Wonderen van Ecuador: Hooglanden en Amazone 10 dagen

Je gids haalt je op bij je hotel en je begint je dag met een verkenning van het historische centrum van Quito. Deze koloniale stad werd in 1978 als eerste uitgeroepen tot UNESCO Werelderfgoed omdat het het best bewaarde historische centrum van Amerika heeft. De tour laat je de hoogtepunten zien, zoals La Plaza de la Independencia, La Iglesia de San Francisco en de indrukwekkende Basilica del Voto Nacional. Gedurende deze tijd leer je meer over de interessante en kleurrijke geschiedenis van Quito terwijl je de bezienswaardigheden en geluiden van het dagelijkse Ecuadoraanse leven meemaakt.

Daarna breng je een bezoek aan Mitad del Mundo of het "Midden van de Wereld". Tijdens een bezoek aan het Intiñan Museum kun je deelnemen aan experimenten die het unieke karakter en de magie van deze bijzondere locatie demonstreren.

Op het ontworpen tijdstip brengt een shuttle je van je hotel naar het vliegveld van Quito.

Een vertegenwoordiger van de lodge wacht je op in de luchthaven om je te helpen bij het inchecken.

Bij aankomst in Coca brengt een vertegenwoordiger van de lodge je naar de pier, vanwaar je een gemorororiseerde kano neemt voor ongeveer 2,5 uur tot aan de lodge.

Bij aankomst in het Napo Cultural Center heb je de uitgelezen kans om het aboriginalgebied van de kichwa Añangu-gemeenschap te betreden, waarvan de leden je zullen verwelkomen met een traditionele en verfrissende ijskoude "wayusa". De lokale hotelmanager zal je snel instructies geven en je meteen naar je comfortabele kamer met uitzicht op het regenwoud brengen om je klaar te maken voor de eerste activiteit in de middag. Wandel langs het "Playas" pad om voor het eerst de wilde dieren in de amazone te zien op de riviereilanden en oevers te midden van een van de biologisch meest diverse plekken op aarde. Kajakken is ook beschikbaar als optionele activiteit voor ongeveer 45 minuten om te genieten van een overweldigende en kleurrijke zonsondergang in de uitgestrektheid van de Napo rivier. Ga dan terug naar je hut, rust wat uit en bereid je voor op een welverdiend diner. Na het diner slaap je met de ontspannende geluiden van de Amazone.

Early breakfast and then head in the motor boat to one of the highlights of Yasuni Biosphere Reserve, the parrot clay lick in the riverside of River Napo, bring your binoculars and camera lenses to see flocks of blueheaded, yellow-crowned parrots and even dusky-headed parakeets, from the boat. Then walk around 30 min, through “pericos” trail to reach the blind in the forest with a direct view to the amazing parakeet clay lick, which brings visitors face to face with up to 11 species of parrots and parakeets (including parrotlets and macaws), sometimes even mammals like howler monkeys, tapir and peccaries come to this place to drink water and get vital minerals for their body.

We end this morning with a visit to the intercultural interpretation center "Kuri Muyu" which means golden seed in native language, handled by the women of the community also knows as “mamakuna” learn about the kichwa culture, crafts, customs and traditional use of natural resources directly from the people of the aboriginal community. We return to the center of the community to have lunch at the dining hall and take a break in the lodge before hiking one hour in order to climb up the observation tower reaching 35 meters above the surface with high chances to spot a variety of birds, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, toucans, parrots and sloths.

Time for dinner followed by a unique activity at Napo river, onboard the ancestral catamaran to know more about their legends and traditional chants, while women grill some delicious snacks in the fire .

Enjoy the sunrise at breakfast, visit the sustainable community projects, talk about the worldview Kichwa Addition to medicinal and walk in the Mama Cuna road, excellent opportunity to see more wildlife, ceiba trees, strangler, bamboo cane, vines and shrubs endemic from Yasuní. In the afternoon after a delicious local lunch paddle around “Añangu” stream, a black water ecosystem where you can spot monkeys jumping from tree to tree, caiman and sometimes even giant river otters trying to catch fish. Upon arriving you will have time to settle back and prepare for a traditional typical dinner to taste local flavors of the amazon, such as “maito” which is grilled fish wrapped in a “bijao” leaf and if you have an adventurous palate try the grilled worms of the “chonta” locally known as “chontakuru”.

After dinner, prepare your flashlight for a night walk around the lodge to see different kind of insects, reptiles and even nocturnal mammals like the night monkeys .

To close with a flourish, take part on the optional “wayusada” ritual, in which at dawn around 4:30 am is the time when the kichwa family share together the sacred “wayusa” and has been a way to past their ancient knowledge to the new generations, here you also share traditional chants and have the chance to “interpret dreams” with the wisest “mamakuna” at the community, a mystique experience indeed. Then head back for breakfast, while our staff pick you luggage for your return to Coca town, onboard our comfortable motor boats for the last chance to appreciate the Ecuadorian rainforest landscape, until you reach “Añangu” river port. 

