Amazon and Andes

10 days - 9 nights
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10 days

Amazon & Andes

“From spotting squirrel monkey and caimans to hiking the highest active volcano!”

Spot rare wildlife, emerse in the jungle, traverse volcanoes, and more on this 10-day Ecuador tour. With a range of activities awaiting you, there’s never a dull moment on this tour!

On our 10-day tour you will get to experience cultural highlights, like Quito’s UNESCO-city center and Otavalo market, but the true gem of this trip is nature. We will venture to the ecologically diverse Cuyabeno rainforest! There will be no shortage of wildlife sightings: howler monkeys, pink river dolphins, anacondas and caimans.

Are you up for this 8-day Amazon and Andes tour with Andean Journey?

  • NDiscover Quito and its rich history and culture.
  • NVenture deep into the jungle with an amazing 4-day tour.
  • NBuy handcrafted trinkets on Otavalo indigenous market.
  • NHike the highest active volcano of Cotopaxi.
  • NEnjoy unforgettable views of Quilotoa Crater Lake.
DAY 1 - Arrival Quito

Quito Airport Transfer.
Arrival in Quito, assistance at the airport and transport to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest in order to avoid ill effects due to the high altitude.

DAY 2 - Quito city tour - Departure amazon

Pick-up from hotel at 8:30 am.
Today you will have your own personal guide with private transport at your disposal. The tour can therefore be completely adjusted to your wishes. Let your guide know if there are specific activities or sights that you would like to see.

Activities according to your wishes. Before the start of the tour, our guide will offer all the options.

Example tour Quito: we take some time to visit the city center and famous museums that show the heritage and culture of Quito and Ecuador. We will walk a popular route that visits La Basílica del Voto Nacional, La Compañía (Gold Church), La Catedral, La Plaza and Church of San Francisco, La Ronda, La Plaza de la Independencia and, if the weather is good, we can go up to the viewpoint of the Panecillo. This tour will show you all the famous landmarks within Quito.

For people who love art and to try local food, you may want to choose to visit Guapulo viewpoint, the local market, the Botanic Garden or Guayasamim House museum. In the afternoon, we can continue to Mitad del Mundo (on the equater line), where you can visit the museums and do experiments to defy gravity as we know it!
Another great option is to take the Cable Cart to visit Rucu Pichincha mountain. This is a beautiful viewpoint of Quito city. Note that this is only possible in good weather.
Our tour will be finished around 17:00 pm with drop-off at the hotel.

In the evening we will depart on an overnight bus to Lago Agrio. If you prefer leaving the next day in the morning, then it is also possible to take a flight.

Overnight at the Hotel in Quito.
Meals Included: Breakfast.

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DAY 3 - Arrival Amazon - Canoe tour & Night walk

Arrival Lago Agrio:
Bus: pick up 09h30 at Hotel Restaurante D’Mario.
Plane: pick up 10h30 Lago Agrio airport.
You will be picked up by our private bus and travel for 2 hours to reach the town of ‘Tierras Orientales’. Here, you will be provide with a box lunch.

After lunch, you will step into our motorized canoe for a 3,5 hour journey to Cuyabeno Wildlife Center. This will be your first opportunity to spot animals such as monkeys, birds, pink dolphins, and more!

After your arrival at Cuyabeno Wildlife Center, you will have time to unpack and relax. After a delicious dinner, our guide will take you on your first night walk! You will be on the look-out for insects, spiders, snakes, and many other animals.

Overnight at Cuyabeno Wildlife Center.
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner.

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DAY 4 - Amazon - Birdwatching, 2 Canoe trips & Jungle walk

Our second day starts with an early activity of birdwatching. We will take our rowing canoe to enjoy the sunrise and incredible landscapes of the Cuyabeno rainforest.

After a short rest and breakfast, our guide will take you on a deep jungle walk of 3 hours.

In the afternoon, we will again take our rowing canoe to the forest flooded by black water. When the night begins to fall, we will head back to Cuyabeno Wildlife Center lodge. However, on our venture downstream, we will take the opportunity to search for caimans and other nocturnal animals such as fishing bats, tree boas, and birds.

Overnight at Cuyabeno Wildlife Center.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

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DAY 5 - Amazon - Morning excursion, Canoe ride - Departure to Quito

It’s time to enjoy the Cuyabeno rainforest and its animal life before dawn. At 05h30, we will take our motorized canoe for a 1,5 hour trip down the Cuyabeno river. We will enjoy birdwatching and animals spotting.

After resting, we will take the motorized canoe again to visit the place where 2 rivers meet. This is the perfect place to spot dolphins.

At 16h00, we start our next adventure. We will take our canoe to visit to the Bird Observation Tower. This tower of more than 28 meters high was built around one of the largest trees in the area.

