Journey to the middle of the world

After arriving at 2:40 pm with KLM at Quito international airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, located in a beautiful colonial house in the heart of the city's historic center. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Quito at your leisure and relax after the long flight.

After breakfast, you'll discover colonial Quito on a guided walking tour in French. You'll discover the whitewashed houses with their tiled roofs, as well as the colonial churches that characterize this UNESCO World Heritage district. You can also admire the city's landmarks: Independence Square, the Presidential Palace and the Cathedral. You'll also get to explore La Ronda, a street steeped in history; the Compañía church, whose admirable gold-leaf-covered altar is considered one of the jewels of Baroque art on the American continent; the colonial-style church of San Francisco, the city's oldest (16th century); and numerous scenes of daily life, as you wander around. In the afternoon, you can visit Quito's Botanical Garden, where you'll learn about Ecuador's different ecosystems (including a fine display of orchids), the Capilloa del Hombre and the studio of the famous Ecuadorian painter Oswaldo Guayasamin (1919-1999), located in the modern northern part of the city, or the Casa del Alabado archaeological museum in the colonial center.

Transfer to Quito airport. After flying over part of the Cordillera Oriental, we land in Coca. You'll be welcomed by your naturalist guide, followed by a drive to the bridge over the Cuyabeno River. You will then begin your descent of this superb black-water river. Your first contact with this extremely diverse ecosystem, will be similar to the atmosphere of Tintin's "Broken Ear". You may be lucky enough to spot pink Amazonian dolphins or sotalies, freshwater turtles or the mysterious anaconda. Arrive at the impressive Laguna Grande. After settling in, enjoy a moment of peace while observing the wildlife and the sunset. This is essentially a day's journey,  along the Cuyabeno River (riparian and "white water" ecosystem) and then along the narrow "black water" canals, you'll have the chance to observe your first Amazonian species: swallows, kingfishers, herons and caimans.

In the morning, your naturalist guide will accompany you on a walk through a new, non-floodable ecosystem, the "Terra firme", to observe a wide variety of flora and microfauna. Your guide's explanations will help you better understand how the Amazon rainforest functions. You'll discover many species of birds (Hoatzins, Caciques, Tanagers, Parrots, Macaws, Toucans, American Aningha, etc.) and monkeys (Saïmiri squirrel, common Tegu, Woolly Monkey, etc.). Ten species of monkey have been recorded in the reserve. Then, after a welcome siesta, you'll head off with your guide to explore the Laguna Grande, in which you can take a dip, followed by a canoe ride through the flooded Macrolobium forest covered with abundant epiphytic plants. Watching the sun set over the lake is a unique experience!

Note: The activities described day by day are subject to change or modification to optimize wildlife observations in consultation with the local guide.

After an early breakfast, you'll board your motorized canoe for another trip along the river. Once again, you'll try to observe the exuberant fauna that populates these inextricable canals: woolly monkeys, saki monkeys and, with a little luck, the three-toed sloth. You'll arrive at the Siona community of Puerto Bolivar, where you can observe and understand the way of life of this Amazonian ethnic group. You'll take part in the preparation of a traditional cassava-based dish, "casave". At the end of the day, after the heat of the day, you'll return to the canoe for further observations on various "black water" rivers, so called because of their dark tea color (due to the tannins in the decomposing leaves washed by the Amazon rains and accumulating in the rivers and lagoons). After dinner, you'll head out by torchlight in search of numerous nocturnal species (insects and amphibians).

You'll get up at dawn for a final birdwatching session, then, after breakfast, take your motorized canoe up the Cuyabeno River to the bridge. A vehicle will take you to Lago Agrio for your flight to Quito. Arrive in the capital late afternoon (*). Transfer to your hotel, located in the city's modern northern district.

(*) Schedule subject to change

Meet your English-speaking driver this morning. A giant awaits you today. The majestic Cotopaxi volcano is the country's second-highest peak and one of the world's highest active volcanoes at 5987 metres above sea level. Weather permitting, climb by motorized transport along the slopes of Cotopaxi  to 4500m, then on foot to the refuge at 4800m. You can also hike around Limpiopungo lagoon, framed by Cotopaxi, Rumiñahui and Sincholagua volcanoes at an altitude of over 3800m, to witness incredible scenery and light. See ducks, grebes and waders, as well as wild horses. In the afternoon, enjoy a 3-hour horseback ride through these lunar landscapes. Overnight in one of the lodges on the edge of the park, facing the volcano.

