Project Description

Quito, Mindo, Amazon, Papallacta, Cotopaxi

9 Days /7 Nights

MQQ09-P10

Departure dates and prices are available upon request. Please call 1-800-387-0387 or email tours@jadetours.com

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ITINERARY

DAY 1 – DEPART TORONTO 

Depart Toronto on an overnight flight.

 DAY 2  – ARRIVE QUITO     

Upon arrival at Quito’s Mariscal Sucre airport, you will be greeted by our English speaking local representative. Head to head to Middle of the World which highlights the exact location of the Equator.

After the tour, drive to your hotel for check-in. Balance of the day is free at leisure.

Hotel: 4*+ Mecure Hotel Alameda or similar (3 nights)

DAY 3 – QUITO     Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

After the breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel. Today is the opportunity to discover the heritage city of Quito by awakening travelers´ senses through a journey focused on the traditions that surround this ancient area.

During this tour, travelers will have the opportunity to visit, work, and taste traditional sweets from Ecuador as well as local artisans around La Ronda Street. Then, it´s time to have the first introduction to the cocoa and chocolate process and tastes by the hand of the most renowned chocolate shop, Pacari.

After producing many endorphins with the chocolate tasting, the group will continue walking the city center listening to the stories and history of the streets and ancient building until reaching the local family that prepares the traditional sweet called “Colaciones.” After all, this tasting, smelling, and touching experiences is time for an eye candy that blows traveler’s mind, and it´s no more than the Compania Church with its Golden walls, which represents the Baroque School of Quito. Finally, the best way to finish this journey is by visiting La Ronda and some of their artisanal shops and workshops.

After these activities, the group will return to their hotel to have some time to rest, and be prepared for a delicious dinner.

DAY 4 –  MINDO     Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

In the morning meet your guide and then begin the journey to Mindo. Then, after a ground transfer of 3 hours approximately through the Andean mountains, the group will arrive at Mindo. At this Andean town famous for its butterflies, orchids, and chocolate, the group will have the chance to visit one of the local chocolate factories. Here the group will have its first introduction, in situ, to the cocoa production and manufacturing process by visiting the cocoa farm and factory. A local guide will introduce the group to the organoleptic characteristics of Ecuadorian fine aroma cocoa. In the end, visitors will not only be able to recognize the cocoa fruit, taste the raw cocoa seed, understand the importance of the toasting and fermentation processes, and then to get the chocolate paste that is sweetener later.

During the journey, the group will have lunch in one of the best restaurants in Mindo with an interesting menu that combines international and Ecuadorian dishes made with local ingredients. Later the group will return to Quito, but before the group can choose if they would like to visit the butterfly farm in Mindo.

Return to Quito, dinner in a local restaurant.

DAY 5 –  GUANGO – HACIENDA SANTA RITA – PUNTA AHUANO     Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

After the breakfast, the adventure down to the Amazon area begins. During the journey that crosses the Andean mountain range down to the entrance of the Amazon of Ecuador, the first stop of the group will be Guango. This area is ideal for watching hummingbirds while walking around a trekking path.

Then the journey continues up to arrives at Hacienda Santa Rita, owned by Pacari Chocolates. Here, travelers will reinforce the knowledge about chocolate gained in previous days.

Hacienda Santa Rita is the best place to understand in depth the importance of the chocolate and its production as well as the sustainable achievements of local producers, which is one of the key values of Pacari Chocolates.

Lunch will be served at the Hacienda, and then the journey will continue to Punta Ahuno, where
Casa del Suizo Lodge is located.

After arrive at this rainforest lodge, you will have time to rest and enjoy the facilities and services of Casa del Suizo, and depending on the weather and general conditions of the group there is a first activity such as visit to an indigenous community.
Hotel: Casa del Suizo or similar (2 nights)

DAY 6 –  AMAZON     Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

After the breakfast, the adventure in the Amazon area begins. Casa del Suizo has a wide range of activities from trekking in the jungle, kayaking, tubing, tarabita (booked and paid by your own at the lodge), or visit to a local community. Nonetheless, the activities are organized once the group is in the lodge depending the weather condition, water level on the river, general condition of the passengers. As a result, th e best advice for the group is being open to enjoy the jungle and the lodge and flexible to changes.

DAY 7 –  AMAZON – PAPALLACTA – QUITO      Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Today, after waking up surrounded by the greenery and peaceful rainforest, it´s time to continue the journey to Papallacta hot springs. Here, the group can enjoy and relax in one of the hot spring swimming pools and then lunch at the restaurant. Hotel: 4*+ Mecure Hotel Alameda or similar (2 nights)

DAY 8 –  COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK     Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

After breakfast we will departure for a short visit to the National Park. The Cotopaxi Volcano is one of the most important landmarks in Ecuador because it is the highest active volcano in the world. Lush endemic flora and fauna of the area can be observed, including: one of the most representative species is the Chuquiragua (also known as the mountaineer’s flower) wild horses, deers, llamas, and more. Whilst in the National Park you can also see Limpiopungo Lake, located near Rumiñahui volcano (4757 meters).

DAY 9 –  DEPART QUITO     Breakfast

Today after breakfast you will be met by your guide and taken to the airport in time for your international flight back home.

第二天:罗马斗兽场

Day 2 – Quito

第二天:罗马斗兽场

Day 5– Amazon Area