Day 1 Quito

Day overview
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.

Today’s activities
Private Vehicle
Quito – Quito
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore before your welcome meeting, but make sure you’re back in time to meet the group. Check for the meeting time on the welcome note at the hotel. After introductions, your Expedition Leader will review the details of your tour. Please note that normal check-in times apply at our start hotels, but you can usually store your luggage for the day if you arrive early.

Quito City Tour & Equator Line
Visit the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with stops at the Basilica del Voto Nacional, La Compañia Church, San Francisco Square, Plaza Grande and the Panecillo, a towering statue of the virgin of Quito who looks out over a stunning view of the city.

Accommodation
NH Collection Royal Quito (or similar)
Booking pre- or post-trip accommodation is highly recommended to fully experience the city and take advantage of the optional activities available.

1 optional activities
Quito City Tour & Equator Line
Enjoy a city tour of Quito. Visit the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with stops at the Basilica del Voto Nacional, La Compañia Church, San Francisco Square, Plaza Grande and the Panecillo, a towering statue of the virgin of Quito who looks out over a stunning view of the city. Drive 25km (16 mi) north of Quito to the Middle of the World, latitude 0º. Stand with one foot in each hemisphere. Please note that this tour starts at 8 a.m. and ends around 5 p.m.

Day 2 Quito / Otavalo

 Day overview
Drive into the mountainous Andean highlands to Otavalo, surrounded by misty volcanoes, and visit the town’s famous handicraft market—one of the largest outdoor markets in South America. Browse stalls selling colourful local art, textiles, and souvenirs, and try your hand at haggling. Then, visit a local community establishment for an included lunch of traditional specialities. Later, settle into your room at a historic hacienda, where we’ll spend the night.

Meals included
breakfast | lunch

Today’s activities
Private Vehicle
Quito – Otavalo, 2 hours
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Otavalo Handicrafts Market Visit
Discover some amazing local art, tapestries, and textiles at Otavalo’s famous artisan market, the largest handicraft market in South America. Wander the stalls to meet local artists, and find one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Try to arrive early for the best bargains (it starts at dawn), and try your hand at haggling – it’s expected for every purchase. A good negotiator could get at least 20 per cent off the starting price.

Kawsaymi Community Lunch
Visit Kawsaymi Restaurant, a social initiative that is dedicated to preserving authentic culinary traditions such as Otavaleno cuisine, by using fresh, local ingredients. More than just a place to eat, Kawsaymi is an engine for local empowerment, focused on creating sustainable growth and job opportunities for youth in the community, ensuring that every meal supports its economic future. Become immersed in the authentic flavors and traditions of the Andes. Discover local products, herbs, and grains that form the foundation of Andean cuisine and learn how they are cultivated sustainably. Gain a glimpse into the past with a visit to a traditional, old style kitchen, seeing where ancestral recipes have been perfected and passed down through generations. And then sit down for a delicious, home cooked Andean lunch. Prepared with ingredients sourced directly from the garden you just explored, this farm-to-table meal is a true celebration of the local community’s cultural heritage.

Accommodation
Hotel Pinsaqui (or similar)

Day 3 Otavalo / Papallacta

 Day overview
Make your way to the village of Papallacta, known for its abundant natural hot springs. En route, visit the home and studio of a renowned traditional weaver, who is working to preserve the indigenous weaving techniques of the Otavalo region. Get a glimpse of daily life, and observe members of the community at work on the backstrap loom, which has been used in these parts for centuries. Continue to the Papallacta Hot Springs Resort for an afternoon of relaxation. Soak in the mineral-rich waters of the thermal pools, enjoying stunning mountain views, and indulge in a variety of optional spa treatments.

Meals included
breakfast

Today’s activities
Private Vehicle
Otavalo – Papallacta, 2 hours
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Otavalo Weaving Lesson
Visit the home and studio of the Anrango Family as they work to keep their culture’s traditions alive. For thousands of years the indigenous people of the Otavalo region have used the backstrap loom to create their woven goods, however new technologies have slowly been pushing out the tradition. Learn how the Anrango Family are working to help revive this ancient art as they demonstrates every step of the process, from cleaning the wool, to naturally dyeing it, to backstrap weaving.

