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Day One (Saturday)Welcome & Orientation: Upon your arrival, you are welcomed and guided to your room. Unpack and settle in by relaxing and unwinding by the game room or outdoor heated pool and whirlpool. Meet others from this group by the pool and enjoy corn pastries (humitas), tamales and coffee this evening. The chef will prepare traditional and authentic Ecuadorian meals, giving you a true Ecuadorian experience. Your adventure vacation menu and excursion itinerary will be discussed with chef and a resort representative. All food served and prepared is 100% organic. Breakfast will consist of eggs, bread, coffee and an exotic tropical juice. Vegetarian meals can also be easily prepared. Freshest Local Foods Tonight you can enter Quito and discover many local bars or relax at a cafe located downtown. There is usually no cover charge at a bar, if there is, it might be $5, but it usually will come with a free beer. Here you will blend with the Ecuadorian socialites and large European community that is always present. |
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Day Two (Sunday)Breakfast is served from 7:00 am to 8:00 am.
Farmers Market, Tour Quito and Equatorial Monument or Rafting At 8:00 am, our private tour bus will take us to the great farmers market located in Tumbaco where fresh fruits and vegetables are sold. Here we'll see a wonderful array of colorful, edible and exotic items. We then continue to tour Quito, which brings the past to life in its museums with centuries old Pre-Columbian treasures, convents, the carved stone facades and golden altars of its many churches. After eating a box lunch, stand with a foot on each hemisphere on the Equator and tour the Equatorial Monument Museum. Or Rafting in the Rain Forest This Rainforest has become famous with kayaking, tubing and rafting fans. The gorgeous rivers of the Amazon are perfect to practice these sports and they take you into the heart of the Amazon. You will arrive in 2 hours to conquer Level III rivers. The river offers an excellent 3-4 hour rafting excursion with many challenging rapids. Experience this rafting tour in the beautiful tropical rainforest with a rich flora and fauna. Dinner will begin at 7:00 pm and will consist of the following:
Main Dish: Chicken cutlets and rice |
Healing Papallacta Springs: Submerge in pools of the thermal water, which has the power to alleviate illnesses such as arthritis, acne, bad circulation and other ailments. Enjoy a relaxing bath while admiring the snow-covered summit of the Antisana Volcano. Visitors relax by alternating from hot baths with fleeting immersions in the pool of cold mountain water.
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Day Three (Monday)Breakfast is served from 6:00 am to 7:00 am.
Mindo Cloud Forest This morning we depart a little earlier, at 7:00 a.m., to get in as much of the fun as possible. Mindo is set in breathtaking cloud forests, 47,444 acres of the nationally protected reserve, Bosque Protector Mindo-Nambillo. Mindo, one of the world's headquarters for rainforest preservation, is abundant with over 350 species of birds. It is an ideal place to snap photos, swim in lagoons and jump into waterfalls over 33 feet high. Choose from among any or all of the following activities while visiting Mindo. If you want to enjoy an amazing thrill ride, you can’t miss the 10 zip lines that zip us along at 2,000 meters above ground. Transport via the Tarabita Skyway Basket over the Mindo River Valley. You will travel in a suspended metal cage powered by an old engine car that will provide spectacular views. Visit the butterfly farm where you see the live process of these wonderful animals. Stop in the Rain Forest Restaurant and enjoy the taste of the delicious Mindo coffee while viewing hundreds of hummingbirds in an open area only a few feet. Dinner will begin at 7:00 pm and will consist of the following:
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Day Four (Tuesday)Breakfast is served from 7:00 am to 8:00 am. Chiche Canyon Excursion We depart at 8:00 a.m. this morning. The Chiche Canyon is a mini version of the Grand Canyon. It stretches as far as the eye can see. It has a beautiful flowing river at the base of the canyon and marked trails easy to follow. This is ideal to mountain bike 2-3 hours. If you want to hike this trail, that would also be an excellent choice as well. You will stop in to eat some humitas (corn pastries) and quimbolitos (wheat based pastry) with coffee at a local café shop. Ilalo This is a wonderful location only 25 minutes from Mountain Views Inn. It has thousands acres of fauna and plant life. While having an adventurous hike, discover the medicinal plants, animals, caves, rivers and spectacular views of this Reserve.
