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 A9 ANDES & AMAZON (11 days) In this 11-day program, combining two nature regions of the country, we get to know the Amazon rainforest and Andes mountains. We visit beautiful natural settings with various distinct ecosystems boasting of a unique flora and fauna. But also cultural attractions await you with visits of old colonial towns like Quito and Riobamba, a train ride and traditional Indian markets. Day 1 Arrival at Quito airport and transfer to hotel in Quito. Depending on your arrival time, visits to the old colonial center or another attraction in Quito are scheduled. Day 2 Today we explore Quito and its surroundings. We start our trip by driving up to Panecillo, the hill in the middle of the city. From there we have a great view of the town with the old colonial center just lying at its feet, which we visit next. After a walking tour to the old squares and churches, we stop for lunch. In the afternoon we visit the Casa del Cultura museum which boasts among other things, the famous gold museum with a display of gold art dating back thousands of years . Day 3 In the morning we visit Pahuma, a cloudforest reserve northwest of Quito. We hike through the forest and visit some waterfalls and observe the lush vegetation with distinct flowers like orchids and bromeliads. After lunch we return and on the way back to Quito we stop at Mitad del Mundo, the famous equator line monument. There we visit the on-site museums and you may take the famous pictures, straddling the meridian. Our last stop is to Rumicucho, an old Inca fortress site in the vicinity. Day 4 On this day we visit the famous Indian market in Otavalo. The Indians of the region are famous for their weavings and offer their many wares around the Plaza del Poncho, the heart of the trade. After admiring and shopping, we continue to Cuicocha crater lake, a beautiful water-filled volcanic caldera located at 3300m. We return then to Quito with a short stop at Cotacachi town, famous for its leather articles. Day 5 Early in the morning we leave Quito and head south on the Pan-American highway to Riobamba. On the way there we visit first Chimborazo, the highest peak in Ecuador, where we arrive at an altitude of 4800m. From there we have the mighty glacier just in front of us but apart from close up views of this colossal volcano, we may see vicuņas and other animals and have great views to the valleys below. Day 6 On today's program is the train ride to Devil's Nose scheduled. At 7 am the train leaves for Alausi and from there you go down the steep rock face, called Devil's Nose and return later to Alausi by the same way. After that exciting adventure, which lasts till 1.30 pm we continue on by bus towards Baņos, with a short stop at Salasaca to visit the local Indian market. Day 7 In the morning we hike 2-3 hours on trails above Baņos with great views to the town and Tungurahua, the active volcano dominating the landscape. Fumaroles and other volcanic activities can be observed from close up. In the afternoon we relax in the hot springs, from which this tourist town got its name or visit the zoo, where we see most of the native animals of the country. Day 8 After breakfast we drive down the Pastaza valley to Puyo, visiting on the way many waterfalls and taking a ride in a cable car across this deep and narrow gorge. After lunch in Puyo, a larger town located already in the Amazon basin, we drive on towards the river Napo, where we arrive at our rainforest lodge early in the evening. Day 9 Today we explore the primary rainforest with its bountiful fauna and flora for the first time. The native guides give us explanations about the medicinal and other uses of the plants and trees found in this ecosystem. In the afternoon we undertake some balsa rafting on the river. Another night is spent at the rainforest lodge. Day 10 Early in the morning we go out in the canoe for birdwatching along the shore. We return then to the lodge for breakfast and afterwards explore more of the surrounding rainforest. In the afternoon we visit a native family, where we get a first hand look at the daily native life in the forest. Day 11 After an early breakfast we leave the lodge and drive back to Quito by way of Tena. In Baeza, where we stop for lunch and continue then on to Papallacta, where we visit the hot springs and take a relaxing bath. From there over a high pass of 4000m, it is a two hour drive to Quito, our final destination of this excursion. Day 12 Depending on your departure time, a visit to another sightseeing attraction in Quito is scheduled. Transfer to the airport and return to your country.
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