Activities

 DAY 1: QUITO- ARRIVE

Reception and airport/hotel/airport transfers, including 2 standard pieces of luggage per passenger and tips at airport. Individually, the passengers themselves must do immigration procedures. A valid passport is the only requirement to enter to Ecuador. At the moment of hotel registration, passengers will have the assistance of our experienced staff. Accommodation

 DAY 2: QUITO – CITY TOUR- THE TELEFERICO - THE EQUATORIAL LINE LATITUDE 0°0’0” (08:00 HOURS) According with the time programed by guide and passengers, the tour begins at the hotel, to the summit of Itchimbia Hill. It is at 2 900 mts. and it is a natural lookout point due to the great view that you get in Quito Historic Center in either way. The park area includes 6 489 meters of green areas and 1 200 meters of community spaces. It has 54 hectares with about 400 varieties of flowers, 40 species of birds and one hectare of wetland. Its main attraction is the Cultural Center or Crystal House. Its old structure of iron and zinc was imported from Hamburg. We continue by 12 de Octubre Avenue, the Legislative Palace with its Midero’s mural (called The History of the Country), the Alameda Park with its Astronomic Observatory in Quito, the second oldest of South America, Simon Bolivar’s monument, the Central Bank of Ecuador and Quito’s Basilica. You can reach the heart of the colonial area with a walk to the Independence Square, Quito’s Cathedral, the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, El Sagrario Church, La Compañía Church, San Francisco Monastery and Church, we will end in El Panecillo, a small hill where you can enjoy a full sight of the city. Then you will enjoy a typical Ecuadorian or international lunch in a restaurant of the area.After that we go to the lower slopes of the Pichincha volcano, it has 160 hectares among mechanic games at Vulcano Park. The TELEFERICO takes you from 3045 mt to 4050 mt high. Over there you can be close to the sky, you will have a marvelous view of the city and the surrounding valleys, the beautiful snow-capped mountains and volcanoes.Then we continue to the Equatorial Line Latitude 0°0’0”. located at sixteen miles of the north of Quito. This is your opportunity to be on the two hemispheres at the same time, with one foot on the northern hemisphere and one foot on the southern hemisphere. You can have a pleasant time visiting this small complex full of culture. Accommodation.

DAY 3: OTAVALO VISIT

At the time we scheduled with our guide, you will be enchanted by the mystical Andean Range of mountains on a two hours trip to the northern part of the country. Be impressed by the figures made out of bread dough. These figures are manufactured in the small town of Calderon, usually all the family works together creating these pieces of art. On the other hand, in Cayambe you will have the opportunity to cross over the Equatorial Line. Besides the majestic greatness of the San Pablo Lake will captive you.Between the marvelous mountains and the peaceful lake you will find an old town called Otavalo. It is the most famous Indigenous Market in South America; there you can buy fine handicrafts like different types of weavings manufactured by its own inhabitants, such as shawls, ponchos, tapestries and sweaters. Some of the outstanding characteristics of the natives are their outfits and cleanliness. They wear their ponchos all the time. Also, there are leather goods in Cotacachi, and marvelous wood carven figures in San Antonio de Ibarra.You will see the wonderful sights of the Cayambe and Cotachi snowcapped mountains, besides the largest lake San Pablo. Afterwards, we will be having a good lunch at a nearby hostel.Accommodation at Chorlavi or similar. Accommodation.

 DAY 4: OTAVALO – QUITO

After taking our breakfast at the agreed time, the tour starts to the next locations, where you can enjoy its wonderful landscapes.Peguche: Located in the Peguche community, at only 5 minutes to the northwest of Otavalo City. The Peguche Falls is a beautiful waterfall of 18 meters high, formed by the river of the same name, which was born in San Pablo Lake. The waterfall is one of the most important tourist attractions in Otavalo. Due to its proximity and easy access, several tourist and visitors go to the sector to know it and enjoy a unique beautiful landscape.Cotacachi: Located in the north of Ecuador, in the province of Imbabura, between the cities of Ibarra and Otavalo. It’s a multiethnic and multicultural town with an area of 1809 square kilometers and with a population of 41115 inhabitants. Also Cotacachi is known for its leather goods and wool.The lunch will be served at the Lago Cuicocha restaurant. Then, we will return to Quito for accomodation.Cuicocha: The Cuicocha Lagoon is located at 12 kilometers to the southwest of Cotacachi and at 14 kilometers of Otavalo, it forms part of the Cotacachi-Cayapas Reserve, located between the provinces of Imbabura and Esmeraldas. It was formed in an old crater at the foot of Cotacachi Volcano, inside, there are two islets called Teodoro Wolf and Jose María Jerovi, also known as the Gods lagoon, in the indigenous language, tsui-cocha.The Lunch will be served in the restaurant of the Cuicocha Lagoon, and then the returning to Quito and accommodation.

