Imagine a place where the lush Andes meet the vibrant Amazon, a paradise where culture and nature coexist harmoniously. Welcome to Ecuador, a hidden gem in South America, offering a unique blend of cultural richness and stunning landscapes.
Ecuador is a beautiful and exceptionally varied country with a range of distinct geographical environments. From the coastal region, where you’ll find Guayaquil, the country’s biggest city and main port to the Galapagos Islands, to the highlands of the Andes where beautiful mountain scenery and indigenous communities await, there is so much to discover.
For nature and wildlife lovers, there are exceptional places to discover, including the cloud forest north west of the capital of Quito, where you can spot beautiful hummingbirds, hike and swim by waterfalls in crystalline natural pools. There is also the world-famous Amazon, where wildlife is its most diverse, giving you the chance to spot anything from jaguars to tapirs to bright-billed toucans.
Ecuador’s cities are just as abundant with culture and history as its jungles are with wildlife. The capital, Quito, is a vibrant city home to the fascinating and visually stunning Compañía de Jesús and La Capilla del Hombre (Chapel of Man), an art museum designed by the artist Oswaldo Guayasamín and dedicated to the people of Latin America.
Over in the Otavalo area you can see examples of beautiful Ecuadorian craftsmanship at the artisan markets. Here, locals adorn their famous traditional dress, known around the world for its unique woven designs.
Arguably the country’s most awe-inspiring features come in the form of its spectacular volcanoes, such as Cotopaxi and Chimborazo where, due to its location upon the equatorial bulge, its summit is the farthest place on the earth’s crust from the earth’s core.
Secluded some 600 miles off the Ecuadoran coast, the Galápagos Islands offer a fascinating open-air wildlife museum that stirs the explorer in everyone. Home to an astonishing variety of endemic species, the archipelago is also one of the few places on earth where adventurers can encounter unafraid wildlife up close.
This is just the beginning of all the wonders that await you on your Ecuador and Galapagos adventure with BODHI Retreats.
Ecuador Mainland:
Ecuador Mainland:
Galapagos Islands:
Transfer airport to hotel. Our Guide will receive you at the Airport in Quito at your arrival.
We will visit some of the most famous squares the old town Quito, churches, and colonial buildings. The Plaza de la Independencia with its Presidential Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, the Municipal Building, the Statue of Independence, and the Cathedral. We will continue to the churches of El Sagrario and La Compañía, and then the church and convent of San Francisco. We will take a look inside the church and be amazed by the exuberant gold that was used to decorate the oldest church in Quito. Then we will move to the Panecillo and the statue of the Virgin of Quito. From here we will have the opportunity to see both parts of Quito and the surrounding snow-capped volcanoes! In the afternoon we will continue the famous Mitad del Mundo. This is one of the most famous attractions in Quito, you can visit the monument or the in-situ museum called Inti-Ñan. You can discover the great details of the solar system, the effect that the position of the equator and ancient cultures and much more...! Finally, you will visit the Teleferiqo (cable car) of Quito. Over 2,500 meters you will reach the top of the Pichincha Volcano, this great visit is a unique experience, which offers a great view of the landscape of the north, center, and south of the city. After this visit, we will be dropped off at our hotel. Overnight in Quito.
We head towards Mindo Cloud forest where fun and adventure in nature are guaranteed and located about 49 miles from Quito. Mindo is the most famous town for birdwatchers in the Andes of Ecuador, due to the number of species we can find in the area. Orchids, bromeliads, and more than 40 species of butterflies are the highlights of this area. Our guide will lead to some activities possible to do on this day, some of them could be birdwatching hiking, also an ecological walk to the waterfalls or canopy. You will have time for lunch, and then we will visit the Chocolate Factory or Butterfly Farm. After this interesting visit, we will return to Quito.
This day will go towards north, the first visit will be the market of handicrafts in Calderon, this small town is traditional for using the “mazapan” material for their crafts... We’ll continue to Cayambe for tasting the delicious biscuits. Then we’ll make a stop in Miralago for a marvellous landscape of the Lago San Pablo and the volacanoes of the zone. Finally we’ll reach the Otavalo indigenous market, and we’ll have time for shopping. we will make a short visit to the Peguche cascade. Later we'll go towards the town of Cotacachi, famous for its leather products. Finally, we will visit Cuicocha lake, located in an old crater of the still active Cotacachi volcano. We can take an optional boat ride on the lake and observe the fumaroles. Overnight in Otavalo.
Travel from Otavalo area to Cotopaxi province for about 3 hours... We will enjoy a culinary experience of the lunch on the hotel Chilcabamba.
This we’ll make a hiking to the refuge of the Cotopaxi Volcano, the largest active volcano with 5897 m.a.sl. We will also visit the Limpiopungo Lagoon, and the insitu museum of the National Park. Once on the parking lot we’ll start our hiking for about 900 meters on a sandy ground to reach the refuge of the volcano located about 4900 meters above sea level. On the refuge you can enjoy some hot drinks and rest near of the ice of the volcano. The trip back down will take us about 30 minutes more... be sure to bring warm clothes since the wind is strong.
