Andes, Amazon & Galapagos Multisport Adventure, 10 Days

 

Level: Moderate
AMSP-10

Activities: Mountain Biking, Whitewater Rafting, Hiking, Ocean Kayaking, Horseback Riding, Beach Exploration, Indigenous Community Encounters, Wildlife Seeking

Accommodations: Small Distinctive Hotels & Lodges

Ecuador’s ultimate adventure tour takes you to 6 different ecosystems to show you the best the country has to offer in a 10-day nature-filled, adventure-packed journey. The Andes Mountains, Amazon Jungle & Galapagos Islands are yours to explore in a journey of discovery that brings you into contact with diverse ecosystems, unique wildlife, and indigenous communities. Activities such as mountain biking, rafting, ocean kayaking, horseback riding, and encounters with indigenous communities give you a hands-on experience of Ecuador’s culture and natural beauty. Top-notch guides accompany you every step of the way to reveal the secrets of these diverse ecosystems. Enjoy comfortable accommodations in small distinctive hotels & lodges throughout your trip.

Trip highlights:

• Explore an Andean hacienda on horseback, chagra (Andean cowboy) style
• Hike and zipline across a stunning cloud forest canyon
• Mountain bike on the slopes of the world´s highest active volcano
• Visit Salasaca and Kichwa indigenous communities and participate in cultural activities
• Exhilarating rafting down Ecuador´s best one-day river run (class III-III+)
• Relax in the rejuvenating natural hotsprings of Papallacta in the cloudforest
• Sea kayak and swim with sea lions and marine turtles
• Snorkel with Galapagos sharks, rays, and tropical fish
• Hike lava rock trails to meet blue-footed boobies, finches, and other famed birds
• Relax on picture-perfect white sand beaches
• Horseback ride to the world’s second largest volcano caldera
• Fly on a private, small plane between San Cristobal and Isabela Islands
• Top-notch adventure and nature guides accompany you every step of your journey
• Quality accommodations in private hotels, historic haciendas, and distinctive lodges
• Optional excursions allow you to customize your vacation

DAY 1: CLOUDFOREST ZIPLINE & HORSEBACK RIDING IN COTOPAXI

We depart in the morning from Quito due south through the famed Avenue of the Volcanoes, en route to Hacienda El Porvenir. On the way, we enjoy spectacular views of the Pita Canyon River Gorge in the foothills of the Pasochoa Volcano. We reach a cloud forest reserve where our first adventure activity begins. After a short guided hike through the cloud forest, we come to the edge of the canyon and launch ourselves across in several spectacular zipline crossings. With our feet on solid ground again, we continue on to Hacienda El Porvenir, a 3000-hectare, family-owned hacienda rich in history and representative of the Chagra (Ecuadorian cowboy) culture. El Porvenir has been in the same family for 7 generations, and was the first hacienda in Ecuador to raise fighting bulls. After a traditional welcome tea, our lunch features gourmet, locally-produced Andean foods. After lunch, we gear up Chagra style, and don ponchos, chaps, and cowboy hats to explore the expansive grounds of the hacienda on horseback (hiking is optional). The hacienda produces potatoes, lima beans, quinoa, and other crops that grow at altitudes over 10,000 feet (3,000 meters), all with a backdrop of spectacular volcano scenery. Our Chagra guide accompanies us to care after our horses, share his knowledge of local plants, birds, and fauna, and help us to admire the brave fighting bulls. We ride up the slopes of the Ruminahui Volcano - where, if we´re lucky, we´ll spot the magnificent Andean Condor, the largest flying bird in the world. After our 4-hour ride, we spend a relaxing evening at the hacienda. (L, D)

DAY 2: MOUNTAIN BIKING AT COTOPAXI VOLCANO & EXPLORE BAÑOS

After breakfast, we drive towards the base of the Cotopaxi Volcano, where we begin our mountain biking adventure. After a safety briefing, we explore the park on our 2 wheels. We cross highland plateaus and observe typical highland vegetation and fauna with stunning volcano scenery as a backdrop. We visit Limpiopungo Glacier Lake before exiting the park through the south entrance. We continue our journey by car, driving through the Avenue of the Volcanoes to visit the Salasaca Indigenous Community, best known for their colorful ponchos and traditional dress. We visit a Salasaca family to learn about traditional weaving and textile techniques, as well as the use of Agave cactus to make clothing, drinks, ropes, and more. We continue on to the town of Baños for a deluxe lunch in Luna Runtun, where we enjoy spectacular views of the Tungurahua Volcano and the Pastaza River Gorge. After lunch, we explore the town of Baños, a colorful colonial town at an altitude of 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) surrounded by tropical cloud forest. In the late afternoon, we reach Leito Hacienda, where we dine and relax for the evening. (B, L, D)

