Day One (Saturday)

Welcome & Orientation:

Upon our arrival, we are welcomed and guided to our room. Unpack and settle in by relaxing and unwinding by the game room or outdoor pool. Meet others from this group and enjoy corn pastries (humitas) or tamales. The cook will prepare daily traditional and authentic Ecuadorian meals, giving you a true Ecuadorian experience.

Freshest Local Foods

Our adventure vacation menu and excursion itinerary will be discussed with a resort representative. All food served and prepared is 100% organic. Breakfast will consist of eggs, bread, coffee or tea and tropical juice. Vegetarian meals may also be easily prepared.

Day Two (Sunday)

Breakfast is served from 6:00 am to 8:00 am.

Farmers Market, Tour Quito and Equatorial Museum or Rafting

At 8:00 am, our private tour van 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, convents, 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 interactive Equatorial Museum. We will learn of the culture and understand the effects of the gravitational forces like balancing an egg on a nail!

Or

Rafting in the Rain Forest

Rafters will depart at 7 am.  This Rainforest has become famous with kayaking and rafting fans. The gorgeous rivers of the Amazon are perfect to practice these sports and will take us into the heart of the Amazon. We will arrive in 2 hours to conquer a Level III river. 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. After our tour, eat a box lunch and begin the trip back to Mountain Inn.

Dinner will begin at 7:00 pm and will consist of the following:

Main Dish: Chicken cutlets and rice

Sides: Vegetable soup, organic salad

Tropical Juice: Blackberry juice

Day Three (Monday)

Breakfast is served from 6:00 am to 7:00 am.

Mindo Cloud Forest

This morning we depart at 7:00 a.m. 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.

Enjoy an amazing thrill ride, on 10 zip lines, 2000 meters in length that zip along at 100 meters above ground.

We will enjoy a great box lunch before the hike.

Transport via the Tarabita Skyway Basket over the Mindo River Valley. We will travel in a suspended metal cage powered by an old engine car that will provide spectacular views.

We will enjoy a great hike through the Rain Forest viewing several cascading waterfalls in the process.

Visit the butterfly farm where we will see the live process of these wonderful animals and see dozens of colorful hummingbirds nearby.

Dinner will begin at 7:00 pm and will consist of the following:

Main Dish: Spaghetti with a ground beef sauce

Sides: Quinoa soup, organic salad

Tropical Juice: Naranjilla juice

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. We can hike this trail if chosen not to bike.

We return for lunch at Mountain Inn. After lunch we walk a beautiful hike in Ilalo.

Ilalo

This is a wonderful location only 25 minutes from Mountain 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.

Main Dish: Hamburger and potatoes

Sides: Green plantain cheese soup, organic salad

Tropical Juice: Watermelon juice

Day Five (Wednesday)

Breakfast is served from 7:00 am to 8:00 am.

Otavalo Indian Market and Cuicocha Lake

We depart at 8:00 a.m. On our way to Otavalo we will stop at a few locations to take photos.

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 en route to Cuicocha Lake, our next stop.

At 2:00 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: Pork chops with steamed vegetables

Sides: Cream of mushroom  soup, organic salad

Tropical Juice: Strawberry juice

Day Six (Thursday)

Breakfast is served from 7:00 am to 8:00 am.

Guayasamin Museum and Teleferico (Tram Ride and Hike)

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. On a clear day you can observe the surrounding volcanoes: Antisana (18,700 ft), Cayambe (18,725 ft), and Cotopaxi (19,347 ft).

We will enjoy a relaxing box lunch at the top.

Established in 1977, the non-profit organization of Fundación Guayasamín acted to promote the masterpieces and ideology of Oswaldo Guayasamín (1919-1999). It was Guayasamín's goal to create a comprehensive center of culture.

His striking art portrays the humanity and suffering of the repressed classes and people throughout the world. Considered an expressionist, Guayasamín used bright colors, symbolism and images of pain and torment to create truly unique and memorable works.

Guayasamín is considered one of the greatest artists in Ecuador and his works are truly insightful.

Dinner will begin at 7:00 pm and will consist of the following:

Main Dish: Chicken fried steak and mashed white carrots

Sides: Tomato soup, organic salad

Tropical Juice: Pineapple juice

Day Seven (Friday)

Breakfast is served from 7:00 am to 8:00 am.

Ilalo and Papallacta Natural Thermal Spring Pools

At 8:00 a.m. we begin a (beginner/intermediate) horseback ride through Ilalo and enjoy the fresh air, wonderful views and an enjoyable horseback ride.

We return at 12:00 pm for a typical Ecuadorian meal:

Main Dish: Shrimp ceviche and rice

Sides: Corn tostado, plantain chips,  and popcorn

Tropical Juice: Tree Tomato juice

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 5:30 pm.

We arrive at 6:30 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 7:30 pm and will consist of the following:

Main Dish: Pan roasted pork

Sides: Potato cheese filled pancakes, corn mote, sweet plantain, corn tostado

Tropical Juice: Guanabana juice

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 swimming pool or quench in the whirlpool. Explore the landscaped gardens or rest in a hammock under the palm tree.