From the Pacific to the Caraibean: Ecuador and Panama tour

Day 1 : Quito Airport

Welcome to Ecuador !

A proverb says *Traveling leaves you speechless at first, before turning you into a storyteller*

… Let the adventure start in the country of the middle of the world ! Chulla vida ! Reception at the airport by an english-speaking guide. Private transfer with spanish-speaking driver from Quito airport to your hotel. Night at Casa Gardenia hotel in Standard room.

Day 2 : Quito Historic Center

English-speaking guide in a private transport. Quito stands out for its topography spread out from north to south, in an Andean corridor flanked by the Pichincha volcano and the valley where the airport is located. But it is above all the largest and most preserved colonial city on the continent.

Then you will visit the colonial and republican center of Quito :

– the Panecillo, the statue of the Virgin of Quito, located on top of a hill overlooking the city;
– the Plaza Grande where the Presidential Palace (Carondelet) and the Cathedral of Quito are located;
– the district of La Ronda for its craftsmen;
– the Church of San Francisco (Franciscans) and its convent/museum (open until noon) OR the Church of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), the most gold-laden in South America (open from noon).

*NOTE:* *If the time of visit in Quito allows it, you can go to the Church of San Francisco and the Society of Jesus.* visit of the guayasamín Muesum, where is also located the Human Chapel , ultimate artwork of the most famous of Ecuador’s modern painters, Oswaldo Guayasamín. This chapel was designed by the artist as a tribute to humanity and was partly painted by himself.

Several of his works are on display here.

Guayasamin is internationally renowned and, among other things, gave Unesco a fresco which still adorns the entrance to the Executive Board room in Paris. Night at Casa Gardenia hotel in Standard room.

Day 3 : Quito

English-speaking guide in a private transport. You will get out of Quito direction to Otavalo, passing through one of the regions where they grow the famous ecuadorian roses and you will appreciate a beautiful landscape made of numerous summits of the northern Andes. Visit of the Cochasqui pyramids, classified as World Heritage and considered as the most important archeological site North of the Equatorial Andes. The site is composed of 15 pyramids and 20 funeral mounds built by the Quitus Cara Indians in the IXth century. There are different interpretations concerning the function of the pyramids: ceremony places, houses for important people or even astronomical observatories. The site still keeps many mysteries… which we will try to learn more about…among the many llamas roaming the grounds. You should also know that Cochasqui was ruled by Princess Quilago, whose life is also an enigma. Visit of 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 visit the village of Peguche, with its sacred waterfall and its Andean music instrument fabrication workshops. You may witness a local music session and the weaving process, an art well established in the area. Night at the Hacienda Pinsaqui in Standard room.

Note that this place is full of a rich history, with the passage of illustrious characters such as Simon Bolivar, the Libertador, enough to feed your dreams!

Day 4 : Otavalo

English-speaking guide in a private transport. You will take the route towards San Clemente village, south of Ibarra. San Clemente is a karanqui community, a branch of the large Quechua-speaking family living on the slopes of Imbabura.

A member of the community will serve as your guide to share their way of life, culture and traditions.

This village is one of the few where you can enjoy a real exchange.

You will discover its handicrafts, the work in the fields and the breeding of guinea pigs. And you will pass by the path of medicinal plants. And you will be told about the Andean cosmovision, illustrated by a sundial that will allow you to understand the agricultural rhythms.

Finally, you will share a meal with one of the families of the village based on organic products because they are traditionally cultivated without chemical fertilizers. We will go down to Otavalo. Night at the Hacienda Pinsaqui in Standard room.

Note that this place is full of a rich history, with the passage of illustrious characters such as Simon Bolivar, the Libertador, enough to feed your dreams!

Day 5 : San Pablo del Lago

English-speaking guide in a private transport. You will visit Hacienda Cusin, close to San Pablo lake, in Otavalo’s region. This place keeps the atmosphere and the authenticity of those old times, with a warm and familiar welcoming. The buildings of the Hacienda, very well renovated, are another example of the colonial heritage of the country. Its beautifully maintained gardens and secluded cloister give way to dreams and imagination to recreate the life of the time. You will go to Cayambe from Otavalo, observing the beautiful landscape of the mountains. You will spend 2 hours at the hacienda of the *Compañia de Jesús*, a French neo-classical style property.

At the heart of this experience: the roses with a visit to the adjoining plantation. We will explain the whole process from cultivation to the preparation of the bouquets before export. You will also learn the technique of colouring the roses.

Ecuadorian roses are reputed to be the most beautiful in the world, due in part to the mineral elements from the volcanoes.

To top it all off, visit the showroom! The old stables have been adapted for the pleasure of the eyes by offering an impressive show of hundreds of roses of different varieties. Stop at Quitsato, on the genuine 0° latitude: a giant sundial marks the line of the Equator. We will explain to you the phenomena observable from this authentic place in our opinion and of importance for the civilizations that preceded us. You will be able to discover how the local people integrate seasonal rhythms and activities into the agricultural calendar and what it means, between sky and nature. On the way to the eastern cordillera, you will reach a pass at 4200m. before getting to Papallacta. Mountain lakes, viewpoints on the green valleys, Antisana volcano on your right if clear, will animate this journey in the Andes. Break at the Papallacta Hot Springs, in the private part of the Termas Papallacta Hotel. A little bath in the hot waters with an invigorating air when you come out can only make you gain colors.

