Exploring southern Ecuador
Guayaquil, Cuenca, Saraguro, Vilcabamba & Zaruma
11 days

The geography of southern Ecuador covers 3 continental regions, creating an excellent environment for cultural encounters, archeology including Inca and pre Incan sites, active travel and improving health and fitness, as well as offering us some of nature’s most extraordinary landscapes. The south of the country offers authenticity and true charm where its people preserve the traditions and customs that are practically lost in other places. It is also an excellent destination for practicing adventure sports and enjoying nature.

Overview itinerary:
Day 1:  Arrival to Guayaquil
Day 2: Guayaquil city tour & Historical Park – Flight to Cuenca
Day 3: Cuenca, the jewel of the Andes
Day 4: Ingapirca & Cañari Culture
Day 5: El Cajas National Park
Day 6: Hacienda Totorillas & Horse Riding
Day 7: Sharing the Saraguro Culture – drive to Vilcabamba
Day 8: Full day in Vilcabamba, the valley of eternal youth
Day 9:  Podocarpus National Park – Loja – drive to Zaruma
Day 10: Zaruma, the hidden treasure of the south
Day 11: Zaruma – Birdwatching at Jocotoco reserve – Tropical Farm - Guayaquil

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival to Guayaquil
Arrival to Guayaquil, a great demonstration of modern urbanism and the main commercial center of Ecuador. Overnight at selected hotel.

Day 2: Guayaquil city tour & Historical Park - Flight to Cuenca
During the tour we visit the main square, walk down the main 9 de Octubre avenue, stop at the Plaza Seminario, commonly known as Iguanas park and then to the Malecon 2000.  This long and beautiful waterfront offer entertainment for all ages, play grounds for kids, botanical garden, Ecuadorian history museum, an e-max, shopping area, good restaurants and obviously a wonderful view over to the Guayas river.  Las Peñas neighborhood at the far end of the waterfront, shows the old Guayaquil and it’s an excellent place to walk around and visit a local bar.

Afterwards, the group will be driven to The Historical Park, which has a lively exhibition of how life used to be in Guayaquil and its surroundings back in the nineteen and early twenty century. Here we find a wild life zone where we could see monkeys, crocodiles, eagles, macaws, etc typical from the tropics. Also there is an architectural zone with houses and farms from the early years and finally a botanical zone showing all sorts of plants and crops from the tropics. Late afternoon we take you to the airport to catch a flight to Cuenca. - L –

Day 3: Cuenca, the jewel of the Andes. City tour half day & lunch
In Cuenca you will take a walking tour of the old town will take us through magnificent churches, beautiful old buildings, flower and handicrafts markets, art galleries, workshops and all the wonders that Cuenca, with its colonial style and pleasant atmosphere, offers its visitors. We will also ride along the Tomebamba River, while admiring the ancient houses perched on the river bank above. We will drive through some modern neighborhoods and enjoy a panoramic view of the city from the vantage point of Turi. We will also visit ceramic art gallery, a straw hat factory or an artist’s workshop, depending on your personal preferences.  – L -

Day 4: Ingapirca & Cañari culture
After an hour and a half along the Pan-American Highway enjoying amazing countryside Andean landscapes, we reach the most important and well-preserved Inca complex in the country, Ingapirca, which was originally a worshipping temple for the sun. Here we do an easy walk around the ruins and visit the site museum. Additionally, depending on the day of the week, we also visit picturesque Cañari Indian markets observing their traditional colorful customs, visit other smaller ruins in the area, indigenous communities, local artisans, beautiful churches and/or other highlights found on the way. Lunch is included in a local restaurant. Return and overnight in Cuenca. – L -

Day 5: El Cajas National Park. 
El Cajas is considered a paradise for hikers due to its ecological conservation and natural beauty. On our trip, we do a moderate hike for about 3 hours through some of its 230 glacier lakes, admiring the moorland vegetation (high Andean grassland, like moors at high altitude) with amazing micro flora, some patches of Quinoa primary forests and spectacular rock formations. The 2nd walk last about 1 hour in the lower cloud forest zone; rich in plant life and abundant in species of birds. The 2 walks are in very different environments, showing all the highlights of the park. For lunch we go to a local restaurant or we take a packed lunch. . – L -

Day 6: Hacienda Totorillas & Horse riding 
After a half hour drive from Cuenca, we reach Totorillas, a charming farm in an amazing natural spot, located in the area known as the mountains of Tarqui. Horse riding is definitely the specialty and little experience is required, on a trip aimed at passengers that would like to witness and experience daily countryside life. Once on the horses, we will ride along countryside trails through indigenous and private farming sites, areas of primary forest, the ancient Inca trail and small hidden villages. The old trails from the colonial era follow the top of the mountain ridge, providing amazing views from the saddle. Horses are professionally trained for any level of experience. Overnight at Hacienda Totorillas. – L, D -

Day 7: Sharing the Saraguro culture – drive to Vilcabamba
Today we drive to Saraguro the center of a very special Indigenous group where we will visit several nearby villages. Here skilled artisans produce fine textiles (ponchos, skirts, belts, bed & table cover, etc), decorative and utilitarian ceramic, ship wool hats and colorful jewelry mainly made of beads and silver. Also we will visit their organic orchards were they grow many of the vegetables, fruits and herbs used in their diet. Lunch will be a very special one, as we will be introduced to their sharing rituals of the “Pinshi Mikuna” in company of a Saraguro family. In the afternoon we will do a hike up to their sacred waterfall where we will be part of a shamanic energizing ritual. The Yachags (shamans) invocate in conjunction with the participants to their sacred natural elements (wind, fire, water, earth, sun and moon) to regain positive energy. In the afternoon we continue to Vilcabamba valley. – L, D -

Day 8: Full day in Vilcabamba, the valley of eternal youth
Vilcabamba is located in a warm subtropical valley with a very pleasant and relaxed atmosphere excellent for hiking or simply enjoying the natural scenery and landscape. It is known for its spa facilities and laid back life style. – L, D -

Day 9: Podocarpus National Park – Loja – drive to Zaruma
Podocarpus is considered one of the richest areas in the world with regard to diversity of birds. Within the park more than 560 species have been identified.  For this reason it has become one of the most visited areas in the world for bird watching. We continue our journey and stop in Loja city, a charming place with history and interesting traditions. We then drive on a picturesque road heading west to Zaruma. – L, D -

Day 10: Zaruma, the hidden treasure of the South
Zaruma is an old mining town perched on a hill top with beautiful wooden colonial style houses, where we will spend the day exploring the outstanding architecture of the town and other interesting sites around it.  – L, D -

Day 11: Birdwatching at Jocotoco reserve – Tropical farm – Guayaquil
Today we go to one of the most spectacular protected areas, where you don’t need to be a birdwatcher to enjoy seeing an amazing amount and diversity of humming birds flying around you. Jocotoco also hosts many other interesting birds as toucans and umbrella birds, so here we do some hiking to explore this wonderful site. We then continue on a coastal road, stop at a tropical farm to see the main products growing there as bananas, coffee, cocoa and several tropical fruits. We end our journey late afternoon in Guayaquil. – L -

Included
Private transportation, bilingual professional certified guides, accommodation on double basis at selected tourist superior and/or first class hotels, lodges & haciendas, all breakfasts and meals as listed on itinerary, all excursions mentioned above, entrance fees and equipment used on activities.  

Not included
International flights and airport taxes, personal drinks, travel insurance & personal expenses.

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