High-End Highlights Of Ecuador

We will collect you early from the Quito hotel, to head north through the majestic Andes. On the way, we will stop at a lookout point over the Imbabura Volcano and Lake San Pablo. In Otavalo, you will have plenty of time to wander through the narrow cobblestone streets, filled with the Indigenous people wearing the traditional blue ponchos, white trousers and long braided hair. Learn all about their way of life and their native language. We will head to Pijal, a small village located in the heart of the Andes to visit one of our sustainable projects called Sacha WarmiKuna (women from the mountain). This is an incredible to share and interact with the local women with the main purpose to support their families and help improve the position of the women in the local society, providing them an alternative employment besides housekeeping.  Once at the project you will experience a unique, cultural encounter, immersing yourself in the true spirit of these  South-American women and their ompressive skills producing textiles as well as a deep culinary knowledge , passed down through generations. You will be part of the preparation of “Aji”, a local spicy salsa which is part of their identity, you will also share precious time with them and a tasty traditional lunch in which local women have used the fresh products harvested the same day from the surrounding organic fields. Later we will learn more about the weaving process of their textiles. Don’t miss the amazing opportunity to have the chance to give back by purchasing some authentic, handmade scarfs here.

In the evening, we will stay at the historical hacienda Zuleta where we will enjoy a typical Andean cocktail and learn about the history of the hacienda.

After breakfast, we will head out along a windy, spectacular road towards the Amazon Rain forest, descending 2500 metres in elevation. As we drop, we can appreciate how the landscape and vegetation change drastically between the different climates. Later, we will stop at the “Guacamayos-Macaw Lookout,” located between Antisana and Sumaco National Reserves (low elevation cloud forest), to observe the magic blanket of clouds that covers the Amazon rain forest, until we finally arrive at the Arajuno River, where a motor canoe will take us 20 minutes up the river to the Eco Lodge.

Today, we will head out into the Amazon on a hike to look for different animal species and learn about the region's endemic medicinal plants. We will also meet the family who will offer us their home for an interactive experience in the jungle. We can take part in their everyday activities and learn about the customs and traditions as well as their natural products such as medicinal plants. We will head out on a hike with the family to collect local plants, weave with vines and enjoy other traditional activities that the families still use to this day. We will also have the opportunity to learn how to make our own chocolate from the raw cocoa fruit.  

After breakfast, we will head to the Rio Verde, located in the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Sangay National Park. Here, we will hike down to the second-highest waterfall in Ecuador, the Pailon Del Diablo, where immense cascades of water crash on the rocks, which we can view from the bridge. We can also hike behind these immense falls. We will then head on to another incredible waterfall called El Manto de la Novia, where we will ride in a cable car across the canyon of the Pastaza River. In the evening, we will arrive at the town of Baños, at the base of the active  Tungurahua volcano. It has erupted many times recently, offering a lava and steam display that can be seen from a variety of viewpoints in the region.

After breakfast, we will visit The Swing of the End of the World, where you will have time to replicate the amazing picture that won the National Geographic photo competition, appreciating the spectacular landscape in front of us.

We will have a free afternoon to enjoy some of the many optional activities in this picturesque town.  

Bright and early, we will drive through valleys and farming villages to reach the Chimborazo Volcano, the highest mountain in Ecuador, found at an elevation of 6310 m. The volcano's summit is said to be the furthest point from the centre of the earth on the planet. We will hike the short trail to reach an elevation of 5000 m where the glacier begins. This region is home to the Andean condor, cara-cara, hummingbirds, and vicuñas. Once extinct in Ecuador, vicuñas have been reintroduced and are now a protected species.

After an early breakfast, we will visit Ingapirca, the most impressive Inca archaeological site in Ecuador. We will spend the afternoon learning about this ancient site, notable for its unique fusion of Inca and native Cañari architecture, as well as for its religious meaning. We will continue to the city of Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its colonial architecture and where we will spend the evening.

In the morning we will enjoy a city tour, Starting in the morning enjoy a fantastic city tour, visiting the most important buildings and notable places in Cuenca, such as Calderon Square, the New Cathedral, El Barranco and El Turi lookout point. In the afternoon visit a famous Panama hat factory where we will understand the whole process of making this traditional Ecuadorian hat.

In the afternoon, we will visit the nearby towns of Chordeleg and Gualaceo, unique destinations that can be enjoyed on this tour. Chordeleg is well known for his jewelry, especially his silverware. And Gualaceo is a picturesque market, where locals gather to exchange their products and crafts. Here you can find traditional Macana shawls, fabrics of fabrics with intense colors and folkloric designs.  This market town is where locals gather to exchange their products and crafts. Here you can find the famous, traditional Macana shawls.

Today we will have a free morning to enjoy the city for our final day of the tour! We hope you have fully enjoyed the High-End Highlights of Ecuador tour!