Jump right into the action with a fast-paced mountain bike descent down Pinchincha Volcano, then settle into a lodge perched above the cloudforest canopy. Continue the adventure with a whitewater rafting trip before setting off to hike, horseback ride near the Cotopaxi Volcano. Then experience a kayak expedition into one of the most important and biodiverse ecosystems on earth. Here we’ll camp for two nights, and enjoy the Shiripuno jungle lodge in indigenous Huaorani territory in the vast Amazon basin. The Huaorani lived as hunters and gathers, entirely without outside contact until the end of the 1950s. Your trip helps encourage and promote long-term conservation of the traditional Huaorani community and the protection of their surrounding jungle environment.
Day 01: Arrive Quito
Arrive Quito, meet assist and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Volcano Biking
Begin your Ecuador travel adventure with an exhilarating descent down the slopes of Pichincha Volcano to the Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve. The tundra grass of the Andean paramo (high altitude grassland) changes before your eyes (and the knobby tires of your bikes) as you roll into the lush cloud forest. Steep gorges and ridges covered by impenetrable jungle provide spectacular views on the 3-4 hour downhill ride. In the afternoon, settle into Bellavista’s cloud forest lodge and begin your first explorations of this unique ecosystem.
Day 03: Bellavista Cloudforest
Bellavista protects 1800 acres of endangered cloudforest on the western slopes of the Andes. Bordering the Choco bio-region, the forest is part of something that scientists refer to as a biodiversity “hotspot” – a place of extreme biodiversity in danger of extinction. Today you’ll explore the miles of trails at Bellavista, passing by waterfalls, steep ravines, and thick gardens of hanging epiphytes in search of some of the 320 bird species recorded here. You’ll learn more about the area’s complex ecology, what Bellavista is doing to protect it, and about the endangered mammals such as the spectacled bear, mountain lion, Andean coati, and others that take refuge here.
Day 04: Whitewater Rafting near Santo Domingo de los Colorados
Time to hit the Class III+ rapids of the best whitewater in the Western Andes! During the winter months, you’ll be on the Rio Blanco and in the summer you’ll paddle the Rio Toachi. On these exhilarating rides, you’ll pass through forested canyons and isolated villages as you descend towards the Pacific lowlands. This afternoon, we return to the highlands to the western flank of the Cotopaxi Volcano for dinner and to rest after an exciting day.
Day 05: Horseback Riding
After breakfast we drive to El Porvenir, a fully-functioning hacienda and our base for the next three nights, set high in the Andean paramo with spectacular views of Cotopaxi. After a brief orientation is given to get acquainted with the horses, we head out on horseback in the spirit of the Chagras (Ecuadorian highland cowboys) to visit the foothills of Rumiñahui Volcano, riding side by side with herds of wild horses and bulls. As we cross the paramo, enjoy the bird and wildlife, and the local guides will share their knowledge of medicinal plants. Afterwards a delicious lunch of local dishes awaits us upon our return to the farmhouse.
The afternoon is free to explore the hacienda grounds, and there are a couple of self-guided paths to the Manto Blanco Waterfall and to lookouts with nice views of the mountains and surrounding landscape.
Day 06: Ecological Reserve and Paramo Hiking
A thirty minute drive takes you to the Hacienda Santa Rita Ecological Reserve and the impressive 270 feet high Condor Machay Waterfall. Continue on foot along a trail that takes us through a very unique native forest of the Andes known has the “paper bark tree forest”. Continue to the village of El Pedregal where we will have the chance to experience the local culture of the area before continuing to El Porvenir. Today’s hike is 11 kilometers (7 miles).
Day 07: Cotopaxi National Park
After enjoying the views of the volcano over the last three days, we drive for 45 minutes into the Cotopaxi National Park. An hour hike takes us to the climbing hut (refugio) and a nearby glacier at 4,800 meters (14,760 ft) above sea level.
Continue by vehicle to visit Laguna de Limpiopungo, a shallow Andean lake with great birdwatching, and from here we start our ten kilometer (7 miles) trek back to El Porvenir. We stop at the Chusig Machai cave for lunch and continue on foot through beautiful mountain valleys before returning to a good dinner and the last night at the hacienda.
Day 08: Morning Adventure and Market Visit
This morning you get your choice of excursions, such as mountain biking or ropes course challenge.
