Equateur - Decembre 2010
 |
| 2010_12_06_Ecuador |
Dimanche 5 decembre
Depart de New York JFK et arrivee a Miami.
Lundi 6 decembre
Depart de Miami et arrivee a Quito. Nous rencontrons notre guide (Patricio) et notre groupe a l'aeroport, et nous prenons un minibus pour aller a notre hotel, le Sheraton Quito. C'est le meme minibus et chauffeur (Enrique) qui nous emmeneront partout pendant le reste de la semaine. Notre groupe est constitue de 12 personnes (5 couples et deux personnes voyageant seules): Russ & Linda, Ken & Gini, Frank & Lidia, Rick & Ann-Marie, Jim, Connie, et nous.
Day 1: USA/Quito. Stay at Sheraton Quito Hotel.
Day 2: Quito & Otavalo. Arguably among the loveliest of South American cities, Quito enjoys a spectacular setting surrounded by mountains and several snow-capped volcanoes, including the still-active Mt. Pichincha. The origins of the city date back to the first millennium, when the Quitu tribe occupied the area.
After breakfast, begin a panoramic tour of the city. In the modern city, visit the Legislative Palace and Alameda Park, containing the oldest observatory in South America. Continue on to Quito's beautiful and charming Old Town. Here you'll find blocks of colonial architecture dating to the early 1500's when the Spanish founded the city, now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Vintage facades line the streets and large open plazas are surrounded by cathedrals and stately public buildings. Even more breathtaking than the exteriors are the interiors of some of the buildings, particularly the churches, many of which gleam with real gold leaf. Visit the Monastery of San Francisco, Quito's oldest church. Built in the 16th century, the monastery is an exact replica of the Escorial Palace of Madrid.
Lunch at Cochabamba (Quito).
Conclude your tour with a stop at the Equatorial Monument, the Mitad del Mundo ("Middle of the World"), commemorating the exact place where Charles Marie de la Condamine established the Equator, where you can stand with one foot in the northern and one in the southern hemisphere. Later today, depart for Otavalo. Dinner and stay at Puerto Lago (San Pablo).
Day 3: Otavalo Excursion & Papallacta. Today you'll experience Otavalo, whose beauty lies in its people, the Otavaleño Indians, and their market, undoubtedly one of the best in all of Latin America. Unlike other indigenous people who have given up their traditional dress for jeans and t-shirts, Otavaleños are still easily identified by their distinctive dress: women wear intricately embroidered blouses and a wealth of beaded necklaces, while men have long, braided hair and wear calf-length white trousers, ponchos and sandals.
The market takes place in the main Plaza, but don't hesitate to wander into the side streets, where the goods on display diversify and the prices are lower. Enjoy the cacophony of sounds as Andean pipe music mixes with Spanish and native Quechua voices, complemented by an explosion of color from the many fabric, fruit and other stalls.
Later this afternoon, continue to explore several other nearby villages: Cotacachi, famous for its leatherwork; Peguche, known for its weavings; and San Antonio de Ibarra, where you'll find wonderful carved figures from wood.
After lunch at a at local restaurant (El Lenador, in Cotacachi), travel along the Andes Mountain range to Papallacta, a small town tucked away in a high Andean valley at the entrance to the Amazon jungle. Enjoy a relaxing stay at your spa-resort, located around hot thermal springs. Dinner and stay at Termas de Papallacta.
Day 4: Papallacta & Amazon. The Amazonian segment of your tour begins after breakfast today as you set out along a scenic stretch of road overlooking lush green valleys and sparkling waterfalls.
Arrive at Punta Ahuano, a tiny port town on the north bank of the Napo River, where piraguas (canoes) await you for a short ride downstream to your lodge. After check-in, sip a refreshing welcome cocktail as you watch the sunset. Lunch (?), Dinner and Stay at Casa del Suizo.
Day 5: Amazon. Enjoy a full day exploring the wonders of the Amazon. Your tour guide will offer a variety of excursions to help you maximize your stay. Wildlife aficionados will delight in the tour to Amazoonico, a rescue center for wounded and displaced tropical rainforest animals. You'll be able to observe coatis, tapirs, and several species of monkey, snakes, and a variety of birds, many of which wander around freely!
Adventure lovers can enjoy the ultimate rafting experience on the Napo River. Not only will you have the chance to enjoy a refreshing ride down this Amazonian tributary, you'll actually learn how to make your own raft by tying balsa logs together.
Another option offers a unique opportunity to visit a local Quechua family who will explain various aspects of their traditional culture, including a special lesson on making chicha, a beverage typical of the region.
Or, if you are in the mood for a more laid-back afternoon, we recommend a stroll through the artisan village of Ahuano, where you can watch traditional Quechua ceramics being created. (Excursions are provided on a group basis only.) Lunch, Dinner and stay at Caza del Suizo.
Day 6: Baños & Patate. After breakfast, set out in canoes again to return to La Punta. Continue by coach to Puyo, the most important city in Ecuador's Oriente region. En route, you'll see the spectacular Rio Verde falls, better known as El Pailón del Diablo (The Devil's Cauldron). Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (Host Donde Ivan, Banos).
Then head to nearby Baños, nestled in a lush valley at the foot of the Tungurahua volacano, famous for the hot springs that give it its name (baths).
The mild climate, verdant landscape, and mineral-rich natural springs in and around Baños make it an oasis of tranquility and relaxation. Sparkling waterfalls, rolling hills, and scenic bridges complete this picturesque setting. Be sure to sample some of the town's trademark taffy, called melcocha.
Landscape around Banos
The final stop on today's tour is Patate, known for its picturesque location on the Patate River, its excellent grape cultivation, and the production of some of the best "aguardiente" liquor in the highlands. Dinner and stay at Hacienda Leito Los Llanganates (Patate).
Day 7: Cotopaxi & Quito. Today's excursion takes you to another one of Ecuador's treasures, Cotopaxi National Park, home to several volcanoes, including Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world (19,500 feet above sea level). Spanning an impressive 84,000 acres, this natural reserve protects a diverse array of flora and fauna, including llamas, deer, wild horses, as well as many rare species endemic to the region. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled and your cameras ready for a lucky sighting of the mythical Andean condor.
After lunch at a local restaurant (Tambopaxi, in Cotopaxi), begin the return journey to Quito. Dinner at Theatrum (Quito). Stay at Sheraton Quito Hotel.
Day 8: Quito/USA. After breakfast, bid adiós to Ecuador as you transfer to the airport to board your return flight to the USA, arriving later today.
