Ecuador: An Orchid Lover’s Paradise

Enjoy access to the airport Executive lounge before we fly from London to Quito, where we transfer to our hotel.

After breakfast we take a guided walking tour in Quito’s old town where the country’s colonial history blends with cultural diversity. We stroll along the narrow streets until we reach Independence Square that includes important sites such as the Archbishop’s Palace, the Cathedral, and the Municipal Palace. On our way to the San Francisco Square, we visit “La Compañia” church, one of the most important Spanish Baroque works in Latin America, with rich interiors and sculptured façade dating to the 18th century. Afterwards, we step inside the San Francisco Church to see the temple, a series of chapels and the convent. 
We enjoy a welcome lunch in the charming colonial area of Quito. In the afternoon we visit the Botanical Garden of Quito (JBQ) which is a centre for the conservation of flora and has 18 years of experience in transmitting knowledge about the importance of plants for the balance of nature, the value of biodiversity and its conservation. The JBQ has the largest ex-situ collection of orchids in the country, some representations of Andean ecosystems, and several thematic gardens of native and exotic plants that are classified according to scientific and landscape criteria.

Today we head to Otavalo where the road descends to the Guayllabamba Valley with perhaps a glimpse of the snow-capped Cayambe which is the highest point on the Ecuadorian line. We stop at the Quitsato Sundial monument which is situated exactly on the equator. The circular platform, with a 54m (178 ft.) diameter, aims to share the astronomical knowledge of pre-Hispanic cultures.
Next on the agenda is a visit to a rose plantation where we learn the steps involved in the production of one of the top ten export products of Ecuador.  On the way through this wonderful landscape we will see the Lago San Pablo with its great background – the Imbabura volcano. We continue to the famous indigenous handcrafts market at Otavalo. Local families have achieved economic prosperity as a result of their skill in weaving a tremendous variety of designs in belts, tapestries, ponchos and other clothing items. Here we will enjoy the unique variety of handicrafts and textiles and perhaps pick up some souvenirs.
We arrive at Hotel Hacienda Cusin, where we have free time to walk around the beautiful gardens of this property.

Today we head towards Nanegalito, a small town located behind the Pichincha mountain range. On the way, stop at the Pahuma Orchid Reserve. As we walk along the trail we can admire over 300 native species of orchids, aroids, bromeliads, ferns, and shrubs. The project, one of the first in Ecuador, aims to protect the forest’s fauna and flora.
We visit a coffee plantation where we can indulge in different flavours of coffee and learn everything there is to know, from coffee plant and bean to the finished product. After lunch we drive to Mindo.

Today we visit a butterfly farm and appreciate the colorful diversity of Ecuadorian species such as the Blue Morpho and the Banana Butterfly. Observe and learn about the butterfly’s four life cycles: egg, larva, pupa and adult. We will also see different species of hummingbirds and learn about subtropical flowers.
As we take a short cable car ride through the Ecuadorian cloud forest, we contemplate the lush vegetation and stunning scenery, before discovering the world of Ecuadorian chocolate: learning about cacao’s history, how to grow it, and the processes to make great chocolate.
Free time in the afternoon, to explore the town or to walk the beautiful trails of the hotel.

After breakfast we leave Mindo for Quito, with a visit en route to Alambi, where we enjoy the wonderful experience of seeing many different types of hummingbird close up.
Later admire the Cotopaxi volcano’s peak, located 34 miles south of the capital, The “Shining Peak” (in Kichwa language) is the second highest volcano in Ecuador with an altitude of 5,897m. We walk around the Limpiopungo lagoon at the volcano’s base, learn about the “Páramo” vegetation and admire its snow-capped peak.
After lunch at a local restaurant we drive to Baños, passing wonderful landscapes with some of the highest and most beautiful mountains and volcanoes of the Andes.

