Journey to the Middle of the World - 16D

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Quito

  

  After your arrival at Quito International Airport, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel, located in a beautiful colonial house in the historic center. The rest of the day will be free for a first discovery of Quito's colonial center and to relax after this long flight. Lunch and dinner at your leisure Night at the Masaya Quito hostel

• day 2

  Quito, World Heritage Site

  

  After breakfast, you will discover colonial Quito through a guided walking tour. This walk will allow you to discover the whitewashed houses with their tiled roofs, as well as the colonial churches that characterize this district listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will be able to admire the city's highlights: Independence Square, the presidential palace, and the cathedral. You will also discover La Ronda, a street full of history, the Church of the Compañía, whose altar covered in gold leaf is considered one of the jewels of baroque art on the American continent, the Church of San Francisco, the oldest in the city (16th century) with colonial architecture, as well as many scenes of daily life as you stroll around. In the afternoon, you will have the option to visit, as you wish, the Chapel of Man and the workshop of the famous Ecuadorian painter Oswaldo Guayasamín (1919-1999), the Quito Botanical Garden, for an introduction to the different ecosystems of Ecuador (including a beautiful exhibition of orchids and bonsais), or the Casa del Alabado archaeological museum, located in the colonial center. Another night at the Masaya Quito hostel.

• day 3

  Flight to the Ecuadorian Amazon

  

  Transfer to Quito airport. After flying over part of the Eastern Cordillera, you will land in Lago Agrio where you will be welcomed by your naturalist guide, then you will travel by car to the Cuyabeno River bridge. You will then begin your descent of this beautiful blackwater river. First contact with this extremely diverse ecosystem, you will experience the "Broken Ear" atmosphere from Tintin. You may have the chance to observe Amazon pink dolphins or tucuxis, freshwater turtles, or even the mysterious anaconda. Once you arrive at the impressive Laguna Grande, you will continue along the Cuyabeno River until you reach the Lodge. After settling in, you will take a silent tour where you will have the chance to observe wildlife and admire the sunset. This day is essentially a travel day, but along the Cuyabeno River (riparian and "whitewater" ecosystem), then along the narrow "blackwater" channels, you will have the opportunity to observe your first Amazonian species: swallows, kingfishers, herons, and caimans. Night at Nicky Lodge

• day 4

  Discovery of the Cuyabeno Reserve: the Laguna Grande

  

  In the morning, you will begin a walk on a new non-flooded ecosystem, "Terra firme," accompanied by your naturalist guide. You will be able to observe a wide variety of flora and microfauna. Your guide will help you, thanks to their information, to better understand how this Amazonian rainforest works. You will discover different species of birds (hoatzins, caciques, guans, parrots, macaws, toucans...) and monkeys (squirrel monkey, common tegu, American anhinga, etc.). Ten species of monkeys have been recorded in the reserve. Then, after a welcome nap, you will leave with your guide to explore the Laguna Grande, where you can swim. Enjoy a canoe ride through the flooded Macrolobium forest, covered with abundant epiphytic plants. Watching the sunset over the lake is a unique experience not to be missed! Night at Nicky Lodge Note: The activities described day by day are subject to change or modification to optimize wildlife and flora observation as much as possible, in consultation with the local guide.

• day 5

  Meeting with the Siona community of Tarapuy

  

  After an early breakfast, you will take your motorized canoe for a new journey along the river. You will try once again to observe the exuberant wildlife that inhabits these inextricable channels: woolly monkey, saki monkey, and, with a bit of luck, the three-toed sloth. You will arrive at the Siona community of Tarapuy, where you can observe and understand the lifestyle of this Amazonian ethnic group. You will participate in the preparation of a traditional dish made from cassava, called casabe. At the end of the day, after the hot hours, you will take the canoe again for new observations on different "black water" rivers, so called because of their dark tea color (due to the tannins from decomposing leaves washed out by Amazonian rains and accumulating in the rivers and lagoons). After dinner, you will go out by torchlight in search of many nocturnal species (insects and amphibians). Night at Nicky Lodge

• day 6

  Birdwatching and return to Quito

  

  You will get up at dawn for a final birdwatching session, then, after breakfast, you will take your motorized canoe to go back up the Cuyabeno River to the bridge. A vehicle will take you to Lago Agrio to catch your flight to Quito. You will arrive in the capital in the early or late afternoon (*) before being transferred to your hotel Stübel Suites & Cafe (link), located in the modern part of the city. (*) If the flight leaves in the afternoon (the schedule varies depending on the day), a picnic is included.

