Ecuador in family

Quito Airport - Quito

Reception at the airport by an english-speaking guide (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Private transfer with spanish-speaking driver from Quito airport to your hotel.

You will spend the night at Vieja Cuba hotel in Quito.

Quito - Mitad del Mundo - Otavalo

You will take the road to Mitad del Mundo.

You will visit the site of the "Mitad del Mundo" where you can put one foot in the Southern hemisphere and the other in the Northern hemisphere! The different buildings corresponds to different aspects of Ecuador, with the French pavilion being dedicated to the Condamine expedition which determinated the site of this imaginary line in 1736.

The visit of the museum is not included because we do not consider it of much interest.

The Inti Nan etnographic museum, near the site of the Mitad del mundo, shows the country's different ethnies with their traditions and clothing. You will have the chance to realise various experiences such as water flowing and eggs balancing, which results are different on the equatorial line than in other places.

Trip to Otavalo, known for its handcratfs.

You will spend the night at Las Palmeras hotel close to Otavalo.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Otavalo - Cuicocha Lake

You will meet Claudia, who is from Otavalo to discover the traditional food of the quichuas. You will cook with her a typique dish of the andes, from the special ingredients of the region to the preparation of them and finally you will be able to appreciate your own work.

Visit of the Cuicocha lake in the ecologic reserve of "Cotacahi - Cayapas" , one of the most beautiful in Ecuador with a shiny blue water.

At the centre of a former crater at 3064 meters, the nature lovers will enjoy a very various vegetation (orchids, "elephants ears"...) with more than 400 species identified there.

You will spend the night at Las Palmeras hotel close to Otavalo.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Otavalo - Peguche - San Clemente

Visit in the morning of the famous Otavalo's Indigenous market, the most significant in the Ecuador's Andes, where you can meet the "Otavaleños" with their espadrilles, their brown felt hat and blue ponchos. They are the wealthiest indians in Ecuador and excellent sellers.

The main market is on Saturdays with the cattle market just outside town. On other days the market is also hold on the Los Ponchos square.

You will visit the village of Peguche, with its sacred fall and its Andean music instrument fabrication workshops. You may see a local music session and the weaving process, an art well established in the area.

You will visit the village of Peguche, where you will discover the Andean music instrument fabrication workshops. You may attend to a local music session and the weaving process, an old art well established in the area.

You will take the route towards San Clemente village, south of Ibarra.

You will get to San Clemente autochthonous community, down the Imbabura volcano, where you will spend the night. A family will welcome you and invite you to share not only their house and food, but their customs and way of living. Many surprises await you, as the live-stock farming of guinea pigs or lamas, and the medicinal plants path maintained by their own users.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

San Clemente - Otavalo - Cotopaxi Park

You can accompany and assist the people of the communities in their work with animals or in the preparation breakfast.

You will spend the morning with your hosting family and discover their lifestyle, their culture and traditions. During a hike in the community with your hosts you will learn about San Clemente, its population, its craftmen, field workers, the medicinal plants they largely use, the guinea pigs husbandry, and many other things.

We will go down to Otavalo.

You will then get back on the road to pass Quito and reach Cotopaxi National Park.

You will spend the night at El Porvenir Hacienda in the Cotopaxi Park.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Cotopaxi Park - Tigua

Riding out from Porvenir, located a few minutes from the Cotopaxi National Park. Horseback riding on trails that border the Cotopaxi volcano for about two hours of an unforgettable scenery. You are at 3.600 meters of altitude, in the middle of the Andes, where used to pass by the famous Inca Trail, with one of the most beautiful snowy summits of the continent, as your backdrop. Take a breath and enjoy this pure air...

Today visit of the Cotopaxi national park with Ecuador's second highest summit at 5897 meters. It is also the highest active volcano in the world although it mainly shows a few fumaroles from its ice covered crater. But sometimes it launches a huge column smoke and ashes right upon its center.

Afterward, you will walk around the Limpiapungo laggon with stunning view on the Cotopaxi. You will appreciate the flora and some fauna, typical of the "paramo", those wide plains swept by the cold winds of the Andes.

After driving up to the car park at 4600 meters you will continue by foot to the José Rivas hut 200 meters higher.

The most motivated can also go and reach the snowline.

Due to the eruptive process of the volcano Cotopaxi initiated on August 14th, 2015, this information can be reviewed at any time, in accordance with the safety requirements of the Ecuadorian Coordination Ministry of National Security and our agency.



Journey to the Tigua area which specialty is the colored painting on sheep leather representing the Andean life. You will visit one of the craftman in his workshop.

You will spend the night at "Tigua Farm", a traditional farm that makes its own cheese and other "homemade" culinary specialties that you will have the opportunity to enjoy during dinner.

 Thanks to the warm welcome of Margarita and her sons, this is an opportunity to get a closer look at rural life in a simple and comfortable setting.

Box lunch is included.

At the end of the day, around 5pm, you will go in the cowshed to see the milking. If you want you could participate actively to the activity. Then, with the hot milk, you will go to the kitchen of the farm and make the cheese wth the owner of the house.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Tigua - Quilotoa - Banos

Journey from the area of Tigua which specialty is the colored painting on sheep leather representing the life in the Andes. You will visit one of these artists in his workshop and follow to reach Quilotoa laguna.

