Ecuador Family Vacation

ECUADOR FAMILY VACATION 13 Days / 12 Nights + Extension Galapagos– 5 Days

Day 1  – ARRIVAL IN ECUADOR – QUITO: (9373 Ft): Reception and transfer to your hotel. Welcome cocktail or drink and night.

Day 2  – QUITO — CABLE CAR to PICHINCHA VOLCANO in option: In the morning, visit of Quito, its Colonial and Historical Center, classified World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO and the richest center of Latin America. In option, ascent in Panoramic cable-car up to Pichincha volcano (13779 ft ) that overlooks the beautiful Quito and all the Andean Cordillera around. Night at the same hotel

Day 3  – QUITO – EQUATOR LINE – MINDO: Transfer to “La Mitad del Mundo” or Equator line that divides the globe in 2 hemispheres. Visit of its monument and the ethno-scientific Inti ñan museum. Then drive to the amazing Cloud forest of Mindo: the paradise of birds, orchids, butterflies, waterfalls… Diner and night in an ecologic lodge or in a wooden cozy house both close to a river and in the cloud forest.  Dinner and night

Day 4  – MINDO – QUITO: walk in the forest to watch birds and the flora, or to a water fall. In option: great tubing down the river (according to the river level) or visit of a butterflies farm with hamming birds, or a chocolate small fabric that offers the best world Brownie… or biking or horse riding or great Canopy, Tilapia fish lunch..(and possible additional night in Mindo on request) Drive back to Quito. Night at the hotel

Day 5  – QUITO  - OTAVALO: Drive on the Pan-American  highway to the north of the country to the green and rich Andean region of Otavalo,  famous for its numerous lakes, volcanoes, for its Indian culture, their handcraft and Andean music. On the road, panoramic stop at San Pablo Lake with the Imbabura Volcano. Visit of the traditional Indigenous market of Otavalo, the most colorful and famous in South America for its large variety of textiles and hand-craft. Diner and night in an Indigenous community and visit, meeting with its inhabitant and artisans.

Day 6  – OTAVALO – TRAIN to SALINAS(in option) – COTOPAXI VOLCANO More time to visit the community, observe its agriculture, its artisans crafting and to visit, walk around the colorful Cuicocha crater lake.                                                    

Or In option: transfer to Ibarra city train station and funny trip by train (Wednesday to Sunday)from the Andean Cordillera to the subtropical Chota valley up to the Afro communitarian village of Salinas with Lunch in the community restaurant.                                         

Then drive to the beautiful region of the well-known Cotopaxi Volcano along the “Avenue of Volcanoes” up to a charming eco tourist hacienda. Dinner and night.

Day 7  – COTOPAXI VOLCANO – HORSE RIDING or CANOPY (in option) – BAÑOS Excursion and walk in the national park of Cotopaxi volcano (19357 Ft) and possible hiking to its refuge at 15748 Ft (not recommended for child under 11). Or in option: amazing secure horse riding around Ruminahui and Cotopaxi volcanoes or Canopy activity in a 2closeby hacienda. Or in option, instead of the volcano park, excursion to the magnificent Quilotoa crater lake. Drive to the charming thermal city of Baños, close to Tungurahua volcan. In option: Hot spring bath or local spa treatment. Night at hotel

Day 8  – BANOS – PUYO: Drive or in option: biking to the spectacular Pailon del Diablo waterfall, one of the biggest of Latin America. Then drive (or biking) to Puyo, the “Amazon gateway” up to a nice and cozy botanic and ecologic inn. Tour of its amazing and interesting tropical botanic lands, its orchids garden, trees, tilapia fishes and shrimps pools, its river and possible swim and clay bath etc. Dinner and night

Day 9  – AMAZON: PUYO – MISAHUALLI: Drive to the Amazon region of Tena,. In option, great rafting down the Jatun Yacu river (class III±) to the stunning village of Puerto Napo. Lunch on a beach and swimming. Then drive up to the Napo River and arrival by canoe or car to a lodge or to a Quechua Indigenous Community (to choose) close to the Napo. Dinner and night

Day 10  – MISAHUALLI: Canoe trip and walk in the tropical forest to explore its flora, birds and eventually animals with a local Indigenous guide. Lunch. Visit of an animal shelter or an Indigenous house, a Shaman or fishing, or another activity. Dinner and night

Day 11  – MISAHUALLI: Walk through primary and secondary forest trails, along possible observation of different species of birds and insects as well as a great variety of trees and medicinal plants. Or swimming or building of a “balsa” and descent of the river or oth6er activity. Meals and night at the lodge or the community

Day 12  – MISAHUALLI – PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS(in option) – QUITO: Last breakfast listening to the tropical bird sounds then drive back to the Andes, Quito. In the way, optional hot spring bath at Papallacta. Last hotel night in Ecuador

Day 13  – QUITO – FLIGHT BACK HOME or TO GALAPAGOS ISLANDS: for an unforgettable Land based & Island Tour or a great cruise of 5, 8 or 4 Days.

This tour can be changed, extended on request with different prices

In the Andes: 9 Nights in the Andes in double or family room in 3 * charming hotels, Indian community, hacienda as stated with the meals as mentioned – In the Amazon: 3 nights in a standard lodge with full board English speaking, specialized, local guides, the visits, excursions and activities as mentioned - Entrance fees to the above stated sites - Private transport and transfers.

Other meals - drinks - International airport tax - International flights (that we can offer you on request) - Travel Insurance - Tips and other services – The following optional activities and services (as mentioned in the program)

For cancellation up to 3 days, a full refund will be given. For cancellation up to 1 days, 50% refund will be given.