Tailor Made Ecuador: From Jungles to Mountain Peaks

An 8-Day Abercrombie and Kent tour starting from $CALL

Thanks for voting !  (Not Yet Rated)   |   Write a review
Starting Price: $CALL Printer Friendly Page
Tour Length: 8 Days
Countries Visited: Ecuador, Galapagos
Get A Quote     Chat with a travel agent
 
 
More Information About This Tour:
Tour Type:
 Adventure Tours
Tour Category:
Tour Operator: Abercrombie and Kent
Tour Code: AK5434-2012
Printer Friendly Page

Cities Visited:
See Description

Experience Ecuador's jaw-dropping variety of landscapes - from the heights of the magnificent Andes to the steamy jungle of the Amazon - on this multi-sport adventure.
 
Itinerary
 
 
Sightseeing
 
 
 
Day 1: Arrive Quito, Ecuador:

Arrive in Quito, nestled in the heart of the Andes. Ecuador’s capital is the highest in the world, founded in 1534 by the Spanish. The UNESCO World Heritage Site still retains breathtaking colonial buildings and cobbled streets, which you may explore after settling in.


Meals Served:

Day 2: Quito/Cotopaxi:

Drive south through the famed Avenue of the Volcanoes, enjoying spectacular views of the Pita Canyon River Gorge, at the foothills of the Pasochoa Volcano. Arrive at a cloud forest reserve, stopping at the edge of a canyon, the site for your zip line adventure. After several exhilarating crossings, continue to your family-owned hacienda. After lunch, join an expert chagra (cowboy) and ride horseback through the sprawling grounds. Your chagra shares his knowledge of local wildlife and the fighting bulls for which the hacienda is known. Ride up the slopes of the Ruminahui Volcano, perhaps spotting the magnificent Andean condor.


Meals Served: L D

Day 3: Cotopaxi/Baños de Agua Santa:

After breakfast, drive to the base of Cotopaxi Volcano for a mountain biking adventure. After a safety briefing, explore this scenic mountain terrain by bike, crossing highland plateaus and observing local flora and fauna with the imposing Cotopaxi as a backdrop. Swing by Limpiopungo Glacier Lake before continuing by car to the Salasaca community, an indigenous people known for their colorful ponchos and traditional dress. Visit with a Salasaca family to learn about traditional weaving and textile techniques. Drive to Baños for lunch overlooking the Tungurahua Volcano and Pastaza River Gorge. Then, explore downtown Baños, a quaint colonial town surrounded by a tropical cloud forest.


Meals Served: B L D

Day 4: Llanganates National Park/Puyo:

This morning, drive to Llanganates National Park and view the stunning, often-fuming Tungurahua Volcano. Set off by mountain bike for a scenic ride through the highlands, which gradually meld into the mountain cloud forest and then lowland rainforest. Continue to ride along the Pastaza River Gorge, one of the principal waterways that feed into the Amazon Basin. This is an especially scenic route, with high rock walls giving way to deep cloud forest canyons. Stop to admire some of the spectacular waterfalls in the area, such as Pailón del Diablo (Devil’s Cauldron) and Manto de la Novia (Bride’s Veil). Switch two wheels for four and drive to Puyo, an Amazon frontier town, for lunch. Continue on the Amazon highway to reach your jungle lodge. After settling in, visit a Shiripuno Kichwa indigenous community to learn about their way of life and Amazonian traditions. You may also learn to make ceramics, prepare chicha (manioc beer) and opt for a cleansing ritual with a local shaman.