Following the Pastaza River, we admire the views of spectacular waterfalls over the Amazon basin.  Then, we take a short hike for about 1.5miles to the Devil’s Cauldron waterfall, where we enjoy the verdant forest landscape, walk along the hanging bridge and get splashed by the waterfall’s plunging water.
Continue to Puyo and visit the Amazonian Flora Rescue Centre "Las Orquídeas Botanical Garden" - a model of environmental conservation, dedicated to the restoration of ecosystems in degraded areas for the preservation and conservation of the environment through scientific research, environmental education and tourism.
We have lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we continue to the Omaere Ethnobotanical Park. Omaere means “nature of the rainforest,” in the Waorani language, one of the indigenous groups of the Ecuadorian Amazon. The Park was founded in the year 1993 by an indigenous Shuar woman with the help of two companions from France. They formed the Omaere Foundation and bought 15 hectares of land close to the town of Puyo. Now, years later, the plants have grown and the forest has been cared for with a focus on useful and medicinal plants. At Omaere we learn about the importance of these plants to the cultures of the Amazon, as well as enjoying the peace and tranquillity of the rainforest.
Later in the afternoon we return to Baños.

Today we drive south towards Riobamba, and visit Ecuador´s highest volcano, the Chimborazo.  Often described as the closest point to the sun, the peak is 6,268 metres above sea level.
We take a 1.28 mile hike from the Carrel refuge at 4,850 metres to the Whymper refuge at an altitude of 5,060 metres and contemplate stunning views and unique landscapes. Lunch today is at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon we continue to Riobamba, making a brief photo stop at Ecuador’s most ancient Catholic Church, La Balbanera.

Today we make our way to Cuenca. En route we visit the most important and well-preserved Inca complex in the country, Ingapirca, which was originally a worshipping temple of the sun. The ruins are located on a grass-covered hill at an altitude of about 3,100 metres. Even before the construction of the sun-temple (1450-1480) this place had an important spiritual significance for the Incas. In 1470, Yupanqui, the king of the Inca, subjugated the local Cañari tribe and presumably built the town of Ingapirca. On a walk through the former place where the Incas lived and held their ceremonies, we learn about their beliefs and rituals as well as about the way they constructed this ordination place, which has the shape of a puma. The ruins rest on a moonlit high plateau that falls in its three sides to a deep, clear and wide valley.
After lunch we discover how Ecuador’s biodiversity and different climates is home to over 4,200 species of Ecuadorian orchids. We visit Ecuagenera, an orchid farm where the altitude and temperatures are ideal to grow them from the country’s different microclimates: the coast, the highlands and the Amazon. We take a guided tour of the nursery and showroom and learn about their conservation programme, how orchids are grown and cared for, their commercialisation, and exportation.

We start our city tour in Cuenca’s main square, the Plaza Mayor, surrounded by its two distinct cathedrals and city hall. We see the historical centre and admire the colourful buildings that have maintained their colonial magnificence, pass by the vibrant flower market and appreciate the different perfumes floating in the air.
During the tour, we visit the Central Bank Museum with its collection of archaeology plus the on-site ruins. We continue to the Panama hat factory to learn about this handicraft that dates back to the 15th century.
The afternoon is free to explore at leisure.

Located in the majestic Andes mountain range, the Cajas National Park is one of Ecuador’s natural wonders and should be on any trekking lover’s bucket list. Located between 3,200 and 4,500 metres, the high altitude grasslands offer diverse flora and fauna, breathtaking waterfalls, glacier lakes, and impressive rock formations. Avid birdwatchers will love to search for species like the condor, the sword-billed, shining sunbeam and many more.

After breakfast we continue south on the Panamerican Highway to Loja, a friendly town surrounded by beautiful scenery and considered one of the traditional gateways from the highlands to the Amazon. We take a brief tour of the city, considered by Humboldt as the Garden of Ecuador.
We continue to the botanical garden Espinosa which has 1,210 plant species between native and exotic - a true biological garden unmatched in the country. As we walk around this beautiful garden, we will see all different types of succulents, orchids, cactus, medicinal plants, ferns and trees from the area.

Today we explore what is considered the Botanical Garden of America, the Podocarpus National Park, estimated to be home to over 3,000 different species of plants and orchids, 40% of which are endemic. We explore different climates and vegetation from the rainforest to the elfin forest. Its biodiversity is incredible: over 600 bird species, 61 types of hummingbirds, a variety of mammals, butterflies and insects live here.

This morning we transfer to Catamayo airport for our flight to Quito where we have day use of an airport hotel before our return overnight flight to London.
Alternatively, take one of our Galapagos cruise extensions – details and quotations on request.

We arrive in London.