ECUADOR ADVENTURE (10d/9n)

EXPLORANDES ECUADOR
WILSON 547 Y DIEGO DE ALMAGRO
QUITO – ECUADOR
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ECUADOR ADVENTURE (10d/9n)
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ECUADOR ADVENTURE
DAY 1: QUITO
Arrival in Quito and transfer to your hotel (no meals).
DAY 2: PINTAG – UBILLUS
In the early hours of the morning, you will leave Quito on a 1 ½ hour drive to the town of
“Pintag” from where you will start your trek at 8,600ft (2,620 mt). You will enjoy a
moderate uphill walk through Haciendas and Andean houses. The trek continues until you
reach the Ubillus community where you will set up camp by a natural spring at 9,100ft
(2,770mt.)B-L-D.
DAY 3: SINCHOLAGUA MOUNTAIN
Today you will start walk through typical Andean vegetation on a beautiful scenic
cobblestone road for about 2 hours, and continue walking through farmlands for about 1
hour. After your picnic lunch you will start a 3 hour uphill trek to a small valley and enjoy
the beautiful sight of the Paramo landscape. You will continue uphill until reaching the
slopes of the Sincholagua Mountain where camp will be set up at 12,450ft (3.790 mt.). B,L,
D.
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ECUADOR ADVENTURE
DAY 4: SINCHOLAGUA – PITA RIVER
After an early breakfast, we start our trek uphill towards the highest pass (14,430ft –
4,399 mt) on our trek and from here we start our descent passing through a native forest
and highland Paramo vegetation with extraordinary views of the Cotopaxi volcano, on
clear days.As we continue our descent we will be able to see a lagoon to our left, to then
follow-on and across the Pita river in order to reach our camp at a very nice and sheltered
place. Camp (12,210ft – 3.721 mt). B, L, D.
DAY5: MANANTIAL – LIMPIOPUNGO – PATATE
After breakfast, this morning we will continue our trek for another 4 hours that will take
us to the Manantial, a great location surrounded by a few small hills and a small river that
comes straight out of the bottom of one of this hills. Continuing our trek we will reach the
archeological site called Incahuasi, a beautiful plateau lying between Sincholagua and
Cotopaxi, before walking on towards Rumiñahui and the Limpiopungo lake in the valley of
Cotopaxi. After lunch, a 2-hour drive, passing along the picturesque "Avenue of the
Volcanoes", we will drive through a unique multicolor patchwork of crop fields towards
Patate, where you will have overnight at the beautiful Hacienda Leito. From here we have
a spectacular view of Tungurahua Volcano, presently in constant volcanic activity.B, L, D.
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ECUADOR ADVENTURE
DAY 6: BIKE TOUR LEITO – BAÑOS
Today in the morning we
will genty start biking up
the
valleyand
then
follow a dirt road that
heads to the ridge and
through patches of cloud
forrest as we go
downhill to Baños ( 2
1/2hours), a small town
nestling in the shadows
of
the
Tungurahua
volcano high above the
Amazon Basin. The area
is rich in vegetation,
orchids and tropical
birds. Baños is famous for its nearby hot springs that provide hot running water to the
local. Lunch near the amazing “Pailon del Diablo “ waterfall , and visit of the town.
Afternoon return to hacienda for overnight. If lucky, we might even see a night eruption of
Tungurahua.
B, L, D.
DAY 7: BAÑOS – PUYO- COTOCOCHA
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ECUADOR ADVENTURE
We wake early the next morning and we head east towards the Amazon rainforest driving
through the cloud forrest spectacular canyon. This drive takes around 5 hours during
which you will be able to take magnificent pictures of the drastic vegetation changes.
Overnight at “Cotococha” Lodge. B, L, D.
DAY 8: COTOCOCHA – JATUNYACU RAFTING
The adventure begins where the road ends, at the highest accessible point of the Rio
Napo, in a remote spot in the jungle. Here we begin our rafting (2 ½ h) of the upper Rio
Napo, known locally as the Rio Jatunyacu, “big water” in native Quechua dialect. Pm
return to lodge for a jungle walk (optional - extra cost). B, L, D.
DAY 9: COTOCOCHA – QUITO
After breakfast return to Quito, on our way we stop at Papallacta Hot Springs for a
soothing dip in the clear healing waters of the thermal pools surrounded by lush
vegetation. We dip into the many warm springs and cool off in the fresh mountain air. We
will have lunch at this place. Overnight Puembo(B, L , D).
DAY 10: TRANSFER OUT
Transfers to the airport for international flights. (B)
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ECUADOR ADVENTURE
EQUIPMENT LIST
Trekking
Water proof windbreaker, hiking boots, sleeping bag, daypack, waterproof gloves, wool
cap covering entire head and ears, warm trousers, rain gear, good sunglasses, hat,
sunblock (at least 15 spf), canteen, flashlight (head flashlight recommended), pocket knife,
camera, binoculars, and wash kit.
Rafting
A T-shirt, bathing suit and sneakers (which will get wet) or Teva sandals, towel, set of dry
clothing and shoes for after the river rafting, water proof windbreaker, insect repellent,
sunblock, hat and sunglasses with a safety strap. We provide water-proof bags for your
camera and binoculars.
END OF SERVICE
The itinerary may change due to unusual weather patterns, natural events,
the strength of the group and so on. We will do our very best to keep to the
set itinerary however we cannot be held responsible for any last minute
changes that might occur. In all such circumstances your expedition leader
will have the final word.
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