Papallacta Hot Springs Visit
Soak in the natural hot springs the area is known for and let the mineral waters, which vary in temperature, soothe your body. Make your way through the circuit with views of the Antisana volcano in the distance.

Free time
Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, as you relax and soak in the natural hot springs.

Accommodation
Hotel Termas de Papallacta (or similar)

1 optional activities
Hiking Excursion
Head out to explore. Take a hike or walk in the areas surrounding Papallacta. Enjoy the region’s great natural beauty and views of the snow-capped Antisana Volcano.

Day 4 Papallacta / Tena

 Day overview
Head towards Tena, often called Ecuador’s gateway to the Amazon. On the way, we’ll stop at El Quetzal Protected Forest to explore the property’s reserve—home to a plethora of avian species, including 8 varieties of hummingbirds. Enjoy lunch at the onsite restaurant, then continue to Misahualli. This charming town is one of the oldest ports in the Ecuadorian Amazon, and harbours a thriving population of Capuchin monkeys. Arrive in Tena and board a motorized canoe to our jungle lodge, perched along the banks of the Arajuno River. This evening, embark on a walk into the forest with a naturalist guide, looking out for the Amazon’s nocturnal creatures.

Meals included
breakfast | lunch | dinner

Today’s activities
Private Vehicle
Papallacta – Tena, 2 hours
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

El Quetzal Protected Forest Local Guide
Enjoy an excursion to El Quetzal Protected Forest. Set off on a guided walk with a seasoned expert naturalist through this forest focused on the protection and conservation of native species. The El Quetzal nature reserve is a true testament of the commitment, love, and dedication that this family-run establishment has for preserving Ecuador’s cloud forest. Once partially used for sugarcane cultivation, this family’s passion for conservation has transformed the land around them into a thriving ecosystem for diverse bird, insect, and plant species. Begin the experience with a welcome briefing and snacks before walking directly to the hummingbird feeders. Explanations of the surrounding land and mission of the property will be discussed as you walk between viewpoints. The sounds and colours alone of these beautiful creatures are sure to amaze you as the group wanders deeper into the forest.

Amazon Night Walk
Embark on a night walk with a local naturalist guide to learn about nocturnal creatures of the Amazon. A flashlight and camera are the most important tools on this excursion, which allows us to hear the nocturnal sounds of the forest and to search out bats, owls, a variety of insects, tarantulas, toads and frogs, and possibly snakes. If the sky is clear, we might have the chance to do some stargazing.

Accommodation
Itamandi Lodge (or similar)

Day 5 Tena

 Day overview
Depart early by canoe to visit a saladero, or a parrot clay lick. Alongside our naturalist guide, observe brightly coloured parrots and parakeets gather here to snack on the mineral-rich clay, which studies suggest aids in digestion and provides an important nutrient supplement. Return to the lodge for breakfast, then take a tour of AmaZOOnico, an animal rescue centre that rehabilitates wild creatures that have been victims of illegal trafficking. Later, we’ll visit the home of a local Amazonian family for a unique cultural experience. Chat with your hosts about their traditions and beliefs and learn about everyday life in the jungle; then sit down to a delicious homemade lunch.

Meals included
breakfast | lunch | dinner

Today’s activities
Parrot Clay Lick Excursion
Visit a parrot clay lick (Saladero) with a naturalist guide. This unique site is where parrots and parakeets gather to eat mineral-rich clay that will help them digest the fruits or seeds they have consumed. Hundreds of parrots and parakeets will approach the treetops and later will come down to the clay bank to eat this soil rich in minerals.

AmaZOOnico Animal Rescue Centre Visit
Take a guided tour of amaZOOnico, a rescue and rehabilitation centre that rehabilitates, reintroduces, and cares for animals who are victims of illegal trafficking. See large cats and reptiles up close, and learn all about the important work of this sanctuary.

Amazon Home Experience
Enjoy a truly unforgettable cultural experience with local Ecuadorian families who’ll welcome and host us for the afternoon at their homes in the jungle. Discuss their traditions, beliefs, and history and hear about what daily life is like for them in such a unique environment. Watch and listen as they prepare local snacks and share insight about their deep connection to nature, as well as their thoughts on the encroachment of the modern world on their traditional way of life here. A marvelous afternoon you’ll talk about for years to come.

