 hectares and ranges from 585m to 4692m above sea level. Many rivers originate here, which are part of large river basins. 85% of the area of the páramo reserve is covered with giant frailechon (Espeletia pychnophyla), which is an endemic species (páramo is an ecosystem of the high Andes of Ecuador). These plants reach 6 m in height and form entire forests covering the entire landscape to the horizon. Frailechon flowers are similar to sunflower flowers, and the hair on the leaves protects the plants from cold and harsh climates. Local residents use these plants for medicinal purposes, including the treatment of rheumatism. Remember the leaf in your hand to smell the turpentine. The individual fleecy leaves are locally called orejas de conejo (“rabbit ears”). The reserve is a habitat for many species of animals such as rainbow trout, blue-winged teal, condor, coot, wrinkled caracara, Andean gull, Andean fox, kestrel, deer, wild rabbit, long-tailed weasel, gray mazama, turtle dove, etc. swim in streams connecting lakes. The walk through the reserve will take about 3 hours, after which we will return to the lodge. Departure from the lodge. In the afternoon, transfer to a beautiful old hacienda for the night. Free time for walking around the hacienda. Accommodation at the Cusin Hotel (breakfast)

Breakfast in the hotel. Roses, the equator line and a visit to the Pululaua Geobotanical Reserve. In the morning we will visit a rose plantation, where we will see the whole process, from cultivation to packaging of these beautiful flowers: At the plantation we will see roses of different colors and sizes that Ecuador exports to various parts of the world. We will observe the cutting and selection processes, which will convince us of the high quality of the exported goods. Note: the plantation is not visited on weekends and holidays! We go to the “Middle of the World” (equator line). There are two places to visit the equator line, and we will visit both places: 1.) The city of Mitad del Mundo. The town of Mitad del Mundo is a tourist complex where tourists can discover a monument made in memory of the geodetic expedition of 1736 that established the location of the equator line in this place. The tourist complex "Middle of the World" belongs to the prefecture of the province of Pichincha, Ecuador. It is located in the parish of San Antonio of the metropolitan district of Quito, north of the city center of Quito. Between 1979 and 1982, a 30-meter-tall monument was erected to mark where the equator line was thought to lie. A line marking the equator extends from the center of the monument, and countless tourists have crossed it over the years. But in fact, the entire structure is located 240 m south of the real line, which was calculated correctly in the 20th century thanks to the advent of the GPS positioning system. 2.) Intignan Museum. In this museum we will be able to implement a series of experiments that explain the influence of the equator line on the natural forces of nature (twisting water, balancing a chicken egg, walking along the equator line). Also here you will receive information about the culture of ancient peoples, learn about the tsantsa ritual, and you will be able to see a series of totems from various cultures of South America. Here are traditional dwellings of different cultures existing in the country, for example, a house with objects that belonged to an Indian family that lived in this place many generations ago. Continue the journey and visit the Pululaua crater. This huge volcanic crater is one of the largest in the world and one of only two inhabited; most scientists classify it as active. It is part of the larger Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve, which also includes areas outside the crater, such as a forested deep river canyon. All of these places make up the amazing landscape of the region, filled with a variety of plants. The reserve also harbors a rich variety of flora and fauna and is a magnet for those interested in volcanism. At the bottom of the crater there are small farms inhabited by indigenous people, most of whom are of Indian descent. They have lived in this area since the time of the Incas, still cultivating their land by hand or with oxen, mainly growing corn and beans, as well as raising some types of domestic animals, and do not use agricultural machinery that would disturb the peace of this unique place. Free time for photos on the observation deck - transfer to the hotel. Free afternoon for relaxation and analysis of photographs. Stops: rose plantation, Intinyan Museum, "Middle of the World", Pululaua Crater. Accommodation at the El Crater Hotel (breakfast)

