Day 1. Friday
Arrive Quito - Accommodation = Hotel
Our tour begins in the beautifully preserved colonial capital of Quito, located in the Andean highlands and surrounded by majestic snow-capped volcanoes. The tour officially begins at 6pm in the evening at our joining hotel where we will have a pre-departure meeting. You will be welcomed by your tour leader who will accompany you throughout your time in Ecuador and will be informed of any local information and handy hints and tips relating to your tour and the area through which you will be travelling.
Following this we will enjoy a lovely meal at one of Quito’s many fine restaurants giving us the opportunity to get to know each other in a relaxed and comfortable environment.

Day 2. Saturday
Cotopaxi National Park - Accommodation = Hotel
We travel a short distance from Quito to visit the Cotopaxi National Park, home to the 5897 meter, perfectly formed Cotopaxi volcano, the highest active volcano in the world. After some time to explore the park we will spend the evening in a traditional hacienda, a beautifully restored homestead located in the countryside.

Day 3. Sunday
Banos - Accommodation = Hotel
Today we descend to the popular tourist town of Banos. Famous for it hot baths and wide range of great activities available Banos’ surroundings are green and attractive. In the afternoon enjoy a tour of the surrounding area to view the mighty Tungurahua Volcano, also known as "The Black Giant," which can often still be seen smoking against the clear Andean skies.

Day 4. Monday
Banos - Accommodation = Hotel
We will visit the mighty Pylon del Diablo water fall and take a walk or horse ride along some of the many scenic paths in the area. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy a wide range of optional activities available including canyoning, mountain biking, quad bike tours and wonderful hikes. Alternatively relax in the thermal baths for which the town is named.

Day 5. Tuesday
Amazon Jungle - Accommodation = Jungle Lodge
We follow the Rio Pastanza canyon as it drops steadily from Banos and head down into the tropical Amazon basin. Passing numerous waterfalls the canyon then opens up offering breathtaking views of the Pastanza River as it meanders off through the vast rolling plains of the Amazon jungle. Arriving to our wonderful jungle lodge located on the shores of the Napo River we will enjoy a three night stay.
On arrival at the lodge we can relax for a while in our beautiful spacious bungalows built in a rustic native design surrounded by gardens full of amazing jungle plants and flowers. A delicious dinner will be served in a romantic candlelight-setting at the attractively decorated restaurant. Afterwards we will enjoy a special welcome drink, relaxing around the elegant fireplace, to coordinate and discuss next day’s activities with the local crew. We’ll feel absolutely comfortable in this lovely peaceful setting filled with nightly sights and sounds of the Amazon jungle.

Day 6. Wednesday
Amazon Jungle - Accommodation = Jungle Lodge
After our delicious breakfast we’ll be more than ready to start today’s adventure! We will start with a canoe ride down the imposing Napo River crossing the enchanted Ecuadorian jungle until we reach the Arajuno River. Here we will visit the Animal Rescue Centre “AmaZOOnico”. This is a specialized organization dedicated to the rescue of wild animals and restoring them into their natural habitat. We will observe a great variety of species such as toucans, parrots, all kind of monkeys, ocelots, capybaras and much more….
After our visit to this beautiful sanctuary, we’ll enjoy a scrumptious lunch by the river shore, picnic style. Afterwards, we can swim in the refreshing river waters or simply rest ourselves in the peaceful surroundings. 
We’ll head back to our Lodge, making a short stop in one of the many local indigenous communities by the Napo River. One of the native Quichua families will show us their ancestral customs like gold washing, pottery techniques, the making of the typical drink “chicha” made of yuca and blowpipe hunting. After this fascinating cultural exchange with the Quichuas, we’ll continue our way to our lodge by a path on secondary forest. Upon arrival, a delicious snack will be waiting for us. At night after dinner there will be some free time to gather around the cosy fireplace or enjoy an exotic cocktail at the bar.  

Day 7. Thursday
Amazon Jungle - Accommodation = Jungle Lodge
After breakfast, we depart by canoe upstream for ten minutes, arriving to a small shore where we begin a fun and thrilling one hour walk, marvelling ourselves with the jungle’s secondary forest diverse flora and fauna. After our short hike, we’ll find ourselves in a breathtaking waterfall “La Cascada de Latas” where we will take a refreshing bath in its clear crystal waters and enjoy the surrounding views, which, mixed with the jungle sounds, makes it an unforgettable experience. We return along the same way to have lunch at the lodge.
After lunch we put on our rubber boots to start an exciting walk in the jungle’s primary forest. Learn the secret wonders of the mysterious hidden jungle and find amazing plant species with medicinal properties, which will be explained in detail by our expert native guide. You will learn their characteristics and how the jungle inhabitants used them in ancient times. We’ll also observe a great variety of insects, small groups of monkeys weaving around the giant trees; though we will need some luck to observe them, that’s why we must stay very quiet to admire these beautiful creatures. Dozens of curious colourful birds tag along with us during our walk whistling enchanted notes delighting our senses. After about three hours of walking we will arrive at the Lodge again. At night, dinner and gathering around the fireplace. It’s time for a good and peaceful rest delighted by the nightly sounds of the jungle.             

Day 8. Friday
Pappallacta - Accommodation = Hotel
Today we leave our Amazon Jungle Lodge and climb up out of the Amazon basin with enchanting views of beautiful cloud forest, alive with different species of plants and birds, to arrive at the thermal village of Papallacta. Take an afternoon walk through the fertile valley and in the evening relax in the natural outdoor thermal pools while enjoying views Antisana Volcano located just 15 kilometres to the south.

Day 9. Saturday
Otavalo - Accommodation = Hotel
We arrive into Otavalo in time for its famous Saturday Market. Dating back to pre-Incan times when jungle products were bought up from the lowlands and traded this lively and colourful market is alive with friendly local crafts-people selling their fare. Local people in their distinctive traditional dress happily make there way through town or tend to their farms in the surrounding countryside. Surrounded by beautiful waterfalls, mountains and lakes Otavalo is a truly special place.

Day 10. Sunday
Mindo - Accommodation = Hotel
Crossing the Equator we will visit Mitad del Mundo – the Middle of the World where will visit a great and unique museum dedicated to the site before we pass on to Mindo, an area of western forest alive with exotic birdlife and with a rich natural history. Hummingbirds buzz around from tree to tree and colourful butterfly’s fly overhead in this pretty, less visited, little town. We will take a night excursion of see an orchestra of tiny tree frogs that come alive after sunset.

Day 11. Monday
Quito - Accommodation = Hotel
This morning we will take a visit to a wonderful butterfly sanctuary that houses a rainbow of colourful butterflies flying about in open enclosures.
In the afternoon we will head back into Quito and in the evening look down on the city from the hilltop Panecillo Monument and enjoy a last meal together at one of Quito’s finest restaurants to reflect on a wonderful and exhilarating Ecuadorian experience.

Day 12. Tuesday
Depart
Your tour concludes after breakfast this morning. Your tour leader will assist you with a transfer to the airport for your out bound flight.
Why not combine the great package with an exciting trip to the Galapagos Islands.

GALAPAGOS
Explore the Galapagos Islands
Perhaps the most abundant marine park in the world the Galapagos Islands allows you the opportunity to interact closely with marine life like never before. Get up close and personal with playful penguins and cheeky sea lions, swim alongside giant turtles and walk amongst marine iguanas, blue footed boobies and many other marine species. Check out the great cruise and land based programs we have on offer!

Important note: Due to changing local conditions itineraries are subject to change.