• day 7

  Visit to Cotopaxi Park

  

  Meet this morning with your Spanish-speaking driver-guide. A giant awaits you today: the majestic Cotopaxi volcano, the second highest peak in the country and one of the highest active volcanoes in the world, reaching 5,987 meters in altitude. You can enjoy a walk on the Limpiopungo plateau, surrounded by the Cotopaxi, Rumiñahui, and Sincholagua volcanoes, at over 3,800 meters in altitude, discovering incredible landscapes and lights. Take the opportunity to observe the many species of aquatic birds near the Limpiopungo lagoon: ducks, grebes, and waders, as well as wild horses. Then, continue to your next stop, Riobamba, the "Sultana of the Andes." Overnight at Mansión Santa Isabela.

• day 8

  Mountain biking on the slopes of Chimborazo

  

  You will discover today one of the most surprising Andean landscapes: the Chimborazo volcano. As you climb the slopes of this giant, you will enter an increasingly lunar landscape. The volcanic rock as far as the eye can see leaves little room for vegetation and life. In this surreal atmosphere, you will reach the first refuge at 4,800 meters, then reach the upper refuge at 5,000 meters altitude, at the cost of a short but physically demanding walk due to the lack of oxygen. It is hard here not to be jealous of the vicuñas, those South American Camelidae that race down the slopes breathlessly. The Chimborazo volcano is now home to the last Ecuadorian population (partly reintroduced) of this national symbol. Back at the first refuge, you will get on your mountain bikes, equipped with helmets and knee and elbow pads. The first part of the descent goes from the first refuge to the park entrance, the second is located in the hidden valleys northwest of the volcano. You will pass through little-visited Indian villages, magnificent patchwork-cultivated valley landscapes, surprising geological formations... Throughout this ride, a "sweeper" vehicle will follow you, to pick up, if necessary, passenger(s) and bike(s). Return to Riobamba at the end of the day. Another night at the Mansión Santa Isabela hotel.

• day 9

  Heading to the Ingapirca site.

  

  You will continue your journey south today, crossing a large number of native Quichua communities who take advantage of the fertile valleys at the foot of the volcano to grow all kinds of tubers and plants that are the basis of Andean food: Mashua, Melloco, Oca from Peru, potato, amaranth, quinoa, etc. If the day is a Sunday, you will discover along the way the typical market of Alausi. Every Sunday, the highland communities come to sell and trade their harvests as well as a variety of other goods, in an atmosphere full of colors, smells, and textures. You will then make a stop at the best-preserved Inca archaeological site in the country: Ingapirca. Here, history, agricultural traditions, and geology combine in a strange pre-Hispanic Andean enigma. You will be able to discover the influence of the Cañari people on Inca architecture. Then, you will continue your journey to the superb colonial city of Cuenca, where you will settle into a beautiful colonial house in the historic center. Night at the Carvallo hotel.

• day 10

  Immersion in Cuenca

  

  Bathed by four rivers, Cuenca enjoys a temperate climate that allows you to stroll peacefully along its colonial streets. Throughout this day, you will explore with your guide the colonial district of the city, listed as a UNESCO cultural heritage site: its alleys, patios, art workshops, flower market, churches, passing by its pre-Inca Cañari ruins, the Pumapungo site, located in the heart of the city, and meeting its inhabitants, some of whom have kept their traditional costume. You can also enjoy the country's Andean gastronomy during a traditional lunch or dinner. During the day, you will visit one of the Panama hat workshops. Overnight at the Carvallo hotel.

• day 11

  Visit to Cajas Park and departure for Guayaquil.

