HOLIDAY SALE – GROUP TRAVEL CULTURES AT THE EQUATOR

1895 US$ NOW 1695 US$ PER PERSON – SAVE 200 US$

Join us on our 12-day group travel in 2018! Book your trip from December 1st until January 6th and you receive a discount of 200 US$ per person!

ITINERARY

Day 1: Colonial Quito – Equator – Otavalo: In the morning you will visit the colonial old town of Quito (UNESCO World Heritage Site) where you take a stroll through the narrow streets to the beautiful plazas and splendid churches. You then continue to the equatorial monument “Mitad del Mundo”. In the afternoon you travel north to Otavalo. (D)

Day 2: Cuicocha Crater lagoon – Cotacachi – Otavalo: In the morning you will explore the surroundings of the Cuicocha Crater Lagoon during an 4-5 hour hike through the flora of the Andean highlands. After a traditional lunch in Cotacachi, you will visit a small archaeological museum. In the afternoon you stroll through the Otavalo market where you can try the exotic fruits and vegetables. (B/L)

Day 3: Andean Train: A train ride full of contrasts takes you through Imbabura today. Starting in Otavalo, the train ride takes you to Salinas where you can enjoy the culture and history of the Afro-Ecuadorians. Along the way the train makes many stops, where you will get insights into the history, music, gastronomy, craft, and above all the spectacular scenery of the northern Andes. (B/L)

Day 4: Otavalo market – Papallacta – Hakuna Matata: Enjoy a walk early in the morning through the streets of the Andean town of Otavalo to observe the lively market activity in Plaza de Poncho and the Andean culture of the Otavaleños. Afterward you continue over an Andean Pass of 4050m altitude into a valley at 3300m where thermal springs feed the most beautiful Spa in the country. In the afternoon you reach Hakuna Matata, the cozy rainforest lodge in the midst of a private protected forest. (B/D)

Day 5: Rainforest Hike – Pacari Chocolate Tour: This morning you will go on a hike through the protected rainforest. Your nature guide will point out the particularities along the way, from medicinal plants, to the animals that hide in the dense green scenery. Afterwards we drive to the small village of Santa Rita, where a delicious jungle lunch awaits you. Afterwards, the experts from Pacari show you how to make delicious chocolate from the local cocoa beans. After returning to the lodge, you can enjoy the afternoon at your leisure. (B/L/D)

Day 6: Rainforest Adventure: In the early morning you head to the small river of Arajuno and together with your guide you ride in a canoe to a clay lick, where you can observe hundreds of parrots and parakeets. You continue in the canoe to the indigenous Quichua community of Santa Barbara to taste many local dishes in a typical jungle buffet with the community. Later you drive to the small  jungle town of Misahualli for a typical “Almuerzo” (Lunch). After a small walk through the village and its surroundings you return to the lodge. (B/L/D)

 

Day 7: Traveling through the rainforest: After breakfast you drive to Puyo where you will visit an Animal Rescue Center to observe some tropical animals of the Amazon region and meet some monkeys face to face. From here you continue deeper into the rain forest to the small jungle town of Macas. Here you can relax in the afternoon in a nice rainforest Hosteria. (B/D)

Day 8: Shuar waterfall hike – lagoons of Atillo: A short drive will take you to Shuar territory where you will go for a hike through the rain forest to a sacred waterfall. Here you will perform the waterfall ceremony of the Shuar. Afterwards you can refresh yourself with a soak in the waterfall and try the typical food of the Shuar. Later you continue to the Atillo Lakes, crossing the Andean highland to Guamote. (B/LX/D)

Day 9: Guamote Market – Andean Kichwa Community: Visit the traditional Andean Market of Guamote in the early morning. Later you explore the area of Guamote and visit one of the surrounding small villages to get an insight into the life of the Kichwa population. In the afternoon you travel to Riobamba, surrounded by the mountains of Chimborazo, Carihuayrazo, El Altar, and Tungurahua. The city is considered to be the most important agricultural center of the Ecuadorian Andes. (B/LX/D)

Day 10: Chimborazo Volcano: Today the trip takes you from Riobamba up to the heights of the mighty Chimborazo volcano. On the way you stop at one of the Indigenous Kichwa Communities that live here at heights of over 3000m. From here you drive up to the mountain hut Hermanos Carrel at 4800m altitude! The adventurous can hike from here to the Whymper hut at over 5000m altitude! In the late afternoon you will reach the small town of Latacunga.(B/LX/D)

Day 11: Tobahua Market – Laguna Quilotoa: A short drive takes you to the village of La Victoria, which is famous for the traditional manufacture of ceramics. Continue to the Andean market of Zumbahua and experience the noisy and chaotic market before heading to the beautiful crater lagoon, Quilotoa. On a short hike you can enjoy the changing views of the lagoon and the surrounding Andes Mountains. (B/L/D)

Day 12: Hacienda La Cienega – Cotopaxi National Park – Quito: In the morning you drive to the 400 year old Hacienda La Cienega where you will enjoy a coffee break in this nostalgic atmosphere. Afterwards you will explore the Cotopaxi National Park. During an easy hike around Limpiopungo Lagoon you will learn about the typical vegetation of the Andes and, with good weather, will have fantastic views of the impressive Cotopaxi. In the mountain refuge Tambopaxi you will have lunch surrounded by the mountains Sincholagua and Cotopaxi before returning to Quito. (B/L)

CULTURES AT THE EQUATOR!

As varied as the landscapes of the Andes Mountains and the rainforest through which this journey will take you, so diverse are the people you will be encountering here. From the Otavaleños and Afro-Ecuadorians in the north, to the Quichua and Shuar in the rainforest, and finally to the Kichwa in the central Andes at the foothills of the mighty volcano Chimborazo, you will experience the diversity of fascinating cultures at the equator!

Requirements: For this nature and culture trip a healthy fitness level is necessary to be able to enjoy hikes of about 2 hours (depending on the conditions, maybe longer) at altitudes of up to 5000m and in tropical climates (rainforest). Technical experience is not necessary for the hikes. Hiking boots are recommended.

 

FIXED TRAVEL DATES

  • 24.01.2018
  • 21.03.2018
  • 18.04.2018
  • 23.05.2018
  • 20.06.2018
  • 11.07.2018
  • 25.07.2018
  • 22.08.2018
  • 19.09.2018
  • 17.10.2018
  • 14.11.2018
  • 12.12.2018

Services from / to Quito

Local English speaking tour guide; all transfers in private transportation; entrance fees according to the program; all excursions as mentioned; train ride in Imbabura; 11 nights in hotels, lodge, and guest houses in double room accomodation; meals: 11x breakfast, 9x lunch/box lunch, 7x dinner

 

Not included in the services

International flights, meals and beverages not mentioned, tips, any increases of fees and / or kerosene charges after 30.11.2017, personal expenses, travel insurance.

 

+593-2 2222 119
+593-2 2222 120

info@latventure.com

Get in contact with us!

Do you have questions about this tour, would you like further information, or send us a travel request? Please use our contact form to get in contact with us. Please fill in all the fields that are marked with an asterisk (*).

 

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