WILD
UNEXPLORED ECUADOR ADVENTURES
(18 Days – 17 Nights)
Day 1: Arrival in Quito – Hotel:
Transfer in from the Mariscal International airport to Hotel Radisson or similar 4*, where you’ll be greeted by a typical Ecuadorian beverage.
Day 2; Quito – Cloud forest:
After a buffet breakfast we will head northeast to the Cloud forest. Along the way we will visit the Mitad del Mundo (Equatorial monument) and the solar museum, where demonstrations will be made showing how the equator affects the laws of gravity, including a GPS (Global position system) experiment. From there we will visit the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve, a volcanic crater with cultivated fields. After having lunch at a local restaurant, we will continue to the Tandayapa valley. Dinner and lodging at Nube Sierra or Bellavista Cloud Forest.
Day 3: Quito-Cloud forest- Cuenca:
Early morning bird watching, including the Cock or the Rock lek. (South American bird of the genus Rupicola). It belongs to the family Cotingidae, which also includes the cotingas and umbrella birds). Return to the lodge for breakfast. After breakfast we will do a trek through the cloud forest that will allow us to see the great variety of Flora the cloud forest has to offer. After lunch, a short break and admiring the company of the countless busy hummingbirds, we will return to the Mariscal International airport for our flight south to Cuenca. Transfer airport Cuenca to Hotel Victoria or similar. Evening free to stroll around and have dinner.
Day 4: Cuenca- Cajas National Park- Mazar Forest- Gualaceo- Cuenca:
After breakfast we will go to the Mazar forest which is a restricted area and is only allowed with special permission for scientist. Here we will see many endemic species of which many still haven’t been categorized. After lunch at a local restaurant we will head to the Cajas National park, well known for its 232 lakes nestled amongst rolling hills and jagged rock peaks. From here we will head to the valley of Gualaceo were you’ll find the largest Orchid farm in South America with over 3,600 species. Return to Hotel Victoria or similar 4*.
DAY 5: Cuenca – Cojitambo – Shungumarca – Ingapirca:
Early in the morning we will head North to the Cojitambo hill, where we can see unique flora, a great variety of birds, ruins and a chance to explore some caves. After lunch in the community of Azoguez we will go to the Shungumarca forest. Before calling it a day, we will visit the Inca ruins of Coyoctor. Dinner and lodging at Hostería Posada de Ingapirca , which is right above the ruins.
DAY 6: Ingapirca – Molleturomollepongo– Guayaquil:
Before other people arrive we will visit the Ingapirca ruins, the largest ruins in Ecuador. From there we will descend towards the tropical coastal area, where we will visit the tropical humid forest of Molleturomollepongo. After a Box Lunch, we will head to the main port city of Ecuador, Guayaquil. Lodging at Grand Hotel Guayaquil or similar 4*.
DAY 7: Guayaquil –Churute Mangroves – Machala – Port Bolívar:
After breakfast we will visit the Churute Mangroves for lunch we will go to Port Bolivar famous for its seafood. The afternoon will be spent in a boat in which we will visit the Island of the Birds or Santa Clara, which are both sanctuaries for birds that enjoy the light breezes of the Pacific Ocean. Lodging at Solar del Puerto or similar 3-4*.
DAY 8: Tahuin Dam- Puyango- Zaruma.
After breakfast we will go to the dam of Tahuin, which is an artificial Lake with a tropical dry forest. From there we will go to the amazing Petrified forest of Puyango, unique in every way. For lunch we will have a hefty box lunch. In the late afternoon we will head to Zaruma where we will spend the night . Zaruma was declared a National Patrimony of Ecuador for its architecture. (www.zarumagov.org). Dinner and lodging at the Wagner Hotel or similar 3 *.
DAY 9: Zaruma-Podocarpus-Vilcabamba:
After breakfast we will leave for the Podocarpus National Park, where a walk will let us observe a great variety of Flora and Fauna, especially high altitude orchids and birdwatching. We will enjoy a box lunch. In the afternoon we will head to Vilcabamba, also known as the Valley of the Longevity due to a great amount of people who live over a hundred years. Dinner and lodging at Hosteria Ruins of Quinara or similar 3-4 *.
