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Andes and Amazon with Cotococha lodge 6 days

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1: Quito - Papallacta - Tena - Jungle Lodge. We leave Quito in the morning and start with a drive up the Eastern Cordillera, where a 4065 m. high mountain pass has to be passed. It can be foggy up here but when the weather is clear we'll be surprised by the magnificent views at the Antizana volcano and the surrounding paramo wetlands. The road soon begins to drop and we'll get to Papallacta, a small village known for its hotsprings. We'll stop for a moment to refresh ourselves in the nice thermal baths. We continue driving through dense cloud forests with trees full of epiphytes and white water streams and cascades towards Baeza. In this village we'll stop for lunch, delicious trout! We continue through the last hills of the Cordillera and we feel the hot and humid air from the Amazon. Within a couple of hours we'll reach the port to the jungle, Tena. We'll cross this city and follow a secondary road along the Napo river towards our comfortable jungle lodge. The last part to the lodge we'll float down the river in a dug out canoe.
Tourist-class: Overnight Cotococha Lodge.
First-class: Overnight Cotococha Lodge.

Day 2: Jungle excursions. Today we'll make different excursions through the jungle. There are a lot of different hikes in the nearby forests. We will pay a visit to AmaZOOnico, an animal rescue center where many native species from the jungle can be found, such as monkeys, toucans, agoutis, snakes, caimans, tapirs and many more. We could visit a Quichua community, where you will learn about their local traditions and customs. Practice the blowpipe, see how the local fermented drink 'chicha' is elaborated and hear the many stories they can tell us about the jungle. There are good swimming and fishing opportuntities or what about being taken downstream by an authentic balsa raft! Overnight at the lodge.
Tourist-class: Overnight Cotococha Lodge.
First-class: Overnight Cotococha Lodge.

Day 3: Jungle excursions. Another day to enjoy the Amazon. Participate in the excursions described at day 2 or decide to book the additional excursion to raft on the Anzu or Upper Napo river.
Tourist-class: Overnight Cotococha Lodge
First-class: Overnight Cotococha Lodge

Day 4: Jungle Lodge - Puyo - Banos. We'll leave our lodge in the middle of the tropical rain forest and drive on a dirt road towards Puyo. This city is well known for its handicrafts of balsa and we'll have a look at their elaboration. After Puyo the road starts the climb again into the Andes. This part of the trip offers spectacular views of the Pastaza gorge, the surrounding cloud forest and the many waterfalls on both sides of the road. We'll stop at the Pailon del Diablo cascade and go for a short hike through some great forest to the cascade look-out. Afterwards we continue to Banos at an altitude of 1800 m. We'll stay here for the night in a hotel.
Tourist-class: Overnight Hosteria Monte Selva.
First-class: Overnight Hosteria Luna Runtun (incl. Diner & Breakfast).

Day 5: Free day Banos. Today we'll have a free day to spend in Banos. We can go for a trip on mountain bike, hiking up the mountain to gaze at the huge Tungurahua volcano or go horseback riding. Banos has also healthy thermal baths to relax. The climate is spring like and this town has a nice center to stroll around, look for souvenirs or enjoy a good meal in one of its many restaurants.
Tourist-class: Overnight Hosteria Monte Selva.
First-class: Overnight Hosteria Luna Runtun (incl. Diner & Breakfast).

Day 6: Banos - Cotopaxi - Quito. We'll depart from lovely Banos to be driven back into the Andes again, towards the the Cotopaxi NP. We'll come along the Salasaca indigenous community where we will have a look at the many tapestries and other woven products made by the local Indians. Afterwards we continue to the park where we will pay first a short visit to the little museum which tells about the park; its nature, geology, history and eruptions of the centerpiece of the park; the Cotopaxi volcano of 5897 mts. high. We continue our way into the park and stop at the Limpiopungo lake at 3800 mts. Here we can make an acclimatizing walk while observing semi-wild horses, a variety of ducks and hummingbirds and the Andean gull and lapwing. Afterwards we drive to the parking lot at 4600 mts. from where it's a strenuous 45 minute walk up to the José Ribas refuge at 4800 mts. On clear days we have the most incredible views up here. Once we are above, we'll enjoy a short break at the refuge and if we feel fit enough we'll continue to the nearby glacier. On the glacier we have some incredible picture opportunities and the spectacular scenery at the immense ice walls and deep crevasses. We'll return to our vehicle and drive back to the central valley following the Panamerican highway back to Quito. End of services.

PRIVATE TRANSPORT:
Included: Private transport, hotel overnights, jungle lodge accommodation with full board, excursions, local guide and translator.
Not included: Other meals, entrance fees (Cotopaxi US$ 10pp), drinks at the lodge, personal expenses, extras and tips.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT:
Included: Transfer to terminal in Quito, public bus transport, hotel overnights, jungle lodge accommodation with full board, excursions, local guide and translator, private transport on day 6.
Not included: Other meals, entrance fees (Cotopaxi US$ 10pp), drinks at the lodge, personal expenses, extras and tips.

TOUR OPERATORS OFFERING THIS TOUR: