From Quito -capital- to the Amazon rainforest…meeting the northern communities!
*13-day authentic tour, from $— per person [on a base of two people].
Fernando’s feeling about this tour
This 13-day cultural Tour in Ecuador “from Quito to the Amazon”, you will meet the raw and colorful Andes of Ecuador where you will discover magnificent volcanic landscapes and Indian people who have kept all their authenticity, its customs, and traditions. I decided to create this trip around meeting the northern communities but also with Ecuadorians with an atypical history.
You will have a delicious time in San Clemente where the families who will welcome you are all more pleasant than the others. You will also discover authentic inns run by descendants of former dictators or even a Franco-Ecuadorian woman who will welcome you to her house. Then, you will enjoy a 3-night stay in the Amazon in a pleasant isolated lodge – even if it is not in the deep Amazon – where some adventures await you before returning to Quito.
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer-in to Quito | Quito visit | Quito > Cuicocha lake> Cotacachi > San Clemente | San Clemente |
| Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 |
| San Clemente > Otavalo > Cayambe > Cotopaxi National Park | Cotopaxi National Park > Tigua | Tigua > Lagune Quilotoa > Riobamba | Riobamba > Salinas de Guaranda > Riobamba |
| Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12 |
| Riobamba > Baños > Puyo > Tena | Amazon rainforest (secondary) | Amazon rainforest (secondary) | Amazon rainforest > Papallacta |
| Day 13 | |||
| Departure transfer to Quito airport |
Tour highlights :
– Completely private tour in Ecuador with English-speaking guide.
– Meeting with the San Clemente Indigenous community..
– Otavalo and Zumbahua markets discovery.
– Extraordinary natural sites: Cotopaxi Parks and Chimborazo Reserve.
– Discovery of the Amazon rainforest.
Explore in more detail :
– The rate decreases as the group size increases proportionally. The estimated price of this adventure is from $— to $—. The final cost of this trip depends on the way we personalize it specially for you. The exact price will be provided in your personalized quote.
Day 1 : Transfer-in to Quito
Upon arrival at Quito airport, transfer to your hotel.
Meal
No
Visit
No
Hike
No
transport
1h00
Day 2 : Quito visit9.184 ft (2800m)
Visit Quito Historic Center, its many churches, its squares. You will discover a special atmosphere! In the afternoon; possibility to visit the magnificent Banco Central museum or going to the “Mitad del Mundo”.
Meal
b
Visit
6h00
Hike
0h00
transport
0h30
Day 3 : Quito > Cuicocha > Cotacachi > San Clemente (Indigenous community)*
Transfer (3h30) to the north of Ecuador. You will go to the famous Cuicocha Lagoon. You will finally travel to the San Clemente community. Meal and overnight included with the host family. It will be an extraordinary moment of meeting.
Meal
bld
Visit
2h00
Hike
de 1h00 à 4h00
transport
3h30
Day 4 : San Clemente
Today you will spend the entire day with the community of San Clemente learning about their way of life. You will participate in their daily activities such as cooking, embroidery or discovering their Kichwa culture.
Meal
bld
Visit
de 4h00 à 6h00
Hike
0h00
transport
0h00
Day 5 : San Clemente > Otavalo Market > Cotopaxi National Park
Departing from the community you will reach the famous Otavalo market with its local crafts exhibitor. You will take the road to Cotopaxi National Park where, at the park’s entrance, your hacienda will be waiting for you.
Meal
b
Visit
4h00
Hike
0h00
transport
4h00
Day 6 : Cotopaxi National Park > Tigua
This morning you will visit Cotopaxi Park. If you wish, you can go up to the José Ribas refuge located at 4,864m. The Cotopaxi Park is the perfect place for hiking. You will then go to a hostel near the community of Tigua.
Meal
bd
Visit
0h00
Hike
de 1h00 à 4h00
transport
2h30
Day 7 : Tigua > Quilotoa > Riobamba
You will explore the Quilotoa Lagoon which is a volcano crater. On the way, you will stop at the traditional Zumbahua market. After having toured the lagoon (or not depending on your physical state) you will descend to the Riobamba city.
