Meals

Breakfast @ hotels Lunch menu 3 courses without beverages on Day 2 Dinner menu 3 courses without beverages on Day 5 & 6

Others

Menu of excursions on Day 6 offering by the Lodge Free Parking at the hotels Tailor made itinerary featuring a day-by-day breakdown, highlights of the area, activities and museums schedule, suggested restaurants, and any other helpful information.

Transport

Private Transfer IN in Quito on Day 1 Private Transfer to Rent a Car Office with English Assistance on Day 3 Private Transfer from Rent a Car Quito Airport to Hotel on Day 13 Private Transfer OUT in Guayaquil on Day 14 10 Days Car Rental from Day 3 to Day 13, Category F1 Suv 4x2 - 4 bags, Automatic Transmission Unlimited mileage, GPS. Pick up at Car Rental at Quito downtown; Drp off at Guayaquil Airport PWD Insurance (Partial Waiver Damage): In joint participation, the customer is exempted from paying part of the financial responsibility that applies in case of damage or loss of the vehicle, because of a claim, provided that the terms and conditions of the lease have been complied with.

Guide

English speaking guide during City Tour in Quito Guide Assistance on Day 3 and 13. He (she) will accompany you and give all the information about car rental formalities. Naturalists Guides and indigenous people during your stay in Amazonia, from Day 5 PM to Day 7 AM.

Hygieneprotocol

Accommodation

2 nights accommodation in a 4* Hotel in Quito 2 nights accommodation in a 4* Hotel or with a host family in Otavalo 2 nights in a Lodge in Misahualli region 2 nights in a 3* Hotel in Baños 2 nights in a 4* Hotel in Cuenca 1 night in a 4* Hotel in Guayaquil 1 night in a 4* Hotel in Puerto Lopez 1 night in a 4* Hotel in Guayaquil

Not included:

Others

Car Rental: Gasoline, extra days, other insurances, driver Entrance fees to Museums or historical sites Extras at the hotel Meals Any item don´t mentioned Travel Personal Insurance (highly recommended)

Flights

Flights are NOT included, we can certainly help you to book these if you need us to.

Insurance

Personal Travel Insurance

Optional

There are optionals activities which you can add to your experience, please check with us. there are NOT included in the total price of the tour.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Arrival At Quito International Airport
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Arrival At Quito International Airport

Arrival at the International Airport in Quito. Meet and greet with local guide.Private Transfer to your selected hotel.Overnight in a 4* Hotel
Day 2 Visit To The Colonial District In Quito
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Visit To The Colonial District In Quito

Breakfast.

Guided visit to the Colonial district of Quito, to discovering a World class historic district: declared by UNESCO Cultural Heritage in 1979.

At the agreed time, you will start the visit at the Independence Square “Plaza Grande” and stroll in the beautiful colonial district and get marvelled by the impressive religious and civil buildings dating from colonial times. The most remarkable examples of Barroco can be admired in churches and convents. You will visit La Compañia, San Francisco Convent its cloisters and climb to the towers. Lunch during excursion.

Overnight in a 4* Hotel
Day 3 Start Your Self-Drive Journey To The Northern Andes
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Start Your Self-Drive Journey To The Northern Andes

After breakfast, transfer to the Rent A Car Office to pick up the car and comply all the procedures.

You will be assisted by your English speaking guide.

Route: Rent a Car Office - Otavalo region 2 hours aprox – 130 km

Indigenous market “Plaza de los Ponchos

Visit the craft market, beautiful for its colors and the wide variety of crafts: ponchos, fabrics, scarves, straw hats, silver jewelry, ceramics, etc.

The inhabitants are famous for their traditional fabrics and outfits: blue ponchos, white trousers, sandals and braid for men, embroidered blouses, "anacos" (typical skirts), golden glass necklaces for women. The big market is held on Saturday.

