Tour description
The trip starts at Quito, the beautiful capital of Ecuador where, at almost 3000 metres, 16th century and Inca ruins sit side-by-side with colonial mansions. We’ll stroll among its narrow alleys, markets, monasteries, and baroque churches around the central square. Here, at the Plaza de la Independencia, there are lots of restaurants and bars to visit.
Into the jungle
On day 3 we’ll head for the forest, pausing at Papallacta to dip into its hot springs. After a bumpy drive through rain-forest we’ll arrive at our lodge. Your guide will show you medicinal plants and trees, exotic flowers and beautifully-coloured butterflies and birds. Thrill-seekers will go tubing - drifting downstream in a car tyre. You’ll visit an animal rescue centre and a native family of the indigenous Quichua tribe. Optionally you can white-water raft through crystal-clear waters. At night we’ll enjoy freshly-prepared meals amidst a cacophony of jungle sounds.
Saturday market at Otavalo
On day 6 we’ll reach the Indian town of Otavalo, whose Indians dress in ingeniously-woven traditional costumes that you can buy cheaply in the Saturday market along with woven rugs, hammocks, sweaters and ponchos. Otavalo’s beautiful scenery includes impressive volcanoes and deep blue lakes including that at Cuicocha’s crater. There are also villages whose people specialise in crafts - the leather-makers of Cotacachi and the wood-carvers of San Antonio de Ibarra. Optional excursions will take you to Condor Park or the Peguche cascade, horse-riding or mountain-biking.
World's highest active volcano
Day 9 takes us to the world's highest active volcano, the beautiful glacier-covered cone-shaped Cotopaxi, at almost 6,000 metres. We’ll enjoy the National Park’s wind-swept landscapes as we hike to the refuge at 4,800 metres. You can visit a nearby glacier and admire the snow-capped peaks of Ecuador’s Avenue of the Volcanoes. We continue towards Baños, a sub-tropical town at 1,800 metres, set in countryside that is fantastic for exploring by foot, horse, mountain-bike or raft.
Riobamba and market Guamote
On day 12 we’ll travel to Riobamba, visiting the country's highest volcano. Chimborazo is inactive but surrounded by a lunar landscape formed by the strong winds. Here we should see vicuñas, a type of llama. The next day we’ll experience pure-bred indigenous culture at the market in Guamote and visit the Chimborazo province’s patchwork of cultivated fields.
Devil's Nose and Guayaquil
Then we’ll take the spectacular train-ride along the Devil’s Nose and onwards to historic Cuenca, before maybe exploring the Cajas National Park renowned for its toucans, hummingbirds, condor, puma and spectacled bears.
Your next stop is Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city. It’s lively and chaotic, and has a great night-life with bars and restaurants. You’ll particularly enjoy the boulevard along the Guayas River, the central Bolivar Park and its iguanas, and colonial Las Peñas.
Boobies and albatrosses
Day 18 takes us to the coastal fishing town of Puerto Lopez for a beach-break. You simply must watch the freshly-caught fish being landed and traded at the morning fish auction. Sail to Isla de la Plata, famous for its frigate birds, boobies and albatrosses. Humpback whales visit from June to September too!
Quito farewells
On day 21 we return to Quito for one last look around this fascinating city and on day 22 the group will say its fond farewells.