|
|
|
|
|
|
 A10 Ecuador Mainland (15 days) In those 15 days we get to know the mainland of Ecuador with its many natural settings and cultural heritage sites. We experience the varied fauna and flora of various distinct ecosystems, from high Andes paramo regions to cloudforest and to primary tropical forests on the coast and in the Amazon. Many cultural attractions like old colonial towns with century old churches and squares, haciendas, Inca sites, Indian markets also await you on this trip, which also gives you ample opportunity to observe the daily life of the many distinct ethnic groups of the country. Day 1 Arrival at Quito airport and transfer to hotel in Quito. Depending on your arrival time, a visit to the old colonial center or another attraction in Quito is scheduled. Day 2 Today we explore Quito and its surroundings. We start our trip by driving up to Panecillo, the hill in the middle of the city. From there we have a great view of the town with the old colonial center just lying at its feet, which we visit next. After a walking tour to the old squares and churches we stop for lunch. In the afternoon we visit Mitad del Mundo, famous equator line monument, 1 hour north of Quito. There we visit museums and you take the famous pictures, straddling the meridian. Rumicucho, an old Inca fortress site is our last stop on the tour before heading back to Quito. Day 3 On this day we visit the famous Indian market in Otavalo. The Indians of the region are famous for their weavings and offer their many wares around the Plaza del Poncho, the heart of the trade. After admiring and shopping, we continue to Cuicocha crater lake, a beautiful water-filled volcanic caldera located at 3300m. We return then to Quito by way of Cayambe where we stop shortly at another line monument.. Day 4 We start our adventure by driving from Quito to Coca, a 7 to 8 hour trip. On the way we will stop at the San Rafael Waterfalls, the highest and mightiest fall in Ecuador which lies in the higher Amazon region and is also famous for its bird population. We will spend 2 hours there hiking in the area and having lunch. On a clear day we have also a splendid view of the active volcano El Reventador, an active volcano. We spend the night in Coca and get ready for tomorrow. Day 5 In the morning after breakfast we leave by motorized canoe for the rainforest lodge, which is located down the river Napo. There, after lunch we explore for the first time the primary tropical rainforest with its bountiful fauna and flora. A native guide accompanies us and gives us explanations about the medicinal and other traditional uses of the various plants. In the night we undertake a short hike into the forest to experience and observe nocturnal animals. Day 6 Early in the morning we head out to the small rivers and lagoons in small dugouts for bird watching and return then for breakfast. Afterwards we undertake another hike in the forest to learn more about the vegetation and get also to know about the fauna. After lunch we visit a native family, where we learn about the daily life of the native Indians. In the evening we go out by canoe to look for caimans. Day 7 In the morning we hike to an observation tower and climb the 35 m high observation tower to observe the life in the forest trees canopy, which otherwise could not be seen. Then we go out in dugouts to the lagoons and try our hand at fishing piranhas, catfish and others. After lunch we return by motorized boat to Coca. Day 8 Early in the morning we leave Coca and head south to Puyo, where we stop for lunch. Afterwards we start moving up the Andes mountains again through the Pastaza valley. The higher we get the narrower the valley becomes and many waterfalls dot the landscape. Some of the most interesting ones, like the Pailon del Diablo in Rio Verde, we will visit before arriving in Baņos, where we spend the night. Day 9 After yesterday's long drive we hike some 2-3 hours on trails above Baņos with great views to the town and Tungurahua, an active volcano. Fumaroles and other volcanic activities can be observed from closer up. In the afternoon we relax in the hot springs, from which this tourist town got its name or visit the interesting zoo and drive towards Riobamba. Day 10 At 7 am the train leaves for Alausi and from there you go down the famous Devil's Nose and return later to Alausi by the same way. After that exciting adventure, which lasts till 1.30 pm we continue by jeep on towards Cuenca, with a stop at the Inca ruins of Ingapirca, Ecuador's most famous Indian heritage site. Day 11 We spend the whole day in Cuenca, Ecuador's most charming colonial town, visiting the old colonial center with its churches and old grand houses. In the afternoon we visit a Panama Hat factory to learn about the production and marketing of this world famous hat. We stay a second night in Cuenca. Day 12 We leave early in the morning and drive to El Cajas National Park, where we stop to hike in this high paramo region with its many lakes. Later we continue on and head to Guayaquil, where we spend the last three nights of our excursion.. Day 13 We spend the day sightseeing in Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city by visiting its modern Malecon district at the bay and the old colonial district of Las Peņas. Day 14 In the morning we drive to Churute to get to know a dry tropical forest. We first ascend up the hill called El Mate, where we get to know the native plants and animals. With luck we observe some howler monkeys but certainly hear them. In the afternoon we undertake a boat ride through the mangroves of the reserve to observe birds and other animals. Day 15 Depending on your departure time, visits to the Malecon or to another sightseeing attraction in Guayaquil are scheduled. Transfer to the airport and return to your country.
|
|
||||
|
|