You return at 1:00 pm for a gourmet lunch awaits consisting of the following:
Main Dish: Chicken fried steak and rice
Chiche Canyon Excursion P.M.At 2:00 pm, after lunch, your horse arrives at our hotel to take you on a relaxing horseback ride, where you will see breathtaking views at every turn. You will return by 6:00 pm to freshen-up.
Dinner will begin at 7:00 pm and will consist of the following:
Main Dish: Chicken fried steak and rice |
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Day Five (Wednesday)Breakfast is served from 6:00 am to 8:00 am. Otavalo Indian Market and Cuicocha Lake An early start once again at 8:00 a.m. this morning. On our way to Otavalo we will stop at a monument that denotes where the equator runs thru. See if you can make the egg balance on its point. This can only be done on the equator and makes for a great photo opportunity. For centuries, regional markets have played an important role in Indian life by providing regular gathering places for trade and socializing. The colorful local Otavalo Indian Market is famous for their handcrafts. This Centuries Old Market is the perfect place to shop for anyone back home. Enjoy a box lunch enroute to Cuicocha Lake, our next stop. At 2:30 pm you then travel a short distance to Cuicocha Lake. This is a lake within a volcanic crater, at the foot of the dramatic, yet dormant, Cotacachi Volcano (4039 meters). There are two small islands in the center of the lake that were formed by eruptions after the collapse of the pre-existing crater. We will take a 40 minute boat ride around the 2 islands and stop midway to learn about this fantastic crater. Afterwards we can hike on the edge of the crater to see the panoramic view of the crater and landscape. Dinner will begin at 7:00 pm and will consist of the following:
Main Dish: Stewed Chicken and Rice |
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Day Six (Thursday)Breakfast is served from 6:00 am to 8:00 am.
Teleferico (Tram Ride) and Pasochoa Our departure this morning is 8:00 a.m. Our adventure begins in Quito at 2900 meters where a tram ride takes us to 4100 meters. At the top we'll walk and see volcanoes on the left and a panoramic view of the city of Quito on the right. This is a great place for pictures and hiking. Afterwards we travel to Pasachoa and have a box lunch on the way to our destination. Pasochoa is located between 2800 and 4200 meters above sea. The steep slopes and irregular topography of the area make it difficult to develop the land for agriculture and cattle grazing, but is excellent for hiking. Pasochoa is actually one of the few remaining stands of original Andean Forest that is being protected and preserved. After a wonderful hike, return to the San Juan Cheese Factory where you will see how delicious cheeses are made from the cows that are served only organic food. We will visit the caves filled with cheeses that are Italian, Swiss and French, but made in Ecuador. Of course we will sample the cheeses and drink delicious wine to enjoy every bite! Dinner will begin at 7:00 pm and will consist of the following:
Main Dish: Pork with rice |
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Day Seven (Friday)Chiche Canyon and Papallacta Natural Thermal Spring Pools At 8:00 a.m. we begin a (beginner/intermediate) horseback ride through the Chiche Canyon and enjoy the fresh air, wonderful views and an enjoyable horseback ride. You return at 12:00 pm for a typical Ecuadorian meal:
Shrimp Ceviche At 1:00 pm, a private tour bus will take us near the entrance of the Amazon Jungle. Bathe in the natural thermal spring pools of different sizes and temperatures in Papallacta. This soothing volcanic natural thermal spring water contains sulfites and heat that produce a very therapeutic feeling of rejuvenation and wellness. We depart at 5:00 pm. We arrive at 6:00 pm with plenty of time to pack and eat a fabulous farewell dinner. Ecuadorian Folklore Group will perform to send you off in a true Ecuadorian fashion. Dinner will begin at 7:00 pm and will consist of the following:
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Day Eight (Saturday)Breakfast is served from 7:00 am to 8:00 am. MVI transportation will take you to your flight 3 hours before your scheduled departure. It was a pleasure to have you as our guests and look forward to having you, your family and your friends return. BONUS SERVICES: Spa Treatments Feel rejuvenated by optional Spa Treatments such as a refreshing massage (approx. $40 US) and relaxing facial (approx. $20 US). Swim in the heated swimming pool and quench in the whirlpool. Explore the landscaped gardens or rest in a hammock under the palm tree. |
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