Quito | MIDDLE OF THE WORLD | OTAVALO INDIGENOUS MARKET | PEGUCHE TOWN & WATERFALL | CUICOCHA LAKE | COTACACHI COMMUNITY

Quito - This morning after an orientation meeting we continue to the Middle of the World

Overnight: Otavalo
Meals: Not included

Intinan Museum - Visit the Middle of the World Monument, located at a latitude of 0º, and stand with one foot in the Northern and one in the Southern Hemisphere.

Here you will learn about our ancestral villages history, to the magnificent effects that the sun produces in our solar cylinder. Travel to the past through our centuries-old huts, discover and understand the physical phenomena of the earth with our didactic examples, observe the path of the sun (Intiñan) in the Acoratene, and of course enjoy a natural and privileged environment. Our main objective is to rescue a new image of the existence of a geographical center about the ancestral worldview and an ethnoecological habitat in the Middle or Center of the world.

Then Continue to Imbabura Province. located in the highlands of the Andes Mountains at an elevation of 8,441 feet.

Cascada de Peguche - Visit the Peguche town and walk into the andes forest to the waterfall.

Otavalo Market - Visit the indigenous market in Otavalo, one of the largest in South America run by the local Otavaleños. Here, enjoy the lively market atmosphere and browse the various stalls for traditional goods such as handwoven cloth and rugs, jewelry and more

Cuicocha Lake - One of the most beautiful Lake in Ecuador and an “off the beaten path” destination! Cuicocha lies at the foot of the extinct volcano Cotacachi (4968m) in the Western Cordillera in the province of Imbabura, north of Quito. The fascinating Caldera has a 3 km wide and approx. 200 mts deep crater lake.

One of the particularities of Cuicocha Crater Lake that makes it even more special than Quilotoa are the 2 islands in the middle of it, actually they are lava domes, which rise over the water surface. They are well covered with vegetation and support some wildlife.

Cotacachi - Cotacachi is a small artisan town. Cotacachi has amazing hot springs, lush forests, nature reserves, and snowy summits. Cotacachi’s main production is leather goods. In the center of the town, there are dozens of shops with good quality leather products such as jackets, pants, belts, wallets, shoes, bags and more

PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS | HUMMINGBIRD CLOUD FOREST | TENA | AMAZON RAINFOREST

Termas de Papallacta - After breakfast transfer from Cotacachi Andean Town to the Jungle wildlife reserve

On the Route we start to visit the Papallacta Hot Sprigns, is the ideal place to escape from the noise of the city and the daily routine. More than a destination, it is a comprehensive experience that will awaken all your senses.

Tena - Tena is an attractive place where many travelers find themselves hanging around quite happily for days before or after a trip into the rainforest. Tena has a friendly population, a gorgeous setting surrounded by jungle-covered hills, a lively malecón. White-water (Rafging or Kayaking) fanatics from around the globe come to paddle and play on the high concentration of surrounding rivers

Misahualli - A popular tourist stop is the small town of Misahualli Ecuador. Located at the junction of the Misahuallí and Napo rivers this sleepy, end of the road town has beautiful jungle scenery and a large sandy beach.

The most popular inhabitants of Misahualli are the monkeys. They wander along the beach and into the park at the center of town.

Napo Province - Once we arrive at the EcoLodge, our staff will welcome you. From there we will continue to relax in the lounge with a fresh tropical drink and a short briefing that will contain general information about the accommodation and activities, provided by one of our naturalist guides

Rio Pusuno - TREKKING IN THE JUNGLE

Leaving the Lodge, your guide can lead you on half a dozen trails (of varying degrees of difficulty) that can last from half an hour to 4 hours winding through the thick and humid rainforest that connect to the river or lake, crossing muddy roads and always looking for the elusive fauna of the place.

FLOATING DOWN BY THE RIVER

The water is very refreshing after a hike in the jungle. In this fun activity on a buoy, your ability to row with your hands will be the key, looking at the sky and its banks full of trees, you will feel like part of a dream. You decide if you want to undertake this adventure alone or as a couple. This is one of the quietest ways to enjoy a river in the Amazon. We provide the life jacket

RIDE ALONG THE NAPO RIVER | ANACONDA ISLAND | ANIMAL REFUGE CENTER | VISIT INDIGENOUS FAMILY

Amazoonico Animal Rescue Centre - After Breakfast in your lodge. We walk to the Napo River for ride by canoe to the Animal Refuge Center, which is protecting a number of different animals, some in danger of extinction. Amazónico is not a zoo, but a rescue center for Amazon animals in Ecuador. We can observe some animals in their natural environment at close range

Laguna del Caiman Negro - After the Box Lunch, we walk through the Anaconda island. Here is a paradise for bird lovers and photographers alike. We can observe the caiman on the lagoon, prehistoric bird ¨Hoatzin¨, woolly monkeys, squirrel monkeys, just to name a few…

Ahuano - We also visit a family in one of the indigenous communities to learn about their cultivation habits, medicinal plants, as well as the ancestral way of hunting with blowguns and handmade traps in the forest

Return to the Lodge

Rio Pusuno - NIGHT HIKE IN THE JUNGLE

The frog concert announces that the forest takes on another life in the dark. Do not forget to bring a flashlight for this tour, where we can observe: fishing bats, nocturnal monkeys, owls, snakes, some amphibians, tarantulas, toads, sighting of alligators and possibly snakes.

This is also a great opportunity to OBSERVE THE STARS and constellations!

