Ecuador Family Adventure

After a delightful breakfast, we walk through the landmarks of Quito’s colonial, historical downtown, named World Heritage by UNESCO. We meet local artisans and immerse ourselves in the city vibe, visiting the San Francisco market the first, sampling local ingredients and learning about history and Andean healing traditions. We continue our exploration of the city historical center walking down an area called La Ronda, full of art and ancestral trades, featuring wooden handcrafted toys, pictures painted on dried goatskin, tin objects, ceramics, jewelry, Escuela Quiteña paintings, wood carving, and sweets shops including exotic and unique ice cream flavors and fine Cacao products.  

After awakening our senses, we join our chef at Restaurant Altamira for a traditional Cooking Class that blend contemporary techniques with colonial classic recipes that have endured for centuries in this part of the world.  

After lunch, we begin our journey driving south from Quito through the famed “Avenue of the Volcanoes”, If the skies are clear, we will be able to see the peaks of several volcanoes from the road. 

Visit the Cotopaxi National Park, we start out with a short hike around Limpiopungo Glacier Lake. This mountain lake is home to a wealth of highland waterfowl, and we observe the local gulls, ducks, and falcons while learning about the park’s highland paramo ecosystem. A short hike is provided through the park and then continue to Hacienda El Porvenir for a familiar experience.  

The High and Low Ropes course at Hacienda El Porvenir is a high adventure activity with low environmental impact, letting people with little or no knowledge of climbing techniques have a unique experience in a safe environment. Guests traverse ladders, nets, tightropes, swinging logs, wobbly bridges, and more fun surprises at 20 ft from the ground (6m). Young adventurers (from 6 to 12) can participate on the low-height Kids course. Structures and obstacles are designed with safety standards in mind and we provide top-of-the-line climbing and rope gear and ground support from our specialized guides. Lunch at Hacienda is provided.  

After breakfast, we drive to the ancient farmlands of Hacienda Tilipulo, located in an inter-Andean valley surrounded by interesting native vegetation and astounding views of the nearby volcanoes. After a safety briefing will be given before our departure towards the western cordillera bound to the highlands of Atapulo where we will be able to observe small farmlands called chacras, adobe houses, livestock such as llamas, sheep and others. The indigenous way of life, the occasional view of volcanoes Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Illiniza, Chimborazo and Altar will accompany us throughout this journey in the spectacular trails that go over hills, ravines and dirt roads.  

In the afternoon, we continue our journey driving through the Avenue of the Volcanoes up to the Leito Valley. We enjoy spectacular views of the Tungurahua Volcano and the Patate River. 

In the afternoon, we’ll walk through the town of Baños, and shop in the market for local handicrafts including balsa carvings, weavings and tagua animals. We will also see the traditional method of extracting juice from sugar cane and turning it into the delicious sweet jam called melcochas.    

Next, we will experience the exhilarating visit to the famous waterfall route including Pailon del Diablo and Manto de la Novia. We will cross the Pastaza River in a cable car, hanging more than 200 meters above the rushing river!    

At the end of our fun-filled day, we’ll relax at the Timpe’s farmhouse. Those who are interested can enjoy a cooking lesson with our hostess, Rosario, while helping her prepare a delicious traditional Ecuadorian meal!  

In the morning, we drive to the edge of Llanganates National Park, gaining altitude until we reach an area with one of the best views of the – often fuming – Tungurahua Volcano. Here, we set up our mountain bikes for a scenic ride through highland paramo, which gradually melds into mountain cloud forest, and then lowland rainforest. We pass through a dry basaltic gorge that is a great spot to look for wild orchids. We continue our ride along the Pastaza River Gorge, one of the principal waterways that feed into the Amazon Basin.  

This is an especially scenic route, with high rock walls giving way to deep cloud forest canyons. We stop to admire some of the spectacular waterfalls in the area, such as Pailón Del Diablo (Devil’s Cauldron) and Manto de la Novia (Bride’s Veil). Switching from 2 wheels to 4, we drive until we reach Puyo, an Amazon frontier town where we learn about the manufacture of products made from Balsa wood, bamboo, ceramics, and other local materials. We enjoy lunch in Puyo before setting out along the Amazon highway to reach our Jungle Lodge. Once we settle into our lodge, if time aloud we will visit a Kichwa indigenous community. Here, we learn about their way of life, culture, traditions, and customs of the Amazon. At the end of the day, we settle into our jungle lodge ready for a peaceful evening surrounded by rainforest sounds.  

From short jungle hikes in our Huasquila Amazon Ecolodge property to long expeditions in the community areas around us. Our native guides, who take pride in their knowledge of their ancestors, will take you through the rainforest and show you how they use medicinal plants, which plants are used to build their bungalows, and plants such as guayusa—used daily for tea, and others used in the Kichwa culture, as well as endemic plants such as heliconias and bromeliads. 

Enjoy the scenery during rainforest expeditions while the local guides build native hats from straw fiber plants and introduce you to insects, snakes, and other interesting rainforest facts on our Amazon Jungle Tour. 

You will hear different sounds coming from deep in the jungle, and with some luck you will see tracks of animals or big groups of parrots. This is a really fun jungle tour, in which you will learn a lot and enjoy the unique atmosphere in the Amazon Rainforest. 

