Active Ecuador - 14 Days
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Day 1 (Thu): Arrival in Quito – City Tour Quito
You will be met by your local travel guide at the airport.On the way to your hotel you will receive all the information requiring Ecuador and its population. In the afternoon sightseeing tour through the colonial city center of Quito. Short drive to the Panecillo lookout point which offers a breathtaking panoramic view over the historic city center. Accommodation in the Casa Helbling. (-/-/-) Day 2 (Fri): Quito – Cuicocha Crater Lagoon Today’s program includes a 4-6 hour trekking tour around the Cuicocha crater lake. This lagoon is one of the most beautiful in Ecuador. In the afternoon you will visit the town of Cotacachi, renowned for its leather crafts. You have the opportunity to purchase bags, shoes, boots and a whole lot more. El Indio Inn warmly welcomes you in the evening. (B/-/-) Day 3 (Sat): Otavalo Market – Mitad del Mundo – Mindo On saturdays the market in Otavalo is a buzzing beehive of activity for indigenous arts and crafts. Next stop: the equator monument Mitad del Mundo, the “Middle of the World”, including a museum visit during which you can conduct experiments. Late in the afternoon you will reach Mindo, a small town in the subtropical cloud forest. Accomodation in the cabanas of Sisakuna Lodge. (B/-/-) Day 4 (Sun): Bird watching – Canopy Tour or River Tubing through Mindo cloud forest Discover the Mindo cloud forest with its exceptional animal diversity (Andean cock-of-the-rock, toucans, parrots, hummingbirds, and butterflies). You have the oportunity to try spectacular canopy activities and river tubing, the locals` favorite sport. Return to Quito. Hotel Casa Helbling. (B/-/-) Day 5 (Mon): Cotopaxi, mountain bike descent Transportation to Cotopaxi, the world’s highest active volcano (5.897 m / 19,347 ft). On foot and mountain bike you and your English-speaking guide will explore the impressive scenery of the paramo. In the afternoon you return to Quito and spend another night in Casa Helbling. (B/-/-) Day 6 (Tue): Quito – Pululahua – Moonlight Horseback Ride
The world’s highest cable car, the Teleférico, takes you up to Cruz Loma (4.100 m / 13,451 ft), a foothill of the Pichincha volcano (4.698 m / 15,413 feet). The view of Quito is spectacular from this vantage point. In the afternoon you will be taken to Pululahua crater, the starting point of an unforgettable horseback ride through moonlit mountain scenery. Listen to the sounds of the night while having dinner during the ride. You will spend the night in a hostel on the bottom of the crater. (B/-/D) Day 7 (Wed): Return to Quito – free afternoon In the morning, return to Quito. The afternoon is at your own leisure. You will be accommodated at Casa Helbling. (B/-/-) Day 8 (Thu): Quito – Hakuna Matata In the morning you travel across Papallacta Pass at almost 4.054 m / 13,300 ft to reach the hot springs of Papallacta which will soothe away stress, aches, and pains. You continue to your accommodation, the Hostería Hakuna Matata, which is situated in an idyllic setting. In the afternoon you may optional take a walk in the forest with a beautiful view over the Cordillera de Guacamayos or go for a swim in the clear waters of the Pano or Tena river. (B/-/D) Day 9 (Fri): Rafting/Jungle – Baños Your first destination today is the provincial capital Tena in the Amazon, one of the first settlements of the Spanish colonial rulers in the amazon region. From there you embark on an adventurous rafting expedition or alternatively a jungle tour. You are accompanied by experienced guides. In the afternoon you continue on to the beautiful town of Baños, where you will spend the night in the Hostería Isla de Baños. (B/-/-) Day 10 (Sat): Baños – Riobamba Today’s activity is a mountain bike ride along the waterfall route of the Pastaza Canyon. You are rewarded with amazing views along the way. Near the “Manto de la Novia” waterfall the “Tarabita” cable car will take you across the Pastaza Canyon. At the roaring waterfall of “Pailón del Diablo” you have the opportunity to try out bungee jumping and canopy. In the evening transportation to Riobamba, which is situated at the foot of the Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest volcano. You will be accommodated in the Mansión Santa Isabella. (B/-/-) Day 11 (Sun): Nariz del Diablo – Ingapirca – Cuenca In the morning you drive through beautiful Andes landscapes until you reach Alausi, where the perhaps most adventurous train ride South America’s waits for you. If the weather allows you have an unforgettable view over the snow capped volcano Chimborazo. The Devil’s nose is a rock which reminds of a gigantic nose where the train has to overcome a few hundred meters in altitude. The journey continues to Ingapirca, where Ecuador’s largest and most important Inca ruins can be found. During an extensive tour around the beautiful temple constructions you hear a lot about the culture of the Incas and their ancestors, the Cañaris, as well about the history of the ruins. Late afternoon you reach Cuenca. You will be sleeping at the Hotel Morenica del Rosario. (B/-/-) |
Day 12 (Mon): Girón Waterfall – Cuenca at Night
Visit to the famous Girón waterfall and the subtropical Yunguilla valley where you will learn about the cultivation and processing of sugar cane. After returning to Cuenca you will have an opportunity to explore this beautiful city on a fascinating nighttime tour. You will spend another night at the Hotel Morenica del Rosario. (B/-/-) Day 13 (Tue): Cuenca – Cajas National Park – Guayaquil A trekking tour through the tundra of “El Cajas” Nature Reserve, known for its box-shaped valleys, 240 lakes, and unique wildlife, is the highlight of your morning. In the afternoon you will reach the exotic port of Guayaquil where you can close out the day with a walk along the river boardwalk Malecón 2000. You will stay in the beautiful Hostal Macaw. (B/-/-) Day 14 (Wed): Transfer to the airport Transportation to the Guayaquil airport and flight home optional an additional tour to Galapagos. (B/-/-) Please be advised: Services listed in the itinerary may be subject to change due to organizational or climate factors, as well as hotel changes within the same category. 
Sisakuna Lodge
2018 price per person, double occupancy:
On holidays the hotel prices can increase
Included services: Travel arrangements as described, private transportation, qualified English-speaking travel guide, accommodations, meals and activities as in the itinerary, admission fees for the city tours, the thermal pools, entrance fees for the national parks (Cotopaxi, Cajas, Cotacachi Cayapas), train ticket, Not included services: Bungee jumping and canopy, any meals not specifically listed, beverages, tips, personal expenses. 
Casa Hebling Patio
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