This day we’ll visit the Quilotoa lagoon, on the way you can see wonderful landscapes, we will pass through small indigenous villages, part of the great multiculturalism of Ecuador. The lagoon characterized by the turquoise color due to the volcanic minerals, gives it a pleasant and colorful appearance. A short hiking to the shores of the lagoon are possible. After the visit we’ll continue our trip to Baños, on the road we’ll make a visit to an artist workshop of the zone. We’ll finally reach the city of Banos on the afternoon.
This day will be full of adventure with the Rafting program on the Pastaza River, 1 hour from Baños. We start at 09:00, we get a "Rafting Level Class 3+", which everyone can do. After arriving at the parking lot we will put on the suits which will be checked by the guides in charge, and then we will give a safety talk to the group, in this talk we will learn how to work as a team, how to row, how to help a partner get into the boat if he falls into the water. These are very basic but important things to do the activity. After practicing for 25 minutes or so we enter the Pastaza River; from this point we will be in the water for about 1 hour. Rowing within an Amazonian landscape, at some point the water is very calm, but when we have the Rapids, we have an adrenaline rush. When we reach the final point, we will use our dry clothes and begin to return to the City of Baños. (Lunch included after the rafting)
After breakfast, we will visit the surroundings of the town of Baños, the main church, and some other places... After this visit, you will visit the famous "route of the cascades" where you will visit some different cascades such as Manto de la Novia, San Pedro, and more... The highlight of this route is the famous "Pailon del Diablo cascade"; a beautiful and majestic waterfall around the cloud forest of the zone. We’ll start a trip to our lodge in the jungle for about 4 hours, for reaching Itamandi Lodge. Tome for having our rooms and relax on the jungle atmosphere. We’ll have a magical dinner and then a night walk is possible with the local guide.
After breakfast, we walk through the primary and secondary forests. This activity lasts about 2 or 3 hours. In the afternoon it is time to enjoy a cultural activity. An Amazonian Kichwa community passed us by and we will learn about their way of life and the interaction they have with the jungle. In this meeting, that part of the Amazon that is not found on maps will be shown: the Amazonian people in their daily lives. Part of our visit to the community consists of sharing the famous "chicha", a fermented yucca drink that has become part of their festivities and daily consumption. We will participate in the preparation of this drink and try some of the traditional dishes. We will end the visit with a traditional dance performed by the community and we will also have time to buy some handicrafts made by the indigenous community.
Early in the morning, we’ll take a 15-minute canoe ride upriver to visit the Parrots Clay Licks and appreciate a unique place where parrots and parakeets meet to obtain the minerals that will help them digest the fruits or seeds, they have consumed. Hundreds of parrots and parakeets will approach the treetops and then descend on the clay wall to eat this mineral-rich soil. Binoculars are essential to enjoy this magnificent natural place. After the visit we’ll return to the lodge for breakfast and then we will go back to Quito. We’ll make a stop in Termas de Papallacta Hot Springs for a time of relax in the params. This amazing thermal spa suitable for rest and fun. Finally we will continue the trip to Quito where we will spend the last night in Ecuador.
GALAPAGOS EXTENSION
The guide will pick you up at an assigned time according your outbound flight schedule. Transfer to the airport for an international flight or continue the journey to Galapagos Islands
Arrival to Baltra airport and we’ll go to Puerto Ayora, the main town of Santa Cruz Island. Time for Lunch in the town. In the afternoon we’ll take the ferry to Isabela Island, the boat trip takes around 2 hours. Overnight in Isabela Island.
In the morning we’ll visit the famous site called “Las Tintoreeas” A snorkeling place for swimming with white tip sharks. After the lunch we’ll visit the Tunnels of Cabo Rosa, a lava rock formation shaped like tunnels, since in ancient eruptions, the lava passed under the ground forming tunnels that later collapsed and gave rise to these arches over the water where you can clearly see the vegetation coming out of the rocks, the crystal-clear water, the sea lions and penguins walking between the arches. After this short stop, you will snorkel again in specialized place very close to sea turtles, blue sharks and much more marine life of the place. Always follow the guide's instructions and avoid touching the animals or getting too close. Sometimes they are no longer afraid of humans and pass very close, but that does not necessarily permit you to touch them.
Early breakfast and check out for taking the ferry back to Santa Cruz Island departs at 06:00 am. After this 2 hour trip we will visit Tortuga Bay, a beautiful beach full of mangroves that allow you to find small sharks, rays and marine turtles. After this visit we’ll take a bus for visiting the highlands of Santa Cruz. A lunch will be served on the place and then you’ll have the opportunity to see giant Galapagos Tortoises in wildlife, walking around the place.
If the time allows, we can visit for one hour the Charles Darwin Station with a guide of the center... Then transfer to Baltra airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador for your international flight connection
12 Day tour
per person in shared room
15 day tour - Galapagos Extension
price per person in a double shared room
Important We require a 30% deposit to confirm a booking, with full payment due 14 days prior to trip departure.
