Journeys: Ecuador’s Amazon and Volcanoes
Experience Overview
Ecuador is a small country that packs a punch when it comes to natural beauty, biodiversity, and indigenous heritage. Discover this South American jewel on a memorable adventure, travelling from the emerald-clad Andes to the Amazon’s thriving jungles. Come face-to-face with unique creatures on a nighttime walk through the forest and on a tour of an animal sanctuary; hike through awe-inspiring Cotopaxi National Park, crowned by the soaring Cotopaxi Volcano; and delve into indigenous culture on a visit to an Amazonian community and Jardin Botanico Las Orquideas.
Highlights
- Visit the Otavalo Weaving studio and get a lesson from local weaver
- Explore villages and learn about traditional handicrafts and folk art from locals
- Traverse the Amazon jungle with a local naturalist guide
- Learn about the relationship between cultures and the plants around them at the Omaere Ethnobotanical Park
- Be surrounded by towering volcanoes
Trip Details
Product Code: 2758
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Private van, motorized canoe, walking.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
National Geographic Journey, Extreme Adventures
Tour Operator:
G Adventures
Supplier Code: SEANG
Starts: Quito, Ecuador
Finishes: Quito, Ecuador
Duration: 9 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Activities
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Otavalo Weaving Lesson, Otavalo Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Amazon Home Experience, Tena Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Visit the Orchids Botanical Garden, Puyo Your Wellness Moment: Papallacta Hot Springs Visit, Papallacta
- Arrival transfer
- Overnight in an historic hacienda
- Explore the Otavalo handicraft market
- Cloud forest reserve visit
- Two nights at an Amazon lodge with jungle excursions
- Excursion to Cotopaxi National Park
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotels (4 nts), historic hacienda (1 nt), jungle lodge (2 nts), hot springs resort (1 nt).
- 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
Transport
- Private van, motorized canoe, walking.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2,649 ($294 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Quito
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.
Day 2: Quito/Otavalo
Drive into the mountainous Andean highlands to Otavalo, surrounded by misty volcanoes, and visit the town's famous handicraft market—one of the largest outdoor markets in South America. Browse stalls selling colourful local art, textiles, and souvenirs, and try your hand at haggling. Then, visit a local community establishment for an included lunch of traditional specialities. Later, settle into your room at a historic hacienda, where we'll spend the night.
Spend a night in the Otavalo area and visit its world famous handicrafts market, the largest in South America. Villagers from the surrounding countryside come here every week to sell handmade goods as well as livestock, fruits, and vegetables.
One of the most obvious signs of the Otavaleños' cultural integrity is their traditional dress. This is not just worn for the tourists at the Saturday market, but is worn throughout their daily life.
Day 3: Otavalo/Papallacta
Make your way to the village of Papallacta, known for its abundant natural hot springs. En route, visit the home and studio of a renowned traditional weaver, who is working to preserve the indigenous weaving techniques of the Otavalo region. Get a glimpse of daily life, and observe members of the community at work on the backstrap loom, which has been used in these parts for centuries. Continue to the Papallacta Hot Springs Resort for an afternoon of relaxation. Soak in the mineral-rich waters of the thermal pools, enjoying stunning mountain views, and indulge in a variety of optional spa treatments.
Day 4: Papallacta/Tena
Head towards Tena, often called Ecuador's gateway to the Amazon. On the way, we'll stop at El Quetzal Protected Forest to explore the property's reserve—home to a plethora of avian species, including 8 varieties of hummingbirds. Enjoy lunch at the onsite restaurant, then continue to Misahualli. This charming town is one of the oldest ports in the Ecuadorian Amazon, and harbours a thriving population of Capuchin monkeys. Arrive in Tena and board a motorized canoe to our jungle lodge, perched along the banks of the Arajuno River. This evening, embark on a walk into the forest with a naturalist guide, looking out for the Amazon's nocturnal creatures.
The lodge is located along the bank of the Arajuno River approx. 40min. from Tena. We stay in comfortable cabañas next to the river, which have private bathroom with hot water in the rainfall-shower, electricity and a balcony. From your balcony, you can relax in a hammock or deck chair and observe hummingbirds, shore river birds and butterflies. In the evening, listen to the night music of the multitude of frogs and other nocturnal creatures. The Lodge also has an open-air lounge with pool and full service bar, all connected by a raised and roofed boardwalk to guests rooms.
The lodge is dedicated to protecting the pristine jungle environment and has a dedicated recycling program, energy conservation program and offer biodegradable amenities including shampoo and shower gel in the bathrooms.
Day 5: Tena
Depart early by canoe to visit a saladero, or a parrot clay lick. Alongside our naturalist guide, observe brightly coloured parrots and parakeets gather here to snack on the mineral-rich clay, which studies suggest aids in digestion and provides an important nutrient supplement. Return to the lodge for breakfast, then take a tour of AmaZOOnico, an animal rescue centre that rehabilitates wild creatures that have been victims of illegal trafficking. Later, we'll visit the home of a local Amazonian family for a unique cultural experience. Chat with your hosts about their traditions and beliefs and learn about everyday life in the jungle; then sit down to a delicious homemade lunch.
