DAY 1 | BIENVENIDOS TO ECUADOR
Fly into Quito�s airport. There�s a meet and greet, then the representative will escort you to the Caf� Cultura. Your hotel for the evening.
DAY 2 | INTO THE JUNGLE�
In the morning, take a charter flight over the Amazon. Your eyes will be glued to the aerial view of the snow-lined volcanic mountains and the never-ending rainforest canopy. Head to the Kapawi Ecolodge. The local Achuar Indians are the majority of the staff and the lodge pays the Achuar Federation for use of the land. The Achuar will inherit the lodge outright in 2011. Kapawi Ecolodge is made up of twenty thatched huts. Spend the next three days here, participating in the guided hikes, bird watching, kayaking, and camping and generally being in and of the jungle. There are opportunities to visit Achuar communities, too. The lodge is a ten-day walk to the closest town but the remoteness of it only adds to its charm. Wind down the first day in a hammock. Stay overnight at the ecolodge. [B,L,D]
DAY 3 | A DAY IN THE AMAZON
Today, get your fill at breakfast, then choose from a host activities. Choose one or choose all: rainforest hikes, kayaking, birdwatching or cruising the river to spot the elusive pink dolphin. Make an afternoon visit to the Achuar village. Ease into the evening hours with dinner and a return to the jungle for a hike and star-gazing. Return to Kapawi Lodge for the night. [B,L,D]
DAY 4 | BACK TO THE JUNGLE
Enjoy another full day in this pristine rainforest paradise at Kapawi Lodge. Today, design your own schedule for the array of activities that await. Now is the chance to do what you couldn�t do the day before�simply because you were too busy doing the other fun things. Stop by the Achuar village to say goodbye then return to the lodge in the evening. [B,L,D]
DAY 5 | RETURN TO QUITO
In the early morning, take one last stroll on the surrounding jungle trails then return to the lodge for breakfast. Pack up for the journey back to Quito--arriving late in the afternoon. Check in at the Caf� Cultura. Then, the rest of the day is yours to relax and take in Quito�s nightlife--clubs, shops and restaurants await your dancing feet. Return to the hotel. [B,L,D]
DAY 6 | ANDEAN PEAKS
Today, head out to Riobamba--just south of Quito--to the area with the highest mountains in Ecuador. These towering peaks cast a shadow on the verdant, green valleys below. Take a bit of a respite at the Hosteria La Cienega. Then, visit a local Indian market followed by lunch at a country inn. Next, ascend to the foothills of the Chimborazo, the highest peaks of the Ecuadorian Andes. There�s a drive down into the valley of Priobamba to visit Guano, where some of the most beautiful handwoven rugs are made. Stay overnight in Riobamba at the Hosteria Abraspungo. [B,L,D]
DAY 7 | THE INCAS OF ECUADOR
In the morning, head south towards Guamote and Palmira where the terraced fields go by as the terrain slowly descends into the coastal plains. Depending on the day of the week, travel to the Devil�s Nose railway for a ride on a turn of the century train. There�s a picnic lunch enroute. Next, visit the Ingapirca ruins, the largest Incan ruins in Ecuador. Hidden deep in the Andean Hills, get a guided tour through this ancient civilization. Take dinner in Cuenca then stay overnight at the Cuenca hotel. [B,L,D]
DAY 8 | A DAY IN CUENCA
Today, take a city tour of Cuenca, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural site. Spend the day exploring the beautiful churches and museums. Lunch at one of Cuenca�s fine restaurants and return to the Cuenca hotel in the evening to rest those tired feet. [B,L,D]
DAY 9 | ON TO GUAYAQUIL
After breakfast, head out for Guayaquil. There�s a stop at the Cajas National Park, surrounded by mountains and forests and has over 250 lakes. There�s a variety of wild plant and animal life: mountain toucans, Andean Gills, rabbits and deer frolic among the orchids, ferns and quinoa. Take lunch enroute to Guayaquil. Spend the afternoon exploring this coastal city and take dinner at one of the many great seafood restaurants. Check in and turn in for a good night�s sleep at the Hotel Unipark. [B,L]
DAY 10 | AN INTERACTIVE CRUISE OF THE GALAPAGOS
Fly to the glorious Galapagos Islands--first on the agenda this morning. Located just over 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos hold animal species found no where else in the world. Charles Darwin made his scientific mark here. Over the next few days, get to know these elusive islands on board the Galapagos Explorer II, a 100-passenger environmentally-sound cruising vessel. This boat is equipped with everything needed to make cruising pleasurable: a reading room, sun deck, Jacuzzi and spacious suites to return to at the end of each day. Take in the natural history lessons from the guide while cruising and exploring. Mingle with the blue-footed boobies, sea lions and frigate birds�without disturbing their habitats. Then, swim with the marine iguanas. Spot the waved albatross and the biggest tortoises on earth. Ask the guides all the questions that come to mind. They will impart their passion of these islands. Return to your suite on the Galapagos Explorer II. [B,L,D]
DAY 11 | THE GALAPAGOS: ALL ON BOARD
In the morning, it�s on to Bartholomew Island, just 1.2 square kilometers, it�s a tiny little thing but has spectacular views of the archipelago. A climb to its highest peak, is challenging but worth the effort. Then, move on to Puerto Egas, and James Island also known as Santiago in the afternoon. Santiago is the fourth largest island in the Galapagos and its main volcano rises to almost 3,000 feet. Cruise under the blue skies to see feral goats, fur seal and hawks soaring in the sky. Ease into the evening hours on the deck of the Galapagos Explorer II. [B,L,D]
DAY 12 | GALAPAGOS, OH, GALAPAGOS
Today�s voyage takes us to Tagus Cove on Isabela Island in the morning. Isabela Island was formed by five volcaoes and was a former penal colony for inmates from the mainland. Try to spot the whales on the northwest coast. Then, cruise to Punta Epinoza on Fernandina Island on the western end of the archipelago. Fernandino Volcano is still very much active and reaches almost to 5,000 feet. Punta Epinoza is a habitat for marine iguanas, sea lions and flightless cormorants. Continue to cruise through these isles. Overnight on Galapagos Explorer II. [B,L,D]
DAY 13 | STILL CRUISIN� THE GALAPAGOS
Today, voyage to the second largest island, Santa Cruz Island where we will spend the morning at Cerro Dragon. In the afternoon hours, visit the Charles Darwin Station to learn about Darwin�s life and research. Return to the Galapagos Explorer II for the night. [B,L,D]
DAY 14 | PANORAMIC QUITO
Spend the last morning in the Galapagos on San Cristobal Island. Then, it�s on to a panoramic city tour of Quito where the history and culture comes right to you. Drive through the modern section of Quito, past La Alameda Park and the statue of Simon Bolivar toward the city�s historic district. Continue on to Independence Square, flanked by the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop�s Palace and City Hall--all architectural treasures. Pass the El Sagrario Church and marvel at the exquisite stone fa�ade of La Compania Church. Then, stop at San Francisco Square with its 16th Century monastery and church and Santo Domingo Square, where the ancient streets lead to San Marcos. The flavor of old Quito lives on here. Return to the Caf� Cultura for the night. [B,L,D]
DAY 15 | HASTA LUEGO
Make every bite count. This is your last breakfast in Ecuador--until next time�Gather your things then transfer to the airport for the flight home. [B]
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