The Ecuador experience

Day 1: Arrive Quito

There are no activities planned today, so check into our hotel and enjoy the city.
Ecuador is the smallest of the Andean countries, and in many ways it is the easiest and most pleasant to travel in. Colonial Quito, considered one of the most beautiful cities in the Western Hemisphere, has an astonishing location more than a kilometre and a half above sea level and almost directly on the equator, nestled in the Andes beneath the sparkling snow cone of Pichincha Volcano. Our exploration takes us from the Amazon lowlands, where we experience life with a Quichua community, to the heights of the Andes near mighty Chimborazo Volcano. At the end of our journey we also visit the coast for a completely different feel.
The small, rounded hill that dominates the old town is called El Panecillo or 'the Little Bread Loaf', and is a major Quito landmark. Marvellous panoramic views of the entire city, as well as views of the surrounding volcanoes stretch out at your feet. You can take a trolley (streetcar) or a cab to the Old Town from the New Town.
Quito has a large population of foreigners and is a popular destination for travellers, resulting in a varied and vibrant nightlife where salsotecas and other dance clubs abound. For a real Ecuadorian experience though, be sure and drop by a peña if you can; these are great places for meeting locals and dancing, as well as enjoying local cooking.

Day 2: Tena

Today we travel by bus from Quito to the Amazon jungle region. Notice the scenery and climate change dramatically as we leave the mountains and enter the lush tropical rainforest.
In the Ecuadorian jungle layers of exotic vegetation block the sky, and brown waters sweep beneath gargantuan foliage as hundreds of species of exotic birds and equally brilliant butterflies provide constant bursts of colour. Discover why this tropical rainforest is one of the richest and most complex ecosystems in the world.

Day 3-4: Amazon

Hike through the rainforest, plunge into waterfalls and learn the uses of tropical plants. Visit with a local shaman, experience local tradition, and learn about Quichua history and culture.
Consider the variety of mammals living in Ecuador's Amazon: armadillos, honey bears, sloth, 60 varieties of bats, tapirs, peccaries, jaguar, monkeys, manatees and much more. Birds are the richest group of Amazon vertebrates, at approximately 1000 species. Visitors will see hummingbirds, toucans, macaws and tanagers on land, and darters, herons and gulls on water. If fortunate, you may catch a glimpse of the prehistoric looking Hoatzin, with its brightly coloured feathers and sharp talons.
The rainforest is also the traditional home of many indigenous communities, whose traditional homelands and way of life are threatened by the encroachment of 20th century industries like mining, petroleum exploitation and large-scale cash-crop farming. Among the most representative are the Siona-Secoya, Cofan, Huaorani, Shuar, Ashuar and Quichua.
Please note that you will be required to carry your own day-pack while hiking for up to 4 hours at a time. Includes 2 breakfasts, 2 luncsh and 2 dinners

Day 5-6: Baños

Baños means 'baths' and that is precisely what the town is famous for. Some thermal springs come from the base of Tungurahua Volcano; others have melt water running into them from the volcano’s glaciated flanks. The town is the perfect setting for outdoor pursuits, including horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking and climbing and rafting in the surrounding mountains and on the River Patate.
Baños is one of the most popular and important tourist spots in the country and you will find many Ecuadorian families vacationing here. One look at this delightfully green mountain town and you will know why. Surprisingly, it is pleasant and unspoiled. Locals swear that the baths are good for your health; it’s definitely worth rising early to watch the dawn creep over the mountains from a hot spring vantage point. There will also be options for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding.

Day 7: Santa Anita

The small Quichua community of Santa Anita is located at the foot of Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest snow-capped mountain. Villagers have traditionally made a living as small farmers and pastors and have only recently opted to participate in ecotourism projects.
Santa Anita is located near the Páramó, a high altitude, sensitive growth area of rare plants and crystalline waters, which are the source streams for the Amazon. You will have the opportunity to chat with the local inhabitants, and participate in a number of optional activities, including visiting the Chimborazo mountain refuge, mountain biking, horseback riding, rappelling and rock climbing, or hiking to Temple Machay—a cave held sacred by the local inhabitants.

