Grand Tour of Ecuador : Introduction - A 13 day / 11 night holiday from Llama Travel

Introduction

ZOOM << FIRST < PREVIOUS NEXT > LAST >>

1 of 9

ZOOM

This 13 day tour visits Quito, the capital of Ecuador surrounded by volcanoes in the Andes; travels to the Napo River in the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest; travels through the Avenue of the Volcanoes, takes you on the Devil's Nose railway and visits Cuenca, Ecuador's most beautiful city.

Itinerary in brief
Day 1:	Fly from UK to Quito (2 nights).
Day 2:	Optional Colonial Quito excursion.
Day 3:	Fly from Quito to the Jungle and transfer to your lodge or boat (3 nights).
Day 4:	Jungle excursions.
Day 5:	Jungle excursions.
Day 6:	Fly to Quito (1 night).
Day 7:	Drive to Riobamba stopping at a refuge in Chimborazo National Park (1 night).
Day 8:	Early morning train ride along the Devils nose. Afternoon journey to Cuenca (2 nights).
Day 9:	Tour of Cuenca.
Day 10:	Morning free in Cuenca, afternoon flight back to Quito (2 nights).
Day 11:	Optional Bellavista Cloud forest excursion.
Day 12:	Flight to the UK.
Day 13:	Arrival in the UK.

Overview

Quito, the elegant capital of Ecuador, is situated high in the Andes at 2,800m, and has a beautiful colonial centre. From here, you can visit the traditional market town of Otavalo and explore the nearby Bellavista cloud forest, home to toucans and hummingbirds. The nearby Quilotoa area is excellent for trekking, with a beautiful emerald-green volcanic crater lake, canyons and traditional villages. The hot springs of Papallacta are an excellent spot for relaxing in volcanic waters or for walking in the mountains. Quito is only 15 miles from the equatorial line, and ‘the middle of the world’ can be visited.

The Avenue of the Volcanoes, running south of Quito through the centre of Ecuador, passes the snow-capped Cotopaxi and Chimborazo volcanoes. You then ride the amazing Devil’s Nose railway, enjoying the spectacular scenery as the train descends the canyon on a zig-zag carved into the rock! You also visit Cuenca, Ecuador’s most beautiful city, where you can explore the lovely colonial centre and buy a Panama hat directly from a factory where the hats are produced. Please note that it is no longer permitted to sit of the roof of the Devil's Nose train.

The jungle in Ecuador, east of the Andes, offers a wonderful opportunity to explore the rivers and flooded forest of the world’s largest rainforest. We offer two extensions in the jungle, one staying in a lodge, and one cruising on the river. Both itineraries include three or four nights in the jungle and allow you to follow jungle trails, visit lakes, see the wildlife and get an insight into the jungle way of life. The Manatee Amazon Explorer is a comfortable river boat which cruises on the Rio Napo, a tributary of the Amazon. The Sacha Lodge lies on an oxbow lake just off the Napo River. All meals are included on both the Manatee Amazon Explorer and at the Sacha Lodge.