Best of Ecuador's Mainland in 14 Days

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Quito Airport Pick up to hotel⌄

   Quito Airport pick up to hotel

   Overnight: Hotel Le Parc or similar, Quito, Check in 3pm.

2. 2Mindo is a town in the Andes in northern Ecuador. known for its numerous species of birds, butterflies and orchids.⌄

   After Approximately 2 and a half hours drive, We will visit a butterfly Farm in which we will be able to see many butterflies typical to this area, you will be able to see the process of growing each butterfly is going through, and if in luck you might even be able to feed a butterfly...

   We will do Canopy zipline in Mindo Cloud Forest.

   We will continue by cable cart in the magnificent Cloud Forest of Mindo.

   We will have a walk in Mindo Cloud Forest.

   We will visit the Hummingbird Garden in which we would be able to see many hummingbirds on their dinner.

   Chocolate Tour

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Hotel Le Parc or similar, Quito

3. 3Otavalo Area⌄

   That another place where the Equator line passes through, we will make a short break here to see the place.

   We will make a stop in this beautiful view point, on a good day you can see San Pablo Lagoon, Imbabura Volcano, Cotacachi VOLCANO.

   We will visit the Plaza de los ponchos, South America biggest handicraft market. you will have some time to shop, or just go around if you wish.

   We will visit Cotacachi town which is famous for its leather goods, you will have some time to shop.

   Peguche Waterfall

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Hotel Le Parc or similar, Quito

4. 4City Tour Quito⌄

   We will visit intiñan Museum, where the equator line actually go through, you would be able to witness special phenomenon's unique to this place, and also some history and culture.

   We will visit "Mitad del Mundo" Monument, where among other things to se, you can take a picture of yourself with one leg in the north hemisphere and the other leg in the south hemisphere.

   We will make a stop to admire "La Virgen del Panecillo", It is located on a hill in the center of Quito, visible from almost all parts of the city. Not only is it the tallest aluminum statue in the world, but it is also the tallest winged representation of the Virgin Mary in the world.

   The Basilica of the National Vow (Spanish: Basílica del Voto Nacional) is a Roman Catholic church located in the historic center of Quito, Ecuador. It is the largest neo-Gothic basilica in the Americas.

   The Church and Convent of San Ignacio de Loyola de la Compañía de Jesús de Quito, also known in the Ecuadorian people simply as La Compañía, is a Catholic clerical complex located on the corner formed by calles García Moreno and Sucre, in the Historic Center of the city of Quito.

   The Church of San Francisco is a Catholic basilica that stands in the middle of the historic center of Quito, in front of the square of the same name. The structure is the largest architectural complex within the historic centers of all of America.

   The Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito is a temple of Catholic worship located in the Historic Center of San Francisco de Quito. It is the headquarters of the Primate Archdiocese of Quito and occupies the entire southern flank of the city's so-called Independence Square, which has become its most famous view despite not being its main entrance. In 1995 it was elevated to the Primate Cathedral of Ecuador, which makes it the highest Catholic temple of the Catholic Church in Ecuador.

   Independence Square (Spanish: Plaza de la Independencia, or colloquially as Plaza Grande) is the principal and central public square of Quito, Ecuador. This is the central square of the city and one of the symbols of the executive power of the nation. Its main feature is the monument to the independence heroes of August 10, 1809, the date remembered as the first cry of independence of the Royal Audience of Quito from the Spanish monarchy. The square is flanked by the Carondelet Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace, the Municipal Palace and the Plaza Grande Hotel.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Hotel Le Parc or similar.

5. 5Quilotoa Crater Lake⌄

   Two hours South of Quito sits the town of Saquisilí with one of the most colorful and complete indigenous markets in Ecuador; it is also one of the largest and most authentic markets in Ecuador. * This market is open only on Thursday, so we will visit this market only if we happen to do this tour on a Thursday.

   Here we would be able to see painting with local painting style for Tigua.

   Here we will the visit the famous and majestic Quilotoa Crater lake, it is possible to do a short hike, approx. 2 hours down to the lake, you can rest mules for the coming back part, just make sure you do it before you go down.

   Here we will make a stop to admire the stunning view in Canyon del rio Toachi.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Hotel La Floresta or similar, Baños de Agua Santa.