DAY 10: Vilcabamba-Zamora – Yantzaza:
After breakfast we will leave for the Eastern part of the Podocarpus National Park, where we will walk along the Bombuscaro river. Lunch will be served at Hosteria Arenal. After lunch we will navegate by boat down the Zamora river to the small town of Yantzaza. Dinner and lodging at Yantzaza Lodge.
DAY 11: Yantzaza-Bomboisa- Gualaquiza- Macas:
After breakfast we will leave for the property the Salesiano Fathers where they help the local community raising giant snails, cabipabaras, wild boars and grow organic cultivations. We will head to the village of Gualaquiza where we will have lunch at the Copacabana Restaurant. We continue our adventure as we head to the town of Macas. Dinner and lodging at Hostería Cabins of the Valley or White House 3 *.
DAY 12: Macas- Sangay National Park:
After breakfast we will do a full day hike along small footpaths in the Sangay National Park, an area little explored and one of the most diverse parts of Ecuador. Dinner and lodging in tents.
DAY 13: National Park Sangay-Ruins of Guapula – Macas:
After breakfast we will continue hiking along footpaths and mid day return to the road, where we will have a box lunch. After lunch we will visit the ruins of Guapula, an important archaeological center for the Shuar and Achuar indigenous communities. Late afternoon return to Macas. Dinner and lodging at Hostería Cabins of the Valley or White House 3 *.
DAY 14: Macas-Miazal- Transcutucu – Maizal:
After breakfast we will board small planes that will fly us to the Shuar community of Miazal, where we will experience true primary forest (Virgin-Transcutucu) with our native Shuar guide. Before returning to Maizal we will have a box lunch. After dinner we will meet the local Shuar Shaman who will reaveal some of the ancestral secrets of the Amazon rainforest. Dinner and lodging at Miazal Inn.
DAY 15: Miazal- Port Morona:
After breakfast we will navegate down river to the border of Peru and with a little luck we will see pink freshwater dolphins amongst the huge variety of other animals, birds and flora. We will make a campsite at Port Morona. Dinner and lodging in tents.
DAY 16: Morona Port- Cave of the Tayos – Macas:
After breakfast we will visit the famous Cave of the Tayos. Lunch will be served by our cooks before returning to Macas. Dinner and lodging at Hostería Cabins of the Valley or White House 3 *.
*Very Important: The local airline of Ecuador has flights to Quito only on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
DAY 17: Macas-Quito:
After breakfast we will go to the Quilamo lookout and enjoy the spectacular view of the valleys of the Upano and Palora rivers. In the evening we will take the flight back to Quito. Transfer to the Radisson Hotel or similar 4 *. Special goodbye dinner at the Ronda Restaurant famous for typical Ecuadorian food.
DAY 18: Quito – Return:
Breakfast and transfer to the international airport for your flight back home.
NET PRICE PER PERSON (Based in 15 p + 1 Tour lider free): USS 1,999, -
IT INCLUDES:
- Transportation in a comfortable tourism bus (Reclinable seats, microphone and large panoramic windows)
- Boat to the island Santa Clara
- Fluvial transportation (motor canoes)
- Life jackets for all navegations
- All flights within Ecuador
- Experienced English speaking naturalist guides throughout the trip
- Specialized Local and Native Guides where necessary
- Lodging at mentioned lodges on a double basis.
- Lodging in high quality waterproof tents where mentioned
- Sleeping bags
- All meals as detailed with a great variety of local and international cuisine .
- Bottled water for all hikes
- Water ponchos
- Rubber boots up to size 11
- All entrance fees to national parks, museums, reserves and archelogical sights
- Logistical assistance by radio and cellular phones for any emergency
IT DOES NOT INCLUDES:
- Beverages or personal spending
- Tips
- Meals not mentioned in the package
- Personal items (clothing, swimsuit, sandals etc..)
RECOMMENDED ITEMS TO BRING ALONG:
- Malaria shots
- Vitamin B.
- Insect repelent.
- Plenty of photography equipment and film/ memory
- Bright clothing for hikes (not white or black clothing)
- Panama hats, which can be purchased in Ecuador
- Comfortable hiking boots
- Suntan lotion and plenty of solar protection
- Personal medical kit
- If possible a GPS unit
- If possible a satelital telephone
(18 Days – 17 Nights)
Day 1: Arrival in Quito – Hotel:
Transfer in from the Mariscal International airport to Hotel Radisson or similar 4*, where you’ll be greeted by a typical Ecuadorian beverage.