DAY 3: BIKING TO THE AMAZON & VISIT SHIRIPUNO INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY

In the morning, we drive to the edge of Llanganates National Park, gaining altitude until we reach an area with one of the best views of the - often fuming - Tungurahua Volcano. Here, we set up our mountain bikes for a scenic ride through highland paramo, which gradually melds into mountain cloud forest, and then lowland rainforest. We pass through a dry basaltic gorge that is a great spot to look for wild orchids. We continue our 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. We 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). Switching from 2 wheels to 4, we drive until we reach Puyo, an Amazon frontier town where we learn about the manufacture of products made from Balsa wood, bamboo, ceramics, and other local materials. We enjoy lunch in Puyo before setting out along the Amazon highway to reach our Jungle Lodge. Once we settle into our lodge, we embark on a visit to a Shiripuno Kichwa indigenous community. Here, we learn about the Kichwa way of life, culture, traditions, and customs of the Amazon. We can also participate in community activities, including the creation of ceramics with indigenous motifs, preparation of Chicha (corn beer), visits to ancient petroglyph sites, and cleansing rituals with a local shaman. At the end of the day, we settle into our riverfront cabañas ready for a peaceful evening surrounded by jungle sounds. (B, L, D)

DAY 4: JUNGLE RAFTING ON THE JATUNYACU RIVER

After enjoying breakfast in our lodge, we drive to Llanganates National Park, which extends from the high Andes down into the Amazon basin and is part of an area declared a Biosphere Zone by the United Nations. The water that collects in this area forms the Jatunyacu River, which is considered Ecuador’s best one-day river run. We begin the day with a walk in the jungle to reach naturally-formed swimming pools. Upon our return and after a safety briefing, our whitewater rafting adventure begins. A trip down the Jatunyacu River offers spectacular jungle scenery, crystal-clear water, and glimpses into indigenous communities that live along the shores in small bamboo and wood houses. The Jatunyacu is also famed for its big waves, fun holes, and high volume of water (Class III - III+). We’ll spend the rest of the day navigating the Jatunyacu, whose waters carry us through breathtaking landscapes with abundant bird life. In the afternoon, we drive back up into the Andes, climbing from 1,500 to 10,000 feet (500 to 3,000 meters) in altitude and passing through a national park and nature reserve until we reach the Papallacta Hotsprings Resort & Spa. In the evening, we relax in the therapeutic alkaline-rich natural thermal waters of Papallacta. (B, L, D)

DAY 5: HIKING IN THE ANDES & PAPALLACTA HOTSPRINGS

In the morning, we visit the highland interpretation center and go for a guided nature hike in a private cloud forest and paramo reserve. We seek out birds and other Andean wildlife species before returning to our hotel, where we have time for one last dip in the soothing natural hotsprings of Papallacta while nestled in fantastic cloud forest scenery. Spa services such as massages, aromatherapy, and other optional treatments can be arranged in advance. After lunch, we return to Quito to prepare for our flight to the Galapagos Islands. We spend the night in a boutique hotel. (B, L, D)

DAY 6: FLY TO GALAPAGOS AND HIKE IN SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND

We pick you up in the morning to accompany you to the airport, where you board your flight from Quito to San Cristobal Island. Once in the Galapagos, we welcome you with lunch and an orientation at a local restaurant. After lunch, our adventure begins with a hike to the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center, where we learn about volcanic activity, natural history, and evolution in the Galapagos. We continue our hike on towards Frigate Hill along trails of lava rock featuring splendid views of the coastline and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, while we explore dry forest and observe cacti, acacia, palo santo, Galapagos cotton, and other vegetation. This is also a good time to enjoy our first encounters with local wildlife, since Frigate Hill is often visited by Galapagos species such as the magnificent and great frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans, gulls, herons, and numerous other land birds, including Darwin finches, warblers, and mockingbirds. On our way back we can stop for a refreshing swim at Carola Beach or Mann Beach. In the evening, we explore town and dine at a waterfront restaurant. Accommodations in a first-class hotel on San Cristobal Island. (B, L, D)

