Arrive in Quito: Ecuador Cultural Tour Day 1

Tour arrives in Quito and transfer to our hotel. Quito (2788 m / 9,200 feet) is Ecuador's lovely capital city, nestled against Pichincha Volcano high in the Andes. Overnight in Quito. Dinner if required.

Quito and Amazon Jungle: Ecuador Cultural Tour Day 2

Today we travel by our own bus from high in the snow capped Andes down to the Napo River located in the Amazon basin jungle. During this journey we follow the road literally on the rim of the Amazon basin with enchanting views of upper cloudforest and then the Amazon basin itself. We cross the River Napo by motorized canoe, arriving at our jungle lodge. Overnight Amazon Basin. Casa del Suizo Lodge or similar. Breakfast and dinner.

Amazon Jungle: Ecuador Cultural Tour Day 3

Two full days of exploring the richest and most complex eco-system on earth. A green carpet laced with rivers and streams containing exotic flora and fauna (over 400 species of birds as well as butterflies, monkeys, orchids, and bromiliads-- to name a few!) Besides nature-viewing jungle walks and canoe trips the lodge and guides will take us on tours to local indigenous homes where we learn about past and present lifestyles of the native people. We learn how the people live in harmony with the jungle and use many of its plants as medicines. Overnight Amazon Basin. Casa del Suizo Lodge or similar. Breakfast and dinner.

Amazon Jungle: Ecuador Cultural Tour Day 4

We continue our expedition in the Amazon Jungle at our lodge. Today we tour an area of rehabilitation for native plants and animals plus journey via motorised canoe along smaller tributaries of the Napo River, viewing and listening to the beehive of activity in the jungle along the river banks. Overnight Amazon Basin. Casa de Suizo Lodge or similar. Breakfast and dinner.

Amazon Jungle and Banos: Ecuador Cultural Tour Day 5

Today we journey via the upper Amazon basin to Puyo and then up the Rio Pastaza canyon to Banos. This is considered one of the best drives in Ecuador offering spectacular panoramas of the Upper Amazon basin, overhanging cliffs of the canyon with clinging tropical vegetation, and the towering Sierra mountains of the Andes range. Banos's elevation gives it an extremely agreeable climate and the surrounding mountainsides are brilliant green against the white summit of the Volcano Tungurahua. Overnight in Banos. Hotel Sangay or similar. Breakfast and dinner.

Banos: Ecuador Cultural Tour Day 6

The word Banos means "baths" and as the name indicates the highlight is the numerous hot spring baths in the area. Today we have opportunity to tour the hot springs and wander the streets and market of this picturesque town, or go for a hike into the nearby hillsides, walking along farmers' donkey trails through fields or corn, passion-fruit and various other local products. A must to tour is the Basilica dedicated to the Virgin of the Holy Water, who is credited with performing many miracles in the Banos area. Overnight in Banos. Hotel Sangay or similar. Breakfast and dinner.

Banos and Quito: Ecuador Cultural Tour Day 7

Today we travel to Quito stopping in Ambato, the Floral City, with its streets lined with flowers. We travel via the "Avenue of Volcanoes", a high altitude fertile valley of the Andes with giant snow-capped Volcanoes towering on either side. This is a small but important fraction of Ecuador since it contains half of its population. Over the years, Indigenous farmers have created a patchquilt of fields in the rich volcanic soil of the mountain slopes.Overnight in Quito. Breakfast and dinner.

Quito: Ecuador Cultural Tour Day 8

Today we tour old Spanish Colonial Quito, preserved by the United Nations as a World Heritage Site. As we enter the streets of Old Quito we step into the past, surrounded by centuries-old architecture. We stop at the commanding Legislative Palace, whose murals record Ecuador's history. We will see the San Agustin Monastery, one of Quito's most beautiful religious buildings, the Independence Plaza, San Francisco Church, and tour La Compania church whose ornate facade and solid gold altars make it one of the most famous of South American churches. We tour the famous Panecillo hill with its towering winged statue of the Virgin of the Apocalypse with views of the valley of Tumbaco, Guapulo town and Cayambe volcano.

This afternoon we travel 22 km (14 miles) north of Quito to the Equator line monument, known as the "middle of the world," where you can stand with one foot in the Northern and the other in the Southern Hemisphere. We also tour the excellent on-site ethnogrpahic museum with exhibits pertaining to the many indigenous peoples of Ecuador.

NOTE: Due to logistical considerations, this day may occur elsewhere in your programme. This change, if applicable, will be indicated on your Hotel List sent as part of your Final Documents package just prior to your departure. Overnight in Quito. Breakfast and dinner.

Departure: Ecuador Cultural Tour Day 9

Departure from Quito

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.