Andes & Amazon, the Triangle Route 5 Days / 4 Nights (PRIVATE Trip from Quito)

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Quito - Cotopaxi National Park - Baños Town⌄

   We´ll drive from Quito through Andean Volcanoes Avenue heading south to the Cotopaxi National Park; once in the park we'll visit a natural museum to learn about its nature, geology, history and eruptions of Cotopaxi volcano (5897m). Our next stop is at Limpiopungo Lake (3800 mts.) where we'll make an acclimatizing walk while observing some variety of birds like ducks, eagles and Andean gulls. Afterwards we drive to the parking lot (4600 mts.) from here on clear days we have incredible view of the Andean landscape. If our condition is good there is a chance to hike up for 45 minute to the José Ribas refuge (4800 mts.) where you can taste a delicious hot chocolate for warmth. Then in the afternoon continue driving to Baños town which is based 1 1/2 hour far away and consider one of the most visited towns by tourist with many activities to offer.

   Overnight: Overnight at Baños -3 star hotel

2. 2Exploring Baños Surrounding - Tena⌄

   This is a super famous place to visit, also known as the Swing at the End of the World located just 20 minutes driving from the main town. It’s a little treehouse with swings on either side that go over the steep slope of the mountain. The swing overlooks the Tungurahua volcano, which is an amazing sight on a clear day.

   Visit the route known as the “Ruta de las Cascadas”, or “Waterfall Road”. Along the way, you’ll see tons of really nice waterfalls along the way such as Agoyan, Manto de la Novia and others. These include some cable cars and zip lines sending every visitor over a gorge with a pretty view.

   : Once getting on to the Pailon del Diablo, there are two paths to can take to see the waterfall which offer a different experience. The Lower path takes you down through an area that has a really nice jungle feel to it. It’s a bit more of a hike, but you’ll be able to get to a little suspension bridge that will take you across the river where you can get a really awesome view of the waterfall. If you want a shorter hike and more of a view of the actual waterfall up close, take the upper path. Finally afternoon continue through the last hill towards the great Amazon basin.

   Meals: Breakfast · Dinner

   Overnight: Overnight at Amazon rainforest - 3 star Amazon Lodge

3. 3Amazon excursion⌄

   After breakfast, bring your rubber boots. Explore incredible rain forest surrounding the Amazon Lodge. Here, there are a number of walks (with varying levels of difficulty) that can last anywhere from an hour-and-a- half all the way up to four hours, taking you through thick and humid jungle, crossing muddy paths and encountering all sorts of wildlife. All the while your local guide will introduce you to all the hidden secrets and wonders of the jungle. Then in the afternoon visit a local community who will share about the jungle way of life of Indigenous Families in this intimate encounter. A Kichwa woman, welcomes guests through an unobtrusive dialogue, we learn about their day-to-day lives, shows us how to make chicha, a typical beverage, and demonstrates the spiritual cleansing rituals still practiced today throughout the surrounding community. Finally, we participate in a blowgun target- shooting contest – try your luck and see if you can hit the monkey target - but don’t expect to beat the natives!. Finally back to the Lodge.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Overnight at Amazon rainforest - 3 star Amazon Lodge

4. 4Amazon excursion⌄

   We board a dugout canoe and navigate 1 hour down the scenic Napo River. The destination is AmaZOOnico. You’ll never get closer to jaguar, ocelot or tapir than you will at this rescue sanctuary for Amazon creatures led by volunteer guides with incredible and sometimes tragic stories. Here some animals can be appreciated such as coatis, capybara, tapirs, and several species of monkey, snakes, boa and a variety of macaws, toucans, parrots, or colorful birds, many of which wander around freely in their natural habitat at close range. Afterwards continue on to the Family Kichwa, where a local host shows us how to call the caimans on the lake. We can observe the prehistoric bird “Hoatzin”, woolly monkeys, squirrel monkeys, just to mention a few. Return to the Amazon Lodge to enjoy the facilities of the hotel, and of course, at all times we will be on the lookout for tropical birds and interesting vegetation.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Overnight at Amazon rainforest - 3 star Amazon Lodge

5. 5Amazon - Rose Farm – Quito⌄

   In the morning we will depart from Amazon to continue through the lush and green cloud forests of the Eastern Andes. After a quite long drive we will make a stop at a very nice rose-farm based at the highlands that offer much to learn about growing Ecuadorian roses that with combination of high altitude; twelve hours of sunshine; cold nights; and using organic soils and compost helps to harvest strong and tall flowers all year. Afterwards going driving through a small town where the local lunch will be served at Colibrí Garden, a cozy house where their hosts grow some vegetables at their own small organic garden to prepare local food for the guests. At Colibrí Garden some hummingbirds can be appreciated such as; Sparkling Violetear, Black-Tailed Trainbearer, Tyrian Metaltail, Sapphire-Vented Puffleg, Sword-Billed and other small tiny birds such as Black Flowerpiercer, Rufus Collared Sparrow and Golden Grosbeak. Afternoon driver toward to Quito or just advise us to be dropped off at the airport in order to catch your next flight.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch