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Classic: The Ecuador Experience (REE)
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Countries Visited: Ecuador
Trip Style: Classic - Designed for maximum variety, these trips are geared towards travellers searching for a healthy mix of active exploration, uncommon landscapes, amazing wildlife and local cultures.
Service Level: Basic
Excellent value, amazing prices, quality experiences Simple and clean hotels, guesthouses and hostels chosen for location and character Affordable public and private transport for maximum cultural interaction Plenty of optional activities tailored to your interests and budget
Physical Demands Rating: 1 - You'll have to walk around on your own, climb some stairs and carry your own bag. Easy does it.
Group Size: Max 16, avg 12
Meals Included: 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
Accommodations: Simple hotels (12 nts), Amazon community stay (2 nts), overnight bus (1 nt), indigenous community homestay (2 nts, multi-share).
Highlights
Feel like a local at an Amazon homestay, relax on Ecuadors beaches, witness Andean scenery, ride by train to the Devils Nose, learn from the locals at an indigenous community, shop the Otavalo Market
Description
If you want to sample the region's highlights without sacrificing some of its lesser-known gems, there's no better way to experience Ecuadors dramatic scenery and colourful people. Visit the Amazon and a shaman apprentice for an incredible introduction to indigenous culture of the jungle. Staying in simple hotels and homestays and using public transport will keep you grounded in the local customs and culture. Well travel from the "Avenue of the Volcanoes" to relaxing Pacific beaches and mountain hot springs. This adventure offers up a great combination of must-see highlights and free time to explore on your own.
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| Call (209) 648-9490 for more information or to book today! Mention code 12343953 | | G Adventures | | | | Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1 | Quito | Day 1 Quito
There are no planned activities until the evening welcome meeting. Included Activities: Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting | | Day 2 | Tena | Day 2 Quito/Tena (1B)
Descend into the Amazon Jungle region. Watch the scenery change dramatically heading away from the mountains into the lush, tropical Amazon rainforest. Transport: Local bus (6.00 hour(s), 189km) | | Day 3 | Tena | Day 3 Tena (1L, 1D)
Enjoy the hospitality of these wonderful people, and experience life in the jungle firsthand. Take guided hikes to learn about the natural environment and the traditional knowledge of the local people. Included Activities: Amazon Jungle Experience | | Day 4 | Tena | Day 4 Tena (1B, 1L, 1D)
Spend the day exploring the area around the Quichua community and learn more about local life in the jungle. Included Activities: Jungle Excursions | | Day 5 | Banos | Day 5 Tena/Banos
Travel to Banos and enjoy the numerous outdoor optional activities available. Opt to go hiking, ziplining, or soak in the hot springs. Transport: Local bus (4.00 hour(s)) | | Day 6 | Banos | Day 6 Banos
Enjoy free time to experience all this adventurous town has to offer. | | Day 7 | Alausi | Day 7 Banos/Alausi
Travel to Alausi via Riobamba and take in the architecture of this local town. Transport: Local bus (2.50 hour(s)) | | Day 8 | Guayaquil | Day 8 Alausi/Guayaquil
Enjoy Ecuadors most spectacular train journey. The famed Nariz del Diablo (Devil's Nose) ride descends in a spectacular display of engineering around stunning mountain terrain. The journey returns back to Alausi after more than 1000m (3280 ft) in elevation loss. After disembarking the train, journey south to Guayaquil, the largest city in Ecuador. Located at the mouth of the Guayas River, Guayaquil is also Ecuadors most important port. Spend the evening exploring the citys highlights including Bolivar Park, the Old South Market, and Barrio de las Penas. Take some time to stroll along the malecon (boardwalk) dotted with shops, restaurants, galleries, and museums. Opt for a boat ride down the Guayas River. Included Activities: Devils Nose Excursion Transport: Local bus (4.00 hour(s)) | | Day 9 | Puerto Lopez | Day 9 Guayaquil/Puerto Lopez
Enjoy Puerto Lopez. Optional activities in the area include a trip to Isla de la Plata, hiking in Machalilla National Park, a visit to an archaeological site, diving, and snorkelling. Transport: Local bus (3.50 hour(s)) | | Days 10-11 | Puerto Lopez | Days 10-11 Puerto Lopez
Other optional activities in the area include day trips to Isla de La Plata, with colonies of nesting blue-footed boobies and a number of other sea birds. Visitors usually come to view migrating whales (June to October) and dolphins around the island. Scuba diving and snorkelling are also popular activities in the area. | | Day 12 | Quito | Day 12 Puerto Lopez/Quito
Spend another full day in Puerto Lopez before an overnight bus to Quito. Transport: Overnight bus (9.00 hour(s)) | | Day 13 | Quito | Day 13 Quito
Arrive in the morning and enjoy a free day in Quito. Opt to take a city tour, ride the cable car up the nearby volcano or relax in one of the citys many cafEs and restaurants. | | Day 14 | San Clemente | Day 14 Quito/San Clemente (1B, 1L, 1D)
Travel to the indigenous community of San Clemente. Interact with the locals and learn about their traditional ways during a homestay. Opt to enjoy a cultural evening and show with typical food. Included Activities: Indigenous Community Homestay Transport: Local bus (5.00-6.00 hours) | | Day 15 | San Clemente | Day 15 San Clemente (1B, 1L, 1D)
Spend a full day here with optional hikes to learn about the areas medicinal plants or trek up the Imbabura Mountain. Interact with the locals and learn about their traditions. Included Activities: Indigenous Community Homestay | | Day 16 | Otavalo | Day 16 San Clemente/Otavalo (1B)
Explore the largest handicrafts market in South America. Villagers from the surrounding countryside come here every week to sell handmade goods as well as livestock, fruits, and vegetables. Included Activities: Otavalo Handicrafts Market Visit Transport: Local bus (1.00 hour(s)) | | Day 17 | Quito | Day 17 Otavalo/Quito
Explore some more before travelling back to Quito in the afternoon for one final night out in the capital city. Transport: Local bus (2.00 hour(s)) | | Day 18 | Quito | Day 18 Quito (1B)
Depart at any time. |
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Local Flights: All local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure.
Dossier Disclaimer:The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer: While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.
Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances. |
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