Ecuador Treasures Bucket List 8 Days Tour

This is the arrival day for all of our tour participants and depending of your flight arrival times you can have a day exploring one of the UNESCO heritage sites in world (Quito’s Old Town), or simply rest at the Hotel before our Tour Guide meet you at the Lobby at 6:30 pm for our Orientation meeting and briefing before the starting of the tour.

During this meeting you can clarify everything as you might be concerned or curious to know about the tour overall. We can still assist you arranging a full day in Quito or surroundings if you let us know in advance.

Meals included: N/A

Accommodation included: Overnight at Ibis Hotel or Similar ***

Early in the morning, we will drive 1 and half hour to the entrance of Cotopaxi National Park located 45 miles south of Quito city.

On the way you will enjoy the views of the famous Avenue of the Volcanoes. Once we arrive, we will continue just 7 more miles to the Mariscal Sucre Museum located at 12,000 ft above sea level. It is the first encounter with the nature and the altitude. We will explain you about the protected areas with a cup of hot Cocoa.
After this we will continue our drive towards Limpiopungo lake over 12,800 ft., this is a magical place right between Cotopaxi and Rumiñahui volcanoes; it is a great moment for a nice picture surrounded by nature.

Then, we will drive to 15,000 ft. up, there if you feel good with the altitude we can plan hiking up towards the basecamp called Refugio RIVAS at 16,000 ft.

If not, you can also admire the majestic Cotopaxi which in quechua means "The Neck of the Moon".
After this you will get ready to start the MTB tour downhill all the way down to Limpiopungo Lake; it is going to be a fast descend within 1 hour approx. And at the end you will enjoy a delicious lunch with a marvelous view of the Andes.
Finally, we will drive 2 hours approx. to our lodging place called LLULLULLAMA, it is a fantastic moment to take your camera and wait for the sunset with a cup of hot coffee or tea provided by the hostel.

Then, dinner and briefing for the next day.

Meals included: B /D

Accommodation included: Overnight at Llullullama Hotel ***

Today it is time to check out right after breakfast and be ready to start the hike from Insilivi towards Chugchilan village.

It will take longer than a regular hike because the high elevation in most of the walk, it will go between 10,000 to 12,000 ft. in some parts, so you can feel a moderate fatigue but nothing that you have to worry about.
During this hike you will see how our local communities live and farm, because the complete hike is trough villages and crops.
You will also enjoy a delicious lunch in a village, and finally arrive to Mama Hilda Hostel in Chugchilan town for overnight.
Normally, we end this day by 3 pm, so you will have some time to explore the little town on your own.

Dinner will be served at 7:00 pm, then briefing for next day.

Meals included: B /D

Accommodation included: Overnight at Mama Hilda Hotel ***

After breakfast, we will drive for 30 minutes towards Quilotoa Lake which means "The Princess Tooth", located at 12,000 ft. above sea level.

At this point you will will get ready to admire one of the most beautiful lakes of the region from its viewpoint.
After this adventure, we will continue towards Baños City 3 hours far from Quilotoa.

Along the way we will have some stops such as: Ice Sorbet tasting, Viewpoints and much more.
Finally, we will arrive to Baños City and continue towards the Famous Waterfalls Avenue (a route with more than 30 waterfalls), on this tour we will visit the most beautiful ones as Agoyan (where you can optional do zipline), Manto de la Novia (here you can go across Pastaza Canyon by cable car, known as Tarabita), Pailón del Diablo (at this point we will walk down to see the largest waterfall and discover its 6 balconies few feet away the water).
Finally, overnight in a wonderful hostel and enjoy some of the Baños Nightlife.

Meals included: B

Accommodation included: Overnight at La Floresta Hotel ***

Early in the morning, we will start our tour visiting some Baños City sights like the local market, the main Church, and a Melcochas tasting.
Then, we will drive to Cumanda village, this is going to be the starting of the Rafting tour down to Pastaza River (it is 14 miles total, it will take around 2 hours).
Finally, it is time to drive 2 more hours to an impressive jungle lodge near by Tena City and in front of Napo River.

You will be impressed by this wonderful lodge service, where we will enjoy a delicious dinner included.
You can continue enjoying the night at the Hotel Bar.

By the way, the altitude at this point will be 1,200 ft.

Meals included: B /D

Accommodation included: Overnight at Huasquila Lodge ***

Waking up with the noise of the jungle wildlife is something that is considered a welcome to the most diverse forest in world.

After breakfast we will take a motor canoe ride on Napo River visiting some villages like Misahualli, known as The Monkeys Town (there is Capuchin Monkeys all over the place).

Then, we will continue the canoe ride to Arajuno River, and visit the AMAZOONICO Rescue Center, where you can see some animals from the jungle such as parrots, perroquets, macaws, ocelots, snakes, caimans and a lot of different type of monkeys (you will walk around the place with a local guide getting to know more about the forest and the conservation projects).
Then, we will have a picnic lunch near the shore of Arajuno River.
After enjoy lunch, we will take a motor canoe ride for 2 hours enjoying the landscapes and nature, and stop at Tiyu Yaku Kichwa Community, where you will see all about their way of living, ceramic and local cuisine.

Finally, few minutes by canoe back to the lodge for overnight and briefing.

Meals included: B /D

Accommodation included: Overnight at Huasquila Lodge ***

On this day we will depart early towards Archidona Town, we will visit the food market to try the famous Chonta Duro or Jungle Prawns, a really traditional snack in the Amazon.

Then, we will go to Guango Lodge to visit a beautiful Hummingbirds Sanctuary; with such an abundance and diversity of hummingbirds, it is a popular spot for photography, and a comfortable place to admire colorful birds even on rainy days. Sit back and enjoy a cup of coffee as swarms of hummingbirds put on an electrifying show.

Then, you will enjoy a typical lunch near by the place.

After this, we will drive to Papallacta village for relax and enjoy the rest of the afternoon admiring the landscapes or having a massage at the Resort SPA.

Meals included: B

Accommodation included: Overnight at Termas *****

Today is your last day in Ecuador with us, so you can choose besides taking a free morning to relax at the resort pool or SPA, or take a very nice hike around the area.
In both cases, the Check Out time is at 11:00 am, and drive back to Quito's International Airport for your flight back home.

Unfortunately, we have to say goodbye and we invite you to see one of our other tours in Galapagos and Latinamerica Tours.
However, if you desire to add one more night in Quito City or extend your staying in Ecuador, we can always help you out with free advise to make sure you optimize the time and continue exploring this paradise called Ecuador.