This morning, if the weather is clear, you can admire the sunrise over the volcano and enjoy this incredible setting for a while longer. From Toacazo, your journey continues into the heart of the Central Andes, with landscapes far removed from communities, rolling hills covered with a patchwork of traditional crops: quinoa, amaranth, potatoes, beans, etc.... Along the way, you can visit the small Indian market of Zumbahua. Here, every Saturday, Quichua communities from the highlands come to sell and barter their harvests as well as all manner of everyday goods. You'll have the opportunity to experience the incredible richness of the Ecuadorian Andean culture in a colorful atmosphere. Arriving in Quilotoa, you'll discover its incredible emerald lagoon from the sharp edges of the crater. You can hike the ridge path around the lagoon to the beautiful Mirador de Shalalá and/or descend the 300m to the edge of the lagoon, then climb back up by mule (optional), as the altitude can sometimes be too much! Overnight in the small rural village of Chugchilán, a ½-hour drive away at 2900m altitude.

As you pass through Quilotoa this morning, you'll have a chance to see the lagoon in a new light, before continuing on to Baños. Situated between Tungurahua volcano and Rio Pastaza, Baños is one of the gateways to the Ecuadorian Amazon. Situated at an altitude of around 1,800m, it enjoys a pleasant climate and offers a wide variety of nature-based activities to its many visitors. Walk down to the "Devil's Pot", one of the country's most famous and impressive waterfalls. You can also take a gondola ride to the "Manto de la Novia" or another site in the Pastaza Canyon. You can  climb up to the Casa del Árbol for a swing in the void with a view of the imposing Tungurahua volcano (altitude 5023m) if the weather is clear. In the evening, you can enjoy the lively atmosphere of this small town, frequented by many holidaymakers, both Ecuadorian and foreign.

Before starting the day, you can early bathe in the early morning in the hot springs, the perfect time to enjoy the medicinal properties of these pools. For those who wish, the half-day will be devoted to rafting down the Pastaza River. This superb river is easy to navigate by raft. Before setting off, your professional instructor will give you all the safety instructions you need to make the most of this risk-free water sport. After a two-hour descent, you'll enjoy a snack on the banks of the river. Return to Baños and continue by private transport to Riobamba, the "Sultan of the Andes", at the foot of the country's highest volcano, Chimborazo (6268m).

You'll be picked up from your hotel this morning. Today you'll uncover one of the most surprising Andean landscapes, Chimborazo volcano. As you climb the flanks of this giant, you'll enter an increasingly lunar landscape. Volcanic rock as far as the eye can see leaves little room for vegetation or life. In this surreal atmosphere, you arrive at the first refuge at 4800 metres asl, then reach the upper refuge at 5000 metres asl, after a short but physically demanding walk, due to the lack of oxygen. Here, it's hard not to be jealous of the vicuñas, the South American Camelidae that run breathlessly down the slopes. Chimborazo volcano is home to Ecuador's last remaining population of this national symbol. Back at the first refuge, you'll get on your mountain bikes, equipped with helmets and knee and elbow protectors. The first part of the descent runs from the first hut to the park entrance, while the second lies in the hidden valleys north-west of the volcano. You'll pass through little-visited Indian villages, magnificent patchwork landscapes of cultivated valleys and surprising geological formations... A support vehicle will follow you all the way, allowing you to take passengers and bikes on board if necessary. Return to Riobamba at the end of the day.

Today, you'll continue southwards through a large number of native Quichua communities, which take advantage of the fertility of the valleys at the foot of the volcano to grow all kinds of tubers and plants that form the basis of the Andean diet: Mashua, Melloco, Peruvian Oca, potatoes, amaranth, quinoa etc. Stop at the best-preserved Incan archaeological site in the country: Ingapirca. Here, history, agricultural traditions and geology combine in a strange pre-Hispanic Andean enigma. Discover the influence of the Cañari people on Incan architecture. Then it's back on to the beautiful colonial city of Cuenca, where you'll stay in a wonderful colonial house in the historical center.

