Participants will arrive in Quito. After 2 days of knowing the city and its main attractions, you will be reaching the amazon city of Tena. From this small place, our people will take you to the indigenous community where you will spend some days, learning and sharing the most fabulous experience with the locals.
Finally, at the end of the program, you will have some relax time in the most popular touristic city in Ecuador for foreigners, Baños de Agua Santa. In this place, you will have the chance to have fun with the activities we include in the program; most of them related with extreme sports that the region offers
Ecuador offers different adventure, cultural, historical and natural opportunities for you not to miss. It maintains a unique contact with its ancestral indigenous cultures and is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world.
The Amazon region, particularly its tropical rain forest, is considered to be one of the richest and most complex communities of plant and animal life in the world. The region is characterized by huge and diverse amounts of flora and fauna with extraordinary variations in their habitats and micro-habitats.
Quito – Ecuador (Google Map)
Once you land in Quito, you will be met at the airport and taken to your hostel in Quito. You will be free for the remainder of the day to explore Ecuador’s capital city.
On Monday morning a member of the Lead Adventures staff will meet you at your hostel and accompany you to our office where you will receive a comprehensive orientation about Ecuador and the program itself. The rest of the afternoon, our personal guide will explore the city in the city tour arranged to you.
This comprehensive city tour includes visits to residential neighborhoods at the northern end of the city, continuing through the Gran Colombia Avenue up to the Basilica Church, where we will make a brief stop, next to the “San Juan Mirador” for a beautiful view of Colonial Quito. While walking through the colonial streets we will stop at the Independence Plaza with a chance to admire the Cathedral, the Government’s Palace, and the Archbishop’s palace. We then visit the stunning La Compañia Church with its adornments and gold altars. Finally we drive on to the “Panecillo Mirador” for a breathtaking view of Quito.
This will be a private tour with an English speaking guide in a private car.
In the morning we will visit the cable car. Quito Teleferico, is located in the Pichincha volcano, an area of 160 hectares. It has 18 comfortable cabins with panoramic windows that allow visitors to 6 each, take a trip of 8 minutes starting at a height of 3045 meters above sea level to climb to 4050 meters at the top. During this trip will enjoy a beautiful view of Quito, the valleys and mountains that surround it lovingly.
After this visit, we head to the monument of the Middle of the World, geographically located at 0 degrees and 0 minutes, 0 seconds and marks the division between northern and southern hemisphere as established by French Geodesic Mission in the eighteenth century, we will know the Ethnographic Museum in which you can observe all ethnic groups in Ecuador, plus the history of each of their lifestyles. This is an opportunity to be photographed with the feet on the northern and southern hemispheres at once. Also visit the resort, whose city is a replica of colonial Spanish architecture that provides a wide variety of tourist attractions including the main square, church, post office, bullring, cafeterias, restaurants and various craft centers.
The tour includes private transportation, entrance tickets and bilingual guide.
In the morning after breakfast at our hostel, you will be driven to the Bus Station in Quito, from where you will depart to Tena. After 5 hours traveling, you can note the beauty of the amazon ecosystem, flora, fauna and local people.
On arrival you will have the whole afternoon free to prepare your visit to the Indian community the next day
After breakfast, you will be taken to the community to do some activities interacting with the locals. A trekking tour boarding the Jatunyacu river will let you see the flora and fauna of the region. After lunch, a local guide will show you medicine plants
After breakfast, the people in the community will guide you to an amazing waterfall where you can do cannoning. After lunch the locals will show and teach you how to prepare chocolate.
After breakfast, you can refresh taking a bath in the community lagoon. In the afternoon, the locals will perform traditional activities including a religious ceremony, dancing, etc.
We will pack all of our stuff to wait for the people for the rafting. After breakfast you will be transported to a part of the Upper Napo River known as the “Jatunyacu” to experience the emotion of white water rafting. After receiving your equipment and full safety instructions you will be ready to enjoy 25 km of rapids and natural pools and breath taking jungle scenery. Rafting also includes a delicious riverside lunch and for the more adventurous the possibility of using a sit on top kayak. In the afternoon, you will reach the city of Baños.
These 2 days, you will take a tour to the waterfalls of the region. At night, the tour in Chiva, a traditional party bus, will let you know the city of Baños, visiting some attractions and the volcano balcony.
After noon, you can take the bus back to Quito from the Bus Station in Baños. After 5 hours traveling through the Andes region, you will reach the Ecuadorian capital again.
Free morning to get ready for your international flight departure.
Our Hostel is a new arrival on the Quito hotel scene. Its refurbishment began on October 16th, 2008, in the heart of the La Mariscal neighborhood. It is a family-owned business, managed by professionals in the tourism and hospitality industry who have worked in some of the finest hotels in Ecuador and guarantee quality service. They work hard to make this hostel, one of the best places to stay in Quito.
Our hotel is located in the heart of the Amazon, in the beautiful town of Tena, in the best tourist and business sectors. Offering comfortable accommodation and modern facilities, complemented by excellent service.
It is the perfect place to relax, have fun and enjoy great family vacations. The property is surrounded by beautiful landscaping and has a beautiful panoramic view that allows guests to sit in the middle of the Amazon paradise.
This hotel represents a new concept in the hospitality industry in South America, providing high comfort, a fantastic location, a safe environment, amazing facilities, friendly staff and a long-experienced family-run management.
