Luxury Travel with Ecuador Wonders. MIXED 9d/8n

Arrival: Mariscal Sucre International Airport

Transfer to the hotel. (1 hour)

Accommodation:  Plaza Grande Hotel

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Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Coca. After a 30-minute flight from Quito to the Amazonian city of Coca, we will transfer to the dock and board our motorized canoe for a 90-minute journey down the river, taking in the beauty of the Amazon, until we reach the Anakonda Amazon Cruise and receive our warm welcome aboard. On the Anakonda, we will be joined by expert local naturalist guides, who will provide us with a brief, informative introduction to the Ecuadorian Amazon; and afterwards guests will have the opportunity to explore our cruise ship and admire the rainforest landscape as we glide down the Napo River. After a delicious dinner, we will take a nighttime forest walk to hear the sounds of the rainforest and observe the nocturnal wildlife.

Accommodation:  Anakonda Amazon Cruise

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Breakfast.

In the morning we will explore the lower part of the Napo River, where we will spot different bird species such as eagles, oropendolas and the celebrated woodpeckers. In the afternoon we will visit Yasuni National Park, one of the most biodiverse places on the planet and home to the legendary pink dolphin. This is the perfect opportunity to participate in our pink dolphin conservation program, which we are involved in together with the Martinica community in the Cocaya area, providing a safe haven where these dolphins can live and feed without the risk of being hunted. The Secoyas people, a minority ancestral culture, live near Yasuni and will show us how to prepare traditional cassava bread during our visit.

Accommodation:  Anakonda Amazon Cruise

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Breakfast.

We will begin the day by visiting an authentic Kichwa family on the banks of the Napo River, where we will have the opportunity to learn directly from members of the local community about their lifestyle. We will then board the Anakonda and participate in a cooking class with our expert chef, who will show us how to prepare exquisite traditional Ecuadorian fare. Guests are also invited to try their hand at traditional handicrafting or to take in the magnificent Amazon environment from our open-air hot tub, enjoy cocktails at our Bar and Lounge, or delight in some nighttime stargazing from our Observation Deck. Our more active guests will have the opportunity to explore nature in this area by kayak.

Accommodation:  Anakonda Amazon Cruise

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Breakfast.

We start the day by visiting an observation tower built in a giant millenary kapok tree, where guests can marvel at the impressive 360° view from the top overlooking the treetops of the forest canopy and contemplate the sheer vastness of the Amazon. In the afternoon, we will explore the primary forest and spot the different plant and wildlife species endemic to this ecosystem. We can also find the strange and unique bird known as the hoatzin, or as it’s known locally, the “stinkbird”.

Accommodation:  Anakonda Amazon Cruise

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Breakfast.

This is where our adventure ends! But first, we will enjoy our return to Puerto Providencia where we will disembark the Anakonda Amazon Cruise and ride back to the city of Coca in the motorized canoe.

Arrival to the airport and transfer to Papallacta.

Accommodation:  Termas de Papallacta Hotel

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Breakfast at the hotel.

Papallacta is famous for its hot springs,. Papallacta is a small village in Ecuador located at an altitude of 3,300 m in the Andes just off the Eastern Cordilleras on the road from Quito which leads into the Amazon jungle. Descending from the peak to Papallacta, one passes through the portal where the ecosystems transform from alpine to tropical jungle.

There are three important reasons to visit “Termas de Papallacta”: Health, recreation & relaxation.

The thermal baths are located on the banks of the Papallacta River in a unique natural environment; here we can find nine hot thermal pools and three cold water pools. The source temperature of the thermal baths varies between 30°C and 70°C (86°F and 158°F). At the pools the temperature ranges from 36°C to 40°C (97°F to 104°F). Papallacta´s thermal waters contain sulfates, sodium, calcium, chloride and traces of magnesium which are odorless, colorless but have a slightly salty taste.

The baths’ curative properties are anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic and anti-rheumatic.

Continue to Cotopaxi.

Accommodation:  Hacienda San Agustin de Callo

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Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast you will continue to Cotopaxi National Park.

Cotopaxi National Park was founded in 1975 in order to protect the volcanos and lakes within it. You will be fascinated by nature at its best, in this popular national park in Ecuador. An impressive range of animals lives within the 34,000-hectare park, such as: condors, pumas, spectacled bears, Andean foxes, orange-headed caracaras, llamas, frogs, hummingbirds and many others.

This park also counts an important collection of lakes and mountain peaks. Two of the most outstanding lakes are Limpiopungo Lake and Santo Domingo Lake. The waters of Limpiopungo Lake reflect the 4,757 meters high majestic Rumiñahui. Santo Domingo Lake is surrounded by walls on Incan stone, the ruins of Pucarás (Incan forts) and other stone platforms that are said to have been built by Pre-Colombian shepherds.

Once you arrive at the park, you will visit a museum and learn about the flora and fauna of the area, as well as other important information about the Cotopaxi Volcano. After you’ve had your fill of the museum, you’ll walk near the Limpiopungo Lagoon, which will take about 20-30 minutes. Birds frequent this lagoon, and it’s a great place for birding. Commonly sighted species include great thrushes, ground-tyrants, and speckled teals.

Return to Quito for a City Tour.

Quito city tour is perfect for seeing fascinating panoramas, churches, domes and roofs that have an important historical value. You will admire and learn about colonial art, architecture, culture, legends, and traditions. Quito, the capital of Ecuador, was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city and stands at an altitude of 9.350 feet. Despite the 1917 earthquake, the city has the best-preserved, least altered historic Center in Latin America. The architecture and rich interiors, are pure examples of Quito School of sculpture, which is a fusion of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish and indigenous art. After 3 incredible hours exploring the Old Town, you’ll understand why Quito was the world’s first city named to UNESCO’s Cultural Heritage list.

In the old town we are going to visit:

• Basilicia Church: is the Biggest Neogothic Church in South America.  This religious construction was designed by the French architect Emilio Tarlier, who was inspired by the Parisian cathedral of Notre Dame.
• Plaza Grande: Plaza de la Independencia, locally known as Plaza Grande, is where Quito’s daily life and historic and national symbolism collide.  In the center of the Plaza de la Independencia we find the monument to the Heroes of Independence that was built at the beginning of the 20th century, which symbolizes the triumph of the Republic against the Spanish colony.  Around the Plaza you can visit the Carondelet Plaza and Archbishop’s Palace.
• Compañía de Jesús Church: is Quito’s most ornate church and a standout among the baroque splendors of the Old Town. It is a Jesuit church, and one of the most interesting and spectacular in Quito. From the outside the church is distinctive for its green and gold domes.
• San Francisco Church: It stands proud on one side of the main square in the old town of Quito.  Was built on the site of an Inca temple, which means it stands slightly higher than some of the other buildings in the city. It is considered to be a baroque church, and one of the most important in the city. Throughout the church are both Catholic and indigenous symbols.
• Panecillo Hill: It is the most important natural viewpoint of Quito.  The Panecillo is currently crowned by a giant aluminum sculpture of the «Virgin of Quito», created in 1975 by the Spaniard Agustín de la Herrán Matorras, which was based on the Virgin of Legarda or Apocalyptic Virgin; 18th century work by Bernardo de Legarda, one of the most important representatives of the Quito School.

Transfer to the hotel.

Accommodation:  Plaza Grande Hotel 

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Breakfast: at the hotel

Transfer to the airport.

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