Experience authentic encounters as a local!
FERNANDO’S WORD OVER THIS TOUR
Go on a trip and discover the Ecuadorian people (s)… This is the goal of the ” Ecuador Authentic Encounters ” tour that I have created for you. In the Amazon and the Andes, you will meet Indian communities where cultural exchange is real. Always in exceptional sites, you will learn the customs and traditions of each family with which you will be in constant contact. Alongside them, you will also take part in daily activities (agriculture, cooking, etc.).
We absolutely wish to let you know their current daily life even if the communities will certainly tell you their ancestors’ way of life. Ecuador is one and the same country, but the people living there each have their own particularities from one region to another. On one and the same trip to Ecuador, you will meet different and endearing people.
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer-in to Quito | Quito visit | Quito > Cuicocha > San Clemente | San Clemente |
| Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 |
| San Clemente > Otavalo (market) > Cotopaxi National Park | Cotopaxi National Park > Tigua | Tigua > Zumbahua > Quilotoa > Chugchilan | Chugchilan > Isinlivi > Riobamba |
| Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12 |
| Riobamba > Chimborazo reserve > Salinas de Guaranda > Riobamba | Riobamba > Baños | Baños > Tena > Amazon rainforest (Tena region) | Amazon rainforest (Tena region) |
| Day 13 | Day 14 | ||
| Amazon rainforest (Tena region) > Coca > Quito | Quito – departure transfer |
Tour highlights :
– Completely private tour in Ecuador with English-speaking guidance in the Andes.
– 4 nights in Indian communities -in the Andes and 2 at a homestay in Quito-.
– 5 days in the heart of the primary Amazonian forest.
– Discovery of 2 indigenous markets.
– 2-day trekking near Cotopaxi Park
Valid prices until December, 2023
Explore in more detail :
Day 1 : Transfer-in to Quito
Arrival to Quito. Transfert to the hotel.
Meal
No
Visit
No
Hike
No
transport
1h00
Day 2 : Quito visit
Visit the colonial and capital of Ecuador city, Quito. With your English-speaking guide, you will visit the city classified as Human World Heritage by UNESCO. Between the churches, the colonial streets, and El Panecillo hill, you will appreciate the most beautiful capital of Latin America.
Meal
b
Visit
6h00
Hike
0h00
transport
0h30
Day 3 : Quito > Cuicocha > San Clemente
Road to the north of Ecuador. You will go to the Cuicocha lake, you will be able to make the complete tour (4h). Then you will go to the San Clemente Andean Kichwa Indigenous community. You will share an exceptional moment with your family. Possibility to share daily activities if you wish.
Meal
bd
Visit
1h00
Hike
de 1h00 à 4h00
transport
3h30
Day 4 : San Clemente
A new day in the Indian community of San Clemente. Once again, you will share an unforgettable moment of life, to the rhythm of families.
Meal
bld
Visit
5h00
Hike
0h00
transport
0h00
Day 5 : San Clemente > Otavalo (Market) > Cotopaxi National Park
Visit the Otavalo market in the morning. It is the largest market in Ecuador. It is particularly beautiful and imposing on Saturdays. At the end of the morning, you will visit a rose garden in Cayambe city. You will then descend to Cotopaxi Park where you will stay in a beautiful typical Andean hacienda.
Meal
bd
Visit
4h00
Hike
0h00
transport
3h45
Day 6 : Cotopaxi National Park > Tigua
In the morning you will visit Cotopaxi Park. Then you will go to the Indian Tigua city where you will be in a typical Andean inn.
Meal
bd
Visit
3h00
Hike
1h00
transport
2h30
Day 7 : Tigua > Zumbahua > Quilotoa > Chugchilan
In the morning you will reach the Zumbahua village to discover its typical Andean market. Then you will take the Quilotoa lake direction to start the first day of your trek.
Meal
bld
Visit
0h00
Hike
6h00
transport
0h45
Day 8 : Chugchilan > Isinlivi > Riobamba
You will continue your trek to Isinlivi. This day, like the first, will be mostly downhill. Once your trek is over you will go towards Riobamba in an Andean community.
Meal
bld
Visit
0h00
Hike
6h00
transport
3h30
Day 9 : Riobamba > Chimborazo reserve > Salinas de Guaranda > Riobamba
Head to the second protected reserve of your stay in Ecuador. You will meet the vicuñas in this superb reserve. Then direction to Salinas de Guaranda to discover this community living in semi-autarky.
Meal
bd
Visit
3h00
Hike
1h00
transport
3h00
Day 10 : Riobamba > Baños
Departure towards the Amazon on the way, Baños town discovery, which is a spa town before arriving in the Amazon. You can enjoy the many activities that the city offers.
Meal
bld
Visit
2h00
Hike
1h00
transport
2h00
Day 11 : Baños > Amazon rainforest (Tena region)
You will have a free morning to enjoy Baños once again. You will then take the Tena road, the gateway to the Amazon. You will be in a pleasant lodge in the region.
Meal
bd
Visit
0h00
Hike
0h00
transport
3h00
Day 12 : Amazon rainforest (Tena region)
You will have tours planned by the lodge.
Meal
bld
Visit
0h00
Hike
0h00
transport
0h00
Day 13 : Amazon rainforest > Papallacta
You will leave your lodge at the end of the afternoon to reach Papallacta, a famous spa resort whre you will stay.
Meal
b
Visit
0h00
Hike
0h00
transport
2h30
Day 14 : Papallacta – departure
Departure transfer to Quito International Airport.
Meal
b
Visit
0h00
Hike
0h00
transport
1h00
B: Breakfast
L: Luch
D: Dinner
–Andes (from day 2 to day 12): private transfers with a local guide / single English-speaking driver (vehicle type 4 × 2 or space).
From 4 people, you will have a local English-speaking guide + a Spanish-speaking driver (space vehicle, minibus, or bus).
For groups of 2 and 3 people, transfers on days 1, 13, and 14 will be made only by a Spanish-speaking driver. The English-speaking guide will be present from 4 people.
–Amazon rainforest (from day 12 to day 13): tours and private transport accompanied by a bilingual Spanish / English local guide.
–Physical : this trip is focused on Ecuador encounters. There are no major physical events even if you have to prepare to climb to 5000m altitude.
– Technical : no technical level is necessary during this stay.
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 :
-1 water bottle
– sunglasses
– solar cream
– hiking bag (between 25 to 45L)
– hike sticks
– camera
– binoculars
– Mosquito repellent
“Comfort” option: comfortable charming accommodation, 2/3 *** type, clean and offering a service adapted to European and American customers and single rooms.
Nights with locals will be simpler but comfortable and offer real encounters.
=> the “superior” (3/4 *) and “luxury” (4/5 *) options are also available on request.
– Transfers and visits times are indicative.
– For every not included meal, foresee between $5 -popular- and $50 -gourmet- 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.