Since 2009 the hostel is the perfect choice for both backpackers and boutique hotel lovers, a unique combination of laid-back atmosphere and top quality services; highly recommended and favourably reviewed by hundreds of guests and the most important travel guides.
Quito: formally San Francisco de Quito, is the capital city of Ecuador, and at an elevation of 9,350 feet (2,800 meters above sea level), it is the highest official capital city in the world. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains. With a population of 2,671,191 according to the last census (2014), Quito is the second most populous city in Ecuador, after Guayaquil. It is also the capital of the Pichincha province and the seat of the Metropolitan District of Quito.
The canton recorded a population of 2,239,191 residents in the 2010 national census. In 2008, the city was designated as the headquarters of the Union of South American Nations.
Tena: the capital of the Napo Province, is a city in the Amazon rainforest. Known as the “cinnamon capital” of Ecuador, and originally founded by missionary explorers, Tena has emerged as one of the top industrialized centers of Ecuador. It is home to a major regional hospital and many tourist related businesses, including a small airport and a vital bus terminal.
Tena and its surrounding indigenous communities are also bases for many volunteers working for reforestation projects, with community support in development initiatives in diverse, and connected areas such as, ecotourism and capacity building. The indigenous populations of Ecuador are some of the most politically organized in Latin America, and Tena houses two major confederations, Fonakin (Federación de Organizaciones de la Nacionalidad Kichwa de Napo) and Ashin (Asociación de Shamanes Indígenas de Napo); one of the major stand-offs during the 2001 indigenous uprising in Ecuador, took place here.
Indigenous community: this is a family style adventure travel. Come stay in the rainforest with Delfin Pauchi and his family. Learn about the Quichua culture of the Napo Province of Ecuador. Experience the jungle in a most hospitable way.
Baños: is a city in eastern Tungurahua Province, in central Ecuador. Baños is the second most populous city in Tungurahua, after Ambato, the capital, and is a major tourist center. It is known as the “Gateway to the Amazon”, as it is located on the Pastaza River in the Amazon River basin, and has a newly paved road to Puyo.
Baños is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ecuador due to its amazing natural beauty (it is home to more than 60 waterfalls) and its plethora of available adventure sports. Locals and visitors alike enjoying rafting, kayaking, canyoning, bridge jumping, hiking, biking and horseback riding.
Baños is also known for its production of taffy (Spanish: melcocha [melˈkotʃa]) made from cane sugar, and for small shops that sell the town’s famous wooden parrots.
Currency
The currency of Ecuador is the United States dollar, accepted as the national currency of Ecuador in January 2000. The money that is circulated includes notes and coins. Notes are of the denominations of US 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 while the coins are in denominations of US$1 and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cent. Please note that most shops and restaurants will not accept bills over $20, so it is worth having small currency denominations on you.
ATMs are also available in almost all parts of the country. Credit cards, mainly Visa and MasterCard, are also accepted in Ecuador. Additionally, you may use traveler’s checks; in Quito there are traveler check exchange bureaus that are easily accessible.
Passport and Visa Requirements
All tourists need a valid passport and an entry form-tourist card which is provided by your air carrier. This will be available at either the ticket counter when checking in for your flight to Ecuador or once on-board.
Citizens of Canada, UK and USA do not need to obtain a visa for stays up to 90 days. If you are of a different nationality, please check with Lead Adventures staff and your local Ecuadorian Embassy. For stays longer than 90 days, you must obtain a 6-month Tourist visa (12-IX) at your local Ecuadorian Embassy. Lead Adventures will provide you with more information about visas and immigration if needed.
Health and Vaccinations
When traveling abroad it is important to seek advice on the potential hazards, understand how best to protect your health, and minimize the risk of harm and disease. Planning ahead and taking preventive measures will reduce the risk of accident and of acquiring disease. We are not qualified to assess individuals health, therefore we highly recommend that you seek the attention of a medical professional regarding specific vaccinations and medications.
You can visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/ for additional helpful information.
Lead Adventure Support
Ensuring our volunteer´s safety is of the utmost importance. Prior to your departure, our program coordinators will work with you to plan and prepare for your trip with us. Upon your arrival to Quito, you will receive a detailed orientation and last minute questions will be addressed. Additionally, you will be given a 24 hours emergency contact number for our on-call Ecuadorian based coordinators.
Weather
Ecuador’s climate varies with its regions. This area has an altitude of about 7550 ft (2300 m) above sea level and because of this, the temperature is comfortable, and does not get too hot. The climate is mild, often warm and dry, with an 18°C average temperature during day and 11°C at night.
Ecuador Time Zone
Standard time zone: UTC/GMT -5 hours
Electrical Standards
Ecuador’s electrical current is 120/60 (volts/hz) Type A and Type B Electrical Outlet (same as North America)
FAQs
The program accepts departures from 2 passengers and on.
Yes, we have received participants since 2004
There are not any special requirements.
It is recommended to bring and/or purchase the following items:
-Long sleeved clothing for cool nights
– Repellent in the Amazon region
-Good flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries (if you are staying at the center it might be helpful but not necessary)
-Reading material, playing cards, travel games, or other forms of entertainment as you will have some down time.
– Internet cafes are available in Quito.
Transportation
All our tours are privates with personal bilingual guides and transportation.
Public buses during the trips to the Amazon region.