Before returning to our lodge, we will make a short night walk around the tower in search of new species of insects.

Overnight at Cuyabeno Wildlife Center.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

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DAY 6 - Amazon - 3 Canoe trips, Bird Observation Tower & Night walk

Today is the last day of this amazing Cuyabeno tour. This morning, we will have our last early activity into the forest or by canoe. Our guide will take you on a brief excursion.

Then, it’s time for everyone to pack their bags for the return trip. Fortunately, we will take another 3,5 hour canoe ride back to the town of Tierras Orientales. This will be your last chance to observe animals and enjoy the Cuyabeno rainforest.

Our transport will drive you back to Lago Agrio, arriving at approximately 16h00. Here, you can take your bus or plane back to Quito.

Overnight at hotel in Quito.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch.

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DAY 7 - Otavalo Indigenous market tour

Our Otavalo tour is available as a shared or private tour. The itinerary is the same for shared and private tours.

7:15 – 7:30 am Leave from Plaza Foch (Juan Leon Mera and Reina Victoria) for transfer to Otavalo or Leave from Plaza San Blas (Caldas E1-83 y Pichincha)
8:30 am Visit Quitsato Sundial: a monument on the Equator lineEntrance $2
9:00 am Visit at the Cayambe (local biscuits) factory: bizcochos.
10:00 am Viewing point ‘Mira Lago’ where it is possible to see Cayambe volcano.
11:30 am Explore Otavalo indigenous Market.
13:30 pm Visit Cotacachi town and enjoy a local lunch.
15:00 pm Arrive at Cuicocha lake and enjoy a small hike for wonderful views.
18:30 pm Arrive in Quito

Overnight at the Hotel in Quito.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch.

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DAY 8 - Cotopaxi Volcano Tour

Our Cotopaxi Volcano tour is available as a shared or private tour. The itinerary is the same for shared and private tours.

7:15 – 7:30 am Departure from la Mariscal 7:15 am (Reina Victoria and Foch streets corner) / San Blas Square 7:30 am.
8:00 am Entrance to Cotopaxi National Park 3200m (10498.69 ft.). On the drive, you will enjoy views and information about the area. The guide will give an explanation about the volcano, flora and fauna endemic of the Park.
9:30 am We stop for photographs in the lower part 3600m (11811.02 ft.).
(Optional: people who have the activity of Horseback ride, your guide will be waiting for you in this area, 3 hours of activity)
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10:00 am We will arrival Parking lot 4600m (15091.86 ft.) where the guide will explain the hike to the José Rivas refuge.
11:00 am You will arrive at the José Rivas refuge at 4800m (15748.03 ft.).
12:45 am
After the hike back from Cotopaxi, we return to the parking lot.
13:00 am Start of mountain-biking downhill from the parking lot to Limpiopungo lake viewpoint
15:00 am We will enjoy a lunch at a Chaupi community restaurant.
18:00 am You will arrive at an hotel in the Cotopaxi area.

Overnight at the Hotel in Cotopaxi area.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch.

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DAY 9 - Quilotoa Crater Lake Tour

Our Quilotoa Crater Lake tour is also available as a shared or private tour. The itinerary is the same for shared and private tours.

8:00 am Departure from hotel
9:30 am Explore the market of Saquisili/Pujili (Thursday/Sunday)
10:30 am Visit of native family house
11:00 am Depart to Quilotoa Crater Lake
12:15 am Walk to the Quilotoa crater (3 hours). On the way up, it is possible to ride a mule.
15:00 am
We will enjoy a well-deserved lunch
15:45 am Discover Toachi Canyon and stop for photos.
18:30 am We will sleep in Baños.

Overnight at the Hotel in Baños. Note, it’s important that we know flight times the next day so we can arrange transportation to the airport on time.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

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DAY 10 - Departure Quito

Quito Airport Transfer.
Breakfast at hotel; at the scheduled time our representative will meet you in the hotel lobby, transfer and assistance on your departure.

Including

  • N9 night(s) in hotel(s) in Quito, Waita Lodge, Cotopaxi & Baños.
  • NMeals: as mentioned in the itinerary
  • NEnglish speaking guides.
  • NAll transfers: airport, train or bus station transfers, hotel pickup and drop-off.
  • NAll ground transportation.
  • N24-hour support by our local staff.

Excluding

  • KInternational and domestic flights (in case you request them, please ask your travel agent).
  • KVISA procedures, travel insurance, pre and post tour accommodation.
  • KOther expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.).
  • KTips for guides, drivers and other staff.
  • KAnything not specified in the itinerary description.

Book this trip!

Book your trip to South-America directly! Our travel agent will contact you within 24 hours to make sure every detail is discussed. Everything for an unforgettable trip!

Would you rather put together a custom trip with us? Or still have a quick question about the tour? Don’t hesitate to contact us!

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