Family holiday in Ecuador

Day 3 | Quito – Mindo

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken on a journey of around 2 hours to your next destination: Mindo. You’ll be staying at the Sachatamia Lodge. A paradise for birdwatchers! The hotel and restaurant are built right in the middle of the cloud forest, making you feel truly at one with nature. The restaurant has windows on three sides, so you’ll have a great view of the hummingbirds whilst you’re having breakfast. The afternoon is free to spend as you wish.
Overnight stay: Sachatamia Lodge | bed and breakfast

Day 4 | Mindo

Today you can visit the nature reserve at your leisure, where you’ll encounter many different species of bird – more than 400 species live here. You’ll also, of course, see a variety of plants, orchids and butterflies. The nature reserve also features a beautiful waterfall, an interesting butterfly garden and the chance to enjoy the cloud forests. There are various activities you can undertake from the lodge (for a fee).
Overnight stay: Sachatamia Lodge | bed and breakfast

Day 5 | Mindo – Otavalo

Today you’ll travel by transfer to Otavalo. Here you can visit one of the largest traditional markets in South America. Local people from far and wide come here to sell their wares and do their own shopping. Their unique traditional dress reveals which region the people come from. The market is a stunning palette of vibrant colours and a myriad of scents. Amongst other things, clothing, exotic fruits, vegetables, spices and meat are traded here. You’ll be staying at Hacienda Pinsaqui, which has been in existence for three centuries and will make you feel part of the magic and legend of this area!
Overnight stay: Hacienda Pinsaqui | bed and breakfast

Day 6 | Otavalo – Cotopaxi

You will continue your journey to Cotopaxi, where you will be taken to Hacienda Hato Verde. This lodge is situated close to the entrance to Cotopaxi National Park. Cotopaxi National Park is the most visited nature reserve on the Ecuadorian mainland and is an important bird area. As well as being a national park, Cotopaxi is also a stratovolcano, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world (5,897 m) and the second-highest mountain in Ecuador. In Quechua, the word Cotopaxi means ‘Neck of the Moon’.
Accommodation: Hacienda Hato Verde | bed and breakfast

Day 8 | Cotopaxi – Papallacta

After breakfast, it’s time to continue your journey. You’ll be picked up and taken to Papallacta. Papallacta is a small town tucked away in the Andes mountains, known for its hot springs. The natural hot springs are fed by water from the mountains, which flows through channels to the various pools. Here, you can relax in one of the pools whilst enjoying the surrounding scenery. If you’d like to do something more active, that’s of course also possible; for example, you can go on various walks in the area. You can book these at your accommodation.
Accommodation: Termas de Papallacta | bed and breakfast

Day 9 | Papallacta – Tena

Today you’ll be travelling to a completely different landscape: the jungle. You’ll be picked up and spend several hours travelling through the eastern Andes, before descending into the Amazon basin. You’ll experience the differences in altitude and temperature along the way. Here, you’ll transfer to a motorised canoe, which will zigzag through the jungle to take you to Itamandi Lodge. During the journey, you can enjoy the magic and beauty of the Amazon rainforest. On arrival at Itamandi Eco Lodge, you’ll be offered a welcome drink and have time to relax in the bar with a snack. A short briefing will be held there, providing general information about the lodge and the activities on offer. One option is to go on a night walk with a torch and camera. Here you can listen to the sounds of the night and look out for bats, owls, insects, tarantulas, frogs and possibly snakes. If the sky is clear, you can also enjoy the starry sky.
Accommodation: Itamandi Eco Lodge | full board

Day 11 | Tena – Baños

You may choose to go on an early jungle walk this morning. After breakfast, you’ll board the boat back to the harbour, where your transfer will already be waiting for you. You’ll set off for Baños. Baños (Spanish for ‘bath’) takes its name from the many hot springs found in the surrounding area. The town lies in the transition zone to the Amazon basin and is surrounded by beautiful green natural landscapes. Here you can visit various waterfalls, such as the so-called ‘Bride’s Veil’ waterfall, Cascada del Manto de La Novia, and the Pailón del Diablo waterfall.
Accommodation: Samari Spa Resort | bed and breakfast

Day 12 | Baños

On this free day, you can discover the wonders of Baños. For instance, the side aisle of the cathedral is lined with crutches left behind by patients who have been cured. It is said that the sick are healed by the water that flows from the thermal springs. Not far from Baños lies Sangay National Park, home to one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Visit the famous thermal springs or opt for an active pursuit such as mountain biking, canyoning, rafting or hiking.
Accommodation: Samari Spa Resort | bed and breakfast

Day 13 | Baños – Riobamba

Today you’ll travel on to Riobamba. Riobamba is a quiet little town with many parks, squares and churches, and was Ecuador’s first capital. Nowadays, it’s mainly known for serving the world’s best hornado (a traditional dish of roast pork). The town lies beneath the awe-inspiring Chimborazo volcano, which, at 6,310 metres, is Ecuador’s highest mountain. You’ll be staying at Hotel Abraspungo, a rustic colonial hacienda-style property with an excellent restaurant and cosy suites.
Overnight: Hacienda Abraspungo | bed and breakfast

Day 14 | Riobamba – Cuenca

Today you’ll travel south from Cuenca through the picturesque corridor of the southern Ecuadorian Andes. Along this route, you’ll come to understand the essence of this region: fertile farmland, autonomous indigenous communities and stunning mountain landscapes. On arrival in Cuenca, you can take a stroll through the historic city centre, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its architectural and cultural richness. Cuenca is a former Inca city and is regarded as the cultural capital of Ecuador. The city boasts a number of excellent museums, as well as charming streets lined with numerous bars and restaurants.
Overnight stay: Hotel Santa Lucia | bed and breakfast

Day 15 | Cuenca – Guayaquil

In the morning, you can visit ‘Homero Ortega’s’ hat factory, situated just outside the centre of Cuenca, where the world’s finest Panama hats are made. Al Capone, amongst others, had his hats made here. Afterwards, it’s time to drive on to the port city of Guayaquil. During the picturesque journey, you’ll descend from the Andes to Ecuador’s Pacific coast. In the^19th century, Guayaquil transformed from a powerhouse in the cocoa export trade into the bustling port and commercial centre it is today.
Accommodation: Unipark Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 16 | Guayaquil – Puerto López

Today you’ll continue your journey to Puerto Lopez, a beautiful beach town famous for its artisan community, diving centres, surfing beaches and whale-watching opportunities. You can relax and go for a swim, or pay a visit to the neighbouring village of Salango, where you can enjoy delicious fish dishes.
Accommodation: Hosteria Mandala | bed and breakfast

Day 17 | Puerto López

Today you will be collected from your hotel and taken to Isla de la Plata, also known as ‘mini Galapagos’, a small island of around 14 km² in the Pacific Ocean. Isla de la Plata forms part of Machalilla National Park, a park comprising dry tropical forest and the surrounding ocean, along with its associated islets. Here you can spot a number of animals, particularly birds, just as on the Galápagos archipelago: blue- and red-footed gannets, Nazca gannets, frigatebirds and dolphins. From July to September, you can also spot whales here. Afterwards, you’ll be taken back to your hotel.
Overnight stay: Hosteria Mandala | bed and breakfast

Day 18 | Puerto López – Guayaquil – Amsterdam

Unfortunately, your Unique Journey comes to an end today. You will be picked up and taken to Guayaquil airport. Here, you will board your intercontinental flight to Amsterdam, arriving the following day.

Day 19 | Amsterdam

You arrive in Amsterdam today.