14 days/13 nights Every Thursday From Quito to Guayaquil Discover a whole new way to explore Ecuador! Get moving and get actively involved in your vacation experience. Canopying in Mindo, a moonlight horseback ride in the Pululahua crater, rafting in the jungle and a downhill mountain bike tour from the Cotopaxi – get to know the most versatile country of South America in a different way!

Itinerary

Day 1 (Thu): Arrival in Quito, city tour
You will be met by your local travel guide. Transportation to your hotel, on the way you will receive all the information. In the afternoon sightseeing tour through the colonial city center of Quito. Short drive to the Panecillo lookout point which offers a breathtaking panoramic view over the historic city center. Accommodation in the Casa Helbling. (-/-/-)

Day 2 (Fri): Quito – Cuicocha Crater Lagoon
Today’s program includes a 4-6 hour trekking tour around the Cuicocha crater lake. In the afternoon you will visit the town of Cotacachi, renowned for its leather crafts. In the evening you can experience first-hand the hospitality of the native people. (B/-/D)

Day 3 (Sat): Otavalo Market - Mitad del Mundo - Mindo On saturdays the market in Otavalo is a buzzing beehive of activity for indigenous arts and crafts. Next stop: the equator monument Mitad del Mundo, the “Middle of the World”, including a museum visit. Late in the afternoon you will reach Mindo, a small town in the subtropical cloud forest. Accomodation in the cabanas of Kumbha Mela. (B/-/-)

Day 4 (Sun): Bird watching – Canopy Tour or River Tubing through Mindo cloud forest
Discover the Mindo cloud forest with its exceptional animal diversity (Andean cock-of-the-rock, toucans, parrots, hummingbirds, and butterflies). Opportunity for canopy tour and river tubing. Return to Quito. Hotel Casa Helbling. (B/-/-)

Day 5 (Mon): Cotopaxi, mountain bike descent
Transportation to Cotopaxi, the world’s highest active volcano (5.897 m / 19,347 ft). On foot and mountain bike you and your English-speaking guide will explore the impressive scenery of the paramo. In the afternoon you return to Quito and spend another night in Casa Helbling. (B/-/-)

Day 6 (Tue): Quito – Pululahua – Moonlight Horseback Ride The world’s highest cable car, the Teleférico, takes you up to Cruz Loma (4.100 m / 13,451 ft), a foothill of the Pichincha volcano (4.698 m / 15,413 feet). The view of Quito is spectacular from this vantage point. In the afternoon you will be taken to Pululahua crater, the starting point of an unforgettable horseback ride through moonlit mountain scenery. You will spend the night in a hostel on the bottom of the crater. (B/-/D)

Day 7 (Wed): Pululahua – Quito – free afternoon
In the morning, return to Quito. The afternoon is at your own leisure. You will be accommodated at Casa Helbling. (B/-/-)

Day 8 (Thu): Quito – Hakuna Matata
In the morning you travel across Papallacta Pass at almost 4.054 m / 13,300 ft to reach the hot springs of Papallacta which will soothe away stress, aches, and pains. Your accommodation, the Hostería Hakuna Matata, is situated in an idyllic setting. You may opt for a swim in the clear waters of the Pano or Tena rivers. (B/-/D)

Day 9 (Fri): Rafting/Jungle—Baños  Your first destination today is the provincial capital of Tena in the Amazon. From there you embark on an adventurous rafting expedition or alternatively a jungle tour. In the afternoon you continue on to the beautiful town of Baños, where you will spend the night in the Hostería Monte Selva. (B/-/-)

Day 10 (Sat): Baños – Riobamba
Today’s activity is a mountain bike ride along the waterfall route of the Pastaza Canyon. Near the “Manto de la Novia” waterfall, the “Tarabita” cable car will take you across the Pastaza Canyon. At the roaring waterfall of “Pailón del Diablo” you have the opportunity to try out bungee jumping. In the evening transportation to Riobamba, which is situated at the foot of the Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest volcano. You will be accommodated in the Mansión Santa Isabella. (B/-/-)

Day 11 (Sun): Nariz del Diablo – Ingapirca – Cuenca
A memorable train ride across the Devil’s Nose takes you to Alausi. By car you continue on to Ingapirca, the largest Inca ruins in Ecuador. Your final destination for the day, after touring the historical Inca site, will be the colonial city of Cuenca. You will be sleeping at the Inca Real. (B/-/-)

Day 12 (Mon): Girón Waterfall – Yunguilla Valley – Cuenca at Night
Visit to the famous Girón waterfall and the subtropical Yunguilla valley where you will learn about the cultivation and processing of sugar cane. After returning to Cuenca you will have an opportunity to explore this beautiful city on a fascinating nighttime tour.  You will spend another night at the Inca Real. (B/-/-)

Day 13 (Tue): Cuenca—Cajas National Park—Guayaquil
A trekking tour through the tundra of “El Cajas” Nature Reserve, known for its box-shaped valleys, 240 lakes, and unique wildlife, is the highlight of your morning. In the afternoon you will reach the exotic port of Guayaquil where you can close out the day with a walk along the river boardwalk Malecón 2000. You will stay in the beautiful Hostal Macaw. (B/-/-)

Day 14 (Wed): Transportation to the Guayaquil airport and flight home, add-on program “Ruta del Sol,” or flight to Baltra/San Cristobal to visit the Galapagos Islands. We would be glad to advise you on these additional options. (B/-/-)  

 
Services:

• Travel arrangements as described, with private transportation
• Qualified English- or German-speaking travel guides (except Day 5 excursion to Cotopaxi is only possible with an English-speaking guide)
• Accommodations at good comfort-class hotels
• Meals as described in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, BL=Box Lunch, D=Dinner)
• Admission fees
• Train ticket
• Activities as listed in the itinerary (incl. equipment such as helmets etc.)

Non-included services:

• Suitable sports clothing
• Not specified meals and beverages
• Tips and personal expenses  

Please be advised: Services listed in the itinerary may be subject to change due to  organizational or climate factors.

 
Rates:

Active Vacation, 14 days/13 nights

 Minimum number of participants: 2 

All rates are in USD, per person in double room occupancy. Valid until 31.10.2012

Subject to change. Prices may be higher on national holidays.