Classic: Inland & Amazon (EIA)

Countries Visited: Ecuador
Trip Style: Classic - Designed for maximum variety, these trips are geared towards travellers searching for a healthy mix of active exploration, uncommon landscapes, amazing wildlife and local cultures.
Service Level: Standard
  • Great value, reasonable prices, quality experiences
  • Comfortable and varied tourist-class accommodations chosen for location and character
  • Mix of public and private transport for the best overall experience
  • All the top highlights included, plus plenty of time to explore on your own
    Physical Demands Rating: 1 - You'll have to walk around on your own, climb some stairs and carry your own bag. Easy does it.
    Group Size: Max 16, avg 12
    Meals Included: 15 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
    Accommodations: Hotels (9 nts), jungle lodge (2 nts), simple village cabaNas (2 nts, multi-share), historic mountain hacienda (2 nts).

    Highlights
    Wander Quito and colonial cities, soak in Andean hot springs, feel like a local at a Quichua homestay, search for wildlife in the Amazon and adventure in Banos, shop at the Otavalo Market, visit Ingapirca ruins, travel back in time with a historic hacienda stay

    Description
    From the heights of the Andes to the heat of the Amazon Rainforest, experience an incredible land of contrasts on this 16-day journey through Ecuador. Explore the jungle by canoe and stay with a local Quichua family for an extraordinary cultural experience youll never forget. Scour the market at Otavalo for special treasures and cure what ails you in a mountain hot spring. With its unique variety of accommodation and insight into rural life in the jungle, this is more than just a tour-its a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
  • Call (858) 999-3025 for more information or to book today! Mention code 13722861

    Tour Operator
    G Adventures
    Duration
    16 Days
    Escorted
    Escorted - Yes
    DayDestinationDescription
    Day 1QuitoDay 1 Quito
    There are no planned activities before an evening welcome meeting. Additional Notes: Booking pre- or post-trip accommodation is highly recommended to fully experience the city and take advantage of the many optional activities available. Included Activities: Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
    Day 2PapallactaDay 2 Quito/Papallacta (1B)
    Take a local bus through the heights of the Andes en route to the Amazon. Stop for the night in Papallacta and relax in the natural mineral hot pools. Included Activities: Papallacta Hot Springs Visit Transport: Local bus (2.00 hour(s), 60km)
    Day 3TenaDay 3 Papallacta/Tena (1B, 1D)
    Descend into the Amazon Jungle region. Notice the scenery change dramatically heading from the mountains into the lush, tropical Amazon rainforest. Stay with a Quichua family enjoying the hospitality of these wonderful people, and experience life in the jungle firsthand. Optional activities include visiting an animal rescue centre, caving, and whitewater rafting. Included Activities: Amazon Jungle Experience Transport: Local bus (4.00 hour(s), 95km) Private Vehicle (0.75 hour(s))
    Day 4TenaDay 4 Tena (1B, 1L, 1D)
    Spend a full day in the Amazon learning about life at a homestay. Enjoy cooking demonstrations and hiking to nearby waterfalls. Included Activities: Amazon Jungle Experience
    Day 5TenaDay 5 Tena (1B, 1L, 1D)
    Travel to a jungle lodge located on the Napo River, one of the Amazon's two major tributaries. Explore by foot and canoe to learn about the natural history of this area. There is also an option for an exhilarating whitewater rafting trip on the Napo. Additional Notes: Please note: wildlife viewing in this part of the jungle is limited for a number of reasons. This visit is more a cultural learning experience. Included Activities: Jungle Excursions
    Day 6TenaDay 6 Tena (1B, 1L, 1D)
    Spend another day exploring the area. Included Activities: Jungle Excursions
    Day 7BanosDay 7 Tena/Banos (1B)
    Travel to Banos and enjoy numerous outdoor optional activities available like hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking or soaking in the hot springs. Transport: Local bus (4.00 hour(s))
    Day 8BanosDay 8 Banos (1B)
    Enjoy free time to experience all this adventurous town has to offer.
    Day 9BanosDay 9 Banos (1B)
    Enjoy another free day to experience all this adventurous town has to offer.
    Day 10CuencaDay 10 Banos/Cuenca (1B)
    Travel along the Avenue of Volcanoes, through Ecuadors central valley of mountains to the colonial town of Cuenca. Enjoy a full day trip with spectacular views along the way, stopping at the Inca ruins of Ingapirca - the largest and best-preserved archaeological site in Ecuador. Explore the city's sights, including cobblestoned streets, red-tiled roofs, art galleries, flower markets, shady plazas, and museums. Included Activities: Day Trip to Ingapirca Ruins Transport: Private Vehicle (8.00 hour(s), 321km)
    Day 11CuencaDay 11 Cuenca (1B)
    Enjoy a free day to explore. Opt for a city tour or go hiking in Cajas National Park.
    Day 12CayambeDay 12 Cuenca/Cayambe (1B)
    Fly back to Quito and continue on to Cayambe. Spend the night in a 400-year-old hacienda at the base of a volcano. Transport: Plane Private Vehicle (1.50-2.00 hours)
    Day 13OtavaloDay 13 Cayambe/Otavalo (1B)
    Travel to Otavalo. Optional activities include visits to Peguche Waterfall or the Cotacachi leather market, or a hike around Cuicocha Lake. Transport: Local bus (1.00 hour(s))
    Day 14OtavaloDay 14 Otavalo (1B)
    Explore the largest handicraft market in South America. Villagers from the surrounding countryside come every week to sell handmade goods as well as livestock, fruits, and vegetables. Included Activities: Otavalo Handicrafts Market Visit
    Day 15QuitoDay 15 Otavalo/Quito (1B)
    Enjoy a free day to explore Quito, with the options to visit the Basilica or explore the old town. Enjoy the last evening in this energetic city. Transport: Local bus (2.00 hour(s))
    Day 16QuitoDay 16 Quito (1B)
    We recommend booking pre- or post-accommodation to fully explore this charming city.
    Disclaimer

    Local Flights: All local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure.

    Dossier Disclaimer:The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

    VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

    Itinerary Disclaimer: While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.

    Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
      
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