AndeanOdyssey

Package Tours to Ecuador
Andean Odyssey proudly offers an outstanding selection of tour packages to Ecuador - from regional tours of Ecuador's coastal, highland and Amazon jungle regions, to all-inclusive ecoadventures in Quito and the surrounding Andean countryside, the Amazon rain forest and the Galapagos Islands. Andean Odyssey also offers a fabulous variety of adventure programs and special interest packages.

Regional Tours
Ecuador's coastal region features the country's largest city, Guayaquil, and the port of Manta and the beautiful surrounding tropical jungle. Here you can visit Montecristi, where the world's finest straw "Panama Hats" are made, quaint fishing villages, and see Ecuador's thriving export industries of bananas, coffee and cacao.

Andean Odyssey offers a wide variety of tour packages to the spectacular Andean highlands of Ecuador. Start in the Quito - set in a compact valley surrounded by snow-capped peaks, and filled with lovely Spanish colonial architecture, Quito is commonly called the most picturesque capital city in Latin America. From there, it is a short distance to la Mitad del Mundo - where you can step in the southern and northern hemispheres at the same time, Otavalo - with its Indian market and some of Ecuador's finest handicrafts, Cotopaxi National Park, the lovely colonial city of Cuenca, and Baños - the gateway to the Ecuadoran jungle.

Andean Odyssey tours to Ecuador's Amazon rain forest offer you the accommodations you are looking for. Whether it's an air conditioned cruise down the Amazon or a walking tour in search of the exotic flora and fauna of the rainforest, you can't better the tours we have to offer.

Ecoadventures in Quito and Elsewhere in Ecuador
Andean Odyssey offers a superb variety of ecoadventures in Quito and other fabulous destinations in Ecuador. Choose among a variety of 8 to 16 day ecoadventures in Quito that may encompass the Galapagos Islands, the Andean city of Otavalo and its fabled marketplace and the snow-capped volcano of Cotopaxi, among other extraordinary attractions in this little gem of a country.

Adventure Programs
Adventure travel in Ecuador is at your fingertips when you plan your trip with Andean Odyssey. Trekking and other ecoadventures in Quito and the nearby Andean highlands can't get any better. Full adrenaline - Andean Odyssey tours of Ecuador have it all!

Special Interest Tours
Andean Odyssey has a variety of bird-watching tours, as well as other tailor-made special interest tours for family travel, study tours for executives and students, and experiential tourism to satisfy your desire to work with the local population.

So don't forget - whether you prefer a tour of Ecuador's coastal, highland or jungle region, one of a number of ecoadventures in Quito and elsewhere in this compact country at the center of the world, or a specialized, made-to-order educational experience, the specialists at Andean Odyssey are ready to make your vacation dream come true!

Assistance and transfer in Quito from airport to selected Hotel Quito, founded by the Spanish conquistadors on late 1534 over the remains of an eight-hectare walled and purposely-destroyed Inca palace was the hometown of the last Inca emperor, Atahualpa. Proudly displays the privilege of being the first City ever declared by Unesco as Cultural Heritage Site back in 1979.

No meals included.

DAY 2
Quito/Papallacta

AM: Quito Colonial and Modern This three hour sightseeing excursion offers the best of Quito with its rich cultural legacy, ornate facades, and dazzling gilt altars Visit the Independence Square, The Archbishop's palace, The Metropolitan Cathedral as well as other very representative samples of colonial art and architecture. Drive to the hill of Panecillo for a panoramic view of the city. At the end drive to a local restaurant for a fixed menu vegetarian lunch.

After lunch continue to the Baños Termales or natural hot springs of Papallacta. Papallacta is privileged located in an area between two Andean-Equatorial majestic volcanoes; namely, Cayambe and Antisana. The thermal waters feeding the Papallacta fountains emerge from deep geological layers through fissures up to the surface with all its healthy properties.

We will arrive to Termas de Papallacta spa & resort, located on the "Cinnamon Trail", the same route that the Spanish conquistador Francisco de Orellana followed in 1542, leading to his discovery of the Amazon river. Termas de Papallacta hot springs spa & resort serves as the gateway to the Ecuadorian Amazon region. Enjoy therapies, massages and treatments tailored to your needs. Overnight at Termas de Papallacta Spa & Resort, standard rooms including dinner and breakfast

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 3
Papallacta / Mindo/ Quito

Early departure to Discover one of the world's top-five biodiversity hotspots, according to Conservation International; understand your relationship with nature as you listen the concert of life around you. At 80 kms northwest of Quito we find a Reserve of 15,000 acres of rainforest of incredible beauty and tranquillity; this amazingly bio diverse region is home of: 2000 species of plants, including at least 90 species of ferns and vivid flowering varieties such as bromeliads and orchids.

Constant moisture in this montane environment provides perfect conditions for epiphytes and allows great variety of vegetation with more than 325 species of birds including the Golden headed Quetzal, Crimson-rumped Toucanets, Violet-tailed Sylph, Broad-billed Motmot, an active "Andean Cock-of the Rock" and at least 250 species of butterflies and moths, such as the Electric blue Morpho. Lunch included on set-menu basis.

In the afternoon return to Quito.

After a well deserved rest you will be conducted to the place where dinner will take place; participants will learn about Ecuadorian vegetarian cuisine as you help to prepare one of the dishes that will be served during dinner following the instructions of the Chef.

Overnight at La Rabida Hostal in Quito, standard room including breakfast

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 4
Quito/Baños/Patate

Baños, located in Ecuador's Central Andes on the Eastern cordillera, is famous for its mineral hot springs and exotic scenery.

The drive itself shows a variety of terrain with temperate valleys and both of the towering Andean ranges forming what von Humboldt called "The Avenue of the Volcanoes" and from Ambato East down into the valley of Patate with its productive fruit and vegetable land. Baños is located in this great canyon and displays a good variety of attractions. From its unique and peculiar church to crafting of many items. The thermal springs from the volcano are known to have medicinal properties so are almost a must. Down bellow the Pastaza River canyon is a collection of beautiful waterfalls and great nature trails

In the morning we can enjoy the facilities of a typical hacienda. After lunch, while we drive south to Ingapirca, the most important Inca ruins in Ecuador, we will also enjoy panoramic views of the highlands. The Inca fortress on Ingapirca is by far the most important archaeological site left by the Inca Empire in Ecuadorian territory.

Cuenca has quite beautiful suburbs. A rural scene is completed by the presence of thermal springs only 8 kms away. Well known to have medicinal properties, water origin from volcanic and reach surface with a temperure of 70 C and cool down to 35-40 C . A relaxing full day outing to a comfortable resort. In the afternoon return to Cuenca

This cosmopolitan city is the largest port in Ecuador and offers what any major city on the world can. Rich Historical background, wonderful museums, a handsome modern district with great shopping and good restaurants. A prosperous city leading the economy of the country, which displays great pride. Has also a number of historical places either by car like the Centenario or Las Peñas neighborhood and on foot like the riverfront or Malecon. Another great place to discover!. As it is a walking excursion it will be restricted to downtown area.