10-DAY ECUADOR HIGHLIGHTS

Welcome to Quito! The largest, best-preserved colonial city in America — declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.

The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano.

Depending on your arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. ADVENTURE JOURNEYS can help you organize a day trip (please request in advance).

In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel’s lobby for a welcome briefing at 18:00 hours. At this time, we will discuss the details and questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an acclimation and information day.

We take an early departure from Quito and drive north through the majestic Andes. On our way we will stop at a viewpoint to admire the Imbabura Volcano and Lake San Pablo.

We will head to Pijal, a small village located in the heart of the Andes to visit one of the AJ sustainable projects called Sacha Warmikua, women from the mountain.

After this beautiful experience we will visit Otavalo. You will have plenty of time to stroll along the narrow cobblestone streets, filled with the Otavalo Indigenous people wearing the traditional blue ponchos, white trousers and long braided hair.

Learn all about their daily activities, typical food and native language. Explore their famous handicraft market, with its wonderful textiles, alpaca throws and rugs, knitted clothing, native paintings, ceramics, jewelry, tapestries and more at bargain prices.

Later we will arrive at the beautiful and comfortable Hacienda Las Palmeras Inn where we will stay overnight.

Early in the morning, we will drive down along a curved panoramic road towards the Amazon Rainforest. As we descend from an altitude of 3000 m to 500 m (9843 ft to 1640 ft), you will observe how the landscape and vegetation change drastically between climates.

Later, we also stop at the “Guacamayos-Macaw Lookout,” located between Antisana and Sumaco National Reserves (low elevation cloud forest), to observe the magic blanket of clouds that covers the Amazon rainforest.

Finally, we arrive at the Arajuno River, where a motor canoe will take us 20 minutes up the river to the Eco Lodge.

In the morning, we will hike to explore the Tropical Rainforest and receive interpretation from our guide, learning about medicinal plants and searching for wildlife.

Later, we will enjoy a cultural activity where an Amazonian Kichwa community will welcome us. We will learn about their way of life and their deep connection with the forest.

Appreciate the skills of the indigenous women as they manufacture handmade pottery (ceramics). This small business helps support the community in their daily life.

Today, we will also have the chance to learn how to make our own chocolate from the raw cacao fruit.

After breakfast, we will reach Rio Verde, located in the UNESCO World Heritage site, Sangay National Park. Here, we will hike down to the second highest waterfall in Ecuador, the Pailon Del Diablo, where pounding water cascades on the rocks and mesmerizes you as you watch from a suspension bridge.

You may also take an optional hike behind the falls. After another quick drive, we will arrive at another incredible waterfall called El Manto de la Novia, where we will ride in a cable car traversing the canyon of the Pastaza River.

In the late afternoon we will arrive at Baños, located right on the foothills of the Tungurahua volcano, which has been active since 1999. It has some eruptions every few months which delights visitors with lava and steam displays that can be viewed from a number of safe viewpoints in the region.

Here in Baños you can also visit a spa or another place to enjoy the hot springs of the area.

In the morning we will visit The Swing of the End of the World, where the winner of the 2014 National Geographic photo contest took his photo. You will have some time to take the amazing picture with the stunning landscape in the front.

We will have the afternoon at leisure to enjoy optional activities in this incredible town.

Early in the morning, we will drive through valleys and farming villages to reach the Chimborazo Volcano, the highest mountain in Ecuador with an elevation of 6310 m (20,702 ft) above sea level; whose summit is also the furthest point from the center of the earth on the entire planet.

On a clear day, the majestic peak of Chimborazo dominates the view for many kilometers. There will be a short hike for 0.9 km (0.57 mi) to reach the elevation of 5000 m (16,404 ft) where the glacier begins. On the hike, we will spot a few of the animals that inhabit this volcanic wonderland such as the Andean condor, cara-cara, hummingbirds, and the timid vicuñas. Once extinct in Ecuador, they have been reintroduced and are now protected; this beautiful animal is related to the alpacas and llamas.

After an early breakfast, we will take a scenic drive to the small town of Alausí. Here, you will hear about the story of the train of the Devil’s Nose, where the tracks wind through the countryside in a zigzag formation, creating a travel experience like no other.

After this visit, we will continue to the small town of Palmira to see a desert located at 10,498.69 feet, which seems like the Sahara Desert. We will then continue towards Ingapirca, the most impressive Inca ruins in Ecuador. We will spend the afternoon learning about this archaeological site, notable for its unique fusion of Inca and native Cañari architecture, as well as its religious significance.

Later, we will head to Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its colonial architecture.

Starting in the morning, enjoy a fantastic city tour, visiting the most important buildings and notable places in Cuenca, such as Calderon Square, the New Cathedral, El Barranco, and El Turi lookout point.

In the afternoon, visit a famous Panama hat factory where we will understand the whole process of making this traditional Ecuadorian hat.

Later, we will explore the nearby towns of Chordeleg and Gualaceo. Chordeleg is known for its exquisite silver jewelry, while Gualaceo is home to a vibrant market full of handmade crafts and traditional Macana shawls, woven with bright colors and folkloric designs.