Ecuador and Amazon holiday
| country: | Ecuador |
| location: | Amazon rainforest |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | 2009: 21 Nov, 5 Dec, 19 Dec, 26 Dec |
| price: | From £539 (16 days) excluding flights. Local payment US $250. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
Spend 2 weeks exploring the interior of Ecuador, the pearl of South America.
Ecuador has always been a favourite for us. We'll show you the Amazon jungle, including a visit with a Quichua community. Visit the famous Otavalo market and explore the colonial town of Cuenca. Soak in the natural hot springs at Baños and Papallacta and relax at a charming hacienda, where you can walk in the foothills of the Andes.
Ecuador has always been a favourite for us. We'll show you the Amazon jungle, including a visit with a Quichua community. Visit the famous Otavalo market and explore the colonial town of Cuenca. Soak in the natural hot springs at Baños and Papallacta and relax at a charming hacienda, where you can walk in the foothills of the Andes.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive Quito. Arrive in Quito at any time. |
| Day 2: | Papallacta Hot Springs (B). Explore Quito on your own in the morning. In the afternoon start a bus trip over the Andes on our way to the Amazon. Stop in Papallacta for the night and relax in the natural mineral hot pools. |
| Day 3-4: | Amazon Homestay (2B,2L,2D). Descend into the Amazon jungle region in the morning. The scenery changes dramatically as we leave the mountains behind and enter the lush tropical rainforest of the Amazon. Experience life in the jungle first-hand on a homestay with a local Quichua family, and enjoy the hospitality of these wonderful people. |
| Day 5-6: | Jungle Lodge (2B,2L,2D). Travel to our jungle lodge located on the Napo River, one of the Amazon's two major tributaries. Explore both on foot and by canoe, and learn about the natural history of the area. There is also an option for an exhilarating whitewater rafting trip on the Napo. |
| Day 7-8: | Baños. Return to the mountains and journey to Baños, a small town nestled in the hills of the Andes. There are numerous outdoor activity options, including hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. You may also opt to relax in the town's natural hot springs. |
| Day 9-11: | Cuenca. Head south along the stunning 'Avenue of Volcanoes', through Ecuador's central valley of mountains, to reach the town of Cuenca. This is a full-day trip with spectacular views along the way. Cuenca is perhaps the most beautiful city in Ecuador with its cobblestone streets, busy markets and interesting architecture. Explore the town, hike in Cajas National Park, or visit the nearby Inca ruins of Ingapirca. Fly back to Quito for the night of Day 11. |
| Day 12-13: | Cayambe. Continue north to the village of Cayambe, where we stay in a 400-year-old hacienda nestled at the base of Cayambe Volcano. We discovered this hacienda years ago and it has become special part of all our trips in the area. If you are feeling energetic, you can travel to the base of the volcano's glacier and hike back down. Rent horses and head off into the hills, or explore the beautiful property surrounding the hacienda—the choice is yours. |
| Day 14-15: | Otavalo / Quito. Visit beautiful Otavalo and its famous handicrafts market, the largest in South America. Villagers from the surrounding countryside come here every week to sell handmade goods, livestock, fruits and vegetables, and everything else imaginable. Return to Quito for our farewell evening. |
| Day 16: | Depart Quito (B) |
travellers' tales
Most memorable was our Shaman host at the jungle homestay. He glided around, playfully and skilfully making leaf hats etc and happily sharing with us his knowledge and Chechan philosophy. A wise man and free spirit in a beautiful place. (more)
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places. how this holiday makes a difference
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Through our commitment to responsible tourism, we ensure minimal social and environmental impact in the places we visit by travelling in small groups, using local transportation and staying in locally owned hotels. We also work with experienced local guides who are knowledgeable of local culture, history, flora and fauna.
While on this tour, travellers will spend two days with a Quichua family in the Amazon. This visit allows you to experience the natural beauty of the area and learn about traditional Quichua lifestyle, beliefs and customs. You will have the opportunity to visit a sacred waterfall, learn about traditional hunting practices and the uses of tropical plants. In addition to supporting this family ecotourism initiative, proceeds from Cabañas Pimpilala have gone towards constructing the first community school house and to the Indigenous Association of Cando which supports community development projects. This community is supported through our non-profit organization, the Planeterra Foundation with an annual donation that goes to support sustainable community development initiatives. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |