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Ecuador: Wonders of the Amazon and Andes

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A moss-covered suspension bridge leads through dense Ecuadorian rainforest toward a cascading waterfall in the Amazon basin
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Overview

  • Duration:9 days 8 nights
  • Tour Type:Educational Tours
📍 Cities: Quito, Otavalo, Papallacta, Amazon Basin

Itinerary

Fly to EcuadorDay 1

DAY 1: HOME - QUITO

Board your flight to Quito. Bienvenidos a Ecuador! Meet your Prometour Tour Director upon arrival at the airport. Transfer to the hotel for check-in. Have dinner with group. Overnight in Quito.

Quito and Middle of the WorldDay 2

DAY 2: QUITO

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel with your group.
  • Quito: Explore Quito - with one of the best-preserved UNESCO World Heritage historic centers in Latin America.
  • Middle of the World: Visit the Middle of the World monument. Learn important facts about the Equator and celebrate being in both hemispheres at the same time.
  • Dinner: Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Otavalo Craft Market and Andean MusicDay 3

DAY 3: QUITO - OTAVALO - QUITO

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel with your group.
  • Otavalo: Travel to the Ecuadorian Highlands. Explore Otavalo Town and visit the local craft market. The Otavalos are known worldwide for their wonderful work on textiles and tapestries.
  • Artisans: Meet local artisans demonstrating the ancient techniques used to create tapestries.
  • Music: Learn about Andean music and how to play some of the most popular Andean musical instruments.
  • Return: Return to Quito for dinner and overnight.

Antisana Volcano and Papallacta Hot SpringsDay 4

DAY 4: QUITO - PAPALLACTA

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel with your group.
  • Antisana Reserve: Enjoy spectacular Andean landscapes along the trails of the Antisana Ecological Reserve, located on the edge of Amazon and Andes national parks. See the snow-capped Antisana Volcano - the fourth highest peak in Ecuador at 18,890 feet.
  • Picnic: Enjoy a picnic lunch in the area.
  • Papallacta: Continue to Papallacta, a peaceful town famous for its hot springs of volcanic origin. Spend the rest of the afternoon at the thermal pools.
  • Dinner: Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Papallacta.

Into the Amazon - Indigenous Community and CeramicsDay 5

DAY 5: PAPALLACTA - AHUANO

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Amazon Descent: Descend from the eastern slopes of the Andes cordillera into the entrance of the Amazon basin.
  • Indigenous Family: Visit a local indigenous family to learn about several aspects of their traditional Amazon Quichua culture.
  • Ceramic Factory: Visit a ceramic factory where you will see the elaboration process of making pottery. You are invited to participate in the creation.
  • Dinner: Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Rainforest Hike and Napo River Raft AdventureDay 6

DAY 6: AHUANO REGION

  • Breakfast: Early breakfast at the hotel.
  • Rainforest Hike: Enjoy a hike through primary and secondary forest trails - observe distinct species of birds and insects. Along the trails, enjoy adventures such as hanging bridges and vines for swinging from tree to tree.
  • Raft Building: After lunch in the jungle, build and navigate a raft! Your guide will show you how to tie balsa logs together. Float down the Napo River for about an hour back to your hotel!
  • Dinner: Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Dugout Canoe Expedition and Amazoonico Wildlife RescueDay 7

DAY 7: AHUANO REGION

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel with your group.
  • Canoe: Board a dugout canoe and navigate 20 minutes down the scenic Napo River to Cosano, a private reserve.
  • Rainforest Hike: During a 2.5 to 3-hour hike through rainforest, see actual hunting traps traditionally used by local natives in the past.
  • Amazoonico: Visit the Amazoonico wildlife rescue center for wounded tropical rainforest animals. Enjoy a talk from local volunteers who will introduce you to the common dangers and threats faced by local animal species.
  • Dinner: Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Return to Quito and Chiva Night RideDay 8

DAY 8: AHUANO - QUITO

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel with your group.
  • Return: Board your bus and return to Quito. Have lunch en route at a local restaurant.
  • Chiva Ride: Enjoy a Chiva Ride to see Quito at night. Chivas are typical open buses with a live music band on board playing local music!
  • Farewell: Enjoy farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel for overnight.

