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South America - Central American - Travel DirectoryChoco rainfores eco tour & Andes culture trip, 6 days
Andean Cultures | Coastal Cultures | Amazon Cultures |
Sample itinerary suggestion
small variations depending on native guides
Day 1
Quito – Otavalo – Cotacachi:
North of Quito, visit the small villages of the northern andes and the Otavalo Indian market, the most important in South America. Optional lunch. Accommodations and dinner with a local Otavalo family nearby Cotacachi, our family lodge is part of the UNORCAC - Unión de Organizaciones Campesinas e Indígenas de Cotacachi – your host family has learned to prepare gourmet meals and run a 1 room lodge in their backyard, facilities include a private bathroom, twin beds and a warm fireplace.
D
Day 2
Cotacachi – Borbon – Choco rainforest lodge:
Enjoy a delicious breakfast, made of fresh fruit and home made preserves, with your host family. We spend our last precious moments with our Otavaleño friends and depart to the coastal lowlands. The road we take is a roller coaster of mountains, sugar cane plantations and finally a descent into the tropical lowlands of Ecuador´s Choco.
We arrive at the port town of Borbon where our dugout canoe is waiting. A 4 hour river adventure, where we combine a hike on our first trail, we will enjoy a picnic lunch and continue to our lodge. Upon arrival we will enjoy a warm welcome, after dinner we have a pleasant surprise as a night activity.
B, L, D
Day 3
Choco rainforest lodge:
Breakfast. Departure in the morning, we will go through the path until the mining gold camp of Playa Rica (Rich Beach). In the trip we will observe the crops and land that the people of the community use to raise theirs products, like: coffee, chocolate, sugar cane, etc. Walking in the primary forest, where we will observe the native flora and fauna. In the camp of Playa Rica we will know more about the gold fever. If the Santiago River allows us we will enjoy a nice bath in its shores. Return to lodge by motor canoe. Lunch. In the afternoon we will make a visit to the community to know more about the customs of the African American people in the zone, visit a storyteller, dinner and night at the lodge.
B, L, D
Day 4
Choco rainforest lodge -
Playa Escondida:
Breakfast. Early departure by motor canoe towards Borbon, en-route we will visit a local community, we have a packed lunch to enjoy as a picnic. At Borbon we depart towards Playa Escondida “hidden beach” a small lodge with a private beach off the coast of Esmeraldas. A very unique place where its you the beach and the sea surrounded by a tropical rainforest with many opportunities for birdwatching, totally off the beaten path.
B, L
Day 5
Playa Escondida:
Full day to enjoy the beach and relax, you may also decide to enjoy the surrounding forest and go birdwatching.
B
Day 6
Playa Escondida – Quito:
Enjoy your last morning by the beach. We depart towards Quito just before noon, optional stop for lunch en-route. We enjoy a beautiful ride as we drive from the tropical lowlands into the majestic Andes through the cloud forests.
B
Duration: 6 days, 5 nights.
Activity Level: Easy to Moderate.
Recommendations: Sunscreen and bug spray are essential.
What to bring: camera, binoculars, flashlight sunscreen, insect repellant, hat and some cash for shopping and extras. Lodges provide rubber boots for hikes, but you should bring your own if you wear sizes from 47 on (11 or higher).
(Includes: Transportation, 1 night stay at indigenous family lodge near Otavalo, 2 nights at Choco rainforest lodge, 2 nights at Playa Escondida beach lodge, daily guided excursions in company of English speaking-naturalist guides, meals as listed in itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner). Does not include: Meals not listed, Community entrance fee $10)
Travel companies that offer this tour:
Ecuador tours and Galapagos Cruises : Latin Trails offers custom itineraries, expert guides and private transportation for tours around Ecuador, we offer naturalist cruises on board our fleet of small yachts and expedition ship in the Galapagos Islands.