21 days/20 nights rental car + hotel daily from/to Guayaquil Discover the diversity of Ecuador. This trip provides you with the opportunity to experience this unique country in all its intensity and variety. You will be enthralled by the breathtaking Andean mountains, the lush Amazonian jungle, and the pristine coastal beaches.

Itinerary

Day 1: Guayaquil — Cajas National Park — Cuenca (approx. 125 miles / 200 km)
A scenic drive through the tropical plains brings you to the foot of the Andes, from where  you cross a 4.200 m / 13,800 ft mountain pass to reach Cajas National Park. In the afternoon you arrive in the colonial city of Cuenca. (-/-/-)

Day 2: Cuenca — Ingapirca (approx. 60 miles / 100 km) Tour the city of Cuenca that was named a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1999. You could also visit a museum dedicated to the world-famous panama hats. In the afternoon you drive across scenic mountain terrain to Ingapirca. (B/-/-)

Day 3: Ingapirca — Riobamba (approx. 143 miles / 230 km)
Visit the temples and fortifications of ancient Ingapirca before driving through beautiful scenery to the foot of Chimborazo. Overnight accommodations in a hacienda near the volcano Chimborazo. (B/-/D)

Day 4: Chimborazo area (approx. 100-185 miles / 150-300 km, depending on your program)
The Chimborazo and Bolívar provinces lure you to the mountain lakes of Atillo, at the edge of Sangay National Park, or you may prefer to explore the area around the small mountain village of Salinas. If it’s Thursday we recommend you visiting the indigenous market in Guamote. On Tuesdays to Sundays you could embark on an adventurous train ride across the Devil’s Nose (please buy tickets in advance). (B/-/D)

Day 5: Chimborazo — Edward Whymper Shelter (approx. 125 miles / 200 km) Another scenic drive through the Chimborazo region. Chimborazo is the highest volcano in Ecuador with an altitude of 6.310 m / 20,700 ft. You can drive to an altitude of 4.800 m / 15,750 ft and from there hike to the Edward Whymper shelter at 5.000 m / 16,400 ft in about 45 minutes. After your hike you continue on to Patate. (B/-/-)

Day 6: Patate — Baños (approx. 95 miles / 150 km)
The scenic beauty of the Baños area beckons as you marvel at the spectacular view of the active Tungurahu volcano. The town of Baños and the Pailón del Diablo waterfall in the Pastaza Canyon are certainly worth visiting. (B/-/-)

Day 7: Pastaza Canyon — Liana Lodge (approx. 185 miles / 300 km)
The drive through the Pastaza Canyon with its gorges and waterfalls will be an unforgettable experience. Once you reach the town of Puyo, the Amazon basin opens up in front of you. Your final destination for today is Liana Lodge on Rio Arajuno. (B/-/D)

Day 8: Jungle adventures at Liana Lodge Venture into the rainforest under the guidance of a native naturalist who will take you on a jungle hike. Picnic lunch in the jungle. You may want to go for a swim in the crystal-clear river or silently glide through the rainforest in a canoe. (B/L/D)

Day 9: Papallacta hot springs (approx. 155 miles / 250 km)
Today you return to the Andes to visit the mineral hot springs of Papallacta, nestled in an idyllic valley at 3.300 m / 10,800 feet. Indulge yourself at the spa of the hot springs hotel or go for a hike along the Rio Papallacta. (B/-/-)

Day 10: Papallacta area
Today a hike through the stunning region of Papallacta is planned. Depending on your physical condition, you might be able to reach one of the surrounding summits. In the afternoon relax in the pleasant thermal hot springs. (B/-/-)

Day 11: Cotopaxi National Park (approx. 125 miles / 200 km) You drive to an altitude of 4.500 m / 14,764 ft on the desolate, gray slopes of the Cotopaxi volcano (5.897 m / 19,347 ft).  You can hike up to the Jose Ribas shelter at 4.800 m / 15,750 ft and see an impressive glacier field nearby. (B/-/-)

Day 12: Chugchilán — Toachi Canyon (approx. 125 miles / 200 km)
This is one of the best routes to experience the indigenous culture of the Andes. Your final destination of the day is the small remote mountain village of Chugchilán, perched high above the deep, foreboding Toachi Canyon. (B/-/D)

Day 13: Quilotoa Crater Lake — Zumbahua — Quito (approx. 125 miles / 200 km)
Your trip continues through the rugged mountainous terrain of Cotopaxi province to the Quilotoa crater lake. From here you drive to Zumbahua which, on Saturdays, features a colorful indigenous market. Continuing north, via Latacunga, you arrive in the capital of Ecuador. (B/-/-)

Day 14: Quito Nestled in a green mountain valley at 2.850 m / 9,350 ft, Ecuador’s capital lies at the foot of the Pichincha volcano. The old city center of Quito was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978. We would be glad to arrange a guided city tour for you (not included in the price). (B/-/-)

Day 15: Quito — Punta Prieta (approx. 220 miles / 350 km)
You drive south from Quito and pass through lush cloud forest to the lower plains. Enjoy an interesting drive through the verdantly green Manabí province. (B/-/-)

Day 16: Punta Prieta area (approx. 60 miles / 100 km) Explore the beautiful sandy beaches and romantic fishing villages of Manabí province. (B/-/-)

Day 17: Punta Prieta — Bahia de Caráquez (approx. 125 miles / 200 km)
Follow the “Vía del Pacífico” past small fishing villages, pristine sandy beaches and the imposing Rio Chone. A car ferry takes you across the river to the small town of Bahia de Caráquez. (B/-/-)

Day 18: Bahia de Caráquez — Chirije (0-20 miles / 0-30 km)
The beach of Chirije is the perfect place to relax before heading to the small archaeological museum of Chirije to admire artifacts from the early coastal cultures. Chirije is also a “hotspot” on the Spondylus Route. (B/-/-)

Day 19: Chirije — Manta — Puerto Lopez (approx. 155 miles / 250 km)
In the morning, your destination is the scenic harbor town of Manta, the ideal stopover for lunch and a refreshing swim in the Pacific Ocean.  Energized from your break, you continue on from the coastal rainforest at San Lorenzo to the small fishing village of Puerto Lopez. (B/-/-)

Day 20: Isla de la Plata (not included in the price) Take a boat tour to Isla de la Plata, where you will be able to observe blue-footed, red-footed or masked booby birds, albatrosses and/or sea lions, depending on the season. Between June and September, you may also see some giant humpback whales along the coast of Ecuador. (B/-/-)

Day 21: Machalilla National Park — Ruta del Sol — Guayaquil (approx. 155 miles / 250 km)
Visit the beautiful sandy beach of Los Frailes in Machalilla National Park before driving through the rainforest of Ayampe, past romantic fishing villages and long sandy beaches. After crossing the open grasslands of the Santa Elena peninsula, you arrive back in Guayaquil. (B/-/-) 

 
Services:

• Rental car of your choice, including LDW insurance and accident-insurance for the driver
• Travel arrangements as described
• Qualified English-speaking guides for excursions
• Accommodations at good comfort-class hotels
• Meals as described in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, BL=Box Lunch, D=Dinner)
• Maps
• Phone assistance provided by Positiv Turismo in German or English

 Non-included services:

• Admission fees
• Train ticket
• Gasoline, oil
• Park fees, road and ferry tolls
• Tickets for traffic violations
• 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:

Minimum number of participants: 1

Big Ecuador Adventure, 21 days/20 nights

All rates are per person in USD. Valid until 31.10.2012

Please Note: The Termas de Papallacta Hotel charges extra on Saturdays and national holidays.

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

You can find further details under Rates & Conditions