Trekking

Hiking

Culture

Wildlife

Year around

12 years old

International or domestic flights

Airport transfers

Meals not mentioned in the itinerary

Tips for guides and drivers

Travel insurance (mandatory)

Itinerary Disclaimer: Even though we have a detailed itinerary, your guides, due to weather or safety reasons, can make changes. 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 small and charming places 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, 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.

Gear: We will provide hiking poles, which are especially helpful in steep uphill and downhill segments

Level of Activity: This trip is considered as 3 out of 5. Experience is not a prerequisite but please keep in mind that trekking lasts four to six hours a day covering between seven to nine miles every segment. The average daily elevation change will be 1500 feet. There will always be transport support in the case that someone wants to take a break or just wants to avoid the uphill. Our drivers will be happy to show you the landscapes from the car.

Weather and Elevation: In Ecuador the weather can be very variable 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. The coastal lowlands in the western part of Ecuador are typically warm with temperatures in the region of 25 °C (77 °F). Coastal areas are affected by ocean currents and between January and April are hot and rainy. 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 Advisory: No vaccinations needed for this trip

Passport

Credit card

Two pairs of lightweight hiking 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

Weather bottle