A relatively small country, about the size of Nevada, lies across the equator in the northwest corner of South America. Its name is taken from the equatorial line that runs through its heart. This is a land of fantastic animals, ice-capped volcanoes and impressive dense jungles. Quito, its capital, is one of the most appealing cities in all of Latin America, with beautiful architecture, patios, monasteries and monuments dating back from the 1700'.
The highlands of the Andes, where half of the population of Ecuador live, with colorful Indian communities, each with its own distinctive characteristics and the "Avenue of the Volcanoes ", majestic mountains and volcanoes are perfect for trekking and climbing . The Amazon rain forest, where life moves at the gentle pace of centuries past, and customs, costumes and cultures remain unchanged. Here a few of the descendants of the Spanish conquistadores and the original pre-Columbian inhabitants still speak Quichua and maintain their traditions that have been passed on from their ancestors.

QUITO
The capital of Ecuador is considered the most beautiful city in South America. Located 9,350 ft above sea level and just 14 m. south of the equator, it has a spring-like climate in a spectacular setting.

Architectural Quito, has plenty of colonial treasures which have been strictly controlled in the old section of the city as well as modern buildings which blend in harmoniously, giving Quito a unique charm. It is a marvelous display of history, architecture and beautiful mountain scenery.

Quito Basic Program
(3days/2nights)
Day 1 - Meeting upon arrival at the Airport in Quito and transfer to selected hotel for overnight accommodations.
Day 2 - A half-day city tour of Quito, including a visit to the Independence Square, the Presidential Palace, the churches of La Compania with its breathtaking gold altars and San Francisco to name a few. Overnight accommodations at selected hotel.
Day 3 - Transfer from selected hotel to the Airport for departure.

Optional tours from Quito
-City tour, Equatorial Museum
-City by night - Chiva "Don Otto
-Jacchigua Folkloric Ballet
-Full day Otavalo market
-Cotopaxi National Park

Avenue of the Volcanoes
(2dys/1night) - Tue/Sat
Day 1 - Early departure from selected hotel in Quito and drive south, visiting the Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano on earth. Explore the Andean moorlands with highland birds, or hike up the snow line (4,800m.). Enjoy lunch in one of the traditional Haciendas or Country Inns. After lunch, visit Ambato, known as the city of flowers. Also visit Guano, known for its hand-made carpets. Arrive in Riobamba and overnight accommodations at a Country Inn.
Day 2 - After breakfast, a city tour of Riobamba, the birthplace of Ecuador's first constitution, in 1830. The tour includes French-influenced plazas, the Basilica and the Cathedral. Admire the city from the Quito Hill and learn about Ecuador's history from it murals. Also visit the cloister and Museum of La Concepcion, which holds one of the best collections of religious arts in Ecuador. Lunch is served at a typical hacienda or Country Inn. On your way back to Quito admire the majestic Avenue of the Volcanoes at sunset. Return to Quito and transfer to selected hotel.

Otavalo Indian Market
(2day/1night) Daily - Friday
Day 1 - Early morning departure from selected hotel in Quito and start your tour of the highlands traveling through Calderon, where the artistic bread dough figures are made. Arrive in Otavalo in the evening for overnight.
Day 2 - Early morning tour of the famous Otavalo Indian market, where you will find hand-loomed sweaters, woven textiles, jewelry, leather and multicolored tapestries that tell their own stories.. On the way back to Quito, a short visit to the wood carving center of San Antonio de Ibarra before returning to Quito and your selected hotel.