Peguche Village and Waterfall

Peguche village, located a few kilometers away from Otavalo, is the weaving center, where the majority of the inhabitants devote themselves to the artisanal weaving, using a belt loom or a pedal loom. There are a couple of ateliers to observe the different designs and uses of looms and vegetal pigments to obtain colors.

Close to the village is Peguche waterfall, important ceremonial and purification place for local communities. (Entrance fee not included)

You can visit an Atelier of Andean musical instruments and even create one for you

Cuicocha Lake & Cotacachi village

Cuicocha lagoon (3,200 m above sea level) is located inside the crater of an active volcano that has collapsed on itself millions of years ago. Possibility to hike up about 10 minutes for a beautiful view of the lagoon and two islets, the hike down leads you the Sacred Ñan, through several ancient monuments used by the locals: sun dial, moon dial, ritual bath and an altar of offerings

Cotacachi village is famous for the elaboration of leather goods.

San Pablo Lake and Lechero

San Pablo Lake is a ritual place, there is the belief that the lake was originated when the daughter of an important Curaca fallen in love with a shepherd, the local yachag helped the two lovers to elope, but the father was advised to prevent it. The couple was separated, the shepherd was condemned to death, the girl begged for mercy to Taita Imbabura, that moment a huge thunder crossed the sky the shepherd was converted in a tree “Lechero” and the girl was converted into the lake.

Parque Condor

Parque Condor has a beautiful panoramic view towards the four cardinal points. To the north-east you can admire the Imbabura Volcano; to the north-west the Cotacachi Volcano and even Cuicocha lake and the town of Cotacachi. The mission of this center is the protection, rescue, rehabilitation, and possible re-introduction to the nature of birds of prey, vultures (Andean condor) and owls. Many of the species were rescued from illegal captivity or from inappropriate environments. At Condor Park, they find a shelter where they can remain calm or recover to be released. (Entrance fee not included)

Activities in a local community with a family

Drive to an indigenous community where your host family welcomes you to your guest room (private bathroom, hot water) and invites you to participate in their daily activities (there is no set schedule or plan of activities, the idea is to see and learn about the everyday life within the family/community, please ask for supplements).

Overnight at selected hotel or with a host family.
Day 4 Otavalo Region: Peguche Village And Waterfall, Cuicocha Lake & Cotacachi Village, San Pablo Lake And Lechero, Parque Condor
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Otavalo Region: Peguche Village And Waterfall, Cuicocha Lake & Cotacachi Village, San Pablo Lake And Lechero, Parque Condor

Breakfast.

For today, we recommend to discover the following sites in the Otavalo area.

Peguche Village and Waterfall

Peguche village, located a few kilometers away from Otavalo, is the weaving center, where the majority of the inhabitants devote themselves to the artisanal weaving, using a belt loom or a pedal loom. There are a couple of ateliers to observe the different designs and uses of looms and vegetal pigments to obtain colors.

Close to the village is Peguche waterfall, important ceremonial and purification place for local communities. (Entrance fee not included)

You can visit an Atelier of Andean musical instruments and even create one for you

Cuicocha Lake & Cotacachi village

Cuicocha lagoon (3,200 m above sea level) is located inside the crater of an active volcano that has collapsed on itself millions of years ago. Possibility to hike up about 10 minutes for a beautiful view of the lagoon and two islets, the hike down leads you the Sacred Ñan, through several ancient monuments used by the locals: sun dial, moon dial, ritual bath and an altar of offerings

Cotacachi village is famous for the elaboration of leather goods.

San Pablo Lake and Lechero

San Pablo Lake is a ritual place, there is the belief that the lake was originated when the daughter of an important Curaca fallen in love with a shepherd, the local yachag helped the two lovers to elope, but the father was advised to prevent it. The couple was separated, the shepherd was condemned to death, the girl begged for mercy to Taita Imbabura, that moment a huge thunder crossed the sky the shepherd was converted in a tree “Lechero” and the girl was converted into the lake.

