HIGHLANDS + CUENCA + AMAZON REGION

DAY 1: TRANSFER IN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT OVERNIGHT QUITO

DAY 2: CITY TOUR AND EQUATORIAL LINE WITH LUNCH
09h00: The tour begins with a marvelous view of " Guapulo Monastery and Tumbaco´s Valley" to continue by 12 de Octubre Avenue, the Catholic University, the Ecuadorian Culture House, Legislative Palace with its Midero's mural (The History of the Country), Alameda Park, the Astronomic Observatory in Quito, the second oldest of South America, Simon Bolivar's monument, Quito's Basilica, the Central Bank of Ecuador. Then entering by Guayaquil Street to reach the colonial area where your will have the chance to walk around this area including the Plaza del Teatro, the Independence Square, Quito's Cathedral, the Government Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, El Sagrario Church, La Compañía Church, San Francisco Monastery and to end the visit toEl Panecillo Hill a small hill from where you can enjoy a full sight of the city. Sixteen miles north of Quito is the Equatorial Line Latitude 0°0'0''. This is your opportunity to be on the two hemispheres at the same time, having one foot on the northern hemisphere and one foot on the southern hemisphere. Have a pleasant time visiting this small complex full of culture. This tour includes a visit to one of the museums, having the choice between the Ethnographic Museum or the Solar Museum. During the visit to the Equatorial Line complex you will enjoy having lunch in a restaurant of the area.

DAY 3: OTAVALO INDIAN MARKET
08h00: You will be enchanted by the mystical Andean Range of mountains on a two- hours trip to the northern part of the country.
Be impressed by the figures made out of bread dough. These figures are manufactured in the small town of Calderon, usually all the family works creating these pieces of art.
On the other hand, in Cayambe you will have the opportunity to cross over the Equatorial Line. The majestic greatness of The San Pablo Lake wills captive you.
Between the marvelous mountains and the peaceful lake you will find an old town called Otavalo. It is the most famous Indian market in South America; there you can buy fine handcrafts like different types of weavings manufactured by its own inhabitants, such as shawls, ponchos, tapestries and sweaters.
Some of the outstanding characteristics of the natives of Otavalo are their outfits and cleanliness. The Otavalo Indians use to wear their ponchos all the time. Afterwards, we will be having a good lunch at a nearby hostelry at night accommodation in similar lodge.

DAY4: OTAVALO - QUITO
Second day after the breakfast we continue with the visit in the Imbabura province in which we can visit the Indian Market or the Peguche waterfall
Include: one night at one of the hotels in the area and all meals included: one continental breakfast, two lunches (menu) and one dinner (menu). Overnight in Quito

DAY 5: COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK + BAÑOS
08H00:  We will be traveling to the southern part of the highlands, through “Los Chillos Valley” and the "Volcanoes' Avenue", you can enjoy the marvelous view of the “Cotopaxi” the highest snow-capped volcano of the world, you can visit it and after take a delicious lunch Then continue to Baños, another small city “The Door of the Amazon Basin”. We will be staying at the Sangay Hotel or similar.
Day 6.    After the breakfast and If the weather allows, we will make a visit to the zone, to admire the beautiful waterfalls, and see tomatoes trees and a wide variety of orchids growing. After the lunch you return to Quito through the Volcanoes Avenue and the highway along the Valley of Los Chillos. If the departure is on Friday, the Latacunga open market will be visited on Saturday. (Meals included: one continental breakfast, two lunches (menu) and one dinner (menu). Overnight in Quito

DAY 7: TRANFER OUT QUITO - CUENCA
Transfer in Cuenca
The tour begins with the visit to The ruins of Ingapirca are one of the most important Incan archaeological sites in Ecuador, the most important monument left by the Incas as witnesses of their time in Ecuador. Due to the distance to be covered, the journey is interrupted by a brief visit to the "Picadero de Rumihurco"; where you can appreciate the skilful work of stonemasons who make decorative garden fountains, tables and a variety of stonework pieces. Upon arrival we visit the museum, the stone fortress where we can view treasures of immeasurable historical value. Box lunch included. Overnight Cuenca

DAY 8: CUENCA
09h00A beautiful city located in the southern part of the Ecuadorian Andes and which preserve a great part of its colonial sectors, combined with new developments and unique architecture. Its main attractions are its monasteries, especially those of La Inmaculada and Del Carmen, the Cathedral, the Archaeological Museum, and stores full of folkloric articles of all types, especially jewelry, embroidering, straw hats (Panama Hats), marble figures, and pottery. Overnight Cuenca

DAY 9: GUALACEO – CHORDELEG – QUITO
08h00: We depart from Cuenca directly to Chordeleg, an important handicraft center well known for its filigree work in gold and silver. We will then visit Gualaceo known for its clothing, such as shawls, throws and embroidered vests; there we will have lunch. A visit to the town and the Indian market. Return to Cuenca.
By night transfer Out Cuenca to take the flight to Quito, transfer in Quito and overnight in the capital city.

DAY 10: QUITO - COCA
Transfer out Quito to take the flight to Coca
Monday.- Departure in Quito with the destination of Coca. Crossing on the Napo River (the main tributary river of the amazon river) to the Yuturi Biological Reserve and its nature reserve. Arrival at round about 5 p.m. Dinner Night excursion on the Parahuaco - trail to observe insects, nightactive rodants, reptiles and much more listen to the nocturnal concert of the jungle and to know about the amazon basin.

DAY 11:Tuesday.- Excursion in a canoe to the lagoon of Yuturi. During the journey the passengers will appreciate the fantastic concert of the huge bird diversity, which exists in the nature reserve. Return to the Lodge to have a breakfast - Canoe trip to the Manduro Lagoon and walk on the hiking trail with the same name to observe the vegetation, water birds and keys for "chontillas" and "anturios" where bird colonies and nests have been established as well. Lunch in the jungle. rest by afternoon. Dinner. Night journey in small boats (piraguas) on the waters of the Yuturi River.


DAY 12: Wednesday.- Breakfast. Departure to a 3 hours adventure hike. We cross the jungle and observe a huge number of medical plants, which are used by the native people. There is the opportunity to see parrots, parakeets, tukans, monkies and all the over exciting animals which inhabit the area. In the afternoon our native naturalist guides will share their knowledge about the use of the most outstanding weapon of the Ecuadorian Amazon basin the "Bodoguera" or "Cerbatana". Dinner. Night journey in small boats (piraguas) on the waters of the Yuturi River.

DAY 13:Thrusday.- Early in the morning - after breakfast - by motor boat canoe we will move to visit a house of a native family to learn about their customs and habits and possibly buy some handicrafts. We will make a second funny and exciting stop at the "Isla de los choronogs" (monkeys). This 20 ha island is part of the Yuturi Nature Reserve where we can enjoy the presence, grace and skilfulness of the - chorongo - monkeys in their natural surroundings. In the afternoon we invite you to participate in the entertaining piranha fishing. Dinner and accommodation.

DAY 14: Friday.- Early in the morning - after breakfast - departure in a canoe from the Yuturi Biological Reserve to Coca in order to catch the return flight to Quito.
Transfer in Quito and Overnight in the capital city.

DAY 15: T-Out international flight

PRICE PER PAX IN DOUBLE ROOM

2 PAX: 2500.00 EURO
4 PAX: 2250.00 EURO

TOUR INCLUDES:
Breakfast daily, Lunch daily, Overnight in Quito according to the itinerary at the selected hotel in DBL room with Private facilities, Private bilingual guide, Tourist transportation, Tour Quito/ Cotopaxi / Baños / Ingapirca / Cuenca / Quito with all meals, tours and overnight , with private guide and driver, Airline ticket QUITO /CUENCA / QUITO, Transfers apto / hotel / apto in Quito
Entrances to 1 church and 1 museum in the city tours, Tour to Otavalo with guide and driver, lunch and overnight,
Entrance fee to the cotopaxi National Park, Tour to the jungle 5d/4n in DBL room with private facilities
Airline ticket QUITO / COCA / QUITO

TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Not mentioned entrance fees, Alcoholic and non - alcoholic Drink, Tips to guide and driver,not mentioned services and meals (dinners in overnights in Quito an Cuenca, 33 USD AIRPORT EC TAX