Crossed by four rivers, Cuenca enjoys a temperate climate, allowing you to stroll leisurely through its colonial streets. During the morning, with a bilingual English/Spanish guide, you'll explore the city's colonial quarter, a UNESCO cultural heritage site: its alleys, patios, art workshops, flower market, churches, pre-Incan Cañar ruins, the Pumapungo site in the heart of the city, and meet its inhabitants, some of whom still wear traditional dress. The afternoon is free. With your driver, visit one of the Panama hat workshops. Finally, enjoy a traditional Andean dinner or supper.

Today, you'll leave beautiful Cuenca and climb to the altitude of Cajas National Park. This fabulous park, also known as "the park of a thousand lakes", boasts an imposing landscape shaped by winds blowing down from the high Andean peaks: lead-colored lagoons, high Andean steppes or "paramos", magical Polylepis woods covered in lichen, peat bogs, etc. After a hike in two parts of the park, you'll begin the vertiginous descent to the Pacific plains. In just a few dozen kilometers and 4,000 meters below sea level, mosses and lichen give way to tropical banana trees, and high-altitude lagoons are transformed into vibrant mangroves. You'll travel across these nourishing plains, Ecuador's food and export granaries, to the country's largest city: Guayaquil. Settle in and discover the Malecón, the modern-architecture pier facing the Guayas River, then the beautifully restored traditional district of las Peñas.

Transfer to the airport this morning for your flight to the Galapagos archipelago. The flight takes around 2 hours by Boeing 727 from Guayaquil, where virtually all flights make a stopover. On arrival to San Cristobal airport, a driver will be waiting to take you to your accommodation. The rest of the day is free. In Puerto Baquerizo, a large colony of sea lions awaits you on Playa de Oro, just 200 meters from the hotel. You're free to wander around the San Cristobal Interpretation Centre, where you'll learn about the origins of the Galapagos archipelago and its ancient and recent history, from the arrival of the first giant tortoises 3 million years ago to their discovery by man only 500 years ago. Playa Mann is also a beautiful sandy beach, also frequented by sea lions, and located very close to Puerto Baquerizo.

Meet your guide this morning at 9am. With him, you'll head for El Junco lagoon, a natural freshwater lagoon located 700m asl in the island's interior, where Frigatebirds come to bathe to remove salt from their feet. It is the island's only source of drinking water. You'll enjoy a nice view of the coast from the lagoon on a clear day. A few kilometers away, you'll visit the Galapaguera, a site where you can observe giant tortoises endemic to San Cristobal, on a nature trail. Then discover the small clear-water beach of Puerto Chino on the other side of San Cristobal Island (approx. 25 km from Puerto Baquerizo). Return to Puerto Baquerizo in the middle of the day. Lunch in a local restaurant. Then off to explore the Lobería site, about 2.5 km from the town center (marine iguana, sea lion, frigate bird and pelican watching). Return to Puerto Baquerizo in the afternoon. Possibility of a leisurely stroll to the Tijeretas cliffs, near the interpretation center and where Swallow-tailed Gulls and Blue-footed Boobies can usually be spotted. You can snorkel in the crystal-clear cove at the bottom of the cliffs in search of sea turtles and sea lions.

Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the San Cristobal pier for departure on a 12-seater boat to Kicker Rock or "León Dormido". This site, which you'll reach after about an hour's sailing, consists of two 150-metre-high vertical walls that practically touch, generating a current frequented by numerous species, including rays and reef sharks. The cliffs are also home to numerous seabirds, including Blue-footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies, Frigatebirds and the exotic Red-billed Tropicbird. Snorkeling time near the cliffs, where you can marvel at the richness of the underwater world. Later, after or before Kicker Rock, you'll head for one of the nearby beaches for a swim or another snorkeling session. Return to Puerto Baquerizo mid-afternoon.

You will be able to enjoy this exuberant, uninhibited nature a little more this morning before departure. Transfer to San Cristobal airport for departure to the mainland. Arrival in Guayaquil. Late afternoon departure from the same airport (Guayaquil recommended) for your flight to Europe.

End of our services.