QUITO & THE AMAZON
(9 Days)

1st day: .../Quito

Reception at the airport and transfer to the Hotel selected.

Overnight at the selected hotel.

2nd day: Quito

SCENIC TOUR AND MIDDLE OF THE WORLD:

A 4 hours visit to downtown Quito to relish in this urban jewel and its treasures of art and architecture. Quito’s colonial quarter, the largest and best preserved of South America, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The visit starts at the Independence Plaza, flanked by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace. Visit the temple of La Compañía de Jesús and its awesome gilded interior. Continue on to the Monastery of San Francisco, one of the greatest religious buildings of the New World; its impressive facade and atrium that lead to its Baroque interior influenced by Moorish style, with the winged Virgin of Quito at its main altar. Then continue to the Equatorial Monument, 25 Kms. (16 miles) North of Quito, which marks the exact Middle of the World, latitude 0º, where you can stand with a foot on each hemisphere. Visit the Ethnographic Museum inside the monument, which shows the different Native American groups living in Ecuador. Beside the monument there is a colonial-style town, complete with main square, church, post office, bullring, cafeterias, restaurants and many gift shops with postcards and souvenirs. You will get a certificate for having crossed the Equator.

Overnight at the selected hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast.

3rd day: Quito

OTAVALO - NATIVE FAIR - PEGUCHE:

This full day excursion goes north, to the land of the Otavaleños and South America’s most famous Indian fair. Early departure from Quito towards Calderón, a small village that keeps the tradition of making colorful dough figurines of Indian dolls, llamas, flowers and great Christmas ornaments. Guests can observe how each figure is molded by hand, with dough of different colors carefully put together; then it is baked and varnished. Continue on the Pan-American Highway through dramatic mountains scenery towards the textile market of Otavalo, where guests will enjoy visiting the many stalls full of ponchos, scarves, blankets, wall hangings, woven belts (fajas), hats, handbags and much more. Here Otavaleños barter in silence, in marked contrast to the raucous noise of other markets; take your time to negotiate the best bargains. Then, proceed to Peguche, an Indian village very near Otavalo that is home to the artisans who do the weaving in their homes; guests can learn about their culture and beliefs. Lunch is at one of the charming country inns or haciendas of the area like Pinsaqui, Puerto Lago or Cusin.

Overnight at La Rabida hostel.

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch.

4th day: Quito/Coca

Transfer from the hotel to the airport.

Flight from Quito to Coca.

SACHA LODGE:

Arrival at Puerto Francisco de Orellana, locally know as Coca. A naturalist guide takes guests to Sacha’s private house, with modern facilities, where lunch will be served before being taken down to the docks, where Sacha’s own covered, motorized canoe will be waiting to start on a 2 hour, 50-mile (80 kilometer) journey down the Napo River, one of the Amazon’s main tributaries. Upon arrival to Sacha’s 5000 acre (2,500 hectares) private reserve, a 30-minute walk on a raised boardwalk will lead guests to Lake Pilchicocha. Here, board dugout canoes with native paddlers that will carry guests across the lake to Sacha Lodge.

Overnight at Sacha’s Lodge.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

5th day: Coca

SACHA LODGE:

The lodging at Sacha was carefully designed to offer comfort to the traveler yet preserve the environment and the rainforest. All cabins have high thatched roofs and private shaded terraces; are constructed with traditional materials and nestle, well concealed, into the lush surroundings. Each of the 26 rooms, which include single, double and (upon request) triple accommodations, provides a private bathroom with flushing toilet and hot shower. All cabins are screened against insects, have ceiling fans and two comfortable double beds. During free time, visitors may overlook the jungle from hammocks and often report seeing wild fauna such as toucans, agoutis and monkeys right from their own cabin! Lodge Activities.

Overnight at Sacha’s Lodge.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

6th day: Coca

SACHA LODGE:

Sacha’s guests will be divided in two groups no larger than six people. Each group will be led by a bilingual naturalist guide, experts on the tropical ecology and biology of the area, and a native Kichwa guide with expert knowledge of the rainforest’s medicinal plants and other useful plants which were used by the Kichwa’s people for centuries. A typical day at Sacha begins at sunrise or earlier, in order to take advantage of the cool morning hours when the rainforest’s animals are most active. In the afternoon, excursions begin between 3:00 and 4:00 and often continue into the early evening, when the nocturnal symphony of the rainforests frogs and insects become active.

Overnight at Sacha’s Lodge.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

7th day: Coca/Quito

Today you will farewell this exotic destination.

Flight from Coca to Quito.

Reception at the airport and transfer to the Hotel selected.

Overnight at hotel selected.

Meals included: Breakfast.

8th Quito

PAPALLACTA:

Depart Quito in the morning towards Papallacta located approximately 2 hours from Quito. Travel on the Cinnamon Trail, the route Francisco de Orellana took in 1542, when he crossed the Andean mountain range in search of spices and gold, only to discover the Amazon River. Upon arrival we invite you to relax and soak away life’s aches and pains. At Papallacta you will begin to feel the beneficial effects of the life-giving, diaphanous air which originates in a singular meeting of the Amazonian winds with the rocks, forests and water of the high Andean mountains. At the hot thermal spring pools experience the notable, restorative effects of the crystalline thermal waters (sulfate alkaline terreous). Submerge yourself in the warm water and take advantage of its curative properties in rheumatic, arthritic, digestive and respiratory processes. The water is odorless, crystalline and ever changing. Lunch is included. In the afternoon, return to Quito city.

Overnight at Hotel selected.

Meals included: Breakfast.

9th day: Quito / ...

Transfer from the hotel to the airport.

Meals included: Breakfast.