Ecuador Nature Travel and Galapagos 18d17n

Ecuador Nature Travel and Galapagos 18d17n

Places to visit: Unique Natural Reserves from Andes to Amazonia; Bellavista cloud forest; travel to the Amazon region, and the Enchanted Galapagos Islands. And much more!

Itinerary

Day 1: QUITO

Stop At: Mariscal Sucre International Airport, Nuevo Aeropuerto Internacional de Quito Tababela S/N - Via, Quito 170907, Ecuador
Arrival: Mariscal Sucre International Airport - Transfer to the hotel. (1 hour)
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Hotel Hilton Colon 4+* or similar

Day 2: CITY TOUR - TELEFERICO CABLE CAR

Stop At: Quito Old Town, Quito Ecuador
Quito city tour is perfect for seeing fascinating panoramas, churches, domes and roofs that have an important historical value. You will admire and learn about colonial art, architecture, culture, legends, and traditions. Quito, the capital of Ecuador, was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city and stands at an altitude of 9.350 feet. Despite the 1917 earthquake, the city has the best-preserved, least altered historic Center in Latin America. The architecture and rich interiors, are pure examples of Quito School of sculpture, which is a fusion of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish and indigenous art. After four incredible hours exploring the Old Town, you'll understand why Quito was the world's first city named to UNESCO's Cultural Heritage list.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: TeleferiQo, Sendero teleferico, Ecuador
Teleférico is located at the eastern end of the city, at the height of the boundary between the north and center of Quito. The moor of Pichincha volcano, at the top of Cruz Loma, offers a spectacular view of the whole city of Quito. If the weather is good can be seen some main elevations of the Andes mountain chain such as: Cayambe, Antisana, Cotopaxi, Pasochoa, Rumiñahui and the list goes on. Besides the beautiful view offered here is the Andean landscape, the cold wilderness with almost straight, flat road to the summit of Rucu Pichincha, Pichincha most visible elevation from Quito.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Lunch Box
Accommodation included: Hotel Hilton Colon 4+* or similar

Day 3: OTAVALO – PEGUCHE WATERFALL

Stop At: Otavalo, Otavalo, Imbabura Province
Breakfast at the hotel. Early in the morning, you begin the exciting and colorful journey to Otavalo, in Imbabura province. Your first stop will be at Calderon, a small town where marzipan figures of different designs, shapes and colors are made, perfect to start buying souvenirs. Your next stop will be at Guayllabamba, here you can find “chirimoya”, a traditional fruit that you can try if you want to. Continuing your way, you will arrive to the “Mirador de San Pablo”, where you can appreciate the unique landscape of the lake that sits at the foot of Imbabura volcano. In the afternoon you will arrive to Otavalo, a the handicrafts market of the city, known as "Plaza de Ponchos", on this site you'll find carpets, wool coats, bags and pottery made by the natives Otavalo Indians (Otavaleños).
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Cascada de Peguche, Via a Peguche, Peguche, Otavalo 100451 Ecuador
Also you will visit Peguche Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall of 50 ft. in height, formed by the river of the same name, which starts at Lake San Pablo. The waterfall is one of the most important tourist attractions of Otavalo. Because of its proximity and easy access. This beautiful waterfall is considered as an Indigenous Ceremonial Site due to the purification baths held here a couple days prior the Inti Raymi celebration (Sun and harvest celebration, June 21st).

Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hacienda Pinsaqui 4* or similar

Day 4: OTAVALO – EL ANGEL

Stop At: Otavalo, Otavalo, Imbabura Province
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning you will visit the Otavalo Animal Market. The animal market dates back to pre-Inca times when jungle products were brought up from the Amazon and traded for highland goods. The animal market is a veritable menagerie of animals to eat and buy like cuyes (guinea pigs), goat heards and skinned calf heads mingling with the sound of andean pipes, and the indigenous sound of Quichua, the native tongue. Locals arrive to buy chickens, pigs and vegetables.

Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: El Angel Ecological Reserve, Ecuador
Then we will continue to El Angel Ecological Reserve. Located in El Angel-Carchi, a village two hours from Ibarra, it has a natural vegetation adapted to cold climates, a real sponge water that supplies the entire province of Carchi. It is one of the most humid highlands of Ecuador, which offers a variety of flora especially frailejones (endemic to the Andes), polylepis trees and typical landscape of the moorlands. Its fauna is diverse and we can find deer, wolves, rabbits, ducks, moor doves that inhabit in the three lagoons.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Polylepis Lodge 4* or similar