The emerald colored Quilotoa lake (3854m) lays in a still active volcano, its color being due to the presence of sulfur. According to a legend, the Inca Atahualpa had hidden his treasure in the lake... You can go for a 2 hours walk down to the crater and back (option to rent a mule for the trip, for less than 10 u$d) or simply enjoy the view from the top of the crater.

Journey to Banos, a lovely town to wander around or enjoy its baths. The basilica of "Nuestra Señora de Agua Santa is also worth the visit. On the way you will stop in Tigua which specialty is the colored painting on sheep leather representing the Andean life.

You will spend the night at the Donde Ivan hotel in Baños.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Banos - Pailon del Diablo

Visit of the Casa del Arbol (Tree House) on the heights of Baños.

This site is known for its swing over the void. Which makes the delight of youngs, and the kind fright of the dads; it is the place which allows a great moment of exchange and diversion in family and the opportunity to admire a very beautiful landscape, between the volcano Tungurahua, the sight on Baños and the entrance of the Pastaza canyon towards the Amazonia.

You can also have fun with the small installation of canopy and listen to the presentation on the history of the eruptions made by the guard of the Military Geographical Institute.

You will take the road " La Ruta de las Cascadas" for downhill mountain biking from Baños to the direction of Puyo. In this valley of the Rio Pastaza, you can see the different stages of vegetation on the 1000 meters of vertical drop. On your way you can see many waterfalls, the best known and most impressive is El Pailón del Diablo. You will have then leave the bikes to take a path that leads to the falls. You continue to Puyo where you will get back to your vehicle. (duration: 3/4 hours)

Level : advanced as it deals with high moutain bicycle with sportive curves. A good physical conditions and reflex are required to manage your speed and your own bike while getting down in these scenic landscapes.

Free time in Banos to wander around this nice small town. The Basilica of "Nuestra Señora de Agua Santa" is worth the visit, as well as a swim in the town's baths. Different sport activities are also available: mountain biking, rafting, canyoneering...

You will spend the night at the Donde Ivan hotel in Baños.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Banos - Puyo - Misahualli - Ahuano

Journey to Puyo, a town on the edge of the Amazonia jungle. On the way you will pass through various tunnels bording the Pastaza canyon, with spectacular waterfalls on your right side.

On the route you will stop near Puyo, where you will visit a center of rehabilitation for monkeys of the Amazone, "Paseo de los Monos", where you will be in contact with the animals. Six species of monkeys are present, the objective of the center is to help some of them who are sick or isolated with the purpose of liberate them in the future.

You will go farther to the Amazon doors.

You will arrive in the afternoon to the Lodge where you'll have a first trek to the jungle. Then your dinner at the Sacha Sisa Lodge where you will have your first night.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Ahuano

In the morning, going along with an indigenous guide, you will walk through the jungle to discover many species of medicinal plants and their properties.

Keep your eyes open, with no doubt you will see monkeys and birds in their natural habitat.

Depending on weather conditions and the group's wishes we can plan the program of the day.

After lunch you will visit the Indian community, and where you will have the opportunity to learn about their customs, their way of life and its various plants: banana trees, papaya, pineapple, oranges, sugar cane ...

You will discover likewise what is "chicha", a traditional beverage, and the making of chocolate as has been done for generations.

Dinner and second night in the Lodge.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Ahuano - Misahualli - Papallacta - Quito - Quito Historic Center

After breakfast you will go for an observation of the prehistoric birds "hoatzin" and then you will pay a visit to the kids of the community before eventualy return to your vehicle.

Following the road to Tena and Baeza which climbs all the eastern cordillera up to 4000 meters, you will observe the evolution of the ecosystem from the tropical environment to the Andean paramo.

After the warmth of the jungle the hot pools will relax your body and mind. They are the most luxury and best maintained baths in the country.

Rest in the hot springs of Papallacta. A bath in the warm waters with a stimulating air can only win colors.

Keep in mind, however, that sometimes it can be cold and that if you are afraid of sudden changes in temperature, it will be better to abstain. In this case, a restaurant-cafeteria will serve as a refuge to admire the beautiful vegetation of this corner.

Free time and then back to Quito, passing by a mountain pass that will make you discover an impressice landscape of paramo.

You will spend the night at San Francisco hotel in Quito.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Quito Historic Center - Quito Airport

Quito, Ecuador's capital, is a real treasure between the volcanoes of Pichincha, Cayambe and Antisana. At an elevation of 2830 meters, it is the second highest capital in the world.. It was the first city classified by the UNESCO in 1978 and its historic centre is the biggest and best maintained in Latin America.

Departure at 8:30am: to get a good idea of the city, we will firstly go to the Panecillo, a small hill over the city with a statue of the Quito' Virginp, with a splendid 360º view.

You will then have a visit of Quito's colonial centre:

• the church of the Compañia de Jesus;
• the church of San Francisco;
• the Grand Place where are located the Presidential Palace (Carondelet) and Quito's Cathedral.

Transport with your guide to Quito's airport.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).