PROGRAM « HUMANITARIAN ECUADOR »
12 DAYS / 11 NIGHTS

Day 1: ARRIVING IN ECUADOR IN QUITO: Arriving in Ecuador in Quito in the evening (depending in the air company). Reception and transfer to a small hotel or with a homestay family and night.

Day 2: QUITO – TUMBACO - OTAVALO: in the morning, transfer to the Tumbaco Valley, in the suburbs of Quito to visit a humanitarian association for farm producing to benefit poor children. Lunch with the president (or visit of another pro-educative association for the poor). Then, Pan-American route to the beautiful Andean region of Otavalo. Panoramic stop at the San Pablo Lake, dominated by the majestic volcano Imbabura. Then, arriving to the indigenous community of Otavalo. Installation in a family or various families. Visit of the community, its handcraft workshop and farming plantations. Exchange with the inhabitants, « canelazo », typical, musical group and legends (for groups) and night.

Day 3: OTAVALO - COTACACHI - QUITO: Waking up early with the family, route and walk (optional biking) to Otavalo. If you like, visit of the typical cattle market and visit of the very famous indigenous market of Otavalo, one of the most colored and well-liked of Latin America for its textiles and for his great variety of handcraft from all the country. In the afternoon, walking around the beautiful lake of the crater Cuicocha, dominated by the volcano Cotacachi. Then farm work or production of traditional products (weaving...). Dinner and night in the community or night in Quito: in hotel or with a homestay family.

Day 3: OTAVALO or QUITO - VOLCAN COTOPAXI: In the morning, departure to the National Park of the Cotopaxi volcano (2e peak of the country: 19358 ft) passing along the famous Volcanoes Alley. In road, you could visit a child foundation near from Quito. Continuation to the Cotopaxi, tour of his park, climbing to the refuge from 14764 ft to 15748 ft. Picnic in the place or near a source. Then, transfer to a touristic hacienda situated in the base of the Cotopaxi. Diner, evening with fire in the chimney and night.

Day 5: COTOPAXI - QUILOTOA: Presentation of the ecotouristic hacienda, the organization and farm or other communitarian work. After lunch, riding on the sides of the volcano Ruminahui or if you prefer (optional), horse riding in the « chagra » style (Ecuadorian cowboys). Continuation to the nice region of the crater Quilotoa .typical Andean dinner and night in an inn with a homestay indigenous family.

Day 6: QUILOTOA - URBINA: Walking around and/or to the Quilotoa Lake in company of an indigenous guide and visit of a house or community of the area. Communitarian work and/or learning of typical naive painting from this region. Lunch in an indigenous family and exchange.  Then route to the region of the tallest volcano of the country: the Chimborazo (20702 ft) to a refuge. Visit of a vegetal ivory taller. Dinner and night.

Day 7: URBINA – VOLCAN CHIMBORAZO – BAÑOS: In the morning, possible ride in the Chimborazo Park and visit of the indigenous community Puruhae. Indigenous lunch. Then route to the small thermal city of Baños, stop in the village of the indigenous handicraftsmen Salasacas. We remand you a thermal swim. Free dinner time and night in a small hotel.

Day 8: BAÑOS – AMAZONIE: MISAHUALLI: In the morning, route to the Amazonia to Misahualli region, situated on the banks of the Napo River, tribute to the Amazon then transfer in an indigenous Quichua community. Lunch and swim in the Napo river, then introduction of a "shaman" ( communitarian doctor), introduction of theirs  different customs and traditions (medicinal plants, preparation of the chicha, handcraft, ceremony…) dinner and night in the community or in a camp in the middle of the rainforest.

Day 9: AMAZONIE: Walking and ride in canoe through the Amazonian rainforest to a camp or an indigenous community on the bank of a small river. You will discover local flora, medicinal plants, birds and probably some animals. Picnic. In the afternoon, communitarian work and preparation of the dinner. Dinner and night.

Day 10: AMAZONIE: Using of the blowpipe, golden washing and walking in the rainforest to go back to the community. Lunch, swim and construction or farm work. Dinner, goodbye night with musical group, indigenous dance (for group) and night in the community.

Day 11: AMAZONIE - RAFTING - QUITO: Last swim in the Napo River. Coming back to Quito. Or in option, rafting in  Jatun Yacu river in Tena region (nivel 3 and more) with lunch or lunch in Baeza. Arriving in the evening in Quito. Dinner and night in the hotel.

Day 12: QUITO / FLIGHT TO YOUR COUNTRY: In the morning walking to visit Quito, his colonial center, declared World Heritage Trust Site by the UNESCO. Visit of an handcraft shop which work in fair  trade and if it’s possible, climbing in panoramic cable car or the  Rucco Pichincha volcano (13451 ft), which dominated Quito. Walk in the area. Then transfer to the airport and flight back to your country.

Included in the program :

• Night in double-room or collective-rooms in a 2* hotel (or other category), country inn or refuge, hacienda, in indigenous community or with a homestay family in the city or in a camp (as mentioned in the program)
• Transport and private transfers
• Meals and some drinks
• French or English speaking guide and local guides
• Spanish speaking Quichua in Amazonia
• Excursions, visits and activities mentioned in the program and some entrances.

Not included:

• Entrance to the National Parks of Cotopaxi and Chimborazo (10 USD c/1)
  Other drinks, non mentioned services, meals (in Quito, other cities), optional activities
• Tips
• International flights (you can provide you on request)
• International airport taxes : USD 42 p/p (actual price)
• Luggage carriage
• Full Insurance and trip insurance.

We are at your disposal to modify this program and include in it
an extension to the Pacific Coast or a cruise in Galapagos Islands.
Recommended program for groups
(*) Prices on request