WATERFALLS ROUTE | THE DEVIL´S CAULDRON WATERFALL TREK | THE SWING AT THE END OF THE WORLD | TUNGURAHUA VOLCANO | BAÑOS

Tena - Enjoy this journey from the jungle on napo province to Baños de Agua Santa on Tungurahua province, along the Ecuadorian landscapes will suprise you.

The tour we will start with the balsa craft in the puyo city located on the pastaza province

Mirador Mira Mera - This is a trip in the adventure capital of Ecuador. We will start the tour on the Route of the Waterfalls, you will travel in cable car on the Pastaza River to obtain extraordinary panoramic views of the river, mountains and beautiful jungle landscapes in Tungurahua Province

You will have free time to do extreme activities such as canopy, tibetan bridge, extreme swing and many more

CASCADA EL PAILON - Along the way to visit the powerful El Pailón del Diablo ¨The Devil´s Cauldron¨, one of Ecuador´s most beautiful waterfalls

Lunch not included

Cascada el Manto de la Novia - The next point is the spectacular waterfall “Manto de la Novia”. The Cable car will take us above the amazing Pastaza river canyon, which will give us a closer view of the waterfalls.

The Flight of the Condor - The hand of the Pachamama , is the most recent attraction of this beautiful viewpoint, in which a giant hand emerges from the earth to provide tourists with a unique place to admire the landscape of the Tungurahua province and take spectacular photos.

La Casa del Arbol - We will go up to the ¨Swing at the end of the World¨ in La Casa del Arbol, from where you can see the epic mountain of the Tungurahua volcano.

Banos - In the afternoon, check into your hotel in Baños Town

City by Night | Dinner not included & Lodging

SALASACA INDIGENOUS | TIGUA CRAFTS | QUILOTOA CRATER LAKE

Salasaca Mercado Artesanal - Next to the church on the Ambato–Baños road, behind a statue of a local man donning a black poncho, this market has some great local artisan goods, including Salasaca’s famous wool ponchos and hand-woven rugs and tapestries. The busiest day is Sunday, but at least a few stalls open daily.

Pujili - Pujilí, a town known for its ceramics. Many lndians gather here, with their llamas loaded with colorful fruits, vegetables and other goods.

Tigua - We will visit the Community of Tigua, cradle of Naif art artists. In the gallery we can see the different articles made by hand. The paintings are hand painted on llama and sheepskin leather.

Here we will be able to appreciate the raising of the guinea pigs and the agriculture of the area.

Canon del Rio Toachi - On our way to Quilotoa we will visit the Toachi Cannion, we will be able to enjoy the incredible landscapes

Laguna Quilotoa - When we get to Quilotoa (3900 msnm) in the Illinizas Ecological Reserve we will make the walk to the turquoise lagoon, there are other options of trails, according to the degree of difficulty and the weather we will take the best path.

COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK | MACHACHI | QUITO

Zumbahua - After the Breakfast we drive around 2 hours along the range of the Andean Mountains we can find the Cotopaxi Active Volcano (5897 mts), Chimborazo Volcano (6263 mts), filled with an exceptional variety of flora and fauna species.

Cotopaxi National Park - We enter the Cotopaxi National Park, where we register and we can access the protected area.

The fist stop is at the Mariscal Sucre Interpretation Center, with an exhibition of photographs and information about the Area.

Panoramic View at the Limpiopungo lagoon, from here we can observe the different species of birds, native plants of the area and the volcanoes near the park: Pasochoca, Quilindaña, Rumiñahui and others….

Hotel Tambopaxi Lodge - Finally Guided horse-back riding over the páramo, close to herds of wild horses and fighting bulls. We can also see various species of high-altitude birds (Condors are frequently spotted) and native flora against a backdrop of spectacular scenery. The ride take us up to 4200 mts (2 hours)

After relishing the freedom of nature at its wildest and enjoying the exhilaration of galloping with the pure wind of the high Andes. The rides take us inside the exclusive trails of our Hacienda at the majestic páramos and native forest of the Cotopaxi area, where our native guides intertwine legends, history and tradition in their tales.

Machachi - Travel to the Machachi, it is a city surrounded by the volcanos Atacazo, Corazon, Rumiñahui, Illinizas Peaks, Viudita Hill, Pasochoa, and Sincholagua

Lunch Not Included

Quito - Return to Quito City | End Tour

• Private transportation
• Multiple outdoor activities according to the itinerary
• All meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Bilingual experienced guide/driver (English/Spanish)
• Accommodation included: 1 night in Otavalo, 2 nights in the Jungle, 1 night in Baños, 1 night in Quilotoa

• Gratuities
• Quilotoa: Rent a Kayak 3 USD Ppp
• Quilotoa: Rent a Horse 10 USD Ppp

This is one of our most comprehensive programs for experiencing Ecuador. The tour begins in Quito and travels to Imbabura Province in the northern Andes, renowned for the Otavalo indigenous market and its surroundings.

On Day 2 and Day 3, we will explore the Amazon, immersing ourselves in its culture and encountering wildlife along the Napo River.

Day 4 brings an adventure along the Route of the Waterfalls to the picturesque city of Baños de Agua Santa in Tungurahua Province.

On Day 5, we’ll trek around the Quilotoa Lagoon, nestled in the famous Avenue of the Volcanoes.

Day 6 culminates with a visit to Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in Ecuador, standing majestically at 5,890 meters.

We will conclude our tour back in Quito.

TRANSFER IN: This trip includes the transfer from the airport UIO to your hotel/residence in Quito. Just coordinate with our travel agents.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.