Fly Back HomeDay 9

DAY 9: QUITO - HOME

Breakfast at the hotel with your group. Board your bus and transfer to the airport. Say Hasta Luego to your Prometour Tour Director. Board your flight from Quito and fly back home.

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Why Choose Prométour?

100% Risk Free Registration (no costs)
30+ years of Experience
Customizable Itineraries
Guaranteed travel dates
No Hidden Fees, No Surprises
24 x 7 Dedicated support
Learn More

Overview

  • Duration:9 days 8 nights
  • Tour Type:Educational Tours
📍 Cities: Quito, Otavalo, Papallacta, Amazon Basin

Itinerary

Fly to EcuadorDay 1

DAY 1: HOME - QUITO

Board your flight to Quito. Bienvenidos a Ecuador! Meet your Prometour Tour Director upon arrival at the airport. Transfer to the hotel for check-in. Have dinner with group. Overnight in Quito.

Quito and Middle of the WorldDay 2

DAY 2: QUITO

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel with your group.
  • Quito: Explore Quito - with one of the best-preserved UNESCO World Heritage historic centers in Latin America.
  • Middle of the World: Visit the Middle of the World monument. Learn important facts about the Equator and celebrate being in both hemispheres at the same time.
  • Dinner: Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Otavalo Craft Market and Andean MusicDay 3

DAY 3: QUITO - OTAVALO - QUITO

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel with your group.
  • Otavalo: Travel to the Ecuadorian Highlands. Explore Otavalo Town and visit the local craft market. The Otavalos are known worldwide for their wonderful work on textiles and tapestries.
  • Artisans: Meet local artisans demonstrating the ancient techniques used to create tapestries.
  • Music: Learn about Andean music and how to play some of the most popular Andean musical instruments.
  • Return: Return to Quito for dinner and overnight.

Antisana Volcano and Papallacta Hot SpringsDay 4

DAY 4: QUITO - PAPALLACTA

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel with your group.
  • Antisana Reserve: Enjoy spectacular Andean landscapes along the trails of the Antisana Ecological Reserve, located on the edge of Amazon and Andes national parks. See the snow-capped Antisana Volcano - the fourth highest peak in Ecuador at 18,890 feet.
  • Picnic: Enjoy a picnic lunch in the area.
  • Papallacta: Continue to Papallacta, a peaceful town famous for its hot springs of volcanic origin. Spend the rest of the afternoon at the thermal pools.
  • Dinner: Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Papallacta.

Into the Amazon - Indigenous Community and CeramicsDay 5

DAY 5: PAPALLACTA - AHUANO

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Amazon Descent: Descend from the eastern slopes of the Andes cordillera into the entrance of the Amazon basin.
  • Indigenous Family: Visit a local indigenous family to learn about several aspects of their traditional Amazon Quichua culture.
  • Ceramic Factory: Visit a ceramic factory where you will see the elaboration process of making pottery. You are invited to participate in the creation.
  • Dinner: Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Rainforest Hike and Napo River Raft AdventureDay 6

DAY 6: AHUANO REGION

  • Breakfast: Early breakfast at the hotel.
  • Rainforest Hike: Enjoy a hike through primary and secondary forest trails - observe distinct species of birds and insects. Along the trails, enjoy adventures such as hanging bridges and vines for swinging from tree to tree.
  • Raft Building: After lunch in the jungle, build and navigate a raft! Your guide will show you how to tie balsa logs together. Float down the Napo River for about an hour back to your hotel!
  • Dinner: Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Dugout Canoe Expedition and Amazoonico Wildlife RescueDay 7

DAY 7: AHUANO REGION

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel with your group.
  • Canoe: Board a dugout canoe and navigate 20 minutes down the scenic Napo River to Cosano, a private reserve.
  • Rainforest Hike: During a 2.5 to 3-hour hike through rainforest, see actual hunting traps traditionally used by local natives in the past.
  • Amazoonico: Visit the Amazoonico wildlife rescue center for wounded tropical rainforest animals. Enjoy a talk from local volunteers who will introduce you to the common dangers and threats faced by local animal species.
  • Dinner: Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Return to Quito and Chiva Night RideDay 8

DAY 8: AHUANO - QUITO

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel with your group.
  • Return: Board your bus and return to Quito. Have lunch en route at a local restaurant.
  • Chiva Ride: Enjoy a Chiva Ride to see Quito at night. Chivas are typical open buses with a live music band on board playing local music!
  • Farewell: Enjoy farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel for overnight.