Parque Condor

Parque Condor has a beautiful panoramic view towards the four cardinal points. To the north-east you can admire the Imbabura Volcano; to the north-west the Cotacachi Volcano and even Cuicocha lake and the town of Cotacachi. The mission of this center is the protection, rescue, rehabilitation, and possible re-introduction to the nature of birds of prey, vultures (Andean condor) and owls. Many of the species were rescued from illegal captivity or from inappropriate environments. At Condor Park, they find a shelter where they can remain calm or recover to be released. (Entrance fee not included)

Activities in a local community with a family

Drive to an indigenous community where your host family welcomes you to your guest room (private bathroom, hot water) and invites you to participate in their daily activities (there is no set schedule or plan of activities, the idea is to see and learn about the everyday life within the family/community, please ask for supplements).

Overnight at selected hotel or with a host family.
Day 5 Route From Otavalo To Misahualli Region (6 Hr / 280Km)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Route From Otavalo To Misahualli Region (6 Hr / 280Km)

Breakfast.

Route: Otavalo – Misahualli region: 6 hours – 280km

Quitsato Sundial

The Quitsato Sundial is located near to Cayambe. It was built to share aspects of the astronomical knowledge of the pre-Hispanic cultures of the region. The expositions are carried out by community members as a self-sustaining project. This monument is located exactly at latitude 0’º00’´0” in real Equator line. (Entrance fee not included)

Papallacta Hotsprings

This little village perched in a charming valleyis known for its famous thermal springs, the water is naturally heated by the activity of Antisana Volcano.

We will have time to enjoy the benefits of the thermal waters surrounded by an incredible mountain landscape. (Entrance fee not included)

Once you cross the highest point (12000ft) you drop down to reach the Amazon plains. This trip will let you to admire the impressive change in scenery from the highest point to the lowlands of Amazonia.

Hummingbird farm.

Along with tea or herbal tea and some biscuits, you will witness more than ten species of hummingbirds flying near the hotel’s bird drinking stations to have some sugared water. If the weather permits we will walk on a small path to try finding several bird species.

** Naturalists guides and indigenous people will be accompanied you during visits**

Dinner & Overnight at the Lodge.
Day 6 Amazon Rainforest Explorations
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Amazon Rainforest Explorations

Breakfast.

Today you will discover the Amazon Rainforest. Naturalists guides and indigenous people will be accompanied you during visits. Excursions available are:

- Hiking and visit to a Local Kichwa community

- Optional walk at sunrise to observe parrots.

- Walking in the forest to learn about medicinal plants

- Canoe riding excursions

- Night outings in search for nocturnal life

If the weather permits we will reach by boat the «Parrot’s Clay Licks » an ideal spot to observe parrots while they lick minerals from natural clay walls to help their digestion. Bringing binoculars is recommended.

Overnight at the Lodge Meals included
Day 7 Route Back To The Andes From Misahualli To Baños (3 Hr / 150Km)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Route Back To The Andes From Misahualli To Baños (3 Hr / 150Km)

Breakfast.

Naturalist guide and indigenous people will be available this morning if you take any excursion.

Route Misahualli – Baños (3 hr / 150km)

At your earliest convenience, departure from the hotel towards the town of Puyo and then to Baños Village, located at the slopes of the active volcano Tungurahua (5.100m). The name of this small town is to be attributed to its thermal baths resulting from the activity of Tungurahua.

Balsa Workshop in Puyo

Waterfalls Route

Along the “Waterfalls Avenue and the Pastaza River Canyon. Several waterfalls can be observed: The Bride`s Veil, Devil’s Cauldron, Machay, among others. You can also experience canopy traversing the Pastaza River. (Entrance Fees not included)

Casa del Arbol and “Ends of the World Swing”.

A few kilometres away from Baños you can drive up to Casa del Arbol, originally used as a monitoring area to the Tungurahua activity, this place offers a beautiful view of Baños and the surrounding mountains.

City of Baños

Visit Baños, pleasant little spa town. Of interest: the Dominican Church Our Lady of Holy Water, important place of pilgrimage; artisans who make melcocha, the fruit and vegetable market; Tagua workshops, plant fibre otherwise called "vegetable ivory".