6. 6Waterfalls Road & Casa del Arbol Area⌄

   We will go to the waterfalls road, we will make several stops to admire the different waterfalls.

   We will go up the mountain to Cada del Arbol, we will make several stops to admire the view.

   You will have the rest of this day off, you can visit the hot springs ¨Termas de la virgen¨ or "El Salado", or do some shopping for souvenirs and presents, up to you, Baños is considered a safe place.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Hotel La Floresta or similar, Baños de Agua Santa.

7. 7Free Day in Baños de Agua Santa⌄

   Free day in Baños de Agua Santa, you can shop for souvenirs, or can do some extreme activity.

   Meals: Breakfast

8. 8Day tour Cotopaxi⌄

   We will visit the Interpretation Center, which kind of a museum of Cotopaxi National Park.

   We will visit "Laguna Limpiopungo", if the weather is good all mountain Cotopaxi reflect in it, and it is a spectacular view.

   We will drive to the parking place, and if you wish and physically capable you can climb up to the Refuge, the altitude might make it more difficult than what it looks.

   We will make a short stop to see Laguna Yambo.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Hotel Le Parc or similar, Quito

9. 9Transfer out to Quito Airport (Shared service)⌄

   Transfer out to Quito Airport

   Flight to El Coca

   Pick up from El Coca Airport

   The YARINA Eco Lodge is strategically located in an area of forest that counts on the highest diversity of micro-habitats in the Napo area. This means that, there are more species of animals, birds, reptiles and insects than anywhere else on the Napo river or in the surroundings. The YARINA Eco Lodge, is located on the Napo river, only 60 minutes by covered motorized canoe from Puerto Francisco de Orellana (EL COCA). At noon aprox, the motor boat canoe will departure from Coca city and navigate by the Napo river for 1 hour aprox, before arrive at Yarina Eco Lodge. Time to lunch. After lunch, rest time till 3.30 pm. At 3.30 pm, we will visit the Socali path, characterized for a variety of different jungle lands. This path is used like an introduction in the primary forest where you can learn about flora and fauna that is possible to find in different types of forest. Return to the lodge to have the dinner and resting time.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Yarina Lodge Or similar

10. 10Swamp Day (Shared service)⌄

    After breakfast we will visit the Capibara path. An adventure trail with many swamps. In this trail you will see some palm trees that is possible to see in other places. Return to the lodge to take the lunch. Late in the afternoon without rubber boots and wearing comfortable dresses (shorts is recommended). The local guides are going to teach us how to use the blowpipe. After this activity we will take a small canoe to enjoy with the piranha fishing. Return to the lodge to take the dinner. Af night, you will paddle in the lagoon SAPOCOCHA, in order to look for caimans and nocturnal life.

    Overnight: Yarina Lodge or Similar

11. 11Birdwatching (Shared service)⌄

    breakfast. After take our rubber boots and jungle dresses we will take a canoe to navigate up river watching birds, butterflies, orchids, amphibians, all this till reach the trail “Dos ramas”. We will have a short trekking to learn about medicinal plants, birds and animals. Return to the lodge, lunch. After lunch we will take the Tucan trail, this trail will take us till one of the tallest birdwatching tower of the Ecuadorian jungle. On the canopy we will stay some minutes watching some species of birds of high altitudes. Return to the lodge, After dinner, a short walk inside the forest will introduce you on the nocturnal life and the nocturnal concert of this universe...

    Overnight: Yarina Lodge or similar

12. 12Departure (Shared service)⌄

    After breakfast, departure back to Coca airport NOTE: For all activities using the motorized canoe as well as rowing. Transfer in from Quito's Mariscal Sucre Airport Accommodation in Quito

    Overnight: Hotel Le Parc or Similar

13. 13FREE DAY IN PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS⌄

    In the Papallacta hot springs, in addition to breakfast included , also included: the use of the hotel's exclusive pools depending on the accommodation area, a self-guided walk along the La Isla trail. On your free time you can use other services not included in the program such as SPA, or guided walks through the Cayambe-Coca National Park, these can be hired directly at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast

    Overnight: HOTEL PAPALLACTA

14. 14Transfer out to Quito Airport⌄

    Transfer out to Quito Airport

    Meals: Breakfast