Day 2 Bahía de Caráquez /Rio Muchacho (L,D) Morning flight to the Ecuadorian coast and travel by bus to Bahía de Caráquez, known as Ecuador's eco-city. Enjoy an afternoon city tour including panoramic lookout points, the local market and Bahia's oldest resident Miguelito, the 96 year old Galapagos turtle.
Day 3-7 Community Volunteer Project (5B,5L,5D) Spend 5 days in the coastal community of Rio Muchacho volunteering on the organic farm, at the primary school and assisting in community development projects. This is not only a chance to see rural Ecuador as the locals do but to share, learn, and participate in a different culture.
Day 8-9 Baños Morning flight to Quito and travel by bus through Ecuador's valley of volcanoes as we journey to Baños, a small town nestled in the hills of the Andes. Enjoy the numerous outdoor activities, including hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. You may also relax in the town's natural hot baths.
Day 10-11 Amazon Homestay (2B, 2L, 2D) Descend into the Amazon jungle region in the morning. The scenery changes dramatically as we leave the mountains behind and enter the lush tropical rainforest of the Amazon. Experience life in the jungle first-hand on a homestay with a local Quichua family, and enjoy the hospitality of these wonderful people.
Day 12 Papallacta (B) Travel by bus to Pappallacta where we spend the evening enjoying the natural mineral hot pools with a glass of wine under the stars.
Day 13-14 Otavalo/Quito Visit beautiful Otavalo and its famous handicrafts market, the largest in South America. Villagers from the surrounding countryside come here every week to sell handmade goods, livestock, fruits and vegetables. Return to Quito for our farewell evening.