Breakfast in the hotel. Visit to the Mindo rainforest. In the heart of the cloud forest, where clouds and trees create a carpet of magic and mysticism, lies a private reserve in the midst of and in harmony with the wild. This place is designed for adventure, relaxation and deep contact with nature - habitat for hundreds of species of plants, birds and other animals. Immerse yourself in nature with guides who have dedicated their lives to preserving this unique place. 6:30: Check out from the hotel after breakfast (check out time may vary). Arrival in Bellavista. Accommodation and easy hike into the forest. Dinner. After lunch, hike through the forest, study the ecology of this mystical forest and/or bird watching. Dinner. Accommodation at Bellavista Lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

5:00: Drive to the Cock of the Rocks hangout an hour from the lodge. Return to the lodge. 8:00: Breakfast. Hike through the cloud forest to the Escondida (Hidden) Falls. The duration of the hike is 3 hours. 12:30: Lunch. After lunch, we will go to the tourist town of Mindo, where we will visit a flower garden with orchids and a home chocolate factory, where we will see the entire production process of the most famous sweet in the world. The factory produces 100% organic chocolate. Return to the lodge. 19.00: Dinner. Accommodation at Bellavista Lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Breakfast in the hotel. Yanacocha Nature Reserve. The duration of the excursion day including transfers is 8 hours. 6:00: Morning walk and bird watching. After breakfast at the hotel, we will head to the Yanacocha Nature Reserve. The Yanacocha Nature Reserve was established in 2001 to protect internationally renowned and critically endangered hummingbirds such as the black-breasted hummingbird, whose known range extends to the Pichincha volcano in northwestern Quito. The habitat for these birds is the high-mountain polylepis forest, which is severely depleted due to agricultural cultivation of these places and coal mining. Management of the reserve is in the hands of the local community of Jocotoco, to which the land has been offered permanent ownership. This place is very popular among visitors to the city of Quito due to its amazing views of the peaks of Pichincha Volcano and other volcanoes located around Quito. Here you can see many hummingbirds near the feeders. Lunch box included. Transfer to the province of Cotopaxi to an ancient hacienda. Accommodation at the La Cienega Hotel (breakfast, lunch box)

Breakfast in the hotel. Visit to the Quilotoa crater lake. Continuation of the journey to the Quilotoa volcano. Along the way, we visit an artisanal workshop in the village of Tigua, where the Naive style of painting - Andean landscapes of Ecuador on sheep's clothing - originated. We will then continue our journey westwards towards the Central Andes of Ecuador. We will travel along the route known as the Puhili Path, passing through the village of Quilotoa. Arriving at Quilotoa Crater, we will visit an observation deck overlooking the crater lake and have the opportunity to walk through the Indian community. If desired (depending on the wishes of the whole group), we can go down on foot to the edge of the lake, go kayaking and return on mules. Kayak and mule rides are not included. The mule lift service is informal, offered by local residents and only until approximately 15:00. Stops: observation decks, gallery of Indian paintings, crater lake. Accommodation at the Patio Andaluz 4* hotel (breakfast)

