Ecuador Big Five 18 Days Tour

Early in the morning we will start our city tour at Panecillo viewpoint to admire the Quito´s wonders from above, then we will walk around two hours visiting the highlights of the old city such as; San Francisco Church, Compañia de Jesús Church and Sagrario Church located on “Calle de la Siete Cruces” or Garcia Moreno Street. 

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Then we will visit the Presidential Palace lobby at Quito´s main Square. Finally, we will visit the first Gothic Church of Ecuador, considered the highest one in the city. This is another beautiful viewpoint to observe “The Avenue of the Volcanoes”.

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Then we will drive 2 ½ hours to the northern side of the Ecuadorian Andes, where we will tour one of the most visited areas by foreigners and local tourists; the area is known as Imbabura, also called ´The Lakes Province´.

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We will then begin our journey going across the Guayllabamba Valley (Green Valley) where we can enjoy delicious fruits, typical of the area, such as Cherimoya and Lima. We will then continue our trip through an area with several viewpoints – these are the perfect places for people who like photography, finally arrival in Otavalo for overnight.

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Meals included: B

Accommodation included: Hacienda Pinsaqui or Similar ****

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In the morning, we will visit Otavalo Indian Market, which is very famous for its quality handicrafts, and its exportation to all over the world. Then we will take you to visit a wonderful waterfall known as Peguche, it’s a sacred place where the locals renew their energies and you will also do!

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After that, it is time to stop at Cotacachi Area, which is known for its famous-quality cow and sheep leather articles and also, we can have a stop for lunch, there are several typical dishes and you can have a chance to try guinea pig if you desire.

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Finally, we will drive towards Papallacta hot springs for overnight.

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Meals included: B

Accommodation included: Overnight at Termas Papallacta or Similar ****

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After breakfast, it is time to return back to Quito’s airport for a short flight to Coca (Jungle City) Then you’ll get on board a motorized canoe that will take us to the welcoming area of the Hotel. During the 2-hours ride you will have the opportunity to see some aquatic birds and nature surrounding the Napo River.

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Upon arriving to the Napo Cultural Center, located in the Kichwa Anangu community, guests are welcomed with a nice and refreshing traditional drink and then shown to their cabins with stunning views of the wilderness and natural gardens bordering the lodge.

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In the afternoon, you can join us in a short walk to the Napo riverbank to enjoy a beautiful sunset on the beaches and natural islands of the Napo riverbank. 

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Then, we’ll return back to the lodge to have a delicious traditional typical dinner at the restaurant. You are welcome to see how the meals are cooked by the chef since the kitchen area is open to visitors.

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Meals included: B/D

Accommodation included: Overnight at Napo Wildlife Center or Similar ****

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(OPTIONAL) We get up early in the morning at 4:30 am before sun rises to participate in one the most ancient customs of the Kichwa Anangu community, making the wayusa tea to energize the body and then follow the ritual of listening to kichwa songs and mind and meditate about life and important issues in a peaceful way.

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After a buffet-style breakfast at the restaurant we’ll visit the Canopy observation Tower, a place where you’ll experience the life in the jungle atop the trees. The 36-meter Canopy tower is about 30 minutes from the lodge deep in the forest. A place as any other! Get a close up view of colorful birds such as tanagers, toucans, macaws, parrots, flycatchers and some monkey species as Spider or Howler monkeys that feed with the fruits and seed found in the nearby trees.

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After visiting the Canopy tower, we’ll go to the NAPO WILDLIFE CENTER to have a delicious typical Ecuadorian local lunch at the restaurant of the lodge that features a 360° view of the Anangu Lake and surrounding nature. After lunch time, you can choose from the many options the NWC offers you: relaxing on the hammocks, read a book or climbing the observation tower to the dining room for birdwatching.

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In the afternoon, you’ll go hiking through a stunning Terra-Firme forest where you will discover the complex ecosystem living in the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador, vines, orchids, bromeliad, ancient trees and different animals such as insects, spiders, mammals, birds, monkeys, etc. After the hike, you’ll ride on the surrounding creeks on paddle-canoe to explore the aquatic wildlife. Dinner at the lodge at about 7:30pm.

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Meals included: B/L/D

Accommodation included: Overnight at Napo Wildlife Center or Similar ****

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Get up early in the morning to visit the most stunning parrot clay licks in the Amazon jungle in Ecuador! We’ll paddle downstream on the Anangu creek until reaching the Kichwa Anangu community. Then, after a 10 minutes ride on a motorized canoe we’ll get to the parrot clay licks where hundreds of wonderful colorful birds gather to lick the mineral contained in the soil that help them to digest the fruits and seeds, they feed up with.

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Lunch will be served in the community welcoming area and then, in the afternoon, we’ll visit the Interpretative Centre where you will be welcomed by women of the community. Learn about their customs and traditions at the same time you enjoy from community the typical rituals and dances.

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Late in the afternoon, we’ll go back to the lodge to have dinner and rest for the next day adventure.

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Meals included: B/L/D

Accommodation included: Overnight at Napo Wildlife Center or Similar ****

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After an early breakfast we’ll go the way we came back to Coca city. In this last excursion upstream the Napo River you may see some new sights of the Amazonia flora and fauna.

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Upon arrival in Quito Airport, we will drive you through the hotel in Quito City for overnight.

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Meals included: B

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

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After breakfast we will drive towards Cotopaxi National Park, which consists of 34,000 hectares, and has a large variety of trails, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and, of course, it’s Volcano, which will captivate you with its majesty and beauty.

