The Great Crossing of the Equator - in a small French-speaking group

Beschrijving van de reis

Accommodatie

Programma van het verblijf

• dag 1

  WEDNESDAY - Arrival in Quito

  

  From the moment you land at Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO), you are personally welcomed by your French-speaking guide. After collecting your luggage, you leave the Tababela valley to reach the city center. During this transfer of about 45 minutes, you will enjoy a first glimpse of the Andean landscapes surrounding the capital, perched at an altitude of 2 850 meters. Your driver will drop you off directly at your hotel, ideally located for immediate immersion. Depending on your arrival time, you can settle in quietly or start exploring the surroundings at your own pace before dinner. 🚐 Private vehicle 🛏️ 3*: historic center

• dag 2

  THURSDAY - The historic center of Quito

  

  

  This day is dedicated to exploring on foot the historic center of Quito, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. You will begin with the majestic San Francisco Square and its imposing monastery, a true masterpiece of the colonial era. The walk continues toward the Church of the Compañía de Jesús, famous for its interiors covered in gold leaf, before reaching Independence Square (Plaza Grande) to admire the cathedral and the presidential palace. As you turn down the cobbled alleyways, you will push open the doors of hidden patios and restored colonial houses, far from the hustle and bustle. This immersion will be punctuated by local tastings to discover the flavors of the terroir. Finally, you will end the visit with the Basilica del Voto Nacional, an impressive neo-Gothic building, decorated with gargoyles representing the local fauna. ✨ Little extra: demonstration and tasting of the famous local ice cream “helado de paila” 🏔️ Max altitude: 2 800 m 🚐 Walking day - possible long journey by metro 🍽️ Meals included: breakfast + lunch 🛏️ Same hotel as the day before in Quito

• dag 3

  FRIDAY - Cotopaxi National Park

  

  

  Early departure to the South, taking the Avenue of the Volcanoes, to Cotopaxi National Park. We will focus on a gentle and contemplative hike around Limpiopungo lagoon. In this Andean tundra setting, you will observe the reflection of the volcano in the calm waters, wild horses and many birds. Sometimes, deer, foxes and condors can be spotted. Stay alert! After a revitalizing lunch in a small local inn, we will meet an artist from the region. In his workshop, you will learn the secrets of his unique painting style, on sheepskin leather, depicting rural life and the legends of the Andes. Return to Quito at the end of the day. ✨ Little extra: you can decide to rent a 4x4 and its driver at the park entrance to go up to the volcano parking lot at 4600 m, then walk to the refuge at 4864 m. It is also possible to organize a horseback ride in the park or a mountain biking adventure. Contact us to find out the additional costs. 🏔️ Max altitude: 3 700 m 🚐 About 4h of driving during the day 🍽️ Meals included: breakfast + lunch

• dag 4

  SATURDAY - The artisans of Otavalo

  

  

  Heading north to the province of Imbabura, nicknamed the "lake region". After about 2 hours on the road, your journey begins with a gourmet stop to taste the famous Ecuadorian chocolate and the traditional bizcochos of Cayambe. You then reach Lake Cuicocha, a lagoon nestled in the heart of an active volcanic crater, before stopping in Cotacachi, a village renowned for the great finesse of its leather craftsmanship. The immersion continues in Peguche, where you will meet local weavers, then at the famous Otavalo market. Under the colorful awnings, you will discover one of the most important handicraft markets in the Andes. 🏔️ Max altitude: 3 700 m 🚐 Private vehicle (about 4h of driving in total over the day) 🍽️ Meals included: breakfast + lunch + dinner 🛏️ Night in a hacienda

• dag 5

  Sunday - Route to the Amazon

  

  

  The morning is marked by serenity. You enjoy some free time to relax in the Papallacta thermal pools. The cool mountain air contrasts deliciously with the warmth of the volcanic waters, offering an ideal setting to recharge. Then, you begin a spectacular descent along the eastern cordillera. The landscape changes radically: the high-altitude steppes give way to lush vegetation and forest waterfalls. You gradually reach the Amazon basin, where humidity and the songs of tropical birds welcome you for a total immersion in the heart of the « lungs of the Earth ». Lunch will be served in a private reserve. While you taste the local dishes, hummingbirds and toucans surround you. 🏔️ Max altitude: 4 000 m 🚐 Private vehicle (about 5h of travel depending on stops) 🍽️ Meals included: breakfast + lunch + dinner 🛏️ Lodge on the riverbank, in the heart of the Amazon rainforest

• dag 6

  MONDAY - Exploration in the jungle

  

  

