Arrival in the evening in Quito, the capital (9,350 ft). Beginning of your Ecuador Family Vacation! Transfer to a charming 3-star hotel in the historic centre. Welcome drink. Overnight in Quito.

Visit to Quito’s historic center, recognized by UNESCO as “World Cultural Heritage“ or cable car up to the Pichincha Volcano (13,400 ft.), with a panoramic view of Quito and the Andean mountains and possible walk or horse-back riding. Then visit to the Middle of the World Monument or the interesting Intiñan Ethno-Scientific Museum. And then short drive to Mindo cloud forest, famous for its birds, butterflies, waterfalls, chocolate and adventure sports. Coffee or chocolate break at an observatory of humming birds. Good Pizza dinner U$ 20 per person. Overnight in an Eco chalet around nature.

Optional, birdwatching or visit of a butterfly forest U$ 80 for the family. Tubing down the river or zip line above the forest. “Tilapia” lunch. Visit of a small chocolate factory and brownie tasting or optional: night walk to observe, look for small animals, insects and reptiles (U$ 17 per person). Then drive back to Quito. Overnight in the hotel in Quito or near of the city.

Drive to the beautiful Andean region of Otavalo, famous for its volcanoes, lakes, condors and Indian culture. Visit of the well-known Indian market of Otavalo displaying all kinds of Ecuadorian textiles and handicrafts. You can visit a rose plantation (from U$ 25 p.p) or show raptors and condors (U$ 10 p.p). Transfer to an Indian community. Spend time with a family to learn about their agriculture, ways of living, handcrafts, etc. Dinner and overnight at a family home.

*Transfer to Ibarra train station and travel by train across the Andean region of Cayambe volcano to the subtropical Chota valley. Arrival at an Afro village. Cultural presentation. Then drive to the “Avenue of the Volcanoes” to the Cotopaxi Volcano. Dinner and overnight in an Eco tourist hacienda or a mountain inn down of the Cotopaxi.
*In option if the train operates on the date of travel U$50

Horse-back riding at the Cotopaxi national park or close by. Tour of the Cotopaxi National Park with possible hiking up to the refuge (not recommended for children under 11). Then short drive to the amazing Quilotoa Crater Lake. Possible Tour of its Indian village. Dinner and overnight in a nice community or country inn.

Possible walk down the border of Quilotoa Lake or around it. According to the day, possible family visit to a typical Indian market. Drive up to the charming thermal springs town of Baños, located down of the Tungurahua Volcano. City tour and hot spring bath or Swimming at the famous “End of the World“ springs. Overnight in a charming hotel or family inn in Baños.

Soft Mountain biking along the Waterfall road or other activity. On the way, “tarabita” crossing Pastaza river. Family walk to the spectacular Pailon del Diablo waterfall, one of the biggest of Latin America. Then drive to Puyo, “the gateway of the Amazon”, to a botanic farm. Vegetarian lunch. Guided tour in its park to know about the tropical plants, trees and the ones in extinction. Boat tour. Swimming in the river. Vegetarian dinner and overnight in the farm.

Driving to the Amazon region of Tena. Arrival at Napo River, or Arajuno River then pirogue transfer up to an Eco lodge with swimming pool in the middle of the jungle. Lunch. Leisure time or possible tour. Possible night walk in the forest to observe insects or other small animals. Dinner and overnight in the lodge.

Very early pirogue transfer and short walk up to a clay wall to observe an amazing encounter of parrots. Breakfast then walk in the primary and secondary forest to observe its flora, medicinal plants, giant trees, insects, monkeys, birds etc. And possible swim in the river. Return to the lodge, lunch. Leisure time. Then cultural activity and exchange at a Kichwa Indigenous community, meeting with its inhabitants who will show you their way of living, their banana, cocoa, papaya, yucca plantation and how to make their ancestral “chicha” beverage. It´s possible, they will offer you their traditional dishes and the children will dance for you. Exhibition of the Kichwa women’s handcrafts and possible purchase of souvenirs. Family dinner and overnight in the lodge.

Last breakfast in the rainforest, then transfer to Jatun Yacu River and Rafting security briefing and Rafting down this river. Then drive back to the Andes. On the way, possible stop to enjoy the well-known hot spring pools of Papallacta. Overnight in a hotel in the center of Quito or close by the airport.

End of your Ecuador Family Vacation. Transfert to the airport and flight back home. Or flight to Galapagos Islands.