Feast for the senses: chocolate, Cotopaxi & more in Ecuador

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Day 1: Welcome to Ecuador!

After welcoming you at the airport, your English-speaking driver will take you to your hotel in Quito. The capital of Ecuador, Quito is a beautiful colonial city located at 2,800m above sea level and surrounded by mountains. You can spend the rest of the day as you wish - there is plenty to see!

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Day 2: Explore Quito's colonial sights

To get a good first look at Quito, you will start with a visit to El Panecillo, a small hill overlooking the city. You will then visit Quito's colonial center, touring the cathedral, the Church of the Compañia de Jesus, and the Church of San Francisco with its garden and many Baroque art pieces.

In the afternoon, you'll visit Ecuador's first frog farm. There, you will tour the laboratory and learn about the process of conservation and reproduction of more than 40 species of frog.

Afterwards, you'll partake in a Pacari chocolate tasting. Learn about the world history of cocoa, and find out why Ecuador is the best when it comes to producing fine cocoa. You'll have the privilege to taste 10 different types of Pacari chocolate today!

Quito - Mitad Del Mundo - Mindo

Day 3: Stand on either side of the Equator

Take the road to Mitad del Mundo, right on the Equator. While there, you can put one foot in the Southern hemisphere and the other in the Northern hemisphere!

Before journeying on to Mindo, spend a while sightseeing in Mitad del Mundo. The Intinan Ethnographic Museum, near the site of the Mitad del Mundo, is a must-visit as it showcases the country's different ethnicities with their traditions and clothing.

Mindo

Day 4: Lose yourself in marvelous Mindo

Good morning, Mindo! After breakfast, you will visit a butterfly breeding center and discover the process of their metamorphosis - the different stages of evolution from caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly. Continue with a visit to an orchid garden run by a friendly local family, and discover the surprising perfumes these delicate flowers can emit.

Offering a unique contrast to the morning's relaxing events, you'll have plenty of extreme sports to choose from and enjoy in the afternoon. For a truly liberating feeling, go zip-lining through the forest canopy, accompanied by professionals and secure equipment.

Mindo - Otavalo

Day 5: Explore the flavors of Andean cuisine

Today, take a trip to Otavalo, famous for its handcrafting traditions. There you will meet Claudia, a local from Otavalo, who will help you discover the traditional food of the Quechua people.

Learn how to cook a typical Andean dish with her help: discover special regional ingredients and find out all about their preparation, before finally sitting down to savor and appreciate the fruits of your labor!

Otavalo - Cuicocha - Otavalo

Day 6: Marvel at the stunning Cuicocha Lake

Today you'll visit the Cuicocha Lake in the Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve - it's one of the most beautiful in Ecuador, with water the color of a sapphire. There, nature lovers can also take time to spot more than 400 species of orchids and other beautiful plants.

Take a boat tour of this former crater to explore two islands at its center, both filled with greenery, and learn all about the legends surrounding their long history as you go. Then, you'll visit the Condor Park in upper Otavalo to watch a mesmerizing flight show and get close to the condors, the emblematic bird of the Andes.

Otavalo - Cochasqui - Cotopaxi

Day 7: Explore the ruins of Cochasqui

Today you'll visit the pyramids of the Cochasqui Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site considered the most important site north of the Equatorial Andes. It is composed of 15 pyramids and 20 funeral mounds, built by the Quitu-Cara Indians in the 9th century. The pyramids are thought to have served as ceremonial sites, houses for important people, or even astronomical observatories. Learn all about their fascinating history as you explore the stunning ruins, before continuing your day's itinerary with a journey onward to the Cotopaxi National Park.

Cotopaxi - Banos

Day 8: The breathtaking beauty of Cotopaxi National Park

After breakfast, set out to explore the Cotopaxi National Park, home to Ecuador's second-highest summit at 5,897m and the highest active volcano in the world.

For today's program, you'll take a hike around the Limpiapungo Lagoon, soaking up stunning views of the Cotopaxi volcano before making tracks for your next port of call: the city of Baños de Agua Santa. Take a moment to explore at your own pace; go for a swim in its thermal waters, perhaps, or visit the Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Agua Santa.

Banos - Puyo - Riobamba

Day 9: Visit scenic Puyo

Make a journey to Puyo, a town on the edge of the Amazon jungle. On the way you will pass through various tunnels traversing the Pastaza canyon, with spectacular waterfalls on your right side.

You will spend the day in the reserve of the Yapas, where you'll discover different species of orchids and bromeliads, as well as several species of endangered endemic trees. Participate in reforestation activities and learn about the delicate ecosystem of the Amazon, and the threat humans represent to nature here.

You will then stop at Pailon del Diablo, the country's most famous waterfall which you will be able to witness up-close from a sightseeing platform. Further along the road, in traditional Inca style, you can use a suspended tarabita basket to cross the Pastaza and reach another waterfall, the Manto de la Novia.

Riobamba - Guayaquil

Day 10: Spend the day with llamas

Start the day with a stop at an interesting museum showcasing the relationship between the Andean communities and the llama. You will eventually come to know the differences between a llama, an alpaca, a vicuna, and a guanaco!

Head out on a hike with your guide and a llama to discover the landscapes of the area and interact with the locals along the way. Then, you'll make the journey to Guayaquil, on a route that traverses various fascinating ecosystems.

Guayaquil - Churute - Cerecita

Day 11: Learn about ecology at Churute

The ecological reserve of Churute aims to protect the area's precious mangrove swamp, where many species of fish and shrimp spend part of their life cycle. This unique ecosystem also shelters a variety of endemic animal species and birds. Your visit will begin with a boat trip into the mangrove, to observe the resident fauna. Then, take a small walk for a chance to observe howler monkeys in their natural habitat. Pass trough banana plantations to arrive at the hacienda El Castillo, in the middle of a cacao plantation, where you will stay the night and learn all about the production of cocoa.

Cerecita - Los Frailes - Puerto Lopez

Day 12: Stroll along the gorgeous Los Frailes Beach

Today you'll journey along the Ruta del Sol, following kilometers of sandy, sun-soaked beaches and passing through lovely fishing towns on the way to your next destination, Puerto Lopez.

Take a trip to the Playa de Los Frailes, 12km from Puerto Lopez in the Machalilla National Park, the largest protected area on the coast. This park mainly comprises a dry tropical forest, which used to cover most of the Pacific coast but has almost totally disappeared in recent times. Take a walk in the forest before reaching the sandy shores, where you can relax and enjoy a swim in paradise.

Puerto Lopez - Isla De La Plata - Puerto Lopez

Day 13: Spot whales & dolphins on Silver Island

Today, you'll head out by boat for Silver Island, part of the Machalilla National Park and located 17 miles from the coast. Each year, from June to September, humpback whales gather in this area and offer a stunning spectacle that you will never forget. You may come across dolphins as well, as they like to follow the boats and play.

After docking, set out on a walk around the island's dry tropical forest, and observe numerous colonies of sea lions and birds, including red- and blue-footed boobies, frigates, albatrosses and pelicans, to name but a few.

Back on the boat, take your lunch before going snorkeling to admire the most important coral reef of Ecuador. Its stunning marine life is yours to explore this afternoon!

Puerto Lopez - Guayaquil

Day 14: Farewell, Ecuador!

Spend the morning in Puerto Lopez, enjoying the beach and quiet fishing village atmosphere, before transferring to Guayaquil's airport for your domestic flight connecting you to your onward international flight back home. Safe travels, and visit again soon!