DAY 5: QUITO - BAÑOS

Early in the morning we will travel to the southern part of the highlands, through the “Volcanoes Avenue”, enjoying the marvelous view of the “Cotopaxi” the highest active snow-capped volcano of the world and crossing rich valleys and cities.During the trip there is a visit to an Indigenous open market (except on Fridays). The lunch will be in Ambato, then, a visit to the area of Los Salasacas, the craftsmen of the region. Then, we will continue to Baños, another small city labeled “The Door of the Amazon Basin”.We will be staying and having dinner at the Sangay Hotel or similar. If the weather allows, we will make a visit to the zone, to admire the beautiful waterfalls, and see tomatoes trees and a wide variety of orchids growing. Accommodation.

DÍA 6:  BAÑOS – INGAPIRCA - CUENCA

After breakfast, at the agreed time we will travel to Cuenca, on the way we visit Ingapirca ruins, including “the Inca’s face.” Ingapirca means “Inca’s Wall”, the complex has courtyards, terraces, temples and a castle. You can walk around the ruins and listen to the explanations of all the places. Its weather is cold most of the time, that is why we recommend to bring appropriate clothes for the place. A Lunch at a local restaurant is included.Lastly, the arriving to the hotel, dinner and accommodation.

DÍA 7: CUENCA – GUALACEO – CHORDELEG

Early in the morning we will take our breakfast, then we will visit the towns of San Bartolome, then we will go to a factory of Toquilla Hat or Panama hat, after this visit, we will go to Gualaceo, where we will see the fruit market and typical food, and at the last point in this road we will visit Chordeleg, which is very famous for its gold, silver handicrafts, ceramic and wood figures. In the afternoon, we will visit Cuenca, a city that keeps that colonial taste, expressed in its antique and colonial’s constructions. Finally, a lunch at a local restaurant, a dinner and accommodation are included.

DÍA 8: CUENCA – QUITO

Check out and transfer to airport to take the flight to Quito  .  Arrive. Reception and transfer airport/hotel, including 1 standard piece of luggage per passenger and tips at airport. At the moment of hotel registration, passengers will have the assistance of our experienced staff. Accommodatin

DÍA 9: QUITO – AHUANO ( CASA DEL SUIZO )

 Check out at 06:00 am, early morning drive toward the Amazon basin of Ecuador, crossing picturesque villages of Baeza, Archidona, Tena and finally Punta Ahuana.There you will take a canoe with outboards motors down the Napo River to the CASA DEL SUIZO LODGE or to a similar one. At night you will discuss details for the following days, and then you will choose the itineraries that suit you the best.

DÍA 10: JUNGLE PROGRAM “CASA DEL SUIZO”

You can choose between different activities:CHICHA, BLOWGUN, CERAMIC AND WOOD CRAFTS.A short boat ride downriver leads you to know how a typical Quichua family living in their natural and historic environment, away from the village of Ahuano. You can see how the chicha is produced, the traditional drink of the region and you also be invited to tasting. You can also learn about the blowgun, a major weapon that was once used by the people of the jungle and if you dare, you have the opportunity to experience for yourself how difficult it is to hunt with this method.MISICOCHA15 minute by boat ride upriver is located in the Casa del Suizo with primary forest that we would like you to show. Whenever you arrive to the beach 100 meters inside the reserve to rest in a small native hut rustic construction and starts walking through the jungle. You can make several walks with difficulty levels ranging from 1 1/2 to 4 hours. The walk inside the dense forest is a unique experience, as the visitor must pass through picturesque streams, up and down the roads of mud under the natural umbrella trees and native plants. During this journey, the local guide, whose knowledge of the use of medicinal plants is impressive, introduce you to the secrets of the rainforest.After the walk a native vessel area made of balsa wood and returned in half an hour downstream to la Casa del Suizo.COSANO/AMAZOONICOIn 20-minute boat ride, you arrive to Cosano, which is a private property with a pimario Arajuno Forest River. You can take walks at different levels of difficulty ranging from 1 to 3 hours.THE BUTTERFLY FARM15 minute walk from the Casa del Suizo, you will find our butterflies farm designed as a live in display that currently produces about 20 local species. You can see how these beautiful insects are fed, raised and also have the opportunity to visit the “fourth flight,” where hundreds of colorful butterflies, including the spectacular blue butterfly, tumble around from flower to flower.The price of the entrance is $ 4.00, it is subjected to change without previous notice.KAYAKING/RAFTINGLa Casa del Suizo has kayaks and currently, we offer programs of half day or full day which are called river of class one and class two. These programs are not allowed for minors over 12 years. Importantly, these activities are not included in the regular schedule and you must book in advance and it has an additional cost. Inside one of the beaches of Arajuano river is located the famous Amazonian animal shelter whose mission is to take care of wild animals that have been mistreated, injured and confiscated, to later returned to home. This is a great opportunity to see how these animals live in their natural environment, which is difficult to see from inside the forest. Every time you visit this refuge is returned in 15 minutes boat ride to the Casa del Suizo.

DÍA 11: CASA DEL SUIZO – QUITO

After breakfast (6:30) take the canoe to Punta Ahuano, then continue to Quito via the same route of entry and enjoy the beautiful scenery from the jungle to the Andean heights. Lunch on the way.