Additional options can be: Horse Back riding, Biking and Rafting.

Overnight at selected hotel
Day 8 Route From Baños, Riobamba, Chimborazo Volcano (3 Hr /130 Km)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Route From Baños, Riobamba, Chimborazo Volcano (3 Hr /130 Km)

Breakfast.

Route: Baños, Riobamba, Chimborazo Volcano (3 hr /130 km)

City of Riobamba

Continue to Riobamba, passing at the foot of the famous Chimborazo, the highest snow-covered volcano in the world (6310 m above sea level). Its summit is the point on earth closest to the sun because of its proximity to Ecuador.

Museum of Religious Art at Las Conceptas Convent

Visit of the Museum of the Conceptas, established in a former convent this museum keeps some jewels of the Latin-American baroque religious Art, the collection allows to discover the art and the life in the colonial era.

Chimborazo Fauna Reserve,

Drive to the highest volcano in Ecuador 6310 m. Your car will bring us to the Refuge located at 4700 m. It is possible to return by bike in an incredible descent.

Local Community and Llamas

We will visit a local community, which works in the reinsertion of llamas to the Andean plateaus, you can taste llama meat in the restaurant managed by the community.

Overnight at selected hotel
Day 9 Route Palmira Desert, Ozogoche Lakes, Ingapirca Complex (6 Hr / 290 Km)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Route Palmira Desert, Ozogoche Lakes, Ingapirca Complex (6 Hr / 290 Km)

Breakfast.

Route Palmira Desert, Ozogoche Lakes, Ingapirca Complex (6 hr / 290 km)

Village of Guamote

Continuing further south, along the Andes Cordillera, to the community of Guamote where the inhabitants have preserved their ancestral customs, their way of life and their traditional dress.

Palmira Desert

You will have the chance to see a different zone: the Palmira desert: sand and pines.

Ozogoche Lakes

Drive to a complex of more than 45 lakes, hiking in the surroundings.

Ingapirca Complex

Drive to the south until reaching the Ingapirca Complex, built in the late 15th century before the Spanish conquest. Although the Incas had fought for centuries with the native tribes, victory was elusive and that is why there are so few Inca sites in Ecuador. It is difficult to know what the purpose of Ingapirca was. It may have been a ceremonial center; it was built on top of much older buildings originally constructed by the local Cañari tribe. Scientists have noticed that altars inside the Temple of the Sun are directly illuminated only at certain times of the year, specifically the time of the New Year or Inti Raymi.

Overnight at selected hotel
Day 10 Cuenca & Handicrafts Valley
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Cuenca & Handicrafts Valley

Breakfast.

Route to Paute Valley: 60km – 1h30

Historic District of Cuenca

The beautiful city of Cuenca is a jewel of the Spanish colonial architecture built on the ruins of Tomebamba, ancient Inca city. This city is remarkable for its houses, its colonial balconies, and its narrow streets. It has been declared Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO: visit the flower market, Calderón Square, the old and the new Cathedral, the square and the San Francisco market.

Visit to a Toquilla Straw Hat Atelier

Visit to a factory of the famous “Toquilla straw Hats”, where you can see the process of elaboration of these famous Hats.

Visit the Museum of Aboriginal Cultures.

This museum presents the best archaeological collection of the city. Juan Cordero, historian, has collected more than 5000 objects from all the indigenous cultures of each archaeological period existing in the country from 4000 BC to the Inca period. You will find jewellery and personal ornaments made of high-value shells and metals such as gold, bronze, silver, copper, platinum and binary and tertiary alloys, musical stones, ceramic objects, bones, shells, stones that illustrate the way of life of the ancient inhabitants of the current Ecuador: zoomorphic and anthropomorphs pottery used for rituals and ceremonies, funerary urns, representation of shamans (wizard-doctors), vases and painted glasses, etc.

