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Ecuador Explorer 8 Days

This 8 day tour of Ecuador takes you from the cloud forests and jungles of the Amazon to the heights of the Andes. This package is designed for those looking for an active adventure and nearly every day on the trip involves hiking, biking or rafting. Starting from Quito we will pick you up from the airport and take you to your hotel for the evening. The next day we get started with a drive south along the Avenue of the Volcanoes to Cotopaxi (5,897 m, 19,347 ft) where we can hike around the base of the mountain before continuing to Banos to spend the night. Banos is the gateway to the Amazon and we will spend two nights here as we hike the waterfalls and explore by mountain bike. From Banos we will hike into the Amazon for a night in the rain forests. The next morning we will raft down the Jatunyacu River (Class 3 Rapids) before continuing back into the Andes and to the hot spring resort at Papallacta where we will stay the night. The next day allows for some hiking in the Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve and visits to the local markets in Otavalo where we will stop for the night. The final day of activities brings us to Cuicocha Crater Lake which we can hike around and explore by boat to see the volcanic activity. Leaving Cuicocha Crater Lake we will head back to Quito for the final night and will transfer you to the airport the following day.

    What's Included?

  • Airport Transfers in Quito
  • Certified expert English-speaking trip leader & local guides
  • All Land Transfers (private and comfortable)
  • First Class hotel in Quito (2 Nights)
  • 4-star hotel in Banos
  • Home stay in the Amazon
  • 5-star Spa Resort in Papallacta
  • Colonial Hacienda in Imbabura
  • Meals as per the itinerary (Budget $150 for meals not included)
  • Gear as needed for activities: Canyoning, Rafting, Biking, Trekking
  • Activities as per the itinerary: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Rafting, Canyoning, Hot springs
 
* Accommodation based on double occupancy. Solo supplement of $455 applies for a private room.

Day 1: Arrive in Quito

Welcome to Quito! Our driver will be at the airport when you arrive and transfer you to your hotel. Quito lies in the foothills of the Andes at 2850m (9350 ft) and its historic colonial center is well worth visiting if you arrive earlier in the day. We will have a briefing for the group later in the afternoon at the hotel to go over trip details and plans.

Accommodation: Swissotel

Day 2: Quito to Banos (Via Cotopaxi Volcano)

After an early breakfast we leave Quito enroute to Cotopaxi National Park. Cotopaxi (5,897 m, 19,347 ft) is one of the world's tallest active volcanoes. Arriving at the national park we will hike around the foothills of the smaller Ruminahui volcano for the best views of Cotopaxi. If the weather is good we will make the hike up to the Cotopaxi Base Camp at (4876m, 16000ft). After the hike we will continue on to Banos, the gateway to the Amazon, to spend the night.

Accommodation: Casa de Luis or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and box lunch

Day 3: Banos - Mountain Biking

Today we will have the chance to explore the cloud rain forests & waterfalls around Banos as we go for a 3 hour mountain bike ride (32km / 20 miles) down to the Pastaza River Canyon. The route gives us excellent views of the Tungurahua volcano for which Banos is famous. In the afternoon we will visit the "The Swing at the End of the World" and you will have some free time to explore around town.

Accommodation: Casa de Luis or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4: Banos to Llanganates - Hiking/Canyoning & Waterfalls

Today we will start early from Banos on our way to LLanganates National Park where we will spend the night at a local jungle lodge. Enroute we will cross the Pastaza River by cable car and hike to Pailon del Diablo, the second highest waterfall in Ecuador. As we make our way through the jungle you will get to do some canyoneering through several waterfall canyons. You will need to rope-up to make it up several of the waterfalls (the highest is about 16 feet). In total it's about a 3 hour hike through dense and pristine forests to the Amazon Home Stay.

Accommodation: Amazon Home Stay
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5: Llanganates to Papallacta (Rafting)

After breakfast we will make a very short drive to the Jatunyacu River for the days rafting trip. The Jatunyacu River offers class III rapids and it's a beautiful rafting trip (4 hours) through the jungle. We will have a picnic lunch at the take out point where the rafting ends before heading back up to into the Andes. We will stop at the Guango Reserve, famous for its numerous hummingbirds, before continuing to Papallacta where we will stay for the night and can enjoy the volcanic hot springs.

Accommodation: Termas Papallacta Spa & Resort
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Day 6: Papallacta to Otavalo (Hiking & Local Markets)

We will spend the morning doing a short 2 hour hike in the nearby Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve. The reserve offers great views of Antisana Volcano and orchids are often spotted on the trail. After finishing the hike we will head to Otavalo to visit the local market and have lunch. We will spend the night in Otavalo.

Accommodation: Hacienda Pinsaqui
Meals included: Dinner

Day 7: Otavalo to Quito (Hike Cuicocha Crater Lake)

After breakfast we will make the quick trip to Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve where we can trek (5 hours) around the Cuicocha Crater Lake. After the hike we will take a short boat ride within the crater lake and can see the gas venting from the still active volcano as it comes through the water. After exploring the reserve we will head back to Quito for a farewell dinner with your guides.

Accommodation: Swissotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Day 8: Depart Quito

We will drop you to the airport for your departure flight.

Meals included: Breakfast
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Please review the "Terms and Conditions" carefully before booking and don't hesitate to ask us if any questions.
At AdventureHero, we love to trek!