Be aware, however, that it can get cold at times and if you are afraid of sudden changes in temperature, it is best to refrain from doing so.

In this case, a restaurant-cafeteria will serve as a refuge to admire the superb high altitude vegetation of this area.

You will also be able to use all types of treatments (massage,…) whose cost will be paid on the spot. Night at Mamallacta hotel in Standard room.

Day 6 : Papallacta

English-speaking guide in a private transport. Trek Agua y Vida :

You leave your vehicle at the Antennas of Papallacta, at the entrance of the Cayambe-Coca park. Then, you take the path called of water and life , here begins your hike. You will pass by several small lagoons. If the weather allows it, it is possible to see the Antisana volcano.

Difficulty: easy trek: sunday sportsmen, welcome!

Estimated time: 2 hours – Elevation: +150 m. – Max. altitude: 4160 m. – Distance: 3 km. You will leave Papallacta to arrive to the Cotopaxi Nacional Park. You will participate in a traditional cooking course and learn how to prepare a typical Andean dish. Later you will have the pleasure to taste your own work. A simple and authentic experience (1h to 1h20 approximately). Night at Hacienda El Porvenir in Tradicional room (Standard category).

Day 7 : Cotopaxi Park

English-speaking guide in a private transport. 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 Limpiopungo 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. Horseback riding El Porvenir:

You will start your 2 hour show towards the slopes of the dormant Rumiñahui Volcano on exclusive trails inside the hacienda. You will be totally charmed by the Andean landscapes that surround you and if the weather permits, you will have the opportunity to see 13 volcanoes in total. Night at Hacienda El Porvenir in Tradicional room (Standard category).

Day 8 : Tocumen Airport

Welcome to Panama !

Your driver will be waiting for you at Tocumen international airport in Panama City, to take you to your hotel. Night at Amarla Hotel.

Standard room.

Day 9 : Panama city

Guided city tour of Panama City

Your driver will pick you up at your hotel for a city tour of Panama City. Services of an English-speaking private guide and its expenses (meals, transportation, activities, etc…) First stop of the day is in Panama La Vieja, first capital of the country before it was destroyed by the famous pirate Henry Morgan.

Then, we will head to the must-see Panama Canal and the Miraflores Locks. The visitor center offers a view on transiting vessels of all sorts (container ships, cruise ships, or yachts). It explains the history of the Canal and how the locks work.

End the day with a tour in Casco Antiguo. This bohemian center of Panama City will make you travel in time and immerse yourself into the the historical past of the country. Take a walk in the narrow streets bordered with colorful buildings leading to the Plaza de Francia. Discover the Art-Deco architecture, the cathedral and visit the Panama Canal Museum.

*Note 1: the Canal Museum and Panama La Vieja are closed on Mondays.*

*Note 2: The schedule of the day depends on the Canal schedule.* Meals not included. Night at Amarla Hotel.

Standard room.

Day 10 : Panama city

Private transfer from your hotel to Albrook Airport. Hop on a flight from Panama to Bocas del Toro.

*Note: Luggage weight limited to 30lb/12kg per person for checked bags and 2kg for cabin bags. 3 USD/extra kilo.* Night at Palma Royal hotel.

Standard room.

Day 11 : Bocas del Toro

Day trip to Zapatilla Island

First you will go to an area where you can observe dolphins before going to a small mangrove to see sloths in their natural habitat.

Then you are going to Cayo Coral to discover the coral gardens and its wildlife with masks and snorkels for the time you want.

Next you will discover the beautiful Zapatilla island which is part of the Bastimentos Marine National Park. This island accommodates sea turtles who come here to lay their eggs.

You will have time to walk there and to enjoy the beach and crystal clear waters.

You will go back to Cayo Coral to lunch at a sea restaurant: the lunch is not included but you can enjoy typical dishes fom $12 to $18.

Last you will go to « Hollywood » which takes is name for the amount of starfish that we see.

Note: Day trip from 9:00 am to 04:30 pm Night at Palma Royal hotel.

Standard room.

Day 12 : Bocas del Toro

Phenomenon of bioluminescence

During the night, you will take the boat to discover the incredible bioluminescence of plankton. During 2 hours, you will see how they react to light and movement in the water at 3 different locations to discover the 2 types of bioluminescent plankton. Part of the visit consists in snorkeling in the middle of the bioluminescence, a unique experience!

In the dark, you will observe the water glow by stirring it with your paddle or by swimming!

*Approximate duration: 2 hours.* Night at Palma Royal hotel.

Standard room.

Day 13 : Bocas del Toro

Hop on a flight to Panama City.

*Note: Luggage weight limited to 12kg per person for checked bags and 2kg for cabin bags. 3 USD/extra kilo.* Private transfer from Gelabert Airport (Albrook) to Tocumen International Airport for your international flight.

Important: depending on your flight schedule, plan a night in Panama City the day before departure.