Day 2; Quito – Cloud forest:
After a buffet breakfast we will head northeast to the Cloud forest. Along the way we will visit the Mitad del Mundo (Equatorial monument) and the solar museum, where demonstrations will be made showing how the equator affects the laws of gravity, including a GPS (Global position system) experiment. From there we will visit the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve, a volcanic crater with cultivated fields. After having lunch at a local restaurant, we will continue to the Tandayapa valley. Dinner and lodging at Nube Sierra or Bellavista Cloud Forest.
Day 3: Quito-Cloud forest- Cuenca:
Early morning bird watching, including the Cock or the Rock lek. (South American bird of the genus Rupicola). It belongs to the family Cotingidae, which also includes the cotingas and umbrella birds). Return to the lodge for breakfast. After breakfast we will do a trek through the cloud forest that will allow us to see the great variety of Flora the cloud forest has to offer. After lunch, a short break and admiring the company of the countless busy hummingbirds, we will return to the Mariscal International airport for our flight south to Cuenca. Transfer airport Cuenca to Hotel Victoria or similar. Evening free to stroll around and have dinner.
Day 4: Cuenca- Cajas National Park- Mazar Forest- Gualaceo- Cuenca:
After breakfast we will go to the Mazar forest which is a restricted area and is only allowed with special permission for scientist. Here we will see many endemic species of which many still haven’t been categorized. After lunch at a local restaurant we will head to the Cajas National park, well known for its 232 lakes nestled amongst rolling hills and jagged rock peaks. From here we will head to the valley of Gualaceo were you’ll find the largest Orchid farm in South America with over 3,600 species. Return to Hotel Victoria or similar 4*.
DAY 5: Cuenca – Cojitambo – Shungumarca – Ingapirca:
Early in the morning we will head North to the Cojitambo hill, where we can see unique flora, a great variety of birds, ruins and a chance to explore some caves. After lunch in the community of Azoguez we will go to the Shungumarca forest. Before calling it a day, we will visit the Inca ruins of Coyoctor. Dinner and lodging at Hostería Posada de Ingapirca , which is right above the ruins.
DAY 6: Ingapirca – Molleturomollepongo– Guayaquil:
Before other people arrive we will visit the Ingapirca ruins, the largest ruins in Ecuador. From there we will descend towards the tropical coastal area, where we will visit the tropical humid forest of Molleturomollepongo. After a Box Lunch, we will head to the main port city of Ecuador, Guayaquil. Lodging at Grand Hotel Guayaquil or similar 4*.
DAY 7: Guayaquil –Churute Mangroves – Machala – Port Bolívar:
After breakfast we will visit the Churute Mangroves for lunch we will go to Port Bolivar famous for its seafood. The afternoon will be spent in a boat in which we will visit the Island of the Birds or Santa Clara, which are both sanctuaries for birds that enjoy the light breezes of the Pacific Ocean. Lodging at Solar del Puerto or similar 3-4*.
DAY 8: Tahuin Dam- Puyango- Zaruma.
After breakfast we will go to the dam of Tahuin, which is an artificial Lake with a tropical dry forest. From there we will go to the amazing Petrified forest of Puyango, unique in every way. For lunch we will have a hefty box lunch. In the late afternoon we will head to Zaruma where we will spend the night . Zaruma was declared a National Patrimony of Ecuador for its architecture. (www.zarumagov.org). Dinner and lodging at the Wagner Hotel or similar 3 *.
DAY 9: Zaruma-Podocarpus-Vilcabamba:
After breakfast we will leave for the Podocarpus National Park, where a walk will let us observe a great variety of Flora and Fauna, especially high altitude orchids and birdwatching. We will enjoy a box lunch. In the afternoon we will head to Vilcabamba, also known as the Valley of the Longevity due to a great amount of people who live over a hundred years. Dinner and lodging at Hosteria Ruins of Quinara or similar 3-4 *.
