ECUADOR: ANDES & AMAZON TOUR: 5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS

ITINERARY

Day 1
We begin our Ecuador tour departing from Quito early in the morning. We will drive up the Eastern Cordillera, where we will pass through a 4,065m mountain pass. Though it can by foggy at this height, when the weather is clear you'll be astounded by the magnificent views of the Antizana volcano and the surrounding paramo wetlands. In a few hours we'll reach Las Termas de Papallacta, Ecuador's most beautifully situated thermal hot springs Resort and Spa.

After enjoying the invigorating atmosphere of Papallacta´s Thermal Hot Springs, we will continue our journey to the village of Baeza where we will enjoy lunch at Gina's. Here we can feast on the most sumptuous trout in all of Ecuador. After lunch we will continue through the last hills of the Cordillera to the Cotococha Amazon Lodge, where we will be welcomed with a guayusa tea, a local drink. We will have dinner at Cotococha Amazon Lodge, and afterwards have the opportunity to relax in Cotococha's cosy lounge with a welcoming drink in front of a fireplace.

Day 2
For the second day you have a variety of choices for excursions in our Ecuador Amazon tour. One of Cotococha's local guides will accompany you on each trip to ensure you get the most out of each experience. Of the excursions offered, you can choose to visit the Animal Rescue Centre "AmaZOOnico," where you can observe a variety of native Amazon rainforest species, such as monkeys, toucans, agoutis, snakes, caimans, tapirs, and many more. Or, you can visit a Quichua community where you will learn about their local traditions and customs. At the Quichua community you can practice the blowpipe, see how the local fermented 'chica' drink is made, and listen to the locals as they tell stories about the Amazon rainforest. During this Ecuador tour, there are excellent opportunities to swim, or even take an authentic balsa raft ride downstream.

Day 3
After our breakfast at Cotococha Amazon Lodge we will depart for Baños. On our way to Baños we will stop in Puyo, where we can have lunch and visit a Casa de balsa. While at the Casa de balsa, local inhabitants will show us how they make souvenirs of balsa wood. You will also have an opportunity to buy some of their handmade souvenirs. Afterwards, Cotococha´s Ecuador tour will take us to Molienda, a sugar-cane factory where we can observe how Ecuadorians make alcoholic drinks out of sugar cane. On our way back from Puyo you can enjoy spectacular views of Pastaza Gorge, the surrounding cloud forest, and the numerous waterfalls that cascade down the valleys on either side of the road.

We will also visit El Paillon del Diablo, a waterfall that cascades down the valley into a bowl-shaped pool below. If you take a close look at the pool, you will notice the face of the devil swimming in its crystal clear waters. At the end of the afternoon we will arrive at Baños, where we will spend the night.

Day 4
Today we will spend the day wandering around Baños, a town famous for its thermal hot springs that boast healing powers. As you explore the city of Baños you can visit the church, go mountain biking, horseback riding, or hike to one of the viewpoints from where you can see the Tungurahua, one of the active volcanoes located in Ecuador.

Day 5
In the early morning on the fifth day we'll depart for an invigorating climb up the Cotopaxi, the world's highest snow-capped active volcano. On our way we will stop at Salasaca, an indigenous community where that boasts a rich variety of tapestries and other woven products made by the local people. Afterwards, we will continue up to the park where will pay a visit to a quaint little museum that provides information about the park, its nature, geology, history of eruptions, and pictures of the Cotopaxi volcano (5,897m).

Next, we will continue our trek into the park where will make our way to LimpiopungoLake at 3800m. Here, we can acclimate to the altitude by enjoying a leisurely walk on which we can observe semi-wild horses, a variety of ducks and hummingbirds, and the Andean gull and lapwing. Afterwards we'll return to the parking lot at 4600m, from where it's a strenuous 45-minute walk up to the José Ribas refuge at 4800m, a mountain cabin halfway up the volcano. Here we will enjoy a short break at the refuge and if we feel fit enough we'll continue to the nearby glacier, where you'll have an incredible opportunity to photograph the spectacular scenery, which includes immense ice walls and deep crevasses. Before returning to Quito we will have lunch on the slopes of Cotopaxi, or at one of the majestic hacienda houses located in this area.

Includes:
1. All private transport with driver and driver's expenses
2. English speaking guide throughout the journey
3. Entrance fee to Termas de Papallacta & Cotopaxi NP
4. Hotel nights based on double room accommodation with breakfast (with first class version dinner is also included in Baños)
5. All meals at the lodge from diner on day 1 till breakfast on day 3
6. 3d/2n Jungle lodge with native guide & excursions

Not included:
1. Other meals
2. Optional excursions and any other entrance fees
3. Personal expenses, Tips & Extras


Hotels used in Baños:
1. Tourist Class: Hotel Monteselva
2. Tourist superior Class: Hotel Posada del Arte
3. First Class: Hotel Luna Runtun
NOTE: All hotels are based on standard rooms. Rates for Suites upon request.