Andean Condor Expedition

1. 1

   Day 1

   Fly UK to Quito

   Transfer in Quito from airport to hotel.

2. 2

   Day 2

   Full day in Quito, cookery class

   Today we start our Andean expedition with a mixture of activities including visiting the equator where you can have one foot in each hemisphere, and exploring Quito itself with its backdrop of the Andes. For some fun we’ll head to one of the oldest bakeries in the city to see how the iconic quesadilla is made. We sample traditional flavours which have been perfected over generations, and enjoy some hands on cooking experience!

3. 3

   Day 3

   Quito - Hot Springs (Papallacta) - Tena

   Heading towards the Napo province we stop off at a hot springs resort. It’s a great way to break the journey and we spend a couple of hours soaking in the divine thermal pools that range in temperature from frigid to steaming hot. After, we carry on to Tena, one of the best spots in Ecuador for adventurous activities in the stunning Andean foothills. The scenery around here is breath taking. We stay in a jungle lodge with a pool for everyone to relax and unwind at the end of today’s travels.

4. 4

   Day 4

   White water rafting

   One of the highlights in the trip, we head to the Jatunyacu River, which is considered one of Ecuador’s best one-day river runs. After a safety briefing, our white water rafting adventure begins. We’ll pass indigenous communities that live along the shores in small bamboo and wood houses. The Jatunyacu is famed for its big waves, fun holes, and high water volume (Class III - III+). An action packed day. Overnight back in our jungle lodge in Tena.

5. 5–6

   Days 5–6

   Tena, canoeing, trekking & Huaorani tribal visit

   Situated in the Amazon basin we spend the day travelling out in canoes in the Napo River system learning about local traditions, such as how many of the rainforest plants are used in medicines and also learn about Huaorani history and culture. There will also be lots of opportunity for swimming to cool off along the way. We enjoy a full day with the Huaorani Community learning about their life and use of the forest.

6. 7

   Day 7

   Banos

   After Breakfast we drive for 2 ½ hours to Baños, a beautiful colonial town where the rainforest meets the highlands at an altitude of 5,000 feet (1,500 meters). We spend the afternoon exploring the town.

7. 8

   Day 8

   Multi-activity day

   Get ready for a full day of adventure: cable car ride, canyoning and mountain biking. In the late afternoon we will go to a view point to witness the Tungurahua volcanic activity.

8. 9

   Day 9

   Baños – Riobamba – Casa Condor

   In the morning, we drive to Riobamba. This is an especially scenic route, with high rock walls giving way to deep cloud forest canyons. Along the way, we will pass by gorgeous waterfalls, and we explore some of the area’s most famous falls including Pailón del Diablo (Devil’s Cauldron) and Manto de la Novia (Bride’s Veil). We continue our journey towards the Chimborazo Volcano, Ecuador’s highest mountain at 6310 meters. We arrive at our Andean volunteer project in time for a delicious welcome dinner. The project manager will give us an overview of the project and explain how environmentally, socially, and culturally significant our volunteer work is.

9. 10–12

   Days 10–12

   Community volunteer program in Casa Condor:

   We will be living and working in a fascinating community in the Andean paramo where the houses are built out of mud and bamboo. We will assist with reforestation, helping with the construction of a school or similar community projects. Reforestation is especially important in this region of the Andes because deforestation and the introduction of non-native trees such as pine and eucalyptus are creating terrible erosion problems, which can cause mudslides and ruin farmland.

10. 13–14

    Days 13–14

    Hike Hacienda Releche in Sangay National Park & El Altar Nature

    Reserve After a wholesome breakfast, we hike up Altar valley to 3,900 meters. The change in vegetation as we gain altitude is incredible. We walk through grassy paramo fields amongst striking local flowers, including the Andean Orchid, Chuquirahuas and Muyas. After dinner we will be listening to the legends of the local indigenous people.

11. 15

    Day 15

    Laguna Amarilla Crater Lake

    After breakfast, hike for approximately 4 hours until we reach the extinct volcanic crater of Laguna Amarilla at 4,200 meters. Vertical walls and breath-taking glacier formations engulf this amazing yellow lake. Later in the afternoon we hike back to our camp and enjoy our last evening under the stars.

12. 16

    Day 16

    Return hike & transfer to Riobamba

    With horses to help us carry our equipment, we’ll make our way back down to Hacienda Releche, where our vehicle will be waiting to drive us back to Riobamba for dinner and overnight.

13. 17

    Day 17

    Devil’s Nose train tide

    This is not your average train journey! We depart very early in the morning to the Alausi Terminal to catch the train to discover the ‘Devils’ Nose’ - an amazing series of zig-zags down one of the world’s most unique train tracks. Arrive at Sibambe Station where we will have time to visit the Condor Puñuna Centre. Then we board the train again to Alausí and heath north to Cotopaxi. Dinner and overnight at a traditional Hacienda.

14. 18

    Day 18

    Biking

    Today we head off on two wheels in the spectacular surroundings of Cotopaxi Volcano before heading back to Quito for a farewell dinner.

15. 19–20

    Days 19–20

    Transfer out

    Transfer out of Quito to the airport in time for our overnight flight back to the UK.

Itineraries can change with the seasons, local conditions and your group's needs. Ask us and we'll tailor it.