EcuadorSouthern Highlands and Amazon Program
Tour Code: ACC-ECD4 | Duration: 11 days
This is a very accessible tour for people that use a wheelchair. Depending on guest mobility needs, we can use a VAN
with an electric lift or a small SUV for the guest that can transfer manually into a car. All hotels used for the tour
are accessible. Tour is based on an all inclusive basis (bilingual guide, hotels, meals, transportation, entrance fees
to National Parks, equipment rented if needed).
Day 1 (includes lunch and dinner)
Arrival in Quito. Pick up from airport and transfer to hotel. Depending on arrival time, lunch and quick
drive or walk around tourist district in Quito near by the hotel. During an early dinner we will have a get
together to go over the tour by our tour leader and get to know each other.
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Day 2 (includes breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Today we will start our adventure by driving south in the Andes. We will cross several mountains observing
green farms on both sides of the road. Finally we will enter the Cotopaxi National Park area. Cotopaxi volcano
is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. We will check in at a cozy little lodge, where will be our
headquarters for visiting several attractions. In the afternoon we will visit the Cotopaxi National Park. During
this visit you can observe llamas and typical landscape from this area. For the night, we will enjoy a hot drink
in-front of the fire.
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Day 3 (includes breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Ecuador is famous for the quality of its roses. Today, we will visit a rose farm plantation where we will learn
the entire process of producing the finest rose in the world. After lunch we will drive towards Baños de Agua Santa
which is a cute little town in the entrance of the Amazon. This town lies at the bottom of the Tungurahua volcano.
This is an active volcano, which to observe the fumes coming out has been a tourist attraction for the last 5 years.
We will arrive to Baños around 5 pm and after checking in, we will walk around its streets to get to know the town.
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Day 4 (includes breakfast, lunch and dinner)
After breakfast we will go to the “tarabita” which is a portable box, which travels from one side of the
mountain to the other side. It is very safe, and it lets you admire the beauty of the nature of this area.
After this activity we will visit several waterfalls around Baños. After lunch, we will drive towards
the Tungurahua volcano to admire the fumes coming out of its crater or we just observe it from the town´s
cozy streets and plazas. Dinner will be served in Baños at a typical restaurant.
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Day 5 (includes breakfast, lunch and dinner)
After breakfast we will drive into the Amazon. We will drive for 2,5 hours to until we reach Huasquila Amazon
Lodge in the Napo Province. After checking inn, we will have the afternoon to enjoy the views from our hut,
enjoy the Jacuzzi or pool.
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Day 6 (includes breakfast, lunch and dinner)
After breakfast we will have a quick walk into an amazon secondary rainforest path to observe natural
medicinal plants native from the Amazon. For this activity we will use an off road wheelchair which
depending on the weather conditions may allow us to do the walk. In case we are not able to take the
walk we will have a presentation of this medicinal plants at the lodge restaurant by our native indigenous
guide. After lunch we will visit an animal rescue center/zoo which host the typical species of animals
found in the amazon. Here we will have the opportunity to interact with some animals, such as boas, birds,
and monkeys.
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Day 7 (includes breakfast, lunch and dinner)
In the morning we will travel to the Anzu river (1,5 hour drive), where we will take a raft in a very calm
river (class II). We will start our adventure of going down the river admiring the Amazon nature on each side
of the river. During the trip we can stop at several points of interest to take pictures and relax in the river.
Even though the river is very calm, of course we will cruise down the river with several kayakers at all time for
safety reasons. We will finish our journey around 3:00 pm and start our way back to the lodge. Dinner and rest of
the evening for chatting at the lodge (play games, cards, etc) enjoying a delicious tropical juice or wine.
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Day 8 (includes breakfast, lunch and dinner)
After breakfast we will visit a typical indigenous community called Rukullacta. There we will learn about the way the
indigenous from this area keep their traditions and at the same time have adapted to 21st century costumes. We will also
see some typical dances performed by an indigenous group and for the ones who are more adventure a shaman (indigenous doctor)
will be ready to perform a limpieza (cleanning of the body and the soul). After lunch we will drive back to Quito, crossing
seven different climate floors (of course landscape and views from this drive are amazing).
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Day 9 (includes breakfast, lunch and dinner)
After breakfast we visit Fundacion AMEN, which is a horse back riding center. Here we will have the opportunity
to have an assisted lesson for horse back riding. After lunch, we visit the skylif of Quito, where we willr each
an altitude of 4100 meters. From this altitude we will observe the Andes, Quito and all the volcanoes around.
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Day 10 (includes breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Visit to Quito’s Colonial Center, declared World Culture Heritage by UNESCO. Visit the churches and squares and
get to know their history and most interesting facts. In the afternoon we visit the Middle of the World Monument
where we will observe experiments that prove that we are indeed in the Middle of the World. After a farewell
dinner we will have a presentation of all the pictures taken during the trip. We will give every guest a CD with
the pictures as a remembrance gift.
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Day 11 (includes all meals before flight)
Departure
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PRICE PER PERSON (minimum two): US$2850.00 double occupancy
Price includes: All tours and activities specified in program | Accommodations specified in program | All entrance fees during tours and activities specified in program | All meals specified in program | Transportation specified in program
| Guidance during entire tour The price doesn’t include: International airfares and airport taxes
| Any expenses not specified in program (personal expenses, alcoholic beverages, souvenirs, laundry, etc)
| Equipment rental or supply (if necessary)
| Personal insurance
| Any medical expenses
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