  

  You will leave beautiful Cuenca today, ascending in altitude towards Cajas National Park. This fabulous park, also called "the park of a thousand lakes," features a magnificent landscape shaped by winds descending from the high Andean peaks: lead-colored lagoons, high-altitude Andean steppes or "paramos," magical Polylepis forests covered in lichens, peat bogs… You will embark on a hike in two different parts of the park, then begin the dizzying descent towards the peaceful plains. In just a few dozen kilometers and 4,000 meters lower, mosses and lichens give way to tropical banana trees, and high-altitude lagoons transform into lively mangroves. You will travel through these fertile plains, the granaries of Ecuador's food and export products, all the way to the country's largest city: Guayaquil. Settle in and then discover the Malecón, this modern architectural pier facing the Guayas River, followed by the restored Las Peñas neighborhood. Overnight at the Orilla del Rio boutique hotel, located outside the city center, in a house near the historic park (residential area).

• day 12

  On the way to the Galápagos

  

  Transfer to Guayaquil airport for the departure, this morning, of your flight to the Galapagos archipelago. The flight lasts about 2 hours on a Boeing 727 from Guayaquil, where practically all flights stop over. You will arrive at San Cristobal airport, where a driver will be waiting to take you to your accommodation. The rest of the day is free. In Puerto Baquerizo, a large colony of sea lions awaits you on Playa de Oro, about 200 meters from the hotel. You will then go for a walk passing by the San Cristobal Interpretation Center, where the origin of the Galapagos archipelago and its history, both ancient and recent, will be explained to you, from the arrival of the first giant tortoises 3 million years ago to their discovery by humans only 500 years ago. Playa Mann is also a beautiful sandy beach located near Puerto Baquerizo. Overnight at the Galapagos Sunset hotel – room with a view of the bay and the sea.

• day 13

  Excursion to Kicker Rock

  

  Meet at 7:30 am at the San Cristobal pier for departure on a 12-seat boat heading to Kicker Rock or "León Dormido." This site, which you will reach after about an hour of navigation, consists of two vertical walls 150 meters high that almost touch, creating a current frequented by many species, including rays and reef sharks. On these cliffs nest many seabirds such as blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, frigatebirds, or the exotic tropicbird. Take the opportunity to go snorkeling near the cliffs, where you can marvel at the richness of the underwater world. Later, after or before Kicker Rock, you will head to one of the nearby beaches for a swim or another snorkeling session. Return to Puerto Baquerizo in the middle of the afternoon. Night at the Galapagos Sunset hotel – room with a view of the bay and the sea.

• day 14

  Exploration of the upper part of San Cristobal

  

  A guide will meet you at your hotel at 9 a.m. He will take you to El Junco Lagoon, a natural freshwater lagoon located at 700 m altitude in the interior of the island, where frigatebirds come to bathe to remove the salt from their legs. It is the only source of drinking water on the island. You can enjoy a beautiful view of the coast from the lagoon if the weather is clear. You will then visit the Galapaguera, which is a few kilometers away, a site where you can observe giant tortoises endemic to San Cristobal during a pleasant walk along a marked trail through nature. Next, discover the small clear-water beach of Puerto Chino, located on the other side of San Cristobal Island (about 25 km from Puerto Baquerizo). There you will see sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and frigatebirds. Lunch in a local restaurant in Puerto Baquerizo. The rest of the day is free. Possibility of a nice walk to the Tijeretas cliffs, which follow the interpretation center and where you can usually spot swallow-tailed gulls and blue-footed boobies. Snorkeling is possible with fins, mask, and snorkel in the small clear-water cove at the bottom of the cliff, in search of sea turtles and sea lions, then return to the sandy beach of Playa Mann. Overnight at the Galapagos Sunset hotel.

• day 15

  Back to the continent

  

  You will have the morning free before the transfer to San Cristobal airport for your flight to the continent. Arrival in Guayaquil in the middle of the afternoon. Transfer to the Orilla del Rio boutique hotel, located outside the city center, in a house near the historic park (residential area).

• day 16

  Free day in Guayaquil.

  This morning, you will enjoy a self-guided discovery of the Malecón Simon Bolivar, this long pier with modern architecture facing the Guayas River. You can admire the famous Rotonda statue, which celebrates the historic meeting between Bolivar and San Martin in 1822, as well as Bolivar or Seminario Park, known for its surprising iguanas (of a different variety than those found in the Galapagos). You will also discover the beautiful restored neighborhood of Las Peñas, located at the end of the Malecón, dominated by the lighthouse, as well as many other sites of interest. Then, in the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your international flight departure. Day without transport or guide included. With supplement: guided tour of Guayaquil (including private transport).