Indigenous Communities of the Andes Highlands and Nature Experience

Rates include: 1 night at Swissotel or LeParc in Quito and 5 nights at local hacienda or hotel

4 star accommodations: $1518 per person (min 2 guests)
5 star accommodations: $1667 per person (min 2 guests)

Departure Days: Every day

Program Description:

Day 1: Otavalo Market with Peguche & Cotacachi villages
Just 1 ½ hours north of Quito among the lush volcanic highlands is the Otavalo village. This land is rich in friendly and colorfully attired indigenous people, historic working haciendas, and towering volcanoes with verdant slopes. As we pass into the highlands, we’re treated to a sweeping view of Imbabura and Cotacachi Volcanoes rising above San Pablo Lake. Our first stop is the Otavalo market, famous throughout the Andes for its handicrafts, textiles and tapestries, we will follow to the food market, to see the variety of products consumed daily by the local population. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Overnight at Hacienda Cusin (4 stars) or La Mirage (5 stars)

Day 2: Otavalo & Surrounding Communities
After a relaxed breakfast we will go to Cuicocha for a wonderful partial hike around the crater lake or a ride in a motorized canoe to get a close look at the islets. This will give you the opportunity to see highland hummingbirds and orchids, besides the spectacular Andean scenery; we will follow to Cotacachi for fine leather shopping, we then visit an indigenous weaver of Peguche to witness the ancient back-strap weaving in process, we finish the day with a late lunch at a colonial hacienda or on the shores of San Pablo lake. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Overnight at Hacienda Cusin (4 stars) or La Mirage (5 stars)

Day 3: Antisana Volcano
After Breakfast depart and travel to Antisana volcano and Ecological Reserve, the 90,000 hectares Ecological Reserve, one of the most important sanctuaries for a number of endangered species in the Ecuadorian Andes, home to the magnificent Andean condor, spectacle bear, puma, paramo wolf, and others that find protection in this 90,000 hectares. After lunch we travel to Papallacta Thermal Springs and Spa to enjoy the natural springs and excellent spa service. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Overnight at Papallacta Thermal Springs

Day 4: Papallacta Thermal Springs
Located high in the Andes at 10,800 feet above sea level and surrounded by cloud forest and pristine highland moors, it has 26 pools with temperatures ranging from 85 to 157°F, while the air temperature is 57°F; the spa also offers facials, massages, baths, reflexology, mud & clay body wrap; aromatic clay body wrap, hydro-massage, herbal bath, massage with pressure water and more, all these just next door to very comfortable accommodation and hearty meals. Enjoy a morning hike and then relax at the spa. After lunch depart towards Quito. (breakfast and lunch included)
Overnight at Swissotel or LeParc

Day 5: Tandayapa Reserve - birdwatchers paradise
Just an hour and a half north-east of Quito stands a primeval cloud forest set in the mountains above the Tandayapa River. Here a North American who used to work in the Monte Verde Cloud Forest in Costa Rica has discovered what could be the birders’ paradise of the world. Even without counting the seemingly endless species of hummingbirds who frequent the feeders of this former cow pasture, the list of bird species seen here would rival—and may well surpass—any single location in the world. We then proceed to Sachatamia lodge, to explore different routes of the cloud forest and encounter another variety of birds. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Overnight at Sachatamia Lodge

Day 6: Sachatamia and El Pahuma
After a very early breakfast we continue exploring the wonders of Sachatamia Reserve, after lunch we return to Quito and en route visit El Pahuma Orchid Reserve, a 650 hectare (approx 1,500 acre) cloud forest reserve located only one hour from Quito. The lush vegetation is fed by abundant moisture from the mist-laden air and provides home to a multitude of epiphytes (“air plants”) including bromeliads, orchids, mosses and ferns. The astonishing diversity of species that make up the reserve provides limitless enjoyment for visitors interested in orchids, bird watching or simply taking in the sights and sounds of the forests and its three spectacular waterfalls. Arrive at Quito late in the afternoon. (breakfast and lunch included)
Overnight at Swissotel or LeParc