Pathway through the Andes
(3days/2nights)
Except Monday and Wednesday
Day 1 - Early departure from selected hotel in Quito and drive south along the Pan-American highway and the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Enjoy lunch in one of the traditional Haciendas or Country Inns. After lunch, visit Ambato, known as the city of flowers. At the base of the snow-capped Chimborazo you will find the city of Riobamba. Upon arrival in Riobamba a short tour of the city includes its French-influenced plazas, the Basilica and the Cathedral. Overnight accommodations at a Country Inn.
Day 2 - After breakfast, you begin a drive through some of the most picturesque Indigenous areas of the country, passing by Balbanera Chapel, the oldest Catholic chapel in the country, until you reach the Alausi train station. If the train is available, you will experience the thrill of a lifetime of going from the high to the low lands through the Devil's nose, a 1,000 foot cliff on the way to Chanchan. Back on the road again, as high as 3,1000m., see Ingapirca, the vast complex of Inca ruins that were once a religious and administrative center, as well as a military fortress. Enjoy you lunch among the llamas in their natural habitat. Arrive in Cuenca in the evening for overnight accommodations at selected hotel.
Day 3 - Cuenca, is considered by most Ecuadorians to be the prettiest colonial city in the country. After breakfast, let its cobblestone streets, graceful wrought-iron balconies, and flowered plazas captivate you. Its market places and handicrafts are living testimony to the regions indigenous and artisan heritage. Visit the city's romantic Tomebamba river flanked be overhanging houses. Also included in the tour, visits to a straw-hat export enterprise, to see where the original Panama hats are made and a ceramic factory. Early afternoon departure to the Airport for return flight to Quito.
-Due to operational reasons, the train might not be available, if this is the case, the rest of the trip from Alausi would be completed by bus.

COLONIAL CUENCA
Capital of the Azuay Province, in a valley of the Andes Mountains, about 2635m. above sea level, the third largest city is Ecuador is considered the prettiest colonial city. Filled with cobblestone streets and flowered plazas. The old center has numerous churches dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. Thirty one miles from Cuenca you will find the Inca fortress of Ingapirca, Ecuador's best preserved pre-colonial ruins.

Cuenca Basic Program
(3days /2 nights)
Day 1 - Meeting upon arrival at the airport in Cuenca and transfer to selected hotel. Afternoon tour of this colonial city, visiting the many flower markets, the sunlit domes of the cathedral, the quiet convents and museums. Overnight accommodations at selected hotel.
Day 2 - Day at leisure to explore Cuenca on your own or take one of the optional excursions available. Overnight accommodations at selected hotel.
Day 3 - Early morning transfer from selected hotel to the Airport for departure.

Optional tours from Cuenca
-Full day Cajas Lakes - Daily
-Full day Ingapirca (Inca Ruins) - Daily
-Full day Gualaceo - Daily

GUAYAQUIL
The largest commercial port in South America, Guayaquil sits on a deep inlet from the Pacific, along the shores of the Rio Guayas. The city serves as one of the gateways to the Galapagos Islands. You will find archaeological, art and cultural museums, Colonial era architecture and inviting parks. A short distance from Guayaquil are some of the best beaches, in Ecuador, Salinas and Playas to name a few.

Guayaquil Basic Program
(3days /2 nights)
Day 1 - Meeting upon arrival at Airport in Guayaquil and transfer to selected to hotel for overnight.
Day 2 - Early morning city tour including a drive around the turn-of-the century neighborhood of Las Penas. Passing by the bustling riverfront and the Rotonda, to discover the spirit of Ecuador's largest city. Overnight accommodations at selected hotel.
Day 3 - Early morning transfer from selected hotel to the Airport for departure.

Optional tours from Guayaquil
-Playas or Salinas beach
-Botanical Gardens.
-Manglares Churute Ecological Reserve

Machalilla
(4days/3nights)
Day 1 - Depart by plane from Quito or by bus from Guayaquil to the heart of the coastal region. Arrive at the Ecological Lodge in Machalilla for overnight accommodations with all meals.
Day 2 - The Ecological Lodge will be the starting point for your visit to the archeological sites and museums of Salango and Agua Blanca as well as the white sand beaches of Los Frailes. Overnight accommodations at the Ecological Lodge with all meals.
Day 3 - Full day visit to the Island of La Plata, 18 nautical miles off-shore. This Island is known as "Little Galapagos" by the natives of the region due to the amazing resemblance of its flora and fauna to the ones found on the Enchanted Islands.
Day 4 - On you way back to Guayaquil or Quito learn how to make straw hats in the little town of Montecristi, the actual birthplace of the mistakenly called Panama hat", exported and worn by the workers of the Panama Canal.