You will get to the port and be transferred to the Coca airport and take your flight back to Quito

At arrival a driver will take you to Papagayo hosteria where you have the option to order your lunch (Not included) and spend a nice free afternoon at the hacienda or doing a short walk or bike round around.

About one and half hours of a fantastic scenic drive south of Quito, standing tall within the "Avenue of the Volcanoes" is the misty Cotopaxi Volcano, covered with a perpetual blanket of dazzling white snow and glaciers.

At 19,348 feet (5,897m) above sea level, it is considered the highest active volcano in the world and home to Cotopaxi National Park. The park offers a tundra-like environment and is surrounded by other volcanoes both active and extinct. The area offers great hikes with the opportunity to explore and enjoy its unique geology and flora and chances to see local fauna including wild horses and the Andean Condor, the world´s largest flying bird. it is also home to llamas, foxes, rabbits, high paramo bird species, condors, and herds of wild horses. Cotopaxi National Park tour is an exciting day that begins with spectacular views of the unique Andean landscape in the “Avenue of the Volcanoes”. Inside the National Park, you can even hike up to the main refuge of Jose Rivas, which is situated at 4,810m near the Cotopaxi snowline.

Ever growing in popularity and understandably so, Quilotoa is a must-see when visiting Ecuador. This volcanic crater is filled with crystal-blue water and holds a special place in local indigenous mythology for being bottomless. Along the drive to reach the crater you will pass by local markets in Saquisili (Thursdays) or Pujilí (Sundays) where you will gain an appreciation for the indigenous way of life. You’ll also pass through the canyon of Zumbahua, which makes for a great photo opportunity, and close to there, you will visit an indigenous family (subject to change due to the Covid pandemic). When you reach Quilotoa you can decide if you would like to walk down from the crater rim and down to the water’s edge. You can appreciate the beauty up close for yourself. Kayaks are also available for rent for an additional cost if you feel up for the adventure. Or you may decide you would like to enjoy the crater from other angles and hike the loop around the volcano crater. If you hike to the bottom, keep in mind that the way back up is rather steep, good hiking shoes are recommended. There is also the option of renting a mule to ride back up for $10 per person.

­ Baños is a small city in the Andean highlands under the smoke of the Tungurahua volcano and surrounded by green lush mountains. Its name, which in Spanish means ¨baths (of sacred water)¨, comes from the famous hydrothermal springs in the area. Baños is known as the adventure capital of Ecuador – you can do all sorts of adventure activities in the area surrounding Baños, such as horseback riding, biking, hiking, canyoning, bungee jumping, ziplining, white water rafting, and a lot more! It´s quite a tourist place, so there are lots of hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops and tour agents.

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The Valley of the Waterfalls outside of Baños is much visited by tourists, and the Paillon del Diablo is the most impressive of all. There is also the famous Swing of the Edge of the World which you can visit for a stunning swing!

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Suggested activities in Baños and its surroundings

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What to do in Baños? 

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The Town: bike and quads rental, walking around the village, shopping for handicrafts, excellent typical gastronomy, visiting the city’s historic Cathedral with its impressive paintings, and visiting one or more of the thermal baths, public and private.

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Swing at the end of the world 

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If you are in Baños town, make it a point to make a trip to Casa del Arbol in Baños. This is where the famous Ecuador swing is located. Currently, there are three swings and a zip line in the area. There is also a small snack bar. The whole park is being managed by the family of Carlos Sanchez who volunteered to monitor the Tungurahua volcano.

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The famous Ecuador swing is attached to the same tree that holds the treehouse known as Casa del Arbol which serves as a seismic monitoring station. It is located at 8530,184 ft or 2,600 meters above sea level. For a long time running, it has been manned by a local named Carlos Sanchez, and its purpose was to observe and monitor Mt. Tungurahua.

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Visit “Pailon del Diablo” Waterfall: 30 minutes from Baños, on the road to the Amazon Rainforest this breathtaking waterfall can be admired. Beautiful natural surroundings and some hiking trails are some of the highlights of this incredible site. Hiking down to the waterfall can take about 40 minutes while going up can take about one and a half hours, depending on pace and physical conditions. From Baños you can visit Pailon del Diablo either by car or by renting a bike.

Recommendation:

As you will have a guide only for you as a private service, so you can choose between several activities that you will be able to do there, he will be very flexible.

You can stop along the way to take pictures, or spend more or less time in each place how you prefer. The guide will try to adapt the tour to your interests. However, in case you want to include different places or activities, it is best to let me know in advance so I can check what the possibilities are within the time you have.

Enjoy a second day in Baños to discover other places under your guide's suggestion.

You can also book some activities with local agencies there such as:

Rafting

Canyoning

Bike rental

Spa treatments

Etc...

At a schedued time (Depending on your flight departure that day), your guide will take you back to the airport.