ACCOMODATIONS

All accommodations included in historic hotels, locally owned lodges, eco-lodge and homestay

MEALS

11 breakfast, 9 lunches, 7 dinners

NOT INCLUDED

International airfare, drinks other than water, guide and driver tips, spa treatments, a few meals.

ALSO INCLUDED

• Airport Transfers

• Private van & driver

• Bilingual guides

• All listed excursions

• Entrance fees

• Community activities

D A Y O N E | ARRIVAL

You will be met at the airport by our guide and driver and be transferred to our hotel for the night.

Sleep | Cultura Manor

D A Y T W O | QUITO EXPLORATION

After a good night's rest and a hearty breakfast there will be a walking tour of the colonial zone and the historic city center. (B,L,D)

Sleep | Cultura Manor

D A Y T H R E E | QUITO MARKET TOUR & LOCAL CUISINE

Today we will meet up with Michelle O’Fried, chef, author and nutritionist, for an interactive market tour in Quito. We will learn about the incredible diversity of Ecuador's produce and cuisine and the tour will end with an incredible lunch filled with local favorites. Before heading back to the hotel for a rest we will visit the showroom of Paqocha. There will be some time in the afternoon for rest before dinner out. (B,L,D)

Sleep | Cultura Manor

D A Y F O U R | MASHPI CHOCOLATE FARM

Finally some chocolate! We will be heading to Mashpi Artisanal Chocolate Farm owned and operated by a small Ecuadorian family. Here, we meet the farmers, tour the farm, taste and learn all about the chocolate experience- bean to bar. We will eat and overnight in the cloud forest surrounded by the sounds and sights of this incredible area. (B,L,D)

Sleep | Chonta Loma

D A Y F I V E | MASHPI: BECOME THE FARMER

We head back to the farm in the morning to do whatever needs to be done from harvesting to separating beans. After lunch we will head to Sachatamia Lodge in the heart of the cloud forest where you can relax and enjoy the incredible birds of this area. (B,L,D)

Sleep | Sachatamia Lodge

D A Y S I X | CLOUD FOREST

Today is for you to mold. After sleeping in and breakfast there will be a variety of activities to choose from such as tubing, zip-lining, hiking, birdwatching or visiting a local coffee farm. Dinner will be on your own in the quaint town of Mindo or at the hotel. (B)

Sleep | Sachatamia

D A Y S E V E N | MUSHROOMS, AGAVE, OTAVALO MARKET

We’ll hit the road early and head up to the gorgeous region of Cayambe stopping along the way at a well-known organic mushroom farm. Here we will meet the farmer and see his incredible operation. Close by is the only agave museum in Ecuador! The visit ends with an agave tasting where you can taste the many products made from this plant. Before we check into our gorgeous hacienda for the night we will stop at the famous Otavalo market to scratch that shopping itch. (B,L,D)

Sleep | Las Palmeras

D A Y E I G H T | CUICOCHA CRATER & WEAVING

Today you’ll discover the beautiful crater lake of Cuicocha. There is an option to hike around the whole crater or just a portion of it. You can also choose to take a boat ride across! We will visit the El Gran Condor weaving initiative on the way back where you can see, try and buy products made from many women in the area. Dinner is on your own tonight either at the hotel or in town. (B,L)

Sleep: Las Palmeras

D A Y N I N E | COTACACHI & HOMESTAY

We head north to the quaint town of Cotacachi, known for leather goods, handicrafts and laid-back attitude. Around 1pm after shopping and lunch you will be meeting the leader of the Runa Tupari Foundation, which helps rural indigenous communities develop sustainable tourism. You and your roommate will make your way to the home of your host family. Accommodations are in small cabins close to the main house where privacy is ensured and interaction encouraged. The afternoon is spent with the family harvesting plants, feeding animals, hanging out with locals or helping cook dinner. (B,L,D)

Sleep | Homestay

D A Y T E N | SPA TIME

After breakfast you say goodbye to your host family and we head to Banos. We wind our way down the Panamerican highway stopping for lunch along the way. Upon arrival you are completely free for the rest of the night to chill out and enjoy the thermal pools, massages and facials! (B)

Sleep | Luna Volcan Spa

D A Y E L E V E N | BAÑOS-COTOPAXI NP

Although it is sad to leave this incredible place there is still one last adventure to be had! You’ll be able to sleep in or get one last soak before we head down to Banos to check out the town. We will stop at the famous swing to take pictures and take a short hike to a nearby waterfall before lunching and exploring the town. In the afternoon we will wind our way back up into Cotopaxi National Park where we will stay at the historic El Porvenir Hacienda. (B,D)

Sleep | Hacienda El Porvenir

D A Y T W E L V E | COTOPAXI NP- DEPARTURES or EXTENSION BEGINS

Cotopaxi Volcano is among the highest most active volcanoes in the world and truly a sight to see! We have the opportunity to enjoy the day here as flights generally depart in the evenings. After breakfast we will go horseback riding to enjoy the area. El Porvenir is a working ranch that dates back to the early 1900’s and its location is the ideal spot to explore the National Park. We’ll have our rooms for the day so you can shower and prepare for the flight home. There will be a late lunch before heading to the airport around 6:30pm. (B,L)

MASPHI CHOCOLATE

Meet Alejandro and Agostina, owners of Mashpi Chocolate Farm. They’ve committed their lives to rebuilding their land, an agroforestry reserve high in the Ecuadorian cloud forest. Once depleted of its minerals and wildlife by poor farming practices, Alejandro and Agostina are deeply committed to restoring biodiversity to the soil, nurturing plant and animal life, and protecting the land from industrial farming. In just five years, their preservation work has restored over a hundred birds to the canopy from a mere fifty.

They lovingly steward each step of organic chocolate production on site, applying the highest tenements of permaculture to the finest quality Arriba Cocoa. This wee farm with tremendous heart and superior environmental ethics has won first place for two chocolate bars in the International Chocolate Awards (2016).

RUNA TUPARI

Runa Tupari is a community-based tour operator in the Cotacachi region of Ecuador that helps create additional income and jobs for families in rural areas through sustainable, educational and traditional homestays. Runa Tupari in the local Kichwa language means "encounter with local people" and highlights their aim to facilitate cultural exchange between visitors and locals. It was established in 2001 by UNORCAC- a council representing 4 indigenous communities in the region. All of Runa Tupari’s profits are reinvested in the living conditions of the communities they operate in.

The GalapagosAlternative

The GalapagosAlternative is a locally owned tour operator based on Santa Cruz island. They specialize in land-based tours of the islands that ficus on sustainable agriculture, slow foos and slow travel.

They have carefully crafted many partnerships throughout the islands and their aim to fully support local businesses, restaurants, hotels and organizations is truly changing the face of tourism in the Galapagos.