Itinerary

DAY 1: CLOUDFOREST ZIPLINE & HORSEBACK RIDING IN COTOPAXI

We depart in the morning from Quito due south through the famed Avenue of the Volcanoes, en route to Hacienda El Porvenir. On the way, we enjoy spectacular views of the Pita Canyon River Gorge in the foothills of the Pasochoa Volcano. We reach a cloud forest reserve where our first adventure activity begins. After a short guided hike through the cloud forest, we come to the edge of the canyon and launch ourselves across in several spectacular zipline crossings. With our feet on solid ground again, we continue on to Hacienda El Porvenir, a 3000-hectare, family-owned hacienda rich in history and representative of the Chagra (Ecuadorian cowboy) culture. El Porvenir has been in the same family for 7 generations, and was the first hacienda in Ecuador to raise fighting bulls. After a traditional welcome tea, our lunch features gourmet, locally-produced Andean foods. After lunch, we gear up Chagra style, and don ponchos, chaps, and cowboy hats to explore the expansive grounds of the hacienda on horseback (hiking is optional). The hacienda produces potatoes, lima beans, quinoa, and other crops that grow at altitudes over 10,000 feet (3,000 meters), all with a backdrop of spectacular volcano scenery. Our Chagra guide accompanies us to care after our horses, share his knowledge of local plants, birds, and fauna, and help us to admire the brave fighting bulls. We ride up the slopes of the Ruminahui Volcano – where, if we´re lucky, we´ll spot the magnificent Andean Condor, the largest flying bird in the world. After our 4-hour ride, we spend a relaxing evening at the hacienda.  (L, D)

DAY 2:  MOUNTAIN BIKING AT COTOPAXI VOLCANO & EXPLORE BAÑOS

After breakfast, we drive towards the base of the Cotopaxi Volcano, where we begin our mountain biking adventure. After a safety briefing, we explore the park on our 2 wheels. We cross highland plateaus and observe typical highland vegetation and fauna with stunning volcano scenery as a backdrop. We visit Limpiopungo Glacier Lake before exiting the park through the south entrance. We continue our journey by car, driving through the Avenue of the Volcanoes to visit the Salasaca Indigenous Community, best known for their colorful ponchos and traditional dress. We visit a Salasaca family to learn about traditional weaving and textile techniques, as well as the use of Agave cactus to make clothing, drinks, ropes, and more. We continue on to the town of Baños for a deluxe lunch in Luna Runtun, where we enjoy spectacular views of the Tungurahua Volcano and the Pastaza River Gorge. After lunch, we explore the town of Baños, a colorful colonial town at an altitude of 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) surrounded by tropical cloud forest. In the late afternoon, we reach Leito Hacienda, where we dine and relax for the evening. (B, L, D)

DAY 3: BIKING TO THE AMAZON & VISIT SHIRIPUNO INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY

In the morning, we drive to the edge of Llanganates National Park, gaining altitude until we reach an area with one of the best views of the – often fuming – Tungurahua Volcano. Here, we set up our mountain bikes for a scenic ride through highland paramo, which gradually melds into mountain cloud forest, and then lowland rainforest. We pass through a dry basaltic gorge that is a great spot to look for wild orchids. We continue our ride along the Pastaza River Gorge, one of the principal waterways that feed into the Amazon Basin. This is an especially scenic route, with high rock walls giving way to deep cloud forest canyons. We stop to admire some of the spectacular waterfalls in the area, such as Pailón del Diablo (Devil’s Cauldron) and Manto de la Novia (Bride’s Veil). Switching from 2 wheels to 4, we drive until we reach Puyo, an Amazon frontier town where we learn about the manufacture of products made from Balsa wood, bamboo, ceramics, and other local materials. We enjoy lunch in Puyo before setting out along the Amazon highway to reach our Jungle Lodge. Once we settle into our lodge, we embark on a visit to a Shiripuno Kichwa indigenous community. Here, we learn about the Kichwa way of life, culture, traditions, and customs of the Amazon. We can also participate in community activities, including the creation of ceramics with indigenous motifs, preparation of Chicha (manioc beer), visits to ancient petroglyph sites, and cleansing rituals with a local shaman. At the end of the day, we settle into our riverfront cabañas ready for a peaceful evening surrounded by jungle sounds. (B, L, D)

DAY 4: JUNGLE RAFTING ON THE JATUNYACU RIVER

After enjoying breakfast in our lodge, we drive to Llanganates National Park, which extends from the high Andes down into the Amazon basin and is part of an area declared a Biosphere Zone by the United Nations. The water that collects in this area forms the Jatunyacu River, which is considered Ecuador’s best one-day river run. We begin the day with a walk in the jungle to reach naturally-formed swimming pools. Upon our return and after a safety briefing, our whitewater rafting adventure begins. A trip down the Jatunyacu River offers spectacular jungle scenery, crystal-clear water, and glimpses into indigenous communities that live along the shores in small bamboo and wood houses. The Jatunyacu is also famed for its big waves, fun holes, and high volume of water (Class III - III+). We’ll spend the rest of the day navigating the Jatunyacu, whose waters carry us through breathtaking landscapes with abundant bird life. In the afternoon, we drive back up into the Andes, climbing from 1,500 to 10,000 feet (500 to 3,000 meters) in altitude and passing through a national park and nature reserve until we reach the Papallacta Hotsprings Resort & Spa. In the evening, we relax in the therapeutic alkaline-rich natural thermal waters of Papallacta while nestled in fantastic cloud forest scenery. Spa services such as massages, aromatherapy, and other optional treatments can also be arranged in advance. Lodgings at Papallacta Resort. (B, L, D)

DAY 5: PARAMO HIKE, CATEQUILLA MONUMENT, & OTAVALO INDIGENOUS MARKET

In the early morning, we visit the highland interpretation center and go for a guided nature hike in a private cloud forest and paramo reserve, where we seek out birds, highland plants, and other Andean wildlife species. Afterwards, we drive to a Middle of the World monument shaped as a star of eight points, representing pre-colonial and Incan indigenous beliefs that 0º latitude was the center of time and measurement. Here we learn about Ecuador’s geographic position and how its location on the equator influences its many cultures, climates, and biological diversity. After this visit, we enjoy lunch on the waterfront of San Pablo Lake. We spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the towns of Otavalo and Peguche, where Ecuador’s indigenous culture and heritage is visible in their famous markets full of colorful textiles, traditional handicrafts, and more. We spend time one-on-one with local weavers who share the secrets of their craft that have been passed down for generations, and visit the Andean Music Museum to hear the traditional instrumental and vocal sounds of the Andes. The evening is spent at a traditional colonial hacienda. (B, L, D)

DAY 6: HIKING AROUND CUICOCHA CRATER LAKE

After breakfast, we drive up to Cuicocha Crater Lake, located 10,000 feet (3,068 meters) above sea level within the Cayapas-Cotacachi national park. Cuicochoa Lake is the freshwater-filled caldera of a dormant volcano, located at the foot of a volcano of the same name, and surrounded by stunning cloud forest scenery. We hike around the shore of the crater lake, admiring the lava dome islands in the center and keeping an eye out for birds and other interesting wildlife. We enjoy a picnic lunch on the lake before departing for Quito in the afternoon. Upon our return, we have the evening free to explore the landmarks and night life of Ecuador’s capital city. (B, L)

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