Breakfast at the hotel – transfer to the airport – flight to the province of Coca (Amazon of Ecuador). Program 4 days/3 nights with Amazonian lodge Sacha Detailed description of the program 4 days/3 nights The itinerary may vary depending on weather conditions, specific interests and physical fitness of our guests. Day 1 Departure from Quito at 11:00 (departure times may vary). A 30-minute flight over the Andes takes you to the bustling Amazon oil city of Coca. Lunch at a private lodge in town and then head to the marina where you'll board a motorized canoe for a 2-hour journey downriver to the Sacha Lodge property. A 30-minute hike through the rainforest takes us to Lake Pilchicocha. Here you will be met by lodge staff and escorted in rowing canoes across the lake to your final destination. Arrive at Sacha Lodge at 15:30-16:00 (arrival times may vary). Bird watching from our mini observation tower offers guests an excellent opportunity to see several species of birds. This is also a great place to watch the sun set. Visit a butterfly farm with your naturalist guide to see different species of butterflies in their different states. After dinner, accompany your naturalist guide on a night hike through the rainforest in search of different species of animals that can only be seen at night, or perhaps take a silent canoe ride on the lake in search of black and spectacled caimans with striking orange eyes. (breakfast, lunch box, dinner) Day 2 The morning excursion starts at 6:00-7:00. Hike along the Liana Chica trail and arrive at a bridge over the canopy for amazing views of the rainforest canopy and many species of colorful birds. The structure, suspended on rigid rods, is one of only a few similar structures in the world! Located within the Sacha Private Nature Reserve, 3 kilometers from the Napo River and 1.5 kilometers from the lodge. This trail provides guests with excellent views of the forest floor at close range. Two of the three towers have observation decks every 12 meters along the way to the top, making this excursion accessible to everyone. The canopy path is 36 meters high and 275 meters long and offers guests the opportunity to see a huge number of bird species that cannot be seen from below. The canopy road is designed taking into account all safety standards. You will feel absolutely comfortable on it. After this excursion we will hike along the Liana Grande trail through the landscape of the low Igapo floodplains, where local guides will show and tell you about the medicinal plants that have been used for many centuries in their culture. Liana Grande takes the Higueron trail, which takes you through virgin forest with huge cotton and fig trees towering tens of meters above your head. After lunch, you can choose between an easy hike along the banks of the Napo River or a more adventurous hike along the Leoncillo Trail in search of the elusive dark jumping monkeys. Either of the two trails at the end will lead you to a boardwalk and along it to the lake for a canoe crossing back to the lodge. (breakfast, lunch, dinner) Day 3 We will leave our lodge after breakfast and start hiking along the Lagartococha trail. This trail offers you the chance to learn more about the local people and their relationship with the forest, learn about the trees where locals believe the souls of their ancestors live, and about the mysterious “dwende” or forest demon. Upon arrival at Lake Lagartococha, we take a relaxing canoe ride through natural marshes that are home to anacondas, caimans and capybaras. A hike along Lake Lagartococha after a canoe trip can give you the chance to see capuchins and squirrel monkeys playfully jumping from branch to branch. Return to the lodge for a refreshing swim or sleep in a hammock on the balcony. After lunch, a local guide will teach you how to fish for the notorious, razor-sharp piranhas. Considered one of the best at Sacha, the afternoon activity begins around 3:30 pm - a silent canoe ride through the flooded Amazonian forest, surrounded by saimiris, capuchins and howler monkeys. Keep your eyes peeled and you might see the elusive and shy river otters, as well as the well-camouflaged three-toed sloths! After your stunning journey through the flooded forest, you will arrive at a 45 meter tall wooden tower built around a perennial cottonwood tree. Watch colorful tropical birds through the lodge's powerful telescopes and enjoy sunsets with stunning views of Volcano Samaco and perhaps the snowy peaks of the Andes! We leave the tower before or after sunset. The return evening canoe ride through the flooded forest is an exciting adventure. A nightly chorus of frogs and insects will accompany you as you navigate the narrow, flooded forest paths; Don't miss out on the caimans. You will be able to see several species of bats flying overhead and hear the eerie calls of night birds. Finally, after your mesmerizing canoe trip in the Amazon, you will arrive back at Lake Pilchicocha and the familiar lights of Sacha Lodge. (breakfast, lunch, dinner) Day 4 Breakfast and departure from the lodge at 07:30. The final hike is along a boardwalk to the river and from there a two-hour motor canoe ride to the town of Coca for the 35-minute return flight to Quito. Arrival in Quito at 12:30 pm (arrival times may vary). Note: The lodge does not have check-in or check-out hours on Sundays. Transfer to the hotel. Free evening. Accommodation at the Patio Andaluz 4* hotel (breakfast)

Breakfast at the hotel – transfer to Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito. International flight. Check out – 12:00 (breakfast)