Program #6043 Ends and Extension #21104 Begins/Antisana Ecological Reserve/Papallacta Thermal Pools.

Breakfast: Early breakfast at the hotel.


Morning: Field trip to the Antisana Ecological Reserve.

The Antisana Ecological Reserve comprises approximately 120,000 hectares and includes great views of the snow-capped Antisana Volcano. This protected area is well known among bird lovers who come to try and spot species such as the endangered Andean Condor, as well as Andean Lapwing, Carunculated Caracara, and Black-faced Ibis.


Lunch: At a local hacienda.


Afternoon: Transfer to Papallacta.

Arrive at the hotel and check-in.
The rest of the afternoon will be at your leisure to enjoy the hotel's thermal pools.


Dinner: At the hotel.

Lodging: Termas de Papallacta

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: At the hotel.


Morning: Transfer to a private nature reserve situated just 15 minutes from Papallacta. Hike in the reserve's humid temperate forest, taking special notice of unique flora and the region's abundant birdlife.


Lunch: At the reserve.


Afternoon: Return to Papallacta.

The rest of the afternoon will be at your leisure to enjoy the hotel's thermal pools or spa services (additional charge).


Dinner: At the hotel.


Lodging: Termas de Papallacta

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: At the hotel.


Morning: After breakfast, depart to the Imbabura province.

Visit a local farm for a look at Ecuador's profitable flower industry. On-site discussion: Introduction to Ecuador's Flower Export Business. View the greenhouse, bouquet operations, and the breeding center.

The farm produces approximately 45 varieties of roses and more than 30 species of tropical flowers. The plantation has 11 hectares of roses and spray roses, in addition to 15 hectares of flowers such as gerberas, sunflowers, and campanulas.


Lunch: At the farm.


Afternoon: Transfer to Hacienda Pimán.

Arrive at the hacienda and check-in.


Dinner: At the hacienda.

Lodging: Hacienda Pimán

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: At the hacienda.


Morning: This morning we will travel to Cuicocha Lake and the Cotacachi-Cayapas Reserve for a scenic walk in the highlands.

The beautiful lake is located alongside Volcan Cotacachi; an eroded volcanic crater that through the years filled with water. The surrounding cliffs are rich with plant and animal life and are now part of the Reserva Ecologica Cotacachi-Cayapas.

Visit Cotacachi town, known for its weavings and leather products.


Lunch: At local restaurant.


Afternoon: Orientation to San Antonio de Ibarra, a small indigenous village with a reputation for its skilled carpenters and wood carving artists. A walk along the main street and the town square will reveal various art galleries and workshops.

Return to the hacienda in time for dinner.


Dinner: At the hacienda.

Lodging: Hacienda Pimán

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Otavalo Market/A Look at Indigenous Traditions at Peguche Village/Transfer to Quito.

Breakfast: At the hacienda.


Morning: After breakfast, depart for Otavalo, in the northern province of Imbabura.

Enjoy a field trip to the Otavalo Market and an on-site discussion: Otavaleños: Tradition and Globalization.

The Otavalo Market is a famous market dating back to pre-Inca times where locals and visitors can buy or barter food, animals, basic necessities and crafts. Otavaleños are well known for their superior business skills. Examples of their craft can be found at this market and throughout stores in the country.

Transfer to the small village of Peguche for a visit with a local indigenous family. Learn about their long-standing traditions in music, back-strap weaving, and herbal medicine.


Lunch: At local restaurant.

Taste the flavors of Andean cuisine while enjoying a lunch prepared with typical ingredients and products of the Ecuadorian highlands.


Afternoon: Transfer to Quito, traveling through the scenic Imbabura Province.

Imbabura is also commonly referred to as the Lakes Province because of the many lakes that dot its landscape. The highland lakes offer good hunting and fishing for local communities and are an added attraction for tourists visiting the many craft towns north of Quito.

Arrive at the hotel and check-in.


Dinner: On your own, to explore local cuisine.


Lodging: Hilton Colon Quito Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Depart From: Morning transfer to the international airport to catch your flight to the U.S.

Note: Participants with independent travel arrangements and/or scheduled on later flights can keep their hotel rooms until check-out time on this day. Except for breakfast, all other meals are on your own on this day.

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel (dependent on flight times).


Meals Included: Breakfast