Southern Ecuador Discovery

Itinerary

Day 1 Quito

Arrive in Quito at any time.

Day 2 Santo Domingo (L,D)

We will leave Quito in the morning by public bus towards the southwest along the Avenue of Volcanos seeing on the way Antisana and Corazon. Once we pass the western flanks of the Andes we start a dramatic descent of 2200 m. The vegetation changes to big trees and nice flowers such as orchids. Waterfalls run into Toachi river on the right side until we get to Tinalandia this beautiful resort 16 km before the dynamic and growing Santo Domingo city. The accommodation is in bungalows surrounded by vegetation and flowers that attract lots of birds. Not far from there is an exotic forest part of the rich Choco ecosystem one of the hot spots of biodiversity in the world, to explore it after lunch or have a leisured walk. Dinner.

Day 3 Santo Domingo (B,L,D)

We leave Tinalandia by taxi or private van 45 minutes to the indigenous community of the Tsachilas, this well know people famous to have renowned shamans experts in the use of curative plants and skillful women in the art of the back strap loom . Woman paint their faces with black stripes and men use the red color of the achiote to dye their bowl shaped haircuts. Here the Aguabil family still perform traditional music and dances, eat food cooked on the grill. We will spend the day learning from their culture and share their traditional meals in the community house. Come back to the lodge, enjoy the pool. Dinner

Day 4 Guayaquil (B)

In the morning we will take a public bus to Guayaquil the largest city in Ecuador. During the five hours journey we will pass trough plantations of bananas, cocoa, pineapples, mangoes, oranges and rice fields. We can see how people sell their products along the road or dry the cacao beans for chocolate. Lunch in Guayaquil and time to explore the modern Malecon 2000 an attractive river front where there are cinemas, museums, restaurants, parks. Is a good idea to visit the bohemian Peñas neighborhood to see the sunset and at night to enjoy a trip on the pirate boat Morgan along the Guayas river.

Day 5 Machala

We take a private taxi to go to Machala 3 hrs south of Guayaquil. On the half way we will stop to visit the Hacienda Jambeli devoted to agro tourism and protection of endangered species of animals from the coast such as Guayaquil Paraquet and caiman's, tapirs, spider monkeys, etc. We can see the harvest process of bananas and plantations of coffee and cacao or shrimps farms and enjoy a typical snack. Optional visit to Emanuel Waterfalls before we reach Machala the bananas world capital and country famous city for sea food. Overnight.

Day 6 Machala

We have a free day in Machala. We can take and optional tour to the largest petrified forest of the continent: Puyango with 2659 hectares. Located two hours south west of Machala. Puyango holds a collection of petrified wood, ferns, and marine fosils dating 70- 100 million years age product of a natural cataclysm. We can observe araucaria tree trunks of 15 m long and 2 m wide and the huge Petrinos and kapoks trees.On the way back we could visit Puerto Hualtaco another two hours from Puyango. This is a little fisherman's pear on the Peruvian border where sea food is delicious. Return to Machala.

Day 7 Machala

After a 15 minutes taxi ride we get to Puerto Bolivar famous provincial port for bananas and shrims export. From here taking a motorized canoe ride for 45 minutes we can go offshore towards the Archipelago of Jambeli and reach the village of fishermen where fresh sea food (ceviches, sea rice, crabs, etc) sun and beaches are the attraction. Also we can admire one of the last remnants of the rich mangroves ecosystem of the continent, that holds numerous species of sea birds. The return should be before it gets dark .

Day 8 Zaruma

We take a public bus for three hours journey to the Highlands of El Oro province, where Cerro Rico de Zaruma the Cultural Patrimony City of Ecuador known for its charming wooden houses and narrow step streets is located. in the highlands. Historically was a gold extraction village with such important mines as El Sexmo that provided to Spain with the precious metal. Much earlier than that, local Indians gifted gold to Huaynacapac sovereign for his crowning or as the legend says they helped to collected as much gold as necessary to pay Atahualpa´s Inca randsom. Nowadays in the surroundings we can see the people cultivating the unique highland aromatic coffee or sugar cane. We can try the famous tigrillo or humitas and dulce de leche local delicacies. From this quiet town we can hike to El Calvario Hill or El Sexmo mine or take a hang around the town. We stay at a nice family owned hostel.

Day 9 Zaruma (L)

Free day in Zaruma to explore the Buenaventura Cloud Forest Reserve 1hour from Zaruma by car, The Reserve is managed by Jocotoco Foundation that is currently protecting 1680 hectares of land where several trails offer an excellent possibility to see wildlife: 22 species of hummingbirds, mountain toucans, turkeys, parakeets, howler monkeys, deers, poison frogs (valued for the science to get medicines to try a cure for Parkinson or epilepsy).As option for hiking lovers we could explore Cerro de Arcos and Chacacapac waterfall. For that we need a to take car two hours from Zaruma and walk for about three to for hours up hill to where the erosion had sculpted capricious forms in the rocks. Back to town Night at Zaruma

Day 10 Zamora

Today we take a very early bus to the east of the province of El Oro into Loja. The public bus ride to Loja is four hours during which we can enjoy breathtaking views of the Andes . From Loja after a break we continue to the jungle city Zamora for 2 more hours. From the bus station by taxis we arrive to our lodge for two nights . A comfortable ranch- resort like where there is a spa, pool, bar restaurant, trails to hike, a gondola car. The restaurant offers a good selection of dishes including tilapia and the exotic frogs legs.