Day 5: EL ANGEL - CUICOCHA

Stop At: El Angel Ecological Reserve, Ecuador
In the morning you can take a walk around the Polylepis Forest. This forest is considered to be the only one of its type in the world as it is millennial and primary composed ofpolylepis "paper" trees.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Cuicocha Lake, Laguna Cuicocha Ecuador
Then we will continue to visit Cuicocha Lagoon. The Cuicocha Lagoon is located 12 km southwest site of Cotacachi town, it is part of the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve, occupies part of the provinces of Imbabura and Esmeraldas. Cuicocha is a collapsed volcanic crater, but still shows signs of activity. Inside the lagoon are two islets called Teodoro Wolf and Jose Maria Yerovi, its midst is separated by narrow water passage which only can be crossed by kayak or paddle- boat. The lagoon has a beautiful crystal waters and has a depth of approximately 200 m.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Hacienda Cusin 4* or similar

Day 6: CUICOCHA - PULULAHUA

Stop At: Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve, Crater Volcan Pululahua mirador de Pululahua, Calacali 170154 Ecuador
In the morning we start to return to Quito. Our first stop is a rose plantation, where you can learn about all the diversity and colorful roses that Ecuador produces. You will be able to take a closer look at what goes into the process of cultivating these beautiful flowers as well as the behind the scenes of the exportation and bouquet making processes. The we continue to Pululahua volcano, is one of the largest volcanic craters in the world, 34km2 and 5km wide, which was last active about 2500 years ago. There is a lava dome rising 500m at the center which is covered in lush cloud forest vegetation. Pululahua was declared a Geobotanical Reserve in 1966. Pululahua is Quichua for cloud of water in reference to the fog that rolls in everyday at midday to fill the crater (it’s best visited early in the morning for this reason!) and which is the only real source of water for local crops. It is one of only two inhabited volcanic craters in the world, and the only one which is cultivated due to its rich soils on the crater floor. Pululahua enjoys a unique microclimate which supports cloud forests, orchids and all kinds of plants that grow on the crater walls and lava dome. At the afternoon you can enjoy time at leisure.


Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel El Crater 4* or similar

Day 7: PULULAHUA - BELLAVISTA

Stop At: Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve, Mindo, Tandayapa Ecuador
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Bellavista Lodge. Leaving Quito , we descend a scenic mountain road reaching the turn to Bellavista, you climb to the top of the mountain, again with fabulous views, where Bellavista’s lodge is perched. Settle into your room, and enjoy the flurry of the hummingbirds or take a hike into the forest on our varied trails. After lunch, you can take a hike on your own into the forest, or go on one of our (included) guided hikes. Your guided hike will acquaint you with the exuberant vegetation of the cloud forest, its bird life, and the fascinating adaptations to life in this special environment. The evening is relaxed; we will help you discover the incredible variety of moths, many of which are unknown to science.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Bellavista Lodge 4* or similar

Day 8: BELLAVISTA

Stop At: Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve, Mindo, Tandayapa Ecuador
Breakfast at the lodge. After a refreshing night’s sleep, an ample breakfast is served. Afterwards, take a guided hike or explore further on your own. After lunch, an afternoon hike deep into the valleys of the reserve is recommended, and in the evening it is possible to see night birds and more.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Bellavista Lodge 4* or similar

Day 9: BELLAVISTA - YANACOCHA - COTOPAXI

Stop At: Yanacocha Reserve, North West Pichincha Volcano, Quito 170150 Ecuador
Breakfast at the hotel. Then depart for Yanacocha Reserve we head toward the Yanacocha Ecological Reserve located on the North side of Volcano Guagua Pichincha at 3600m/11,483 feet. Here we will see hummingbirds, and the mixed feeding flocks we will encounter will add many more tantalizing birds to the list! You have good chances to spot Barred Fruiteater, Great Sapphirewing, Golden breasted and Sapphire vented Pufflegs, Sword billed Hummingbirds, and many more. After visit Yanacocha we continue to the Cotopaxi province.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Lunch Box
Accommodation included: Hacienda La Cienega 4* or similar

Day 10: COTOPAXI – QUILOTOA - QUITO

Stop At: Laguna Quilotoa, Laguna de Quilotoa, 070701 Ecuador
After breakfast we will drive to the famous Quilotoa Crater Lake. On our way we will pass by the Tigua workshop and admire some impressive local artwork with impressions of life in the Andes. At our arrival to the Quilotoa Loop, we will appreciate an emerald green lake inside the crater of an extinct volcano with steep jagged cliffs. We are going to trek into the crater to the lake shore and the return to the top of the crater is a mule ride. Return to Quito.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Hilton Colon 4+* or similar