DAY 10: Vilcabamba-Zamora – Yantzaza:
After breakfast we will leave for the Eastern part of the Podocarpus National Park, where we will walk along the Bombuscaro river. Lunch will be served at Hosteria Arenal. After lunch we will navegate by boat down the Zamora river to the small town of Yantzaza. Dinner and lodging at Yantzaza Lodge.
DAY 11: Yantzaza-Bomboisa- Gualaquiza- Macas:
After breakfast we will leave for the property the Salesiano Fathers where they help the local community raising giant snails, cabipabaras, wild boars and grow organic cultivations. We will head to the village of Gualaquiza where we will have lunch at the Copacabana Restaurant. We continue our adventure as we head to the town of Macas. Dinner and lodging at Hostería Cabins of the Valley or White House 3 *.
DAY 12: Macas- Sangay National Park:
After breakfast we will do a full day hike along small footpaths in the Sangay National Park, an area little explored and one of the most diverse parts of Ecuador. Dinner and lodging in tents.
DAY 13: National Park Sangay-Ruins of Guapula – Macas:
After breakfast we will continue hiking along footpaths and mid day return to the road, where we will have a box lunch. After lunch we will visit the ruins of Guapula, an important archaeological center for the Shuar and Achuar indigenous communities. Late afternoon return to Macas. Dinner and lodging at Hostería Cabins of the Valley or White House 3 *.
DAY 14: Macas-Miazal- Transcutucu – Maizal:
After breakfast we will board small planes that will fly us to the Shuar community of Miazal, where we will experience true primary forest (Virgin-Transcutucu) with our native Shuar guide. Before returning to Maizal we will have a box lunch. After dinner we will meet the local Shuar Shaman who will reaveal some of the ancestral secrets of the Amazon rainforest. Dinner and lodging at Miazal Inn.
DAY 15: Miazal- Port Morona:
After breakfast we will navegate down river to the border of Peru and with a little luck we will see pink freshwater dolphins amongst the huge variety of other animals, birds and flora. We will make a campsite at Port Morona. Dinner and lodging in tents.
DAY 16: Morona Port- Cave of the Tayos – Macas:
After breakfast we will visit the famous Cave of the Tayos. Lunch will be served by our cooks before returning to Macas. Dinner and lodging at Hostería Cabins of the Valley or White House 3 *.
*Very Important: The local airline of Ecuador has flights to Quito only on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
DAY 17: Macas-Quito:
After breakfast we will go to the Quilamo lookout and enjoy the spectacular view of the valleys of the Upano and Palora rivers. In the evening we will take the flight back to Quito. Transfer to the Radisson Hotel or similar 4 *. Special goodbye dinner at the Ronda Restaurant famous for typical Ecuadorian food.
DAY 18: Quito – Return:
Breakfast and transfer to the international airport for your flight back home.
NET PRICE PER PERSON (Based in 15 p + 1 Tour lider free): USS 1,999, -
IT INCLUDES:
- Transportation in a comfortable tourism bus (Reclinable seats, microphone and large panoramic windows)
- Boat to the island Santa Clara
- Fluvial transportation (motor canoes)
- Life jackets for all navegations
- All flights within Ecuador
- Experienced English speaking naturalist guides throughout the trip
- Specialized Local and Native Guides where necessary
- Lodging at mentioned lodges on a double basis.
- Lodging in high quality waterproof tents where mentioned
- Sleeping bags
- All meals as detailed with a great variety of local and international cuisine .
- Bottled water for all hikes
- Water ponchos
- Rubber boots up to size 11
- All entrance fees to national parks, museums, reserves and archelogical sights
- Logistical assistance by radio and cellular phones for any emergency
IT DOES NOT INCLUDES:
- Beverages or personal spending
- Tips
- Meals not mentioned in the package
- Personal items (clothing, swimsuit, sandals etc..)
RECOMMENDED ITEMS TO BRING ALONG:
- Malaria shots
- Vitamin B.
- Insect repelent.
- Plenty of photography equipment and film/ memory
- Bright clothing for hikes (not white or black clothing)
- Panama hats, which can be purchased in Ecuador
- Comfortable hiking boots
- Suntan lotion and plenty of solar protection
- Personal medical kit
- If possible a GPS unit
- If possible a satelital telephone