After enjoying breakfast in our lodge, we drive to Llanganates National Park, which extends from the high Andes down into the Amazon basin and is part of an area declared a Biosphere Zone by the United Nations. The water that collects in this area forms the Jatunyacu River, which is considered Ecuador’s best one-day river run. We begin the day with a walk in the jungle to reach naturally-formed swimming pools. Upon our return and after a safety briefing, our whitewater rafting adventure begins. A trip down the Jatunyacu River offers spectacular jungle scenery, crystal-clear water, and glimpses into indigenous communities that live along the shores in small bamboo and wood houses. The Jatunyacu is also famed for its big waves, fun holes, and high volume of water (Class III - III+). We’ll spend the rest of the day navigating the Jatunyacu, whose waters carry us through breathtaking landscapes with abundant bird life. In the afternoon, we drive back up into the Andes, climbing from 1,500 to 10,000 feet (500 to 3,000 meters) in altitude and passing through a national park and nature reserve until we reach the Papallacta Hot springs Resort & Spa. In the evening, we relax in the therapeutic alkaline-rich natural thermal waters of Papallacta while nestled in fantastic cloud forest scenery. Spa services such as massages, aromatherapy, and other optional treatments can also be arranged in advance and payable on spot, directly to the hotel. 

In the early morning, we visit the highland interpretation center and go for a guided nature hike in a private cloud forest paramo reserve, where we seek out birds, highland plants, and other Andean wildlife species. Continue to the Northern Highlands which offers magnificent scenery of volcanoes, sparkling lakes and patchwork-covered hills. Taking the Panamericana highway north of Quito, the first highlight is Cayambe volcano crossed by the Equator. Very popular in Cayambe are the homemade cheese and bizcochos (buttery biscuits).  

Visit the Condor Park, unique in many ways. It is located on a hill known as the Pukara Alto, an energetic center since pre-Columbian times, where ruins remain of a religious pre-Inca temple. Large cages are distributed along a cobblestone walk through the park to admire a variety of bids such as the Barred Hawk, the King Vulture, the Greater Red-Headed Vulture, among others. Finally, you will run into the large cage of the impressive but endangered Andean Condor, now easily bred in captivity. After the visit, continue to the northern highlands for overnight.  

After breakfast you will have full day to enjoy of the amazing 16th century Hacienda Zuleta and its surroundings. Zuleta is a colonial working farm of 4,000 acres with a cheese factory, trout pond, Andean Condor rehabilitation center, horses, mountain bikes and more.  Its tranquil gardens and cozy living and reading rooms offer a peaceful atmosphere. Delicious Ecuadorian cuisine is prepared with organic vegetables, trout and dairy products produced on the Hacienda. 

You can admire the wonderful organic garden where you can learn about permaculture.  Zuleta grows seventeen vegetables, five fruit, and several herbs, spices, and medicinal plants. Perhaps you’ll tour the cheese factory.   

We will also visit the local indigenous community where the Hacienda funds a community library and embroidery project.  Embroidery has been an important form of artistic expression and adornment in the village of Zuleta for centuries. We’ll meet women who demonstrate their craft and offer their exquisite work for sale.   

Explore the towns of Otavalo and Peguche, where Ecuador’s indigenous culture and heritage are visible in their famous markets full of colorful textiles, traditional handicrafts, and more. We spend time one-on-one with local weavers who share the secrets of their craft that have been passed down for generations, and visit local Andean Music Workshop to hear the traditional instrumental and vocal sounds of the Andes..  

Family Market Challenge: Nothing makes a family holiday more fun than a game!!! The one thing you´re guaranteed to see at indigenous market are the local's bargains with shopkeepers. Join in on the fun and practice your enthusiasm during the activity where you will embark on a quest to shop for food you have never seen before and negotiate with shopkeepers to get the best deal in the market.  We will split the family or the group into adults vs children and our trusty driver will be the judge to decide who wins. 

After breakfast, we drive up to Cuicocha Crater Lake, located 10,000 feet (3,068 meters) above sea level within the Cayapas-Cotacachi National Park. Cuicochoa Lake is the freshwater-filled caldera of a dormant volcano, located at the foot of a volcano of the same name, and surrounded by stunning cloud forest scenery. We hike around the shore of the Crater Lake, admiring the lava dome islands in the center and keeping an eye out for birds and other interesting wildlife. We enjoy a picnic lunch – the Organic farm experience and Pambamesa, break bread with local indigenous family during the activity which is similar to a potluck.  Taste delicious Andean delicacies made by community members including Andean grains, cereals and meats, and share stories with them.  This will be a truly unforgettable and immersive experience with the community.  Drive back to Quito to a hotel located close to the airport. 

After breakfast, depending on your flight time, take time to enjoy the beautiful and relaxing Termas de Papallacta Spa and hot springs.  (Note: you are welcome to extend your trip beyond this itinerary with additional nights here) 

Later, you will be transferred to the airport in order to catch your international flight home, or stay longer to enjoy one (or both!) of our Trip Extensions in the Galapagos or Amazon Rain Forest!