DAY 7: SEA KAYAK PLAYA OCHOA AND SNORKEL AT LEON DORMIDO

We slip into our ocean kayaks and spend the morning paddling along the coast, going north exploring bays and coves full of local wildlife - including Darwin Bay, the site of the first landing of the HMS Beagle. The route is home to colonies of sea lions, marine turtles, blue-footed boobies, and frigate birds. Once we reach Playa Ochoa, we continue on to nearby Isla Lobos on the lookout for marine iguanas and sea lions, swimming with them to enjoy one of the best sea lion encounters in the entire archipelago. We continue on to Leon Dormido, the jagged remains of an old tuff cone whose flanks are home to thousands of sea birds. At Leon Dormido, we enjoy excellent snorkelling; for certified divers, this is also one of the best dives in the islands. There is a good chance of seeing Galapagos sharks, eagle and golden rays, as well as dozens of species of tropical fish, clams, starfish, and marine invertebrates. If we are lucky, we may spot hammerhead and white-tipped sharks as well. In the afternoon, we return to our hotel to enjoy another dinner together and our final evening on San Cristobal Island. (B, L, D)

DAY 8: FLIGHT TO ISABELA, TINTORERAS & BEACH EXPLORATION

After breakfast, we take a small, private plane from San Cristobal to Isabela Island. Isabela is the largest island in the archipelago, formed by 5 shield volcanoes: Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Sierra Negra, and Wolf. All of these volcanoes (except for one) remain active, making this island one of the most volcanically active places on Earth. Here, we visit the Galapagos Tortoise Rearing Center, to learn about tortoise development and conservation. We explore the bay in search of the endemic Galapagos penguin, and follow a trail along the coastline to observe dramatic lava formations and meet a large colony of sea lions. We pass through mangroves and salty lagoons that are home to the mangrove finch, endemic to Isabela. We can also spot American oyster catchers, herons, flamingos, and many other shore birds. In the afternoon, we relax on exotic white sand beaches. The evening is spent in the tranquil port town of Puerto Villamil. (B, L, D)

DAY 9: HORSEBACK RIDE AND VOLCANO HIKE IN ISABELA

From Puerto Villamil, we drive to the highlands of Isabela Island to prepare our horses for a 6 mile (9 km) ride on irregular terrain until we arrive at the rim of the Sierra Negra volcano. Sierra Negra is an active volcano which last erupted in October 2005, and is also the second largest caldera in the world. We hike around the rim of the crater, from which you have a fantastic view of the 6x5 mile-wide (9x8 kilometer) lava-filled caldera, the other Isabela volcanoes, and the Perry Isthmus beyond. From here, we hike to Chico Volcano, with its puffing fumaroles and striking lava formations, examples of the dramatic geological events that have forged the Galapagos Islands over millennia. In the late afternoon, we return to Puerto Villamil for our last evening on the “Enchanted Islands.” (B, L, D)

DAY 10: FLIGHT TO BALTRA & RETURN TO QUITO

An early morning flight takes us from Isabela Island to Baltra Island, where we will board our flight back to the continent. (B)

INCLUDED: Accommodations in first class and tourist superior hotels; all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily); all adventure and protective equipment (including front-suspended Deore mountain bikes, expedition kayaks, rafting equipment, gloves, helmets, water bottles, and dry bags); professional English-speaking guide; professional Galapagos naturalist guide; land, sea, and inter-island air transportation.

NOT INCLUDED: Airfare to/from Galapagos (subject to change); Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee (subject to change); other National Park entrance fees; hotel & restaurant beverages, tips, or gratuities; guide tips; and personal expenses.

**PLEASE NOTE** This itinerary is subject to change without notice due to seasonal changes, last-minute weather conditions, and adjustments of Galapagos National Park policy.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• TRAVEL TIME: 1 to 3 hours per day
• PADDLE, HIKING, OR ACTIVITY DURATION: 2-4 hours each day
• SEASON: All year
• ALTITUDE: 1,500 to 15,500 feet (500 to 4,800 meters)
• AVERAGE TEMPERATURE - ANDES: DAY 46-75ºF / 8-24ºC, NIGHT 41-53ºF / 5-12ºC
• AVERAGE TEMPERATURE - CLOUDFOREST: DAY 60-86ºF / 16-30ºC, NIGHT 60-68ºF / 16-20ºC
• AVERAGE TEMPERATURE - AMAZON: DAY 68-95ºF / 20-35ºC, NIGHT 64-71ºF / 18-22ºC
• AVERAGE TEMPERATURE - GALAPAGOS: December to May: 80ºF to 90ºF / 25ºC to 30ºC. June to September: 60ºF to 70ºF / 15ºC to 20ºC. October to December: 70ºF to 80ºF / 15ºC to 25ºC.
• GALAPAGOS WATER TEMPERATURE: The waters in the Galapagos Islands are a unique mixture of warm & cold water, ranging between 65ºF and 85ºF / 18ºC and 30ºC.
• SUGGESTED ITEMS TO PACK: water sandals, rain jacket, flashlight, water bottle, non-cotton trekking gear, bathing suit, sunblock, hat, and mosquito repellent.