ECUADOR    8 Days

This itinerary visits Old Town Quito, the Middle of the World Monument, Otavalo Market, Cotacachi, the Napa River valley — a tributary to the Amazon River, the Devil’s Cauldron and Cotopaxi National Park.

Ecuador straddles the equator on South America’s west coast. Its diverse landscape encompasses the Amazon jungle, Andean highlands and the wildlife-rich Galápagos Islands. In the Andean foothills at an elevation of 2,850m(9300 ft.), Quito the capital, is known for its largely intact Spanish colonial center.

Tips:

Planning Resources: <Ecuador Travel> <Quito Tourism>

Ecuador Travel Guide: Lonely Planet Ecuador and Moon’s Ecuador.

Sign up for great travel stories and ideas on National Geographic online !

Tour Operators: Gulliver Travel, Metropolitan Touring, Adventure Life Ecuador Tours,

(Galapagos Travel and Surtrek - also offer tours to the Galapagos Islands)

A tour operator is suggested. They will manage the various components of your excursion, such as your accommodation, local transportation, specific tours and guides. They provide a competitive price.

Best time to visit: during the dry season from June - September.

Travel Adapters: Type A and B, same as in USA and Canada.

 
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DAY 1 

  • Arrive in Quito and transfer to your hotel. We recommend your hotel location be near Old Town.

  • <Itinerary Route>

  • If time permits, stroll around Old Town before dinner.

    • In recent years there has been a increase in petty crime in Quito’s tourist areas.

  • Quito 2,850 m. (9,350 ft) elevation sits at the foothills of the Andes mountains. Altitude sickness symptoms are usually seen over 10,000 feet. However, there are some individuals who can experience altitude sickness at 8,000-9,000 ft. elevation.

 
 
Quito, capitol of Ecuador

Quito, capital of Ecuador

DAY 2

  • Discover the sights of “ Quito “

    • Quito is known for its well-preserved colonial center, rich with 16th and 17th-century churches and other structures blending European, Moorish and indigenous styles.

    • Walk the cobblestone streets and visit :

      • Independence Plaza - also known has Plaza Grande, is the heart of historic Quito and a favorite spot for people watching.

      • Cathedral - is the largest neo-Gothic church in South America.

      • La Compania de Jesus Church - a 17th-century Jesuit church, a few blocks away from Plaza Grande, known for its gold-covered interior. Regarded as the finest church in Quito.

      • Archbishop’s Palace - a 16th century building and the scene of important decisions for public and political life in Ecuador.

      • The Presidential Palace - also known as Carondelet Palace. This is where Ecuador’s president lives and works.

        • The changing of the guards takes place at the palace every Monday at 11 am. The ceremony started at the beginning of the 19th century. Today, the soldiers still wear the same bright blue uniform as they did 200 years ago.

  • Visit the Middle of the World Monument (Equator) before continuing to Otavalo.

    • See where the Equator divides the northern and southern hemispheres.

  • Overnight: Otavalo

  • Recommended: Schaji Eco Lodge & Hotel - the hotel is 15 km from the famous Otavalo Indian market and 96 km (60 miles) from Quito.

  • Distance: 

    Quito ---> Otavalo, 2 hrs.

DAY 3 

  • Visit the lively Otavalo Market, one of the largest in South America.

    • Traditional goods such as rugs, cloths, jewelry, leather jackets and much more are sold.

    • On Saturday mornings when the market is at its best and busiest, crowds swarm into the surrounding streets.

  • Next stop is Cotacachi, 10 km north of Otavalo, where excellent leather products are made and sold.

    • It is known as the “Leather capital” of Ecuador. On the main street, Calle 10 de Agusto, there are 100 leather shops.

  • Continue to Papallacta where you can relax at the Termas de Papallacta Spa & Resort located in the Andes Mountains. (Elevation, 3170m = 10,400 feet). The weather is usually cool and rainy.

    • The resort sits at the base of lush mountains high in the Andes. There are dozens of pools and hot tubs, with water of varying temperatures. Unlike most natural hot pools, there is little to no sulfur smell around the pools or the resort!

  • Overnight: Termas de Papallacta Spa & Resort.

  • Distance: 

    Otavalo ---> Papallacta Spa Resort, 2.5 hrs.

 

DAY 4 

DAY 5  

  • Full day of activities in the Napo River area. The Lodge arranges all your activities.

  • You have the opportunity to hike thru rain forest and photograph tropical plants, flora and fauna only seen in this part of the world. 

  • Hiking through the jungle and rafting on a balsa log raft.

  • Visit a Butterfly farm. Ecuador is the butterfly capital of the world. 

  • Overnight: LaCasa del Suzio Lodge.

 

 

DAY 6

  • Depart the Napa River region.

  • Today visit one of Ecuador's most powerful and beautiful waterfalls.

  • Another popular activity is canopy, only 15 minutes outside of Banos.

    • A thrilling Zip lining through the gorge is unforgettable.

  • Continue to Banos, a little town with the Tungurahua Volcano nearby.  Time permitting, stroll through Banos, then continue to Cotopaxi Park.

  • Overnight: Cotopaxi area.

  • Distance:

    LaCasa del Suzio ---> Banos, 3 hrs.

    Banos ---> Cotopaxi area, 2.5 hrs.

 

DAY 7

  • If time permits, visit the El Boliche Rose Plantation located nearby in Lasso. Ecuador is one of the world's major producers.

  • Overnight: Quito

  • Distance: 

    Cotopaxi ---> Quito. 2.5 hrs.

 

DAY 8 

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Average Cost:

(EXCLUDING AIRFARE)

$$$ USD per person

Budget: $1,300

Moderate: $1,800

Luxury: $2,600 +

 
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Climate Guide:

 
source:  wikipedia.org, ecuadortravelsite.org
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