Ecuador Andes and Amazon Natural & Culture from $785

Departure Date

Daily

Duration

4 days 3 nights

Views

1820

Maximum Seats

10
Overview

An expedition that takes place in two different regions, traversing through the heights of the Andes with its spectacular volcanoes down into the lush Amazon basin. This is the ideal combination for adventures that like human powered holidays with varying activities such as hiking into a crater lake, soaking in hot springs, exploring the jungle, and hiking to glaciers. Join us on this four days of soft adventure as we immerse ourselves in nature and make memories that will last a lifetime!

Banos
  • Hike Cotopaxi National Park

  • Explore Baños city and the route of the waterfalls

  • The Swing of the end of the World

  • Hike to Pailón del Diablo Waterfall

  • Learn about the Culture of the Amazon

  • Canyoning in the tropical rain forest

  • Make organic chocolate fondue with your hands

  • Learn how to use a blowgun

  • Share time with the local indigenous people

  • Hike in the Amazon Jungle and search for medicinal plants

  • Stay at unique places in every location

  • Be led by top experienced guides at every step you take

  • Support sustainable travel to preserve culture and nature

  • Hiking

  • Swimming

  • Culture

  • Wildlife

  • Honeymooners

  • Friends

  • Couples

  • Families with infants are welcome

  • Year around

  • 2 years old

Full Itinerary

Day 1

Hike the Cotopaxi National Park

This day starts heading south towards Cotopaxi National Park. The park is named after Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes on earth. Perfectly conical and surrounded by views of other volcanoes such as the nearby Rumiñahui, it is a sight to behold. The park is also home to horses and bulls which can sometime be seen trotting about the variable landscape of lagoons, pine forest, and rocky terrain that were strewn about during the last major eruptions.
Once reaching the National Park we will trek upwards to the base of the glacier, nearing 17,000 feet! Another option is to take the flat hike around Limpiopungo lagoon just in front of the volcano. Our hike will take about three hours. In the afternoon, we will head to Baños de Agua Santa, a lovely town tucked between towering mountain ridges and surrounded by ever flowing waterfalls. Baños is filled with charming restaurants and is a great place to explore the town in the night.

Overnight: La Floresta Hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 2

Baños and the Route of the Waterfalls

Today we will head to the border of the lush Amazon Basin where we will hike through a beautiful forest to Pailon del Diablo. A powerful cascade, this waterfall forms a small gorge with an overhanging bridge to be able to experience its majesty not only alongside the falls but also from above. In the afternoon we will visit Casa del Arbol, famous for its swing overlooking the valley in Baños and the Tungurahua volcano. Many will recognize this place as it won the photo contest of NatGeo in 2014. There will also be time for optional activities like zipling or shopping.

Overnight: Hotel La Floresta Hotel Inn
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.
Day 3

Jungle exploration soft hike

The day begins with a scenery drive from the Andes to the Amazon, this road journey will give us beautiful landscapes from volcanos to a mega diverse ecosystem full of different species of plants and animals. Once we arrive to the homestay, we will have a traditional lunch and afterwards go explore on foot one of multiple spectacular canyons in the area while climbing some refreshing waterfalls. The option is open for those that prefer only hiking in the forest. Later after our jungle exploration, we have a treat in store! We will head to the bonfire to teach you how to make chocolate fondue. Cacao is an important commodity export for the country, which produces some of the finest chocolate in the world, the sweetest way to end the day!

Overnight: Eco lodge home stay
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner 
Day 4

Caving at The Temple of Ceremony

In the morning on our way back to Quito, we will reach a point near forest, there we will visit Templo de Ceremonia, a place known by the local Kichwa indigenous people, for being used by their ancestors to do some kind of rituals involving the power of Ayahuasca and their connections with the Pachamama “Mother Earth”, we will enter into a cave where our local guide will tell us more about this special place. Later we will have a traditional lunch from the area, and then continue driving back to Quito.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Let's design your adventure

    • Top Experienced Certified English-Speaking Guide

    • Accommodation for 3 nights in double room: twin or matrimonial bed

    • Meals according to the Itinerary

    • Water and snacks at all time

    • Hiking gear: Black diamond poles

    • All fees to reserves and museums

    • International or domestic flights

    • Airport transfers

    • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary

    • Tips for guides and drivers

    • Travel insurance (mandatory)

    • Optional activities

    • Itinerary Disclaimer: Even though we have a detailed itinerary, changes can be made by your guides, due to weather or safety reasons. Please also note that none of the wildlife sightings mentioned on the itinerary are guaranteed.

    • Visas and Passports: Make sure you check your visa and passport validity and requirements per country. It is important your passport is valid for at least 6 months before your travel.

    • Accommodation: We strive to use hotels and charming lodges that are unique and provide stellar service.

    • Single Supplement Costs: Generally, this fee is not incurred as we match you with another person of the same gender in a twin room on shared, but if you prefer not to share and have your own room, then there will be an associated fee

    • Transportation: Driving time can take more than expected in Ecuador, as it is a small country with roads meandering through the Andes mountains. We assure your comfort during transit no matter the size of the group.

