11-Day Cloud and Rainforest Adventure

Quito

Day 1: Welcome to Ecuador!

Today you will arrive to Quito, one of the highest capitals in the world!

At 2850 metres (9350 ft) above sea level, you will need to take it slowly, but the views surrounding this magical city will be rewarding.

Upon your arrival you will be transferred from the airport to your hotel in the Andean capital.

Spend the rest of the day getting used to your new surrounding, taste your first Ecuadorian dish and rest to be ready for the trip ahead.

Quito

Day 2: Take a City Tour of Quito

In the morning your guide-driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you on a tour of the colonial center of Quito, telling you all about the history of Ecuador and Quito, the Incan Empire, Spanish invasion and finally the independence period.

Next, you will visit the “Mitad Del Mundo”, where the Equator crosses the country, situated about 20 km to the north of Quito.

On the site there is a 30m high monument which houses an ethnographic museum containing interesting displays of the country’s ethnographic diversity.

You will also see the open-air museum called Inti Ñan, which introduces you to the solar system over the Equator, the effect that the position of this point on Earth has on gravity and other natural forces.

Quito - Mindo

Day 3: Go Birdwatching in the Tandayapa Valley

In the morning you will depart from your hotel in Quito and after a good beakfast you will embark on a guided hike.

Later on you will enjoy lunch and go for a second forest hike to discover the ecology of this mysterious cloud forest and its feathery inhabitants.

The Tandayapa Valley is particularly well known as a birdwatcher's hotspot, hosting an incredible number of 330 species.

This is a lifetime experience to observe hummingbirds, toucans, quetzals and other tropical birds in the cloud forest of the rich Chocó bioregion during your hikes.

Mindo - Quito

Day 4: Spend Another Day in the Cloud Forest

You will have a second day to take in the cloud forest.

Early morning you will rise for a bird walk before breakfast - get up with the birds!

Later on you will leave again on a guided hike to one of various waterfalls hidden deep in the forest and enjoy a well deserved lunch.

In the afternoon you can decide to take a siesta or to explore even more on further hikes.

Then, depart for Otavalo.

Quito - Otavalo - Quito

Day 5: Visiting Otavalo's Great Markets

In the morning your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel.

In about two hours you will reach the town of Otavalo, famous for its weaving and music culture.  

The Otavalo people are one of the most prosperous in Ecuador.

Nowadays you’ll find their handicrafts and music all over Ecuador and the world.

Otavalo lies at the heart of their culture and at the local marketplace you will find all possible produce and souvenirs.

In the outskirts you can walk to the waterfall of Peguche, considered as sacred, and as such a spot for shamanistic ceremonies on special dates.

Afterwards, visit the enchanted Cuicocha Lake. 

This lake is situated in the old crater of a still active volcano. 

Entering the rim you will suddenly be surrounded by the enormous bowl of the remaining caldera and you will look down on two newly formed islets on the emerald green lake.

Quito - El Coca - Yasuni National Park

Day 6: Travel Down the Napo river

Today you will travel deep into the inland of Ecuador. You will be taken to the airport for your flight from Quito to El Coca and from there you'll travel on to the Napo Cultural Center.

The Napo Cultural Center is located on the south bank of the Napo River, the largest Ecuadorian river of the Amazon and the Yasuni National Park.

The trip starts from the town of Coca in comfortable ecological roof canoes operated by outboard motors.

The canoe trip down the river takes about two hours and a packed lunch will be provided to you. During the navigation you will see birds such as herons, kingfishers, terns and other shore birds species and beautiful landscapes.

Yasuni National Park

Day 7: Sail the Amazon River for Incredible Wildlife Spotting

After breakfast, depart from your accomodation very early to board the boat.

Embark on a bird watching journey: 11 species of parrots (including parrotlets and macaws), depending on the seasons, weather conditions and general good fortune are waiting to be discovered!

You will end this morning with a visit to the Interpretation Center “KuriMuyu”, handled by the women of the community where you will learn all about the Kichwa culture.

Return to your accomodation for lunch and take a break in the lodge. You can take the afternoon to rest or walk for about an hour to climb the 35m observation tower. 

Keep your eyes open to spot a variety of birds, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, toucans, parrots and sloths.

Yasuni National Park

Day 8: Visit Community Projects and Nightly River Visits

For breakfast you will visit the community projects, talk about the worldview of the Kichwa and in addition you'll go for a walk around the region.

This medicinal walk in the Mama Cuna road is an excellent opportunity to see more wildlife, ceiba trees, strangler, bamboo cane, vines and other shrubs endemic to Yasuní.

Return to the lodge for lunch and a good afternoon rest.

Later on at the Añangu stream, embark on small canoes and head down the river in a spectacular adventure through the forest.

You'll have the opportunity to see alligators, listen to the sounds of nature at its purest and discover the forests nightlife.

Return to your hotel in motorized canoes, where a traditional dinner is waiting for you to be devoured.

Yasuni National Park

Day 9: Explore More of the Yasuni National Park

Today you'll have time to explore more of the Yasuní National Park.

You can walk to the 35m high observation tower (1 hour hike) to spot a variety of birds, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, toucans, parrots and sloths if you haven't done so on the first day.

If you are looking for other excursions the lodge will surely have some inspiring ideas for you!

You can also choose to camp, and we'll take care of all the equipment, as this is another way of perceiving life in the forest and feeling the ancestral connection with the Pacha Mama.

Yasuni National Park - El Coca - Quito

Day 10: Learning about Kichwa culture

On this last day in the Amazon you will get up very early in the morning to take part in one of the ancient customs of the Kichwa culture. 

Participate in making wayusa to energize the body, listeing to Kichwa songs and thinking about important issues in a peaceful and unique way.

You'll be back at the lodge in time for breakfast, before you take a motorized canoe back to the city of Coca.

There you will be driven to the airport to take your flight back to Quito.

Upon arrival, your guide will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel.

Quito

Day 11: Farewell, Ecuador!

Unfortunately your adventure in megadiverse Ecuador has come to an end!

You'll be driven from your hotel to the airport to take your international flight back home!

We hope you enjoyed this trip as much as we did. Safe travels, and visit again soon!