(Hot spots: Quito – Papallacta – Jungle – Baños - Quilotoa – Riobamba – Train– Cuenca – Cajas Nacional Park – Guayaquil – Puerto Lopez – N.P Machalilla)
    
ITINERARY DAY BY DAY
DAY 1: TRANSFER AIRPORT – HOTEL
Transfer airport to hotel. You will stay overnight in Quito.
Hotel San Francisco de Quito or similar (subject to availability)
DAY 2: DAY 10: TERMAS DE PAPALLACTA –COTOCOCHA LODGE
Breakfast. After that we will take towards the east of Quito. Our first stop will be the Terms of Papallacta, this beautiful spa with Hot Springs where you can relax and enjoy the thermal pools. (Pools entrance fee included) We will continue the trip to the jungle to Liana Lodge. At our arrival we will receive a welcome cocktail then we move into your bungalow. If you feel like, you can go for a swim on a sandy beach at the Rio Arajuno. A delicious dinner at the lodge will be served and the manager of the place will explain about the next day activities.
DAY 3: COTOCOCHA LODGE
After breakfast we go on a rainforest tour in the Selva Viva forest preserve with picnic at the Rio Rodriguez, which has a crystal clear color if it is not raining, and invites to take a swim. Our forest guide is Quichua Indio, who is additionally educated by our biologists, and who is absolutely familiar with the flora and fauna of the rainforest. Part of the tour leads through a creek with fossil wood trunks, one of the main attractions of the area. Return to the Hotel in the afternoon. Return to the hotel and dinner.
DAY 4: COTOCOCHA LODGE – PUYO – BAÑOS
Today, after breakfast we will travel to Puyo and Baños and visit the surroundings of the town. We will take the “road of the waterfalls” where you will visit the different waterfalls in the area and do some trekking to get to “El Pailon del Diablo”; a beautiful waterfall where we can have a chance to walk through the cloud forest. Time for lunch at the town (not included) and time for relax during the afternoon
Lodging: Hotel Posada del Arte or similar (subject to availability)
DAY 5: BAÑOS - QUILOTOA CRATER – RIOBAMBA
Breakfast. Today we will have a walk around the Quilotoa Lake in order to see its marvelous and impressive landscape. Time for lunch (not included) We will travel to Riobamba, enjoying the especial Andes surroundings. If we have time, we will have a city tour in Riobamba. We will sleep in a typical hacienda in Riobamba.
Lodging at Hostería La Andaluza or similar (subject to availability) Dinner included
DAY 6: RIOBAMBA - INGAPIRCA - CUENCA
We will enjoy one of the most interesting excursions, the adventurous and legendary "Andes-train" over the famous devil's-nose (3 hours aprox). Our transportation will be waiting for us in Alausí. Our Trip continues to the most important Inca archeological Complex of Ecuador, the fortress of Ingapirca. In the surroundings, we will see how the famous artisans make the “Panama Hats”. After this interesting visit, we go to Cuenca.
Accommodation in Cuenca. Lodging in Hotel Crespo or similar (Subject to availability)
Remark: This is a public train and it departs only on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. If it doesn’t match with your dates, we will operate this excursion with a private vehicle.
DAY 7: EL CAJAS NATIONAL PARK– GUAYAQUIL CITY
Depending of the weather conditions, you will have a excursion to El Cajas National Park or to Gualaceo valley and then we will travel to Guayaquil. El Cajas National Park has several small lagoons (more than 230). They are the remains of the last ice age. The lakes are connected by small rivers, whose crystal-clear waters flow into the Pacific. We will have a short hike through this protected area. The excursion to Gualaceo starts from Santa Ana valley, we will descend through the mountain. We will stop on the colorful towns located on the way; we also visit Chordeleg which is well-known for having the best jewelry. We will travel to Guayaquil, where we will sleep and get ready for the next adventure: Galapagos.
Lodging: Grand Hotel Guayaquil or similar (subject to availability)
DAY 8: GUAYAQUIL – SALINAS – PUERTO LOPEZ
In the morning, you drive through the "Ruta del Sol". In Ballenita, you have a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean from a high cliff. Small fishing villages can be visited during the complete journey and beautiful and mostly rustic beaches will join us during our trip. In Salango we can visit its archaeological museum full of information about the pre-Spanish times.
Lodging: Hosteria Mandala or similar
DAY 9: ISLA DE LA PLATA
This day we will do a trip to La Plata Island, located about 30 km from the mainland. The island features various species of booby birds, as well as frigate birds and albatrosses. Depending on the season, you may also see some sea lions. Between June and September, the boat ride often provides a chance to observe humpback whales. Due to these characteristics, the island is also known as the “Little Galapagos” of the mainland of Ecuador.
Lodging: Hosteria Mandala or similar
DAY 10: PARQUE NACIONAL MACHALILLA - GUAYAQUIL
Our trip includes a visit to Machalilla National Park. One of its attractions is “Playa Los Frailes”, a beautiful sandy beach in a cove which preserves its natural state. Time for swimming and relaxing or enjoy a soft hiking along the beautiful beaches. In the afternoon drive to Guayaquil, accommodation.
Lodging: Grand Hotel Guayaquil or similar (subject to availability)
DAY 11: TRANSFER OUT
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer from the hotel to the airport. End of our services.
   
INCLUDED
- Meals according to the program
- Private transportation during the whole program
- Transfer airport – hotel - airport
- Lodging in 3 and 4 star hotels
- Professional certified bilingual guide during the program
- “Nariz del Diablo” Train excursion (IF AVAILABLE)
- Visit to the “Isla de la Plata”
- Excursions according to the itinerary
NOT INCLUDED
- National Parks and museums entrance fees
- Alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages
Personal expenses, tips, wire transfer costs.
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