    • Level of Activity: This trip is considered as 3, from easy to moderate level. No prior experience is required and your guides will always brief you about safety and proper use of gear on every leg of the trip. Canyoning you can expect hiking on water and rocks, and also climbing into some small waterfalls. There will be a transport support for the majority of the activities in the case that someone wants to take a break or just wants to relax.

    • Weather and Elevation: In Ecuador the weather can be vary greatly depending on which side of the Andes you are traveling to, so it is highly recommended to come ready for all kinds of weather. When they say “Ecuador, All in One Place” they mean it! The altitude determines the temperature and the higher you go the colder it gets. Don’t let the geographic location of the country fool you. Even at a mere 15,000 feet the temperatures can feel like those of a winter in the northern United States. During a visit to the amazon region, you will often see more or less the same amount of rain and sunshine. The Rainier Season in the Amazon Runs from December to June, with temperatures ranging from 23°C (73°F) to 30°C (86°F) and frequent rains throughout April and May. The Rainy Season has its pros because many plants have evolved to fruit and flower during the rainy season, a phenomenon which often attracts birds and primates to the water’s edge and grants visitors the chance to observe them more frequently. The Drier Season in the Amazon lasts from July to November, with temperatures from 26°C (78°F) to 40°C (104°F), with less rain, though showers are still possible. The Dry Season also offers its own set of benefits, for it’s during this time that the water gets lower and attracts animals that you won’t often see during the rainy season. Beach nesting birds are everywhere, as there are more beaches present during this time. The weather in Quito is consistent with that of a subtropical highland climate. The average temperature during the day is 70 °F (21 °C), which generally falls to an average of 50 °F (10 °C) at night. The average temperature annually is 64°F (17.8°C). There are only really two seasons in the city: dry and wet. The dry season runs from June to September and the wet season is from October to May.

    • Sustainability: We do our best to not produce any trash; we believe that recycling is not enough so we try to avoid using any plastic or materials that pollute our environment. Every day we work towards being a zero-waste tour operator and our staff is well trained to leave the least impact possible in our service areas. We also work with local indigenous communities in the different regions. By doing so we are able to teach our guests about the rich culture Ecuador, all the while helping the people preserve their traditions and lands. By working directly with local peoples, we are able to create a sustainable touristic income for the community.

    • Guides: All our guides have a professional background from the Tourism University; this means they have a degree in guiding, so their knowledge and skills when leading a group are top-notch. Each guide has many years of experience and they all have taken additional courses for other outdoor activities as well as have International First-Aid certifications. On top of all of this, they are all extremely personable and strive to deliver travel experiences of a lifetime.

    • Heath advices: no vaccinations needed for this trip.

    We do recommend travelling light for this expedition. A duffel bag of 50 litters for your luggage and a backpack of 20 litters for daily activities should be sufficient. In Ecuador, the weather can change drastically especially when you are moving from the Andes to the Amazon.

    • Passport

    • Credit card

    • Two pairs of lightweight pants

    • One pair of cold weather hiking pants

    • Two pairs of shorts

    • One bathing suit

    • Four non-cotton T-shirts

    • One cotton T-shirts

    • One water T-shirt

    • One winter warm jacket

    • One fleece

    • One rain jacket

    • One pair of rain pants

    • Two buffs

    • One pair of hiking shoes

    • One pair of tennis shoes

    • One pair of water sandals

    • One- or two-night outfits

    • One cap or hat

    • Sunscreen

    • Sunglasses

    • Mosquito repellent

    • Camera

    • Head lamp

    • Optional binoculars

    NOTE: Laundry is available almost at every location and it is cheap, this helps traveling light too.

    Considerations

    • Room configuration: Double with twin beds or matrimonial bed. Triple room with twin beds or matrimonial bed plus sofa bed
    • The extension program is operated on a private basis.
    • Extension programs are flexible and can be scheduled either before or after any other itinerary.
    • We are able to offer more activities such as rafting, mountain biking, paragliding and more.
    • This program is adjustable: it can either be shortened or added extra days.
    • For passengers preferring to arrive and depart from Guayaquil, please consider our extension programs in Cuenca.

    Regular Season Price:

    PRICE

    $785/per person

    • All premium features

    • Departure any day of the week operation in private

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    Contact us

    • We are ready to meet your needs and put together an unforgettable experience.

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    • 7 am - 4 pm Monday through Thursday.
    • 7 am to 1 pm Fridays (US central) toll free or by skype.
    Otherwise, email us anytime. On average we provide quotes within 6 hours during business hours and the next day during off business hours. Privately guided trips allow you to be in control of all the details of your trip - departure times, accommodations, extra nights, extra activities, extra experiences - what you want and how you want it. If you want to go private or customize this expedition, contact us.
    Phone

    US & CANADA: +1 (919) 400-5824 EC: +593 (09) 5955-5556

    Email

    christian@activexpedition.com