The day starts with a walk through the small streets of the colonial old town of Quito (UNESCO World Heritage Site), where we will see beautiful plazas and magnificent churches. Our next stop is the equator monument “Mitad del Mundo”. In the afternoon, we will continue to head north to Otavalo.

In the morning we will get to enjoy the Cuicocha crater lagoon on a 4- to 5-hour hike through the flora of the Andean highlands. After a typical Ecuadorian lunch in Cotacachi, we will then visit the small archaeological museum. In the afternoon, we will stroll across the market of Otavalo, where we can taste exotic fruits and vegetables.

After a boat trip with a traditional “Caballito de Totora” (reed boat) we will learn a lot of interesting facts about the Tortora plant – an aquatic plant that grows around Lake San Pablo and is the main material for making handicrafts. In the workshop, visitors are invited to test their creativity and their own dexterity in making a souvenir. We will continue with a hike to the Peguche waterfall and afterwards visit some interesting handicraft workshops (e.g., wool processing, workshop for musical instruments) to learn about the process of weaving fabrics or manufacturing the instruments that are typical for the Andean region.

In the morning we will take the opportunity to wander through the streets of the Andean town of Otavalo, where we can observe the vivid market life on the Plaza de Poncho and get to know the Andean culture of the Otavaleños. Afterwards, we will cross an Andean pass (4050 m altitude) to reach a valley at 3300 m above sea level that is home to the country’s most beautiful bathing facility: a variety of thermal pools fed by natural hot springs. In the afternoon, we will arrive at Hakuna Matata, a cozy rainforest lodge in the middle of a private protected forest. After dinner, you will go for a short night hike in the surroundings of the lodge.

Today we leave before sunrise to the parrot clay lick for bird watching. Afterwards we will continue by canoe to visit the community of Santa Barbara where we will immerse ourselves in the culture of the indigenous families and share a unique jungle buffet with them. On a hike afterwards, we will explore the flora of the jungle before enjoying a typical “almuerzo” (lunch) after a canoe ride. In the afternoon we will still go silently by canoe on a small lagoon where we can observe monkeys and other animals.

Today starts with a hike through the protected rainforest. Our nature guide will point out particularities along the way, from medicinal plants to animals hiding in the dense greenery. Back at the lodge we prepare a typical jungle lunch, the “Maito de Pescado”, a delicious fish dish. But not only here we are allowed to help, also with the preparation of our dessert. In the afternoon, we will participate in a chocolate workshop and learn about the complete process of manufacture, from the cacao fruit to the finished chocolate

After breakfast, we will drive to Puyo, where we can observe some tropical animals in an animal station as well as see some free-living monkey species of the Amazon region. Afterwards, we will drive deep into the rainforest to the jungle town of Macas. Here we can spend the afternoon in a nice rainforest hosteria.

In the morning we can visit the botanical garden in Sucúa. Afterwards, a short drive will bring us to the Shuar territory, a hike through the rainforest will take us to a waterfall, where we will perform the Shuar waterfall ceremony. Afterwards, we can take a refreshing bath under the waterfall and have a typical meal of the Shuar. After returning, we will drive to the lagoons of Atillo and finally to Guamote in the Andean highlands.

The day starts early with a visit to the traditional Andean market of Guamote. After that, we will explore the surroundings of Guamote and visit one of the small villages to get an insight into the life of the local people. In the afternoon, we will drive to Riobamba; surrounded by the mountains Chimborazo, Carihuairazo, Altar and Tungurahua, the city is considered the most important agricultural center of the Ecuadorian Andes.

Today our journey takes us from Riobamba into the heights of the mighty Chimborazo Volcano. On the way, with a bit of luck, you can admire the rare vicuñas that live here at altitudes well above 3000 m. From here, we continue up to the mountain hut Hermanos Carrel at 4800 m! The more adventurous can hike even further from here to the Whymper Hut at over 5000 m! In the late afternoon, we will arrive at the small town of Latacunga.

In the morning we continue to the Andean market of Zumbahua, where we can experience the hustle and bustle of the seemingly loud and chaotic market, before we will continue our journey to the beautiful crater lagoon Quilotoa. During a short hike, we can enjoy changing views of the lagoon and the surrounding Andes.

In the morning we will visit the 400-year-old Hacienda La Cienega, where we can enjoy a coffee in a nostalgic atmosphere. Afterwards, we will drive to the National Park Cotopaxi and the lagoon “Limpiopungo”. During an easy hike around the lagoon, we will get to know the typical vegetation of the Andes and with a little luck weatherwise will have a fantastic view of the opposite Cotopaxi. In the mountain refuge Tambopaxi, we can enjoy our lunch with a view of the mountains Sincholagua and Cotopaxi before we return to Quito.

Date 01: 17/01/2024
Date 02: 07/02/2024
Date 03: 27/03/2024 (*) German speaking tour guide
Date 04: 10/04/2024
Date 05: 01/05/2024 (*) German speaking tour guide
Date 06: 29/05/2024
Date 07: 12/06/2024 (*) German speaking tour guide
Date 08: 26/06/2024
Date 09: 10/07/2024 (*) German speaking tour guide
Date 10: 24/07/2024 (*) German speaking tour guide
Date 11: 07/08/2024
Date 12: 21/08/2024 (*) German speaking tour guide
Date 13: 28/08/2024
Date 14: 04/09/2024 (*) German speaking tour guide
Date 15: 18/09/2024
Date 16: 09/10/2024
Date 17: 23/10/2024 (*) German speaking tour guide
Date 18: 06/11/2024 (*) German speaking tour guide
Date 19: 13/11/2024
Date 20: 04/12/2024 (*) German speaking tour guide

Note: This tour can be combined with the “SIC Tour Galapagos”.

Date 01: 15/01/2025
Date 02: 12/02/2025 (*) German speaking tour guide
Date 03: 19/03/2025 (*) German speaking tour guide
Date 04: 16/04/2025
Date 05: 21/05/2025
Date 06: 18/06/2025 (*) German speaking tour guide
Date 07: 23/07/2025 (*) German speaking tour guide
Date 08: 13/08/2025
Date 09: 24/09/2025
Date 10: 22/10/2025 (*) German speaking tour guide
Date 11: 19/11/2025 (*) German speaking tour guide
Date 12: 10/12/2025

Note: This tour can be combined with the “SIC Tour Galapagos”.