Meal
b
Visit
1h00
Hike
de 2h00 à 5h00
transport
4h45
Day 8 : Riobamba > Chimborazo reserve > Salinas de Guaranda > Riobamba
Discovery of the Chimborazo reserve and its vicuñas. You can climb up to the “Whymper” refuge, Edward Whymper who was the first to climb the Chimborazo summit. Then you will meet the Salinas de Guaranda community which is almost autonomous.
Meal
b
Visit
1h30
Hike
1h30
transport
3h30
Day 9 : Riobamba > Tena > Amazon rainforest
Departure for the Amazon. You will have a transfer to Tena where your lodge is located. On the road, you will see the famous Paílon del Diablo waterfall. You will finally reach your lodge in the Amazon to enjoy this special atmosphere.
Meal
bd
Visit
2h00
Hike
1h00
transport
5h00
Day 10 : Amazon rainforest
Discovery of the jungle and its rich flora and fauna. In the afternoon, meeting with a local community to learn about local traditions and customs.
Meal
bld
Visit
3h00
Hike
3h00
transport
0h00
Day 11 : Amazon rainforest
You will once again set off to discover the largest forest in the world. You will see abundant flora in a relaxing atmosphere.
Meal
bld
Visit
3h00
Hike
3h00
transport
0h00
Day 12 : Amazon rainforest > Tena > Papallacta
You will leave, after breakfast, towards Quito where you will stop at the Papallacta thermal baths. These thermal baths are natural and are a very pleasant way to end your stay in Ecuador. You will spend your last night in this hotel to make the most of your last evening.
Meal
b
Visit
0h00
Hike
0h00
transport
4h30
Day 13 : Departure transfer
Transfer to Quito airport.
Meal
b
Visit
0h00
Hike
0h00
transport
1h00
B: Breakfast
L: Luch
D: Dinner
Rate Includes
– All transfers, vehicles, drivers and their costs and fees.
– Accommodation
– National-licensed guides as indicated in the guidance part.
– Meals (4 breakfasts / 2 Lunches / 3 Dinners).
– Entrances to sites, museums and national parks specified in the program.
– Licenses (ITK travel agency and our guides and drivers).
Rate Doesn’t include
– International flights
– Individual equipment
– Visits indicated as “Optional” or “at an additional cost.
– Drinks in bars, hotels, restaurants or villages.
– Not indicated meals
– Tips
«Comfort » category : charming and comfortable accommodation 2/3*** category. Clean and offering an adapted-to-European and American customer service.
« Superior » category : charming accommodation 3/4**** category. Top of the range quality infrastructure and personalized service. Spacious and tasteful rooms.
« Luxe » category: top of the range accommodations 4/5***** categoryoffering an irreproachable quality of service. The rooms are luxurious and spacious. .
– Andes: private transport with a Spanish-speaking driver + a bilingual Spanish / English private local guide (vehicle type 4 × 2, space or bus depending on the size of the group). For a 2 or 3 people group, your guide will also be your driver.
– Transfert: the transfer on day 13 will be carried out by a private Spanish-speaking driver.
– Amazon rainforest: Visits will be carried out in groups with a native guide from the community where your lodge will be located.
–Physical: This trip to Ecuador does not require any particular physical condition. However, the altitude can sometimes be badly tolerated by some people. We recommend that you do a medical test before coming to Ecuador to make sure everything is okay.
– Technical: no technical level is necessary. You will not have climbing or ice climbing. We recommend walking shoes for the few planned hikes.
Clothing :
-1 or 2 light walking trousers
-1 or 2 warm walking trousers
-2 Fleece jackets
-1 breathable warm jacket (gore tex type)
-1 waterproof jacket (type kway)
– light t-shirts
– hike shoes
– casual shoes
-1 pair of gloves for high altitude walks
-1 warm hat for high altitude walks
– beach clothing -if necessary-
– cap
Additional :
– water bottle
– sunglasses
– solar cream
– hiking bag (between 25 to 45L)
– hike sticks
– camera
– binoculars
– duvet between 0C et -15C (when nights in a refuge or tent are planned)
– headlamp (for nights in tents or shelters)
– Transfers and visits times are indicative.
– Foresee between $ 5 and $ 30 per meal not included, per person.
– Tips: we recommend between $ 10 and $ 20 per worked day for a guide, and between $ 5 and $ 10 per worked day for a driver.