Ecuador Multi Adventure in 11 days

During a tour of the city with a local guide, you will get an overview of the history of Ecuador since Inca period, Spanish conquest, Colonial period and Independence then our tour will lead to Panecillo there we can see the whole city, later our next stop will be Middle of the World and you will be able to stop with a leg in north hemisphere and other on in south, also will visit de Itaniñan Museum where you can do experiments to show that you are in Ecuador. Return to Quito   (B/-/-)

Being one of the closest mountains from Quito, Rucu Pichincha is one of the favourite peaks for acclimatization purposes. It towers up just above Quito, so it’ll take us 15 to 20 minutes to get to the parking lot (10,827ft/3.300m) by car. From here we’ll ride on the cable car (Teleferico) one of the highest in the world, for another 15 to 20 minutes up to the trail head (13,451ft/4.100m). From this point, we’ll follow a long ridge which will take us to the base of the summit. After traversing north, we’ll continue gaining altitude by hiking on sandy terrain which will lead us to the top (15,413ft/4.698m). Total hiking time will be around 6 hour then we will driver to Otavalo. Overnight in the hotel (B/BL/-)

This Andean valley is home to Indigenous Kichwa ethnic group of Otavalos, famous for their textile and commercial skills that have given rise to the largest indigenous market in South America; this is a site of confluence where people from all over world come to admire the diversity and quality of textures created by hand.

We then drive on a cobbled street for 20 more minutes until we arrive at Mojanda Lake (12,139ft/3.700m) which is our starting point. We will follow a trail on the northeastern side of the mountain, which connects to the summit. Our hike takes us through low growing Andean vegetation for most of the way. The last part of the trail includes a few minutes of easy scrambling, just below the summit. Once on the top of Fuya Fuya (13,986ft/4.263m), we will enjoy the wonderful views, take some pictures, have our lunch and head back down to the car. Drive back to Otavalo (B/BL/-)

Cuicocha is a Lagoon located at 30 minutes of Otavalo; it has an altitude of 3.068m, the boiler was formed by a massive phreatic eruption makes 3.100 years generating 5 km of pyroclastic flows and covering the surrounding area with a layer of volcanic ash from 20 cm, we can start our hike around this crater it takes 4 hours approx. Along the way, we will enjoy views of Cuicocha and its two islands in the middle, we can also see mountains such us Imbabura and Cayambe.

Then our trip, we will drive to San Clemente where our accommodation will be at home a local family and share their traditional life of indigenous hosts, we learn about world of plants and crops (agro-diversity), their traditional production techniques and secrets of their preparation. (B/-/D)

We will drive through the picturesque village of la Esperanza and continue to Zuleta community known for its hand embroidery, there will visit shops to know their elaboration process then we will continue our trip towards to Machachi, we will visit main attractions of touristic interest on the route. (B/-/-)

Our first stop will be to Cotopaxi National Park. There you can take a hike around the Limpiopungo Lagoon (approximately 1 hour). If the weather is good, you can enjoy a great view of some volcanoes. You can also walk to the Jose Ribas refuge then we will continue our trip to Banios (B/-/-)

Banios is a relaxed atmosphere, the ideal climate and the rainforest just a few kilometers away and even have a good chance to see Tungurahua volcano in action, after breakfast we will drive for 35 minutes admiring the waterfalls route, we will arrive at a place where we will receive a lecture of 30 minutes then we will descend for 2 hours on Patate river then we will continue or trip to Tena. (B/BL/-)

After a scrumptious breakfast we head out for a hike through the primary and secondary Rainforest. Our expert naturalists teach you about the ecology and flora and fauna of the Rainforest along the trail. You will observe a great variety of insects, a diversity of birds flying around us and with some luck reptiles or monkeys. This activity takes about 2 ½ -3hours.

In the afternoon it is time to enjoy a cultural activity. An Amazonian Kichwa community will receive us and we learn about their way of life and the interaction they have with the forest. This encounter is going to show you that part of the Amazonia that you do not find on the maps: the Amazon people.

Part of our visit to the community involves the demonstration of the famous “Chicha”, a fermented yucca drink that has become part of their festivals and daily use. We will take part in the preparation of this beverage and also try some of the local cuisine.

We finish the visit with a traditional dance performed by the kids in this community and you also have some time to buy some handicrafts, made by the indigenous. This little business is to support the indigenous people in their daily life. (B/L/-)

After breakfast, we will visit Caves of Jumandi on the route, it is a trip of 1 hour of walk inside and there you can appreciate underground water flows and spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. We will drive towards Papallacta. Overnight in hotel (B/-/-)