Amazing Ecuador - Overland Expedition
2 weeks: Quito to Quito (IMT-LTAE)
Intro
Colourful Ecuador is the jewel of Latin America and an adventure travel dream. A small country packed full of sights where the Andes meet the Amazon, home to an awesome collection of natural and cultural wonders. The highlands host superb local markets where you can shop for crafts and meet friendly Indian traders, and cities such as Quito and Cuenca boast a magnificent colonial heritage, crammed full of lavish colonial architecture. But the real highlight of Ecuador has to be its natural beauty - enormous volcanoes, lofty peaks and the mighty Amazon rainforest which is home to a large proportion of our planet’s wildlife. This compelling and enchanting country should be on everyone’s list of places to see.Group Size
Max 15Activities
Amazon jungle excursions, hike in Cajas NP, optional hiking, biking and horse-riding in BanosAccommodation
11 nights tourist class hotels, 3 nights jungle lodgeTransport
Private bus, boat, train, planeFlight
Cuenca to QuitoAirport Transfer
To hotel day 1Fully Escorted
By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of a native guide in the jungleEntrance Fees
Included for all sites listed as part of the itineraryItineraries
Day 1,QUITOArrive in Quito.
Day 2,QUITO – AMAZONHead through spectacular Andean scenery into the Amazon. We spend the 3 nights in a secluded jungle lodge on the world’s greatest ecosystem. (BLD)
Day 3 to Day 4,AMAZONWe have two full days in the Amazon to fully appreciate the diversity of this unique wilderness area. We explore on foot and by canoe, accompanied by a native guide. (BLD)
Day 5,AMAZON – BANOSWe take a morning bus to Banos, a lovely town situated in an idyllic location on the slopes of Tungurahua volcano. (B)
Day 6,BANOSA full day to explore Banos and the surrounding area. There are a range of different options including hiking, riding horses into the mountains, exploring by mountain bike and relaxing in the hot pools for which the town is famous. (B)
Day 7,BANOS – RIOBAMBAMorning bus journey to Riobamba at the foot of the Chimborazo Alps. The afternoon is free to explore the surrounding mountain scenery. (B)
Day 8,RIOBAMBA – CUENCABoard the famous ‘Devil’s Nose’ railway for the journey across steep-sided ravines and rocky gorges to Alausi. Continue by bus to the old colonial town of Cuenca, stopping in Ingapirca, Ecuador’s finest Inca ruins. (Note: if the train is not running we will travel by bus instead). (B)
Day 9,CUENCAMorning walking tour of this beautiful city. Its cobblestone streets, flowering plazas and whitewashed buildings with old wooden doors and ironwork balconies make it a pleasure to explore. (B)
Day 10,CUENCA - CAJAS NATIONAL PARKOver 250 lakes separated by rocky ridges make Cajas NP one of the most beautiful natural spots in Ecuador, with abundant birdlife including the condor and many hummingbirds. We spend the day touring the park by bus and on foot. (B)
Day 11,CUENCA – QUITOLast chance to buy an authentic Panama hat, originally made in Cuenca, before we fly back to Quito. (B)
Day 12,QUITOQuito is one of Latin America’s most historically important cities with a wealth of architectural gems and the dramatic backdrop of the Pichincha volcano. The day is free to explore. (B)
Day 13,QUITO - OTAVALOWe set off by bus to Otavalo, a traditional Andean town with one of South America’s best markets. The afternoon is free to explore the town. (B)
Day 14,OTAVALO - QUITOSaturday is market day in Otavalo and the streets throng with stalls selling the brightly coloured textiles for which the region is famous. We return to Quito in the afternoon. (B)
Day 15,QUITOTour ends after breakfast. (B)
Last updated: 29th September 2009
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