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In the area of the lagoon, Limpiopungo, at 3830 meters above sea level, you will find an enormous diversity of flora and fauna – it is also possible to hike around the lagoon´s shore, where native birds of the Andes are plentiful.

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Then we will drive higher up to Cotopaxi Staging Area, at 4500 m.a.s.l. In the Staging Area, it is often possible to admire a Condor in flight. From this point it is possible to climb to the basecamp. Finally, we will drive to Baños City for overnight.

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Meals included: B

Accommodation included: Overnight at La Floresta Hotel or Similar ***

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Early in the morning, we will start our tour visiting some Banos City sights like the local market, the main Church, the Melcochas tasting. 

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Then we will continue towards the Famous Waterfalls Avenue (it is the route to the Jungle with more than 30 waterfalls) on this tour we will visit the most beautiful ones as follows: Agoyan (here you can do zipline with an extra cost), Manto de la Novia (here you can go across Pastaza Canyon by cable car, known as Tarabita), Pailon del Diablo (at this point we will walk down to see the largest waterfall and discover its 6 balconies few feet away the water).

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Then we will transport towards Riobamba City for overnight.

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Meals included: B

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

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Morning 2 hours transportation to Ingapirca Archeological Complex, the most important pre-Columbian archaeological site in Ecuador. (1-hour walk) through the site to get to know more about the Pre-Incas & Incas history. 

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Then Drive to Cuenca City, upon arrival we will visit the famous HAT MUSEUM (Panama hat Factory). Finally, we will get to the hotel for overnight.

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Meals included: B

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

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In the morning, we will visit Cuenca City (declared a Cultural Heritage Site in 1999 by UNESCO). The most representative sites in Cuenca are: Calderon Park (Central Square), the Modern and Old Cathedrals, the Flower Market, and Larga Street with its colonial houses, all of which are unforgettable. 

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We will also visit the Tomebamba River and the Broken Bridge, since they are famous landmarks. Of course, an attraction impossible to skip is the Ethnographic Museum (Museo de las Culturas Aborigines). The Ethnographic Museum is a must-see because of its unique art collection from across the country. 

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Meals included: B

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

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After breakfast, it is time to continue enjoying the Andes !!! we will drive towards to Loja City (the last city in the south the Ecuadorian Andes) as people say there *if you haven’t seeing Loja - you don’t know Ecuador*.

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Upon Arrival, we will walk around the City visiting some interesting places such as: San Francisco Church, Main Square, the City Museum & The City Gate.

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Then we can grab something to eat along the way towards to Vilcabamba Valley. Finally, the rest of the afternoon, you can relax at the hotel pool or just walk around the Hotel Garden.

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Meals included: B

Accommodation included: Overnight at Paraiso or Similar ***

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On this day, you can choose between several options such as: 

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6 Hours Hike up to Mandango Hill (demanding tour),

3 Hours Hike through the surroundings of Vilcabamba Village,

Short walk to town,

Relax at the Pool and take yoga classes at the hotel and 

Biking Tour around. 

All these activities are included in program, but you can only choose 1 for the Day

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Meals included: B

Accommodation included: Overnight at Paraiso or Similar ***

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Early in the morning, we will continue our drive towards down to the Coast of Ecuador. A long the way, we will have several stops to admire, this wonderful change in vegetation and altitude..

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This is a magical drive with many pictures’ opportunities, finally we will continue to Guayaquil (the largest city in Ecuador) for overnight.

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Meals included: B

Accommodation included: Overnight at Grand Hotel Guayaquil or Similar ***

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Early depart to Guayaquil 's International Airport for your local flight to the Galapagos Islands, this flight takes 1 hour.

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Upon your arrival at Baltra's Airport, clear customers and ready to meet your Naturalist Guide from Galapagos. After the guide will take you to visit a Tortoise Ranch in the highlands of Santa Cruz, where you will see a very big land wild tortoises in natural state.  (At the farm you can take some lunch 

­Then we will continue towards to Puerto Ayora city for overnight.

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Tonight Advice: Don't miss eating at the QUIOSKOS street a very fresh lobster and many different types of sea food caught in the morning. Also go at night to the Pier, where you can see babies’ sharks, rays and many other animals very close.

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Meals included: B

Accommodation included: Overnight at Deja Vu or Similar ***

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After breakfast you return, you will take a public ferry (2 hours) to Isabela Island. Upon arrival you will be meeting our staff who will take you to the hotel and give you instructions fantastic tour well known as Tintoreras Islet.

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At this tour, you will visit a next-door islet full of babies’ marine iguanas, sea gulls, sea lions, blue footed bobbies, frigate birds and some Galapagos Penguins.

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Also depending of the sea tide, you will be able to see the Tintoreras or The White Tip Reef Shark, who rest during day time at the Islet canals.

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Then you will go for a magic snorkel at La Calera area, where you will swim together with marine iguanas, sea turtles, sea lions and a great number of colorful fish. Finally, you will return to hotel for overnight.

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Meals included: B

Accommodation included: Overnight at Cally or Similar ***

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Today you will have a free morning to enjoy Isabela Beach on your own or maybe walk through the wetlands and see the pink flamingos. Then in the afternoon by 2:00 pm you will take another 2 hours public ferry to Puerto Ayora for overnight. 

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Meals included: B

Accommodation included: Overnight at Deja Vu or Similar ***

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Free morning, 10:00 am check out and transportation to Baltra's Airport to take a flight to Quito late in the afternoon.

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Unfortunately, we have to say good bye after we arrive in Quito´s Airport. 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 advice to make sure you optimize the time and continue exploring this paradise called Ecuador.  

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