Fly Back HomeDay 9

DAY 9: QUITO - HOME

Breakfast at the hotel with your group. Board your bus and transfer to the airport. Say Hasta Luego to your Prometour Tour Director. Board your flight from Quito and fly back home.

Learning Objectives

Analyze the ecological transition from Andean highland ecosystems to the Amazon rainforest basin, examining how altitude, climate, and geography produce dramatically different environments.

Investigate the indigenous cultures of the Ecuadorian Amazon, including traditional Quichua ceramic making, hunting practices, and the medicinal knowledge of local plant species.

Evaluate the biodiversity of the Amazon basin through guided rainforest hikes, bird watching, and a visit to the Amazoonico wildlife rescue center for injured tropical animals.

Compare the highland culture of the Otavalo community with the lowland Amazon traditions of the Ahuano region, examining how environment shapes cultural practices and livelihoods.

Develop environmental awareness and outdoor skills through practical activities including raft building and navigation on the Napo River and exploration of primary and secondary forest trails.

Tour maps

Landmark Highlights

  • Quito: UNESCO World Heritage historic center and Middle of the World monument.
  • Otavalo: Craft market, artisan tapestry demonstration, and Andean music workshop.
  • Antisana Ecological Reserve: Views of the snow-capped Antisana Volcano, the fourth highest peak in Ecuador at 18,890 feet.
  • Papallacta: Volcanic hot springs thermal pools.
  • Amazon Basin - Ahuano Region: Indigenous family visit and ceramic factory, rainforest hike with hanging bridges, raft building and navigation on the Napo River, and Amazoonico wildlife rescue center.

Why Choose Prométour?

100% Risk Free Registration (no costs)
30+ years of Experience
Customizable Itineraries
Guaranteed travel dates
No Hidden Fees, No Surprises
24 x 7 Dedicated support
Learn More

Frequently asked questions

Will my group be combined with another school group?

No. Every Prométour educational tour is personalized to ensure a meaningful experience. We guarantee private tours for all groups.

Your group will have its own dedicated Tour Director and itinerary, and will not be combined with any other school or student group.

How does Prométour support teachers with planning?

We take care of everything to make trip planning easy. From organizing travel logistics and accommodations to managing registrations, payments, and documentation, our team handles all the details so you can focus on the experience.

Support starts from day one. To help launch your trip, we host a parent meeting where your dedicated Tour Consultant introduces themselves, represents Prométour, and answers any parent questions directly.

Throughout the planning process, our expert Customer Service Team is available to assist families with registration, payments, and general inquiries, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience for everyone involved.

When will our travel dates be confirmed?

Prométour trips are fully customizable, including your travel dates. You can choose the dates that best align with your school calendar, giving your group flexibility to coordinate extracurricular activities around the trip.

How does Prométour support our group during the trip?

With our own teams in locations such as Montréal, Paris, and Málaga, you get real people who are with your students and know the destination inside and out, not a call center just reading from a script.
If any issues arise while on tour, our 24/7 Emergency Line ensures that help is always just a phone call away. Your group will have access to real-time support whenever it's needed.

What are Prométour's cancellation fees?

When you register for a Prométour trip, you can do so with confidence. If you cancel before the tour is officially confirmed, you'll receive a full refund with no questions asked.

Once the tour is confirmed, standard cancellation fees apply based on your departure date. Travelers may still be eligible for insurance coverage depending on their policy.

In some regions, and for travelers with an upgraded plan, Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance may be available. We recommend contacting the insurance provider directly for full details on coverage options.
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