Ecuador Naturally
8 days / 7 nights — Price From: $2,399DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE PDF
Day 1 – Arrive Quito
Private transfer to your hotel where you can relax and acclimatize.
Day 2 – Exploring Quito
Introduction to the city of Quito including a combination of the colonial splendor / history, impressive city views, and some more quirky elements of the city such as visits to a very traditional local confectionary-maker, an emotionally moving indigenous art gallery and an education project training under-privileged locals in traditional crafts.
In the afternoon a transfer up the Andes to the colorful indigenous town of Otavalo, and explore the grounds of the stunning 17th century hacienda that is home for the night.
Day 3 - Otavalo indigenous communities
Today is all about meeting the locals, learning about their traditions and sharing local experiences. Otavalo and the surrounding villages are famed across Latin America for handicrafts; in the morning you will visit workshops specializing in weaving, musical instruments and totora-reed figurines. In the afternoon we explore the beautiful surrounding lakes and mountains and learn about the spiritual significance each has in the local cultures. To top it all off you will be guests in the home of an indigenous family for the night and sample a typical local dinner with them.
Day 4 - Otavalo Shopping & the Equator
It is impossible to visit Otavalo without time for shopping in the world-famous handicrafts market – there is plenty of free time to peruse the colourful market stalls throughout the morning. In the afternoon we return to Quito; en route we will stop at the equator and test out fun scientific theories that only hold true at latitude 0-0-0 (does water run clockwise / anticlockwise in the different hemispheres?).
Day 5 – Rainforest: Napo Wildlife Luxury Eco-Lodge
Journey to the rainforest - flight to Coca for a 4d/3n stay at the Napo Wildlife Centre eco-lodge. Enjoy the rainforest scenery during the 2 hour motor canoe and 1 hour dugout paddle canoe ride to the picturesque lodge. Brave the wilds during our night time tour in search of caiman alligators.
Day 6 – Rainforest: Napo Wildlife Luxury Eco-Lodge
A full day to explore the magic of the Amazon including: forest trekking, wildlife observation at the parrot clay lick, visit to an indigenous Quichua community, learning about traditional the life of a Quichua family.
Day 7 – Rainforest: Napo Wildlife Luxury Eco-Lodge
Your final day in the Rainforest will include wildlife observation atop the canopy tower, forest trekking and a canoe trip in search of giant otters.
Day 8 - Return to Quito
Return journey by canoe to Coca and then flight to Quito. Option of learning a few sexy salsa moves in the evening with a local teacher.
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