Day 11: QUITO - COCA

Stop At: Sacha Lodge, Ecuador
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport - flight to Coca. A 30 minute flight over the Andes Mountains leads you to a bustling oil town called Coca located in the Amazon Basin. A quick lunch in Sacha´s private house and then its off to the town docks where you will board Sacha´s private canoes for the 2 hour journey down river to Sacha´s Lodges property. A 30 minute hike through the rainforest leads you to lake Pilchicocha. Here, you are met by native workers to paddle you across the lake to your final destination. Arrive at Sacha Lodge around 15:30 or 16:00 pm (subject to change). Swim in Lake Pilchicocha, which is a black water lake home to many species of fish and animals. A refreshing swim after arriving may be just what you need after being in the equatorial heat all day. Bird observing from the mini tower offers guests an excellent opportunity to view several species of birds common around the lodge. Also a great place to watch the sun set. Visit the butterfly house with your After dinner, accompany your naturalist guide on a night walk through the rainforest to view the hundreds of different species of animals that can only be found at night. Or maybe a canoe ride on the lake to view the spectacled and black caimans with their glowing orange eyes as you silently paddle across the lake to get a closer view.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Sacha Lodge 4+* or similar

Day 12: COCA

Stop At: Sacha Lodge, Ecuador
Breakfast at the lodge. Begin morning activity between 6:00 and 7:00. Begin walking on trail Liana Chica and arrive at the canopy walk, for spectacular views of the rainforest canopy and the many different species of vibrantly colored birds. Designed to be a self-standing rigid suspension canopy walk, it is one of only a few in the world! Located within Sacha´s private reserve, 2 miles from the shores of the Rio Napo and 1 mile from the lodge, the bird walk gives guests the opportunity to get an up close and personal view of the rainforest canopy. Two of the three towers have observation decks every 12 meters making towers accessible for everyone. The canopy walkway is at 36 meters high and 275 meters long, giving guests a “birds eye view” of all the wonders and beauty the tropical rainforest has to offer. The canopy walk is designed as a sturdy walkway enabling guests to casually move along while enjoying the spectacular views. After the canopy walk, Liana Grande through terra firma and igapo forest habitats where native guides will explain many different species of medicinal plants that have been being used in their culture for hundreds of years. Liana Grande will turn into the trail Higueron, which will take you through pristine primary forest with huge Kapok and Fig trees towering hundreds of feet above your head. After lunch, you may choose to take a leisurely hike along the Rio Napo, or choose a little more challenging hike on the trail Leoncillo to try and spot the elusive dusky titi monkey. Either way the trails will lead you back to the main boardwalk for your final hike and canoe ride back to the lodge.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Sacha Lodge 4+* or similar

Day 13: COCA

Stop At: Sacha Lodge, Ecuador
Breakfast at the lodge. Leaving the lodge after breakfast, you begin your hike on trail Lagartococha. This trail offers you the chance to learn more about the native people and their relationship with the forest. Learn about the trees where native people believe the spirits of their ancestors live, and the mysterious “dwende” or devil-man of the forest. After arriving at lake Lagartococha, take a tranquil canoe ride through a natural swamp, which is the home of anacondas, caimans, and capybaras. After the canoe ride, a walk on the other side of Lagartococha may give you the opportunity to spot capuchin or squirrel monkeys playfully jumping through the trees. After lunch, your native guide will teach you how to fish for the infamous razor-toothed piranha. Keep in mind that piranhas will never attack a person and swimming at the same time is perfectly safe and fun. Around 15:30 you will begin what many think is the best trail at Sacha, a silent canoe ride through the flooded Amazonian forest. Where you have a good chance of being surrounded by troops of squirrel, capuchin, and howler monkeys. Keep your eyes peeled for the shy and elusive river otter as well as the incredibly well camouflaged three-toed sloth. After your eye-popping ride through the flooded forest, you will arrive at Sacha´s135-foot wooden tower built around an ancient Kapok tree. Get close up views of vibrantly colored birds through Sacha´s powerful scopes, and watch the sun set with an amazing view of Mount Sumaco, a volcano, and possibly a view of the snow-covered caps of the Andes. Leaving the tower just before or after sunset will give you an experience not soon forgotten. A canoe ride back through the flooded forest at night will be an awe-inspiring experience. Listen to the symphony of frogs and insects as you navigate through the narrow flooded forest trail, keeping your eyes open for caimans. Watch the several species of bats flying over your heads and listen to the many species of nocturnal birds making their eerie nighttime calls. Finally, after your mesmerizing canoe trip through the Amazon, you will arrive back at lake Pilchicocha and the welcoming lights of Sacha lodge.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Sacha Lodge 4+* or similar

Day 14: COCA - QUITO

Stop At: Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre, Quito 170183, Ecuador
Breakfast at the lodge. Departure from the lodge at 07:30am. One last walk on the boardwalk to the river, and from there a 2 hour canoe ride back to Coca for your 35 minute flight back to Quito. Arrival: Mariscal Sucre International Airport - Transfer to the hotel.

Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Hilton Colon 4+* or similar

Day 15: QUITO – GALAPAGOS

Stop At: Galapagos Islands, Galapagos Islands
Breakfast: at hotel
Transfer to the airport - flight to the Galapagos Islands.
When you land in Baltra a guide will be waiting for you. You will arrive at Santa Cruz Island crossing the Itabaca Channel, it is a waterway that connects two islands,(Baltra and Santa Cruz), in 10 minutes.
Then we continue to Highlands of Santa Cruz. Here you may observe the famous Giant Tortoises in their natural environment, which also known as Galapagos, and from where the name of the Islands derive. Also catch sight of the famous Galapagos Finches, Bird Wizards, as well as endemic vegetation such as Escelacias forests and Matazarnos.
Later you will have free time to explore the town of Puerto Ayora, where you can several souvenir shops.

Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Hotel Silberstein 4* or similar

Day 16: GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Stop At: Galapagos Islands, Galapagos Islands
From the second-day the excursion may change depending on the availability. Visits to the islands are confirmed one week before arrival. Visits could be to the following islands (one island per day): • North Seymour Island North Seymour is a small island near to Baltra Island in the Galapagos Islands. It was formed by uplift of a submarine lava formation. The whole island is covered with low, bushy vegetation. This island is home to a large population of blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. It hosts one of the largest populations of frigate birds in Galapagos. North Seymour has a visitor trail approximately 2 kilometers (1.2 mi) in length crossing the inland of the island and exploring the rocky coast. North Seymour is an extraordinary place for breeding birds, and is home to one of the largest populations of nesting blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigate birds. Pairs of blue-footed boobies can be seen conducting their mating ritual as they offer each other gifts, whistle and honk, stretch their necks towards the sky, spread their wings, and dance—showing off their bright blue feet. • Plazas Island South Plaza is a small island off the east coast of Santa Cruz in the Galapagos Islands. It has an area of 0.13 km and a maximum altitude of 23 metres. South Plaza was formed by lava up streaming from the bottom of the ocean. Despite its small size it is home to a large number of species and it is famous for its extraordinary flora. That is why this island is very popular with visitors. On the steep banks it is possible to see a great number of birds such as nesting Red-billed Tropicbirds and Swallow-tailed Gulls, but most of all, enjoying the beautiful view from atop the steep banks or strolling along the base of the cliff is an extremely pleasurable experience. Very attractive are the beautiful prickly pear cactus trees (Opuntia echios) and of course the large colony of Galapagos Land Iguanas. Depending on the season, the Sesuvium ground vegetation changes its colour from intense green in the rainy season to orange and purple in the dry season.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Hotel Silberstein 4* or similar

Day 17: GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Stop At: Galapagos Islands, Galapagos Islands
From the second-day the excursion may change depending the availability. Visits to the islands are confirmed one week before arrival. Visits could be to the following islands (one island per day): • Bartolome Island Bartolome Island is a volcanic islet in the Galápagos Islands group. It is a volcanic islet just off the east coast of Santiago Island. It is one of the "younger" islands in the Galápagos archipelago. With a total land area of just 1.2 km², this island offers some of the most beautiful landscapes in the archipelago. The island consists of an extinct volcano and a variety of red, orange, green, and glistening black volcanic formations. Bartolome has a volcanic cone that is easy to climb and provides great views of the other islands. Bartolome is famous for its Pinnacle Rock, which is the distinctive characteristic of this island, and the most representative landmark of the Galápagos. It has two visitor sites. At the first one, you may swim and snorkel around Pinnacle Rock; the underwater world there is really impressive. You can snorkel with the penguins, marine turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, and other tropical fish. • Santa Fe Island This island is the home to several land iguana species, as well as one endemic type of this specie, the Conolophus Pallidus, that only inhabits Santa Fe and has a pale yellow color and is of a bigger size than other land iguanas. You can also find four different types of endemic rodents, but being night active, they will probably not show themselves during the tour. Nevertheless, they are of great importance for the proper function of the food chain. Several studies talk about Santa Fe as one of the oldest islands of the archipel, being over 3 million years old. The turquoise water around the island is perfect for snorkeling and known as one of the best spots for this activity with a high probability of seeing sea turtles, sea lions, tropical fish and squids.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Hotel Silberstein 4* or similar


Day 18: GALAPAGOS ISLANDS OUT

Stop At: Baltra Airport Road, Baltra Airport Rd, Ecuador
Breakfast: at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Guayaquil or Quito.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.