Itinerary Details
G Adventures: Ecuador: Cotopaxi & the Amazon Jungle
Day 1: Quito: Welcome to Ecuador
Rolling mountains and snow-capped volcanoes pop into view as you descend into Quito. As you step off the plane, take in a lungful of fresh mountain air and notice it's a bit thinner than what you may be used to. Home to a spectacular variety of people, geography and biodiversity, Ecuador ignites the senses while beckoning your sense of adventure. We welcome you to Ecuador, and invite you to experience the crossroads of cultures, traditions and landscapes within its borders.
Arrive to Quito at any time and transfer to the hotel. Meet your fellow group members at the welcome meeting in the evening and get all the important information about the adventure ahead. Afterwards, head to a nearby restaurant for a delicious first dinner with new friends.
Day 2: Cotopaxi: The Middle of the World
Heading out of Quito you will soon reach the imaginary line that runs around the centre of our planet, both an important geographical marker as well as the name of the country. Scan the scenic landscape and watch as towering volcanoes come in and out of view, or peek out of the clouds as you drive south. You'll be warmly welcomed at our cozy lodgings perched on the majestic Cotopaxi Volcano, surrounded by stark and incredibly picturesque scenery.
Drive to La Mitad del Mundo Equator Monument for a quick pit stop and some photo opportunities. Continue to the Intiñan Museum where you can try experimenting with gravity along the equatorial line. Lunch will be had at a cozy, local restaurant with impressive views of a volcano. Arrive in Cotopaxi in the afternoon to your OMG Stay property where you will be welcomed with a traditional canelazo before dinner. Weather permitting, enjoy a bonfire in the evening with some tasty s'mores.
Day 3: Cotopaxi: Discover the National Park
Immerse yourself in the volcanic landscape of Cotopaxi National Park, home to one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. Breathe in the thin mountain air as you hike and explore this stunning area, home also to a small Inca archaeological site. Back in the warmth of the lodge, you'll savour a delicious meal and learn how to make a tasty regional treat.
Leave the hotel after breakfast for a full-day exploration of Cotopaxi National Park, including a visit to Limpiopungo Lake, a high-altitude hike, lunch, and the Pucara de Salitre ruins. End the day with a cooking class at the lodge where you’ll learn how to make a traditional Ecuadorian sweet.
Day 4: Baños: Lush Landscapes
Imagine plunging waterfalls, lush forests, steep gorges and steaming thermal springs, and you’ll have conjured Baños in your mind. This incredible setting sits in the shadow of one of South America’s most active volcanoes and begins your time in an adventurer’s paradise. Follow the Rio Pastaza to the Pailon del Diablo, a powerful waterfall in the midst of the jungle landscape. From thrilling walks to a demonstration of the best handmade candy in Ecuador, this introduction to Baños will captivate your senses at every turn.
Travel to Baños and stop along the way at Pailón del Diablo, where there will be time to walk the winding steps to the top of the waterfall. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant upon arrival to Baños before an orientation walk through the city with a melcocha demonstration. The evening is at your leisure.
Day 5: Baños: Your OMG Day
Baños is a hub for adventure activities, and today is all about how you want to best experience it with two great options to choose from. Set out on a cycling ride through the landscape on winding trails and roads from the La Suiza area back to the city. Or if you would rather stay on foot, join a guided trek to the Casa del Arbol and Torre Al Cielo, where you will encounter remarkable views of Baños and the Tungurahua Volcano.
Decide between biking or hiking this morning to fully immerse yourself in the landscape surrounding Baños. Sit down for lunch prepared using traditional cooking techniques and local ingredients. Choose between a range of optional activities in the area, and spend a free afternoon on your own. Dinner is at your leisure today.
Day 6: The Amazon: Life in the Jungle
The Amazon has sparked the imaginations of curious travellers everywhere for centuries, conjuring up images of exotic wildlife and dense green leafy jungle. The biodiversity of plant and animal life is staggeringly varied, and the cultural traditions of those who live here are evident in the day-to-day responsibilities of life along the river, dependent on the changing land. Journey along the river by canoe and experience the true cacophony of sounds, sights, and smells in this abundantly beautiful place.
Transfer to your lodge stay in the Amazon Rainforest. Travel by private vehicle to Punta Ahuano and then board a canoe and paddle along Rio Napo to the lodge where lunch will be served. Afterwards, visit a local family where you will learn about their day-to-day experiences and how the changing environment is posing a risk to their traditional ways of life. Have dinner back at the lodge followed by free time.
Day 7: The Amazon: River Tubing and Jungle Walks
Awake to the sounds of the forest, and listen for tropical birds and animals going about their daily rituals in the canopy above. Be fully present in this wild landscape while tubing along a river. Everywhere you go, the sights, sounds, and smells of the Amazon will follow creating a true sense of place. From a jetty ride on a lagoon to fresh meals at the lodge, your mind and body will be at complete ease in the middle of the jungle.
Pass the morning tubing on the river, searching for wildlife along the way. Refuel with lunch at the lodge before a jetty ride on the Caiman Lagoon to view the unique species of alligator it's named for. Then, expand your knowledge of local food production while you collect cacao pods and learn about their importance to the nearby communities. There will be free time at the lodge before dinner.
Day 8: Quito
Soothe your body and mind in some natural hot springs fed by a nearby volcano as you head back towards Quito. Your adventure comes to an end upon arrival to the airport.
Travel back to Quito. En route the group will stop for a visit to the hot springs in Papallacta and have lunch at the nearby restaurant serving many delicious traditional Ecuadorian dishes. The tour will finish upon arrival to the Quito International Airport in the late afternoon.