Overnight at selected hotel
Day 11 Route Cuenca – Lowlands Of The Pacific Ocean To Guayaquil ( 4 Hr / 200 Km)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Route Cuenca – Lowlands Of The Pacific Ocean To Guayaquil ( 4 Hr / 200 Km)

Breakfast.

Route Cuenca – Lowlands of the Pacific Ocean to Guayaquil ( 4 hr / 200 km)

Cajas National Park

You will cross the western slopes of the Andes, passing by El Cajas National Park. We will descend to the plains of the coastal region, a complete change in scenery due to the variation of altitude. We will discover the coast region with its immense fields of bananas, rice, sugar cane, coffee, cacao, among others in the coastal region. (Entrance fee not included)

Visit to a cacao growing farm:

You will learn about the harvest, transformation, and exportation processes. Short demonstration of the fabrication of unsweetened chocolate and tasting of unsweetened chocolate and a cocktail made with cacao and rum.

Visit the city of Guayaquil.

Discovery of the city. Visit the Malecón, the Seminario Park where you can enjoy very close to the iguanas, the Cathedral, the Government Palace, the Town Hall, and the monument of La Rotonda. Passage through the district of Las Peñas and the cemetery

Overnight at selected hotel
Day 12 Guayaquil – Spondylus Route Puerto Lopez ( 4H30/ 232 Km )
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Guayaquil – Spondylus Route Puerto Lopez ( 4H30/ 232 Km )

Breakfast.

Guayaquil – Spondylus Route Puerto Lopez ( 4h30/ 232 km )

The Machalilla National Park, home to the culture of the same name that flourishes between 2250 and 1300 BC was established as a national park in 1979. It is home to many archaeological remains, as well as interesting flora and fauna.

Los Frailes beach:

This is an ideal place for swimming or relaxing. With clean white sand, tropical dry forest, tranquillity, unique scenery and warm water, this beach is a real little paradise.

Community and Archaeological Museum ’Agua Blanca’:

The way of life of this community is very similar to that of its ancestors, the Manteña culture, who inhabited this region from 800 to 1532 AD. There is a small museum where you can find pre-Columbian ceramics and photos of some locals. You will see funerary urns with human bones and intact skeletons.

Overnight at selected hotel
Day 13 Route From Spondylus To Guayaquil ( 4H30/ 232 Km )
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Route From Spondylus To Guayaquil ( 4H30/ 232 Km )

Breakfast.

Morning at leisure

Afternoon drive back to Guayaquil

Return of your car at the Rent a Car office in the local Airport and transfer to your hotel.

Overnight at selected hotel
Day 14 Guayaquil, Departure Flight
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Guayaquil, Departure Flight

Breakfast.

At the agreed time, transfer to the airport for your flight back.

End of Services

+11

14 days tour

Self-Drive Experience In Equador: The Andes, The Amazon Rain

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Self-Drive Experience In Equador: The Andes, The Amazon Rain

Arrival At Quito International Airport

Visit To The Colonial District In Quito

Start Your Self-Drive Journey To The Northern Andes

Otavalo Region: Peguche Village And Waterfall, Cuicocha Lake & Cotacachi Village, San Pablo Lake And Lechero, Parque Condor

Route From Otavalo To Misahualli Region (6 Hr / 280Km)

Amazon Rainforest Explorations

Route Back To The Andes From Misahualli To Baños (3 Hr / 150Km)

Route From Baños, Riobamba, Chimborazo Volcano (3 Hr /130 Km)

Route Palmira Desert, Ozogoche Lakes, Ingapirca Complex (6 Hr / 290 Km)

Cuenca & Handicrafts Valley

Route Cuenca – Lowlands Of The Pacific Ocean To Guayaquil ( 4 Hr / 200 Km)

Guayaquil – Spondylus Route Puerto Lopez ( 4H30/ 232 Km )

Route From Spondylus To Guayaquil ( 4H30/ 232 Km )

Guayaquil, Departure Flight

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