Day 8-9: Riobamba / Alausí

Sooner or later every traveller to Ecuador passes through Riobamba, as it lies at the centre of the country’s road network. It is the capital of Chimborazo Province and on clear days you can see all of the local Andean giants, Chimborazo, Carihuairazo, and Tunguragua. We spend the night here before heading for the coast on the famous Devil’s Nose.
Following our stay in Riobamba, we take the train to Alausí. Ecuador’s most spectacular train journey begins at Riobamba station. This is the famed Nariz del Diablo (Devil’s Nose) ride, which descends to the coast in a spectacular display of engineering around stunning mountain terrain. The railway winds its way around curves and tunnels from Riobamba to Alausí, a distance of only 26 km (16 miles), but the drop in elevation is a significant, well over a thousand metres (3280 ft)! The train manages the descent through a series of switchbacks; some daring passengers defy both gravity and common sense by sitting up on the roof, while others are satisfied to sit on it and gaze at the scenery. Best views are from the roof of the train, but be sure to dress warmly! Alausí is our last stop before the coast.

Day 10: Guayaquil

A bus journey south brings us to Guayaquil, the largest city in Ecuador with a population of approximately 2 million. Located at the mouth of the Guayas River, Guayaquil is also Ecuador's most important port.
We have the day to explore the city's highlights including Bolivar Park, the Old South Market and Barrio de las Penas. Also take some time to stroll along the Malecon 2000, a 2.5 kilometre boardwalk along the Guayas River dotted with shopping, restaurants, galleries and museums. In the afternoon we have the opportunity to take a boat ride down the Guayas River.

Day 11-13: Coast

Our home for the next couple of days will be the beach town of Puerto Lopez. For those interested in conservation, visits can be arranged to local community reforestation or organic agricultural practices projects. Other options include a trip to Isla de la Plata (also known as the Poor Man’s Galapagos), hiking in Machalilla National Park, a visit to an archaeological site, diving, and snorkelling. Or just hit the hammock and chill!
Machalilla National Park, Ecuador’s only coastal National Park, contains the country’s only coral formations just off the mainland, and covers over 40 000 hectares of tropical dry forest and cloud forest, as well as 20 000 hectares of Pacific Ocean. Weather is hot and sunny from December to June, with daily rainstorms. July to November tend to be cooler months, with more cloud cover. Other optional activities in the area include day trips to Isla de La Plata, with colonies of nesting Blue-footed Boobies and a number of other sea birds. Visitors usually come to view migrating whales (June to October) and dolphins around the island. Scuba diving, snorkelling and horseback riding are also popular activities in the area.

Day 14-17: Quito / Peguche / Otavalo

The bus journey back to Quito offers a great opportunity to have a good chat with an Ecuadorian if you pick the right seat. The next day visit Peguche, an small community located in the province of Imbabura, north of Quito. Visit the magnificent Peguche waterfall and learn about local weaving techniques from local artists who have been creating textiles for hundreds of years.
The following day we go to nearby Otavalo, arriving just in time to experience its lively Saturday market. Explore the largest handicrafts market in South America. Villagers from the surrounding countryside come here every week to sell handmade goods as well as livestock, fruits and vegetables.
Otavalo is justly famous both for its friendly people and its Saturday market. The market dates back to pre-Inca times when jungle products were transported from the eastern lowlands and traded for highland goods. Today's market has two different functions: the local market for buying and selling animals, food and other essentials, and the crafts market for the tourists and other interested people.
There are three main market plazas in town, with the overflow spilling out onto the streets linking them. The Plaza de Ponchos is where you will find most handicraft items. You will find colourful woollen goods such as ponchos, gloves, hats, blankets, scarves and sweaters, as well as fine tapestries and a variety of embroidered blouses and shirts, shawls, string bags, and rope sandals. This market gets underway at dawn and continues until early afternoon. Remember, bargaining is expected for every purchase! If you're good you should be able to get at least 20% off of the starting price. The food market sells produce and household goods for the locals, and there is an animal market beginning in the predawn hours on the outskirts of town. Although these are not designed for visitors, they are cultural experiences to see and are definitely worth a visit.
One of the most obvious signs of the Otavaleños' cultural integrity is their traditional dress. This is not just put on especially for the tourists at the Saturday market, but is worn throughout their daily life. Return to Quito for our farewell evening.

Day 18: Depart Quito