  This day is entirely dedicated to discovering the secrets of the rainforest, guided by the lodge’s experts. At dawn, you set off for a birdwatching session, a moment when the jungle awakens in a concert of exotic calls. You continue with a hike under the canopy: your guide will share their knowledge about medicinal plants, giant trees, and the complex functioning of this fascinating ecosystem. The afternoon is dedicated to meeting and sharing with a local indigenous community. It’s a unique opportunity to discover their ancestral traditions, their crafts, and their way of life in harmony with nature. Finally, at nightfall, you head out again for a night walk: equipped with your lamps, you will go in search of strange insects, amphibians, and the nocturnal wildlife that comes alive once the sun has set. ✨ Far from folkloric staging, this encounter offers a sincere look at the daily life of a community sharing its time between traditions and the modern world. Through spontaneous exchanges, demonstrations of know-how, and tastings, you experience a truly authentic moment of sharing. Come with an open mind, ready for curiosity. 🏔️ Max altitude: 200 m 🚐 Motorized canoe and forest walk depending on the activities 🍽️ Meals included: breakfast + lunch + dinner 🛏️ Lodge on the riverbank, in the heart of the Amazon rainforest

• dag 7

  TUESDAY - The waterfall route

  

  

  You leave the Amazon to head up towards the Andes via the famous Route of the Waterfalls. This journey is a true feast for the senses: you will stop to discover a cocoa plantation, observe the work of the trapiche (sugarcane mill) and taste the famous melcochas, these artisanal marshmallows stretched by hand. Along the way, you will also meet artisans working balsa wood, of a surprising lightness. The highlight of the show remains the power of the water: you will discover the impressive Pailón del Diablo waterfall (the Devil’s Cauldron) via a spectacular trail, as well as the Manto de la Novia, which you can observe up close. You continue on to Baños for the night. ✨ The more adventurous can choose to cross the canyon of the rio Pastaza by zip line, suspended above the void. 🏔️ Max altitude: 1 800 m 🚐 Private vehicle (about 4h of driving in total) 🍽️ Meals included: breakfast + lunch + dinner 🛏️ Charming small hotel, far from the center

• dag 8

  WEDNESDAY - The Chimborazo colossus

  

  

  This day is dedicated to the Chimborazo volcano, the point on Earth closest to the sun. You enter the reserve to discover a high-altitude lunar landscape, where herds of vicuñas roam freely. Depending on your physical condition and your desires, several options are available to you: the bravest can hike up to the refuge located at 5 000 meters above sea level, while others will prefer a gentler walk, with negative elevation gain, of 45 minutes, to admire the geological formations and the unique flora of this ecosystem. After a revitalizing lunch prepared by a community, you will experience a powerful cultural encounter: the Trasquiler demonstration. You will observe the traditional alpaca shearing technique and the meticulous work of natural fibers. The local communities will explain how the wool is carded, spun, and dyed to create the iconic garments that protect them from the icy wind of the summits. Back from this immersion in the high mountains, you will fully enjoy your place of stay. You will have the opportunity to visit the historic corners of your hotel-museum, a building full of character that, on its own, tells the agricultural and colonial history of the Riobamba region. 🏔️ Max altitude: 4 600 m 🚐 Private vehicle (about 4h of driving in total) 🍽️ Meals included: breakfast + lunch + dinner 🛏️ Night in an old hacienda

• dag 9

  Thursday - Heritage of cultures

  

  

  Departure at dawn to experience one of the most authentic experiences of the Andes: the Guamote market. This is where the heart of the indigenous communities beats. Far from the classic tourist circuits, you will wander through the animal market (sheep, pigs, llamas) and the stalls of Andean grains. It is a festival of colors, sounds, and ancestral bartering, where the locals proudly wear their traditional costumes. We head back on the road south to reach Ingapirca, the most important archaeological complex in the country. This site is unique, as it bears witness to the fusion between the local Cañari culture and the Inca invader. You will admire the famous “Temple of the Sun,” an elliptical structure with perfectly fitted stones, typical of the imperial architecture of Cusco. Arrival in the evening in Cuenca, the colonial pearl of the South. 🏔️ Max altitude: 4 000 m 🚐 Private vehicle (about 5 h of driving in total) 🍽️ Meals included: breakfast 🛏️ Night in the historic center of Cuenca

• dag 10

  FRIDAY - The historic center of Cuenca

  

  

  Cuenca is undoubtedly the most pleasant city in Ecuador, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You explore its historic center on foot, bordered by the Tomebamba River. You admire its flower-filled balconies, its colorful flower markets, and the New Cathedral with blue ceramic domes. After lunch in a famous restaurant in the center, you visit the Panama Hat Museum-Workshop. Contrary to its name, this extra-fine straw hat is 100% Ecuadorian. You understand why some pieces require months of work. The late afternoon is free to stroll through art galleries or along the city’s peaceful riverbanks. 🏔️ Max altitude: 2 500 m 🚐 Walking 🍽️ Meals included: breakfast + lunch 🛏️ Night in Cuenca’s historic center

• dag 11

  Day 11 - SATURDAY - International flight or extend the adventure

  

  For this last day on the continent, several options are available to you depending on what you feel like: - Return and international flight: if your flight is in Guayaquil, transfer by vehicle; if the flight is from Quito, a domestic flight is required. - Extension on the Pacific coast: Salinas, Ayampe, Puerto Lopez, Puerto Cayo, Manta... The options are numerous. - Extension to the Galapagos: island hopping on one, two or three islands; a cruise of 4, 5, 7 days or more.