Solo-ish Ecuador

Enjoy an included arrival transfer to the nearby start hotel in Quito where you will attend a welcome briefing with your newest travel companions. Then, head out on foot through the city streets to your hands-on cooking experience with the entire group. Listen to instructions from a talented local chef and enjoy stories throughout the lesson about the various ingredients and dishes you are working on creating. Witness the joy of sharing a meal prepared together and come away with new knowledge of Ecuador’s culinary tastes and traditions.

Today is all about the landscapes and communities of Ecuador. Start the day with a city tour of Quito and walk past important sites like the golden Compañia Church, San Francisco Square, and the Panecillo, a towering statue of the virgin of Quito. Then dive deeper into the meaning of community with an intriguing chocolate tasting experience through a locally-owned establishment that prioritizes the values of Minka, a tradition of collective labour that supports many social and infrastructure projects. Enjoy an included lunch afterwards featuring many traditional local dishes and continue to the Intiñan museum to explore the scientific riches only found on our planet’s equatorial line. Enjoy a free evening back in Quito.

Prepare to experience what G Adventures does best and enjoy an epic adventurous day in Cotopaxi National Park. Depart from Quito in the morning and enjoy a day immersed in the wilds of this high Andean ecosystem. Highlights include a visit to Limpiopungo Lake featuring picturesque views of the Cotopaxi volcano. If weather allows, travellers can hike up to an old military fortress built on a 4800m high hilltop, which offers 360-degree views to get closer to the volcano, or simply enjoy the beautiful surroundings at the lagoon. From here travel to Baños for an orientation walk through the abundantly green surroundings.

It’s time for a day that belongs to you! The choice really is all yours. From spending the day doing an array of optional activities available like hiking to the Pailon del Diablo or soaking in the local hot springs. You’ll also have the option of joining your CEO for a visit to the famous Casa del Arbol perched on a hilltop overlooking epic views of the Tungurahua volcano on a clear day. Dinner will be on your own this evening amid the lush scenery of Baños.

Travel away from the misty green foliage of Baños to the lush Amazon Jungle and your community lodge stay in the rainforest. Here, you’ll enjoy the hospitality of the local indigenous people of Shandia and experience life in the jungle firsthand. Once you arrive the group will cycle through the community and discover the beauty of the area with a local member as your guide. Your lodge stay is operated by the people of Shandia, who are committed to providing guests with a sustainable and authentic experience. After a delicious lunch and bike ride, the group will embark on a village walk and tour the cacao plantation here. Learn more about the cultivation process and take part in a hands-on chocolate-making experience. This is followed by an included dinner at the lodge.

Today, the group will travel to the Pimpilala Waterfalls for an exciting waterfalls adventure activity. After the waterfalls experience, visit a chacra (traditional farm), where they will learn about local agricultural practices and participate in a chicha-making experience. Chicha is a traditional fermented beverage widely consumed across the Amazon Basin and holds important cultural significance. Finish the day with a group dinner and celebrate your final night in the mighty Amazon.

Enjoy one final breakfast at the Amazon lodge before transferring to Papallacta. Here, take some time to relax in the natural mineral hot pools with volcanic views before travelling back to Quito. The tour ends upon arrival at the airport. Please book onward travel from 8pm onwards.