Meals Served: B L D

Day 5: Llanganates National Park/Papallacta:

After breakfast, drive to Llanganates National Park, which extends from the high Andes down into the Amazon Basin; the park is part of a wilderness area declared a Biosphere Zone by the United Nations. The water that collects in this area forms the Jatunyacu River, considered Ecuador’s best one-day river run. Trek through the jungle to reach natural swimming pools. Then head for the livelier waters of the Jatunyacu River; a trip down this river offers spectacular jungle scenery, crystal-clear water and a glimpse into indigenous communities living along its shore. The Jatunyacu is also known for its big waves and high volume of water (Class III to III+). After a safety briefing, spend the remainder of the day navigating through breathtaking landscapes with abundant bird life. In the afternoon, drive back up into the Andes, climbing from 1,500 to 10,000 feet in altitude and passing through a national park and nature reserve until you reach your lodge.


Meals Served: B L D

Day 6: Private Cloud Florest/Otavalo/Peguche:

In the early morning, embark on a guided nature hike in a private cloud forest and reserve, spotting birds, highland plants and other Andean wildlife species. Afterward, drive to a Middle of the World monument to learn about Ecuador’s geographic position and how its location on the equator influences its many climates and biological diversity. After this visit, lunch on the waterfront of San Pablo Lake. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the towns of Otavalo and Peguche, where Ecuador’s indigenous culture and heritage is on full display at renowned markets brimming with colorful textiles and traditional handicrafts. Enjoy one-on-one time with local weavers, who share the secrets of their craft passed down for generations, and visit the Andean Music Museum to hear traditional instruments. The evening is spent at a traditional colonial estate.


Meals Served: B L D

Day 7: Cuicocha Crater Lake/Quito:

This morning, drive to Cuicocha Crater Lake, located 10,000 feet above sea level in the Cayapas-Cotacachi National Park. The lake is a freshwater-filled caldera of a dormant volcano, located at the foot of its namesake volcano and surrounded by a breathtaking cloud forest. Hike the shoreline of the lake, admiring the lava dome islands in the center and keeping an eye out for birds. After a picnic lunch, depart for Quito. Your evening is at leisure to explore the nightlife and landmarks of Ecuador’s capital.


Meals Served: B L

Day 8: Depart Quito:

Transfer to the airport for your homebound flight.


Meals Served:

 

Don't miss our current specials:

         
Touring Date
Land Only
Land + Air
Single
(Land Only)
Single
(Land + Air)


No Departure Date Information was found for this Tour. This could be due
to our website undergoing an update.

Please call a tour specialist at 1-800-942-3301 for personalized assistance.

 
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
         

Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.
 

Complimentary Passenger Travel Protection Insurance

Complimentary Passenger Travel Protection Insurance on Select Egypt Journeys

Reserve select 2011 and 2012 Egypt journeys and receive complimentary Passenger Travel Protection insurance, a value of up to $500. Call for details. Egypt journeys include:

Save 15 - 50% on Abercombie and Kent Egypt Journeys!

Save 15-50% on Select Egypt Journeys

Reserve select Egypt journeys and save up to 50% per person. 2011 Journeys include.


Complimentary Passenger Travel Protection insurance is also available onselect departures. Call for details.

Single Supplement Savings!

Solo Traveler Single Supplement Savings


 

The single supplement has been waived or reduced significantly onselect departures of our popular escorted programs.

2011 Journeys include: 

2012 Journeys include:

 
 
 
Make the most of your upcoming trip with these special offers from our partners:
Coats for Men and Women, footwear and accessories from Overland
Let Weight Watchers help you look your best for your upcoming trip!
New York City Tours Take $5 Off - Gray Line New York

Visitors who viewed this tour also viewed:

Signature Ecuador

9 Days starting from $4,355

A wealth of Indian relics, Spanish colonial architecture, dazzling lakes an.. (click for more)

Sea Cloud

0 Days starting from $CALL

Since her construction as a private yacht in Kiel, Germany, in 1931, 'Sea C.. (click for more)

Sea Cloud II

0 Days starting from $CALL

Unlike any other ship, 'Sea Cloud II' brings the romance of yesteryear as s.. (click for more)

Highland Journey Aboard The Royal Scotsman

3 Days starting from $4,020

Experience the drama and wild beauty of the Scottish Highlands on this scen.. (click for more)

All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.