Day 11 Zamora

Today with have the option to visit the National Park Podocarpus so called because of the only native conifer of the south of Ecuador can be found here, as well as the quinine tree a natural malaria cure. Experts consider Podocarpus an area of high endemism (species found nowhere else) because of its important location just in the confluence of two weather patterns: the Andean and the Amazonian. Home of Andean spectacled bears, pumas, deer, fox and tapirs is also popular among birdwatchers and hikers to enjoy views of waterfalls, natural pools and rivers. The entrance is by Bombuscaro where the park rangers can walk you the six hours loop trail Higuerones, or you could choose six other trails of short duration. To get in there we hire a taxi for 20 minutes from Zamora and 30 minutes walking to the entrance. Back to the lodge we can have a leisure evening.

Day 12 Vilcabamba (L,D)

Today we head to the south of Loja City for about 4 hours by bus to Vilcabamba Valley known as a natural paradise in the country for its tranquility, temperate climate, pure water and striking mountains, that attracts people looking for a good relax. Vilcabamba is recognized to have the highest life expectancy in the Ecuador. Our lodge is a spa-hotel with comfortable rooms, bar, outdoor pool, surrounded by nice gardens and mountains. The food is organic and they are oriented to work with community projects to improve the life of old people.

Day 13 Vilcabamba (B,L,D)

Today is a free day to explore the surroundings of Vilcamamba, like the Mandango Hill for that you need to go 20 minutes by taxi from the Lodge an 2 hours on a loop trail. The views of the mountains and valley from here are breathtaking. Other options are: horse riding, mountain biking or just relax at the spa where a selection of massages and treatments are offered.

Day 14 Loja (B)

Today we head an early departure to Loja, two hours by bus and have the time to explore this Spanish looking like city, with its beautiful parks, churches. Lourdes street is one of the most picturesque with a colonial touch. Other attractions are Jipiro Park and the gate to the city. Night in a hotel in the downtown.

Day 15 Quito

Morning flight back to Quito. We take a taxi ride of an hour to Catamayo´s airport. During the flight we enjoy spectacular views of the Andes. A day to enjoy the old city and its churches and squares , the teleferico or gondola car and other attractions like The Museum of the Central Bank, Chapel of Men, Botanical Garden, etc. Farewell dinner.

Trip Details

Accommodation	Simple hotels and eco-lodges (13 nts), jungle lodge (2 nts).
Group Size	Max 15, Avg 10
Included Highlights	- 2-night excursion to Cloud Forest lodge near Santo Domingo- Day trip to the Tsachila indigenous community- Hacienda visit in the Machala area- Day trip to the Jambeli Archipelago- Guided visit to the Puyango petrified forest- Guided visit to Podocarpus National Park- 2-day Nangaritza River excursion
Local Payment	USD250
Meals Included	All meals included while at the Santo Domingo Cloud Forest and as otherwise indicated by itinerary.
StartFinish	ex Quito
Transport	Public buses, taxis, motorized canoes, local flight.
Brochure Intro	Explore Ecuador's amazing inner coastal and southern regions. Experience the cultural and natural diversity of the country, divided by the towering spine of the Andes and creating three distinct regions: coast, highlands and jungle. Travel from big cities to small towns; enjoy scenic landscapes and diverse ecosystems, home to a wealth of wildlife. Pass through tropical fruit plantations, mangroves, beaches, a petrified forest, mountains and cascades and pay a visit to the Valley of Longevity.

When can I go?

Start Date	Finish Date	Places Available
2008-11-14	2008-11-29	7+
2008-12-19	2009-01-03	7+
2009-01-23	2009-02-07	7+
2009-02-27	2009-03-14	7+
2009-04-03	2009-04-18	7+
2009-05-08	2009-05-23	7+
2009-06-12	2009-06-27	7+
2009-07-17	2009-08-01	7+
2009-08-21	2009-09-05	7+
2009-09-25	2009-10-10	7+
2009-10-30	2009-11-14	7+
2009-12-04	2009-12-19	7+
2010-01-08	2010-01-23	7+
2010-02-12	2010-02-27	7+
2010-03-19	2010-04-03	7+
2010-05-28	2010-06-12	7+
2010-07-02	2010-07-17	7+
2010-08-06	2010-08-21	7+
2010-09-10	2010-09-25	7+
2010-10-15	2010-10-30	7+
2010-11-19	2010-12-04	7+
2010-12-24	2011-01-08	7+

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