|
|
|
|
|
Adventure Tours |
 P1 ESMERALDAS Esmeraldas is called the green province of Ecuador as it enjoys a lush vegetation, from tropical rainforest to mangroves at the ocean. It is situated in the northwestern part of Ecuador, bordering Colombia and the Pacific ocean. The majority of the population are of former black slave descent and with their rich tradition add color and special flavor to this part of the country. On this trip we get also to know the beautifully vast and empty northern sand beaches as that region is still mainly untouched by any kind of tourism. Caution: There are problems at the border to Colombia and some risks are involved in visiting the border regions. Day 1 We leave Quito in the morning and head northwest towards the highway passing Mitad del Mundo, Mindo and Puerto Quito till we come after a 3-hour descent down the Western Cordillera to the main highway Santo Domingo – Esmeraldas. Little later on in the town of Quinide we stop for lunch and then continue on to Atacames where we arrive after another 3-hours drive. Day 2 Today we enjoy the beaches at Atacames after yesterday's long drive. Atacames is Quito's beach resort and offers well-developed tourist installations in a small and pleasant beach setting. Day 3 On this day we leave Atacames and head north to visit Majagual, a mangrove reserve with some of the highest mangrove trees in the world (up to 60m). After hiking through this private reserve, we continue on to the small town of La Tola, where we take a boat and visit the island of La Tolita. 2000 years ago, La Tolita was the center of a well-developed culture of the same name, which is famous for its beautiful artwork in gold and silver. Although most of the artifacts are now in the Archaeological museum in Quito, there are still some remnants seen on the islands, like graves and pottery. For the night we go to Borbon. Day 4 In the morning we take a boat and move up 5 hours the river Cayapas to San Miguel, a small community located deep in the tropical rainforest. We spend two nights there with the community and learn to get to know their customs and daily life. Day 5 We spend another day in San Miguel with excursions into the surrounding jungle to get know the rich biodiversity of a tropical rainforest with its many plants. Day 6 Early in the morning we head back by boat to Borbon and then continue on by jeep to San Lorenzo, a small town located near the Colombian border, where we spend our last night. Day 7 We head back to Quito by way of the highway leading to Ibarra. We arrive in Otavalo after a long 4 hour drive and there we stop at the market and for something to eat. Later we return to Quito, where we arrive after another 3 hour drive.
|
|
||
|
|