Day 6: Tena/Baños
Leave the Amazon behind and travel to Baños. This popular resort town is packed with gorgeous landscapes, thrilling outdoor activities, and—as the name indicates—thermal springs originating from the base of the Tungurahua Volcano. Along the way, stop at Jardin Botanico Las Orquideas for a walk with an expert guide, discovering the diverse flora of the region and learning about the indigenous uses of the various plants found there. After arriving in Baños, enjoy free time to stroll through the town.
Baños is one of the most popular spots in the country. Many Ecuadorian families vacation here. One look at this delightfully green mountain town and you will know why. Baños means “baths” and this is precisely what the town is famous for. Some are thermal springs from the base of Tungurahua Volcano, which means “Throat of Fire” in Quichua. Other baths have melt water running into them from Tungurahua's glaciated flanks. Locals swear that the baths are good for your health; it's definitely worth rising early to watch the dawn creep over the mountains from a hot spring vantage point.
Day 7: Baños
The day is yours to explore Baños and the surrounding area. Choose to head to the mountains for an invigorating hike, and later soak your tired muscles in one of the town's thermal springs. Set off on a mountain biking adventure, pedaling past rivers, waterfalls, and delightfully green landscapes; opt to hit the rapids on a white-water rafting excursion; and much more.
The town is the perfect setting for outdoor pursuits. Activities include hiking, mountain biking, and rafting on the River Patate.
Day 8: Baños/Quito
Drive back to Quito, Ecuador's capital, along the spectacular Avenue of Volcanoes. En route, we'll venture through Cotopaxi National Park—home to the snowcapped Cotopaxi Volcano, the second highest peak in the country. As you explore this magnificent park, keep an eye out for the resident wildlife, which ranges from condors, foxes, and deer to the the endangered Andean puma.
Day 9: Quito
Depart at any time.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
William - Traveled, March 2023
This is a relaxed yet full itinery, a great introduction to Equador , accommodation , guides, varied landscapes, with insights culture , surperb trip by Gadventured.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/19/2023
Dom - Traveled, February 2024
This tour exceeded my expectations. We were shown some truly amazing locations in Ecuador. Our guide (Franklin Vinansaca ) was informative and always generous with his time. He had a genuine affection for this country that infected everyone on this tour. So many "WOW" moments in such a
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/19/2024
Asha - Traveled, October 2023
Very nice tour, well organized
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/04/2023
Cristabel - Traveled, February 2020
This was a wonderful trip, everyone was so gracious and informative and professional. Thank you
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/16/2020
Nathalie - Traveled, February 2020
Travelling with Gaventures is for sure a guaranteed successful vacation. Touradar was very professional with my booking and all my questions. I really recommended touradar
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/01/2020
Malva - Traveled, January 2020
This was an amazing trip. The tour director was highly knowledgeable and accommodated the needs of every tour group member. The itinerary provided an opportunity to fully explore Ecuador, and its culture.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/20/2020
Katie - Traveled, July 2018
It was great! We had a lot of fun and saw so much. Everything was arranged very efficiently and was very well organized!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/20/2018
Alice - Traveled, October 2013
It's been awhile but went on small group tour to Ecuador. Had never been. Two thumbs up. Went where couldn't have gone on own~~stayed with indigenous community in the jungle. Hiked the jungle with the indigenous host. Rafted. Soaked in Banos and drove BEHIND the volcano for a kick ash good time. Days in Cuenca, dancing. Hacienda with a fireplace in each room. Went to one of the equator spots. Who knows which is really it? Lastly we were in Otavalo for animal market. What a truly fabulous trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/01/2017
Marcio - Traveled, December 2019
It was a very interesting trip visiting diverse and vibrant places. Otavalo with its colorful market and the Hotel Hacienda Pinsaqui, very beautiful and historical place. Papallacta and the hot spring pools provided us with relaxing moments in a hypnotic setting. Two nights in Tena, in the Amazon rainforest, unique experience. The visit to Baños, perhaps the most exciting place with many radical opportunities and the unforgettable "Caldrón del Diablo" waterfalls. Finally, as Ecuador is the land of volcanoes (84), we could not fail to visit Cotopaxi National Park. Good hotels, reasonable transportation (with great driver) and exceptional guide (CEO), Maria.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/16/2020
Deborah - Traveled, November 2021
This was a great tour. We had an excellent group, great leader and a superb driver. We saw most of the Ecuador highlights in an efficient but well paced way. Thoroughly enjoyed it!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/03/2019
Lorilyn - Traveled, August 2019
Franklin is the best. He handled everything in detail. His professionalism is above and beyond. Thank you for a wonderful experience!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/05/2019
Share a personalized trip brochure!
Why Choose Us?
We Work for You
Our goal to make you happy! That means ensuring our travel consultants have the best product knowledge and excellent customer service. A positive customer experience is our #1 goal!
Our Products
We offer an broad selection of travel products, including all-inclusive vacation packages, pre-packaged tours, custom travel itineraries, destination weddings, and luxury vacations.
Escapes Cares
We believe in giving back. When you book with us, you are contributing to tree planting through our partners at Veritree, as well ocean conservation though Oceana Canada.