The Amazon: Flotel Orellana
(4 days/3 nights) - Fridays
Day 1 - Early morning departure to the Airport in Quito for a short flight to Lago Agrio. Upon arrival transfer to the Aguarico River and a three hour motor launch that will take you the Flotel Orellana, the most comfortable and safest way to visit the Cuyabeno Wildlife reserve. The floating hotel comfortably accommodates 48 guest. (L,D)
Day 2 - After breakfast disembark to stroll a boardwalk connecting the Aguarico with Pacuyacocha Lake. Paddle native canes called "iquillas" and enjoy the peace and remoteness of this jungle paradise. Lunch onboard the Flotel. In the afternoon, disembark at Juanillas for a bird's-eye view of the luxuriant forest canopy. Night outings for caiman watching are also planned. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - Early morning navigation to Sabalo to visit the Cofan Indigenous Community where a Cofan native, expert in the secrets of rainforest medicinal plants will share his knowledge with you as you make your way though the forest. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - After breakfast return to Lago Agrio to board plane for flight to Quito.

The Virgin Achuar Sanctuary of Kapawi
(4days/3nights)
Day 1 - Transfer to the Airport in Quito, for the flight to a remote jungle airstrip in the Ecuadorian Amazon Basin and transfer by dugout canoe to the spectacular Kapawi Ecological Reserve. Its jungle lodge will give visitors a full jungle experience while providing economic support to the native Achuar community and respecting their territory and culture. Located on the shore of the Kapawi lake, the reserve was built following Achuar architectural concepts, which means not a single nail was used. The reserve uses solar energy and every room has a wide terrace, where you can observe ducks, hummingbirds, egrets and parrots. In the evening relax as you are serenaded by the night animals. Overnight accommodations at the Lodge. (D)
Day 2 - Full day to explore the tropical rain forest which include jungle walks, dugout canoe journeys, bird watching. Overnight accommodations at the Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - Today's tour will include visits to the Achaur communities and river rafting. Members of the Achuar tribe act as guides, and will share their knowledge of the rain forest with you. Overnight accommodations at the Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Early morning departure to airstrip for flight to Quito, upon arrival in Quito transfer to selected hotel. (B)

- Kapawi has three levels of difficulty depending on your physical conditions well as your likes/dislikes. Easy-Moderate and Difficult. All itineraries can be rearranged with the naturalist guide.

The Galapagos Islands
An area of about 3,000 square miles and is situated 600 miles west of the Pacific coast of Ecuador. Ecuador's Archipelago includes 13 major islands, 6 small islands and more then 40 islets. The Galapagos Islands remain a living laboratory of evolution, where unique and fearless species that have evolved from their original form in order to survive, can be found.

M/Y Coral 1 & M/Y Coral
4,5 & 8 days

Wed- Baltra Airport - Bartolome
Thu- Urbina Bay (Isabela)
Tangus Cove (Isabela)
Fri- Espinosa Point (Fernandina)
Point Vicente Roca (Isabela)
Sat- Egas Port(Santiago)
Rabida (Jervis)
Sun- Charles Darwin Station & Highlands.
(Santa Cruz)
Mon- Pitt Point (San Cristobal)
Lobos Island
Interpretation Center
(San Cristobal)
Tue- Gardner Bay (Espanola)
Suarez Point (Espanola)
Wed- North Seymour Island or Plaza Baltra Airport

Sun/Wed- 4 days
Wed/Sun- 5 days
Sun/Sun or Wed/Wed- 8 days

-Other vessels and options available upon request.