Accommodation
Itamandi Lodge (or similar)

Day 6 Tena / Baños

 Day overview
Leave the Amazon behind and travel to Baños. This popular resort town is packed with gorgeous landscapes, thrilling outdoor activities, and—as the name indicates—thermal springs originating from the base of the Tungurahua Volcano. Along the way, stop at Jardin Botanico Las Orquideas for a walk with an expert guide, discovering the diverse flora of the region and learning about the indigenous uses of the various plants found there. After arriving in Baños, enjoy free time to stroll through the town.

Meals included
breakfast

Today’s activities
Private Vehicle
Tena – Baños, 2 hours
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Visit the Orchids Botanical Garden
Visit the Jardin Botanico Las Orquideas, where the group will discover ethnobotany – the study of the relationship between cultures, and the plants around them. Local flora has long been, and still is, integral to the lives of Amazonian indigenous groups who use the plants for shelter, nourishment, medicine, and in spiritual practices. This Amazonian Flora Rescue Centre was founded in 1980 with the hope of protecting 7 hectares of land in this environmentally diverse region of Ecuador—the goal being to create a space for the convergence of scientific, environmental, and cultural exploration—while also being a space for people to come and enjoy the beauty of a flourishing ecosystem. Spend a few hours with a guide who will teach you about the various benefits of the nearby plants while you walk through and breathe in the fresh air.

Free time
Opt to take a walk through town and visit some shops.

Accommodation
Hotel Sangay Spa (or similar)

Day 7 Baños

 Day overview
The day is yours to explore Baños and the surrounding area. Choose to head to the mountains for an invigorating hike, and later soak your tired muscles in one of the town’s thermal springs. Set off on a mountain biking adventure, pedaling past rivers, waterfalls, and delightfully green landscapes; opt to hit the rapids on a white-water rafting excursion; and much more.

Meals included
breakfast

Today’s activities
Free time
Relax at leisure or opt to take part in some active pursuits.

Accommodation
Hotel Sangay Spa (or similar)

5 optional activities
Hiking – Baños
Head to the mountains for some amazing treks; Baños provides the perfect natural setting for outdoor adventure.

Horseback Riding – Baños
Hop in the saddle and explore Baños’ beautiful countryside by horseback. Check out the unique vegetation in the region, and, perhaps, trot over to Tungurahua Volcano for amazing views.

Mountain Bike Rental
Hop on your bike and explore the amazing scenery surrounding Baños. Pass by mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and changing vegetation – depending on what path you take. Enjoy the cool wind on downhill stretches, but be sure to bring sunblock; the sun can be strong.

Hot Springs – Baños
Soak weary muscles in the thermal baths that Baños is famous for. Head to hot springs at the base of Tungurahua Volcano, which means “little hell” in Quichua, or try some of the baths fed by the melt waters of Tungurahua’s glaciated flanks. Rise before the sun for an early soak – watching the sun peak over the mountains while relaxing in the warm waters is definitely worth the early start.

Whitewater Rafting
Hit the rapids in the adrenaline capital of Ecuador. Choose a river that suits your experience level; there a number with varying ranges of difficulty. Enjoy amazing Andean scenery and a fun-filled ride!

Day 8 Baños / Quito

Day overview
Drive back to Quito, Ecuador’s capital, along the spectacular Avenue of Volcanoes. En route, we’ll venture through Cotopaxi National Park—home to the snowcapped Cotopaxi Volcano, the second highest peak in the country. As you explore this magnificent park, keep an eye out for the resident wildlife, which ranges from condors, foxes, and deer to the the endangered Andean puma.

Meals included
breakfast

Today’s activities
Private Vehicle
Baños – Quito, 7 hours
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Cotopaxi National Park Visit
Visit Cotopaxi National Park, home to Cotopaxi Volcano, which stands at 5,897m (19,342 ft). The beautiful cone-shaped, snow-covered volcano is Ecuador’s second highest peak and the highest active volcano in the world. Keep an eye out for park wildlife, including condors, foxes, deer, spectacled bears, and more. For those who want to hike, there are options available (weather permitting). Please ensure you have proper hiking shoes or boots, a waterproof/windproof jacket and warm hats and gloves. Hike is approximately 1.5 hours.

Accommodation
NH Collection Royal Quito (or similar)

Day 9 Quito

Day overview
Depart at any time.

Meals included
breakfast

Today’s activities
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your Expedition Leader can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.