After your adventure, hike to the Pita River waterfall for lunch. In the afternoon, travel to Sangolqui, a village with a traditional market. Browse the market stalls with traditional arts and crafts and sample some of the local produce, particularly the fruits. Return to Quito in the evening.
Day 09: Into the Jungle
A morning flight carries you over the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes and down into the Amazon basin to begin your Amazon tour. A three-hour drive will take you to your put-in on the Shiripuno River and the start of your amazing journey. You’ll meet your Huaorani guide and spend time in a local community were you’ll have the unique experience of learning about the Huaorani people, their traditions, their history and their commitment to preserving the natural treasures of the region. Tonight’s campsite is hosted by a local Huaorani family – enjoy a campfire dinner.
Day 10: Huaorani Community and Shiripuno Paddling
Following breakfast, visit the nearby Noneno Community where the local Huaorani share more traditions and aspects of daily lifestyle. After our visit we’ll continue kayaking down the Shiripuno – you’ll have nearly 25 km of river kayaking to do– a challenging trip, but along the way you will be treated with the wonders of the Ecuadorian Amazon. This incredible region boasts some of the world’s highest biodiversity and sustains the traditional lifestyle of numerous indigenous groups. On your silent journey downriver you’ll have an excellent chance of spotting monkeys, capybara, toucans, macaws, tapir and maybe even the elusive jaguar. There will be plenty of short stops to stretch and rest your muscles. Expect a late arrival to this evening’s campsite.
Day 11: Kayaking and Hiking
Today you’ll paddle to the remote Shiripuno Jungle lodge; the wooden buildings and thatched roofs blend into the surrounding landscape. In the evening, enjoy a hike into the forest as the wildlife becomes more active, where your naturalist guide teaches you about the complex ecology of the rainforest. Relax and overnight in the rustic jungle lodge.
Day 12: Rainforest Hiking and Lake Exploration
A short trip upriver in motorized canoe will take us to the start of our rainforest hiking adventure. We’ll explore old-growth and flooded (varzea) forest. We’ll hike for 4-5 hours, keeping an eye out for monkeys, white-lipped peccaries, and jaguar tracks. During our walk the expedition guide and Huaorani guide explain their practical, medicinal and spiritual relationship with the Amazon jungle.
Afternoon we will reach a series of small lakes, where we will paddle in wooden canoes. You’ll reach a region of flooded forest and small jungle lakes where you’ll have the chance to spot the prehistoric Hoatzin bird and caimans (a relative of the alligator). There is also great fishing in the area. Tonight, you’ll return to Shiripuno where you can relax in a hammock and share stories about your Amazon adventures.
Day 13: Motorized Canoe to Coca. Overnight
After a short wildlife hike in the morning to see a glorious sunrise — and one more chance to spot some Amazon wildlife — you head back upriver by motorized canoe, and transfer to Coca where you’ll overnight before your flight back to Quito in the morning.
Day 14: Fly Quito.
Transfer to airport for flight back to Ouito. Overnight at hotel.
Day 15: Return Home
Final departure transfer to airport for fly back to home. End of the tour.
| City | Night (s) | Hotel |
| Quito | 01 | Swissôtel Quito |
| Bellavista’s | 02 | Bellavista’s cloud forest lodge |
| Cotopaxi | 04 | Hacienda Los Mortiños |
| Quito | 01 | Swissôtel Quito |
| Shiripuno | 04 | Shiripuno Amazon Lodge |
| Quito | 02 | Swissôtel Quito |
– Meeting and assistance by our representative.
– Welcome with fresh flower garlands.
– 14 Nights accommodation hotel.
– Daily Breakfast, Lunch and Dinners.
– Local English-speaking guide
– Gear Rental
– Gear Rental: Kayaking & Camping Gear (except sleeping bags)
– Gear Rental: Kayaking & Camping Gear
– All transfers, sightseeing, excursions as per the program by private vehicle.
– Entrance fees to monuments.
– Transport, Parking, Gasoline & Toll ways.
– All present government taxes.
– International Airfare.
– Round trip flights Miami-Quito, Quito-Miami
– Tips, gratuities, Portage, laundry, telephone calls, table drinks, camera/ video camera charges, or any other expenses of a personal nature.
– Visa fees, personal insurance.
– Any item not specified under cost includes.
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– Sometimes, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.