LIVING MAGIC ECUADOR

DAY 1, Monday – Depart for Ecuador

Depart for Ecuador. Arrive in Quito, capital of Ecuador, founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city; transfer to your hotel. The Quito airport is approximately an hour drive from the city. Balance of the day is at leisure to get acquainted with this lively city’s priceless historical treasures of art and architecture. Tonight, enjoy your first taste of Ecuadorian food at one of the city’s world-class restaurants and cafes 
Overnight: Quito▲

DAY 2, Tuesday – Quito City Tour & Visit to the Middle of the World

The morning’s tour begins with a visit to the colonial section of Quito to walk along the narrow cobblestone streets and feel the charm of 16th-century Quito. See the Independence Plaza, the Cathedral, Presidential Palace, and the Archbishop’s Palace before visiting La Compañia de Jesus Church, with its beautiful gilded interior or the Church and Monastery of San Francisco, one of the great religious buildings of the New World with its impressive facade and atrium. Afterward, visit the Middle of the World Monument, located at a latitude of 0º, and stand with one foot in the Northern and one in the Southern Hemisphere. This afternoon, transfer by bus to Otavalo. This evening, enjoy an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers, followed by a Welcome Dinner 
Overnight: Otavalo 
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 3, Wednesday – Otavalo Market, Transfer to Papallacta

This morning visit Peguche, known for it’s beautiful waterfall. Then, take a tour of the market in Otavalo, one of the largest in South America run by the local Otavaleños. Here, enjoy the lively market atmosphere and browse the various stalls for traditional goods such as handwoven cloth and rugs, jewelry and more. This afternoon, transfer to Papallacta located in the Andes Mountains. The remainder of the day is at leisure or join the optional tour to Papallacta’s spas and hot springs, for which it is famous 
Optional Pay : Termas de Papallacta Spa Package (PM) 
Overnight: Papallacta 
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4, Thursday – Transfer to Amazon Resort

After breakfast, transfer by bus to La Punta Ahuano on the Napo River where you will board a canoe that will take you to your Amazon lodge*. Enjoy the serene tranquility that the lodge has to offer and prepare to be amazed by both the wildlife and the culture inherent to the Amazon. In the afternoon, visit Ahuano to have the opportunity to meet a local Quechua family and learn about their way of life first hand before returning to the hotel
*Please Note: Upon arrival the lodge is approximately a 5-10 minute walk uphill from where passengers will exit the canoe. Passengers are required to transport their own carry on luggage 
Overnight: Amazon 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5, Friday – Hike in a Private Nature Reserve

This morning, after a canoe ride you can hike in the Misicocha Private Nature Reserve for approximately two hours while viewing the beautiful flora and fauna up-close. The Amazon rainforest is the world’s largest ecosystem, so be sure to keep an eye out for the innumerable species of tropical plants and insects. Enjoy the views as you cross suspended bridges and fly through the jungle on a short zip line basket ride. At the end of the hike, take a rafting trip on a traditional balsa log raft*. Balance of the day is at leisure or, choose to participate in one of the optional tours, including the Butterfly Farm & Balsa Wood Carving Demonstration, Cacao Farm & AmaZOOnico Rescue Center or Canopy Adventure Park
*Please Note: This is an active hike and sections of the path include steps. Also, those who participate in the rafting trip will need to step through the water to reach the raft and will get wet during the ride 
Optional PAY: Butterfly Farm & Balsa Wood Demonstration 
Optional PAY: Cacao Farm & AmaZOOnico Rescue 
Optional PAY: Canopy Adventure Park 
Overnight: Amazon 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6, Saturday -El Pailon del Diablo & Baños

This morning, board a canoe for the short trip to La Punta Ahuano, continuing by coach to Patate. Stop along the way to visit the powerful El Pailon del Diablo or «The Devil’s Cauldron»*, one of Ecuador’s most beautiful waterfalls. Drive to Baños, an idyllic little town known for its hot thermal baths and the sometimes steamy Tungurahua Volcano. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, watch a demonstration on vegetable ivory, a traditional craft that utilizes palm nuts to make jewelry and animal carvings. In the late afternoon, check into your hotel in the Valley of Patate. Balance of the day is at leisure
*Please Note: It is an active hike to and from El Pailon del Diablo waterfall 
Overnight: Baños 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7, Sunday – Visit to a Rose Plantation, Lunch at Hacienda La Cienega

Today, enjoy a tour of a beautiful rose plantation. Although roses are not native to Ecuador, the country has a perfect environment for rose cultivation and is presently one of the world’s major producers. On the plantation, you’ll learn more about the farming process, from planting to exporting. Continue to Hacienda La Cienega for lunch, one of the oldest and most historical haciendas in Ecuador, belonging to the descendants of Marques of Maenza dating back to the 17th century, with a spectacular view of the Cotopaxi volcano, in the background. After lunch, time to wonder around the grounds of the Hacienda. Return to the hotel for this evening’s «Farewell to Ecuador» Dinner with your group 
Overnight: Quito 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8, Monday – Depart Ecuador

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Please note: Some flights depart shortly after midnight in the very early morning of Day 8 and will require a transfer on Day 7. Transfers depart the hotel approximately 4 hours prior to flight time 
Meals: Breakfast