Highlands-Amazon Tour 10 days program

Tour Info

• Tour Type: Highlands Amazon
• Tour Start: Quito, Ecuador
• Tour End: Quito, Ecuador
• Group size: Minimum 6 people / Maximum 20 people
  

Highlights

• Visit indigenous communities and handicraft markets in the Andes
• Visit indigenous communities in the amazon
• Raft trough amazon rivers discovering stunning landscape

 

Details

INCLUDED IN TOUR PRICE	NOT INCLUDED IN TOUR PRICE
9Nights Accommodation All tours and activities specified in program All entrance fees during tours and activities specified in program All meals specified in program Private transportation	Any expenses not specified in program (personal expenses, alcoholic beverages, souvenirs, laundry, etc) Equipment rental or supply (if necessary) Personal and medical insurance

 

Tour Overview and Photo Gallery

Day 1 Arrival in Quito. Pick up from airport and transfer to hotel. Depending on arrival time, lunch and free afternoon to rest. After dinner briefing about the program by our tour leader.Quito TBD D

Day 2 We will start the day by driving north on the Andes. We will observe how lush green patches meet snowcapped volcanoes. Along the drive you will also admire indigenous people working on their land. Our first stop on the drive will be Calderon village, on the outskirts of Quito. Here we will witness how talented ladies manufacture bread dough dolls (mazapan dolls). Each of us will have the opportunity to create your own figure and finally just take a look at their work. Continue or drive north, until we reach San Pablo lake. We will stay at a cozy renovated lodge located just on the edge of the San Pablo Lake. Check in, lunch and then we will visit the Peguche village, where local artist will demonstrate some of their handicraft work and methods to elaborate nice rugs and wall decorations. We will also witness a typical dance from the Andes and end the day with a short hike to a near by waterfall. Return to San Pablo lake for the night. Quito-San Pablo(approx. 2 hour drive) Cabañas Lago B L D

Day 3 We will drive north towards Ibarra (approx. 40 minutes drive). Once in Ibarra we will take the Andes train and ride through the Andes, just like the Ecuadorians did approx. 100 years ago. This ride allows us to see the Andes in a different way, by crossing through farms and communities. We will have a snack on the way. Return to Ibarra approx. at 1:00 pm. Lunch in Ibarra, and then we will discover this small city, walk around its colonial downtown, interact with locals by sitting in the park, observing how a typical afternoon goes on around this town. We will also visit churches and plazas. Finally we will have “helado de paila” (typical ice cream from the area) and return to San Pablo lake for the night.San Pablo Cabañas Lago B L D

Day 4 Today we will discover the most famous handicraft market in Ecuador. Fascinate yourself with hundreds of colors, designs, styles of handicrafts with the magic of interacting with indigenous people. We will spend approx. 2 hours in the market. Then we will have lunch and continue our trip towards discovering small villages around Otavalo, where we will visit directly the workshops of some of these talented people. We will visit a weaving center as well as a handicraft shop. Finally return to San Pablo lake for a private show while we ride around the lake in the Tatuyam boat (ride around the lake to observe the sunset).Otavalo Cabañas Lago B L D

Day 5 After breakfast we will drive to the Amazon. On our way we will cross two mountain chains and will drive through seven different climate floors. Depending on weather we will see some volcanoes and will try food specialties on the way. We will have several stops which include lunch at Baeza (entrance to the amazon region) Arrival at Huasquila Amazon Lodge around 4:00 pm, welcome cocktail, lunch and briefing. San Pablo – Amazon (approx. 5 hour drive) Huasquila Lodge B L D

Day 6 Today we will take a hike into secondary forest. We will admire the deep vegetation of the Amazon and learn from our guide the different uses of natural plants. The hike will last for 2,5 to 3 hours. Of course we will have several stops along the hike and we also have several points where we can stop and quickly return to the lodge. Our native guide will show us how talented he is in recognizing the different flora of the forest. Along the hike we will witness waterfalls, creeks and secondary rain forest. After lunch we will visit an indigenous community where we will interact with natives, learn their costumes, traditions and finally prepare together some typical food. At the end of the visit a shaman (medicinal doctor) will performed a cleansing ritual to the guest that want experience it.. Return to the lodge for dinner. Amazon Huasquila Lodge B L D

Day 7 Today we will raft down a very calm amazon river that is an affluent of the great Amazonas river. During the raft we will have the chance to admire flora and fauna on both sides of the river. This is one of the best ways to experience how amazing the Amazonia is. We will have the chance to swim in the river. The experience is very safe, we will all have safety vest, plus we will have 2 emergency kayaks joining us at all time. Boat ride finishes around 3 pm. Return to Huasquila. Amazon Huasquila Lodge B L D

Day 8 Today we visit an association called KALLARI, which is famous for producing, processing and selling cacao-chocolate bars. What makes KALLARI unique is the fact that they produce cacao within the amazon region and all of its members produce the beans in order to have a source of income that will protect the environment and be a long term alternative. We will start the day by visiting KALLARI offices, then head out to visit a couple of plantation along the river to see first hand the social, financial and cultural role of the cacao production. Finally we will visit the collection center where the beans are received, fermented and dried. All along the process we will try the beans out.

After lunch we will visit Archidona and Tena towns, which are the closest towns to Huasquila. The purpose of the visit is to simply share time with locals, learn and experience a typical afternoon in this amazon communities. We will enter some stores, restaurants, shops as well as spend some time at the main plazas and parks of the town. Return to the lodge for dinner Amazon Huasquila Lodge B L D

Day 9 After breakfast we drive back to Quito. Arrive to Quito at lunch time. After check in we will have a comprehensive city tour. We will start with residential neighborhoods in Quito and then continue entering the colonial downtown. We will be fascinated visiting one of the oldest and well preserved colonial downtowns of South America. We will visit several churches, plazas, squares and most representatives points of interest. Farewell dinner.Amazon – Quito TBD B L D

Day 10 Departure

ITINERARY NOTES

TRAVEL TIME: We will spend some time on the road as some of these communities are located within rural areas. However we will provide plenty of water and snacks on the way. Roads in Ecuador are in very good condition.

About the Tour

We will provide a certified ASL interpreter for the tour. Activities and attractions are carefully selected so you can enjoy it at its fullest.

We understand the effort to make a tour like this therefore our compromised to provide the best tour possible.

DISCLAIMER
Ecuador for All gives faith that all information here supplied is accurate. However due to factors outside our responsibility itinerary, activities and services could change without previous notice. We will do our best to informed you with time of such changes if they ever happen.