Photography Tour in Ecuador

– The rate decreases as the group size increases proportionally. The estimated price of this adventure is from $— to $—. The final cost of this trip depends on the way we personalize it specially for you. The exact price will be provided in your personalized quote.

Day 1 – August 30: Arrival to Quito, Ecuador

With your private driver, transfer to a charming boutique hotel in Quito. The terrace offers a unique point city view! You show there in the evening – or at sunset depending on your time of arrival – to take the best possible shots.

Meal

No

Visit

No

Hike

No

transport

50'

Day 2 – August 31: Quito visit(Panecillo and Santa Clara market)

After sunrise, a short transfer to Itchimbia hill where you will enjoy a new perspective of the city and its historic center at sunrise.
Return to the hotel for breakfast. Then, you will set off to meet the colonial city of Quito, Caras, and Incas capital, UNESCO World Heritage classified. Planned visits: Compañia de Jesus, La Merced, and San Francisco churches, Plaza Grande Independence Square, Quito Cathedral, and La Ronda Street.
Lunch at the local Santa Clara market.
At sunset, short transfer to El Panecillo hill where you will once again enjoy a breath-taking view of the capital.

Meal

B/L

Visit

6h00

Hike

2h00

transport

1h00

Day 3 – September 1: Quito > Cayambe (rose garden) > Peguche > San Clemente community

In the early morning, you will enjoy a beautiful sunrise from the hotel terrace where the historic center extends below and the Pancillo stands proud in front of you.
Then, visit Quitsato. This place marks the equatorial line location.
After another short transfer, you will reach a rose garden. Ecuador is indeed famous for roses exportation to all over the world. Lunch at the rose garden.
In the afternoon, you will also stop at Peguche village to observe local artisans at a site. the waterfall of the same name is sacred to the indigenous population.
Finally, you will arrive in the San Clemente community where you can take part in various daily activities planned by the family. We recommend that you help prepare dinner.

Meal

B/L/D

Visit

4h00

Hike

1h00

transport

3h30

Day 4 – September 2: San Clemente community (El Chota valley)

In the midst of the Indian land, the Chota Valley has been largely populated by descendants from Africa since the 17th century, when the Jesuits and Mercedaries brought them as slaves for mining and sugarcane work. Even today, this community is present and it is not uncommon to meet Mina, Minda, Anangonó, etc … first names of African origin.
In the morning, you will reach the Chota Valley. The land is agricultural; you will observe many mangoes, tunas (fruit of a prickly pear cactus) among other crop plantations.
Meeting and lunch with the community.
In the afternoon, you will continue your exceptional exchange alongside your Quichuas hosts. You will discover San Clemente, its people, its artisans, the workers in the fields, its culture, and the farms of guinea pigs – called “cuy” in Ecuador -, which they eat daily.

Meal

B/L/D

Visit

5h00

Hike

0h00

transport

2h30

Day 5 – September 3: San Clemente > Cuicocha lake> Otavalo

This morning you will first reach the magnificent Cuicocha Lake. After a walk of about 45 minutes, you will enjoy an extraordinary lake and its surrounding panorama.
Retracing your steps, you will stop at the Cotacachi village, famous for its leather shops.
Then, after another short transfer, you will visit the famous and colorful Otavalo Market.
Finally, Otavalo city and its region host each year a most original festival, combining a fermented drink (chicha) made from 7 varieties of corn of pre-Inca origin, called Yamor, and the religious faith of a people united in their diversity. This celebration full of joy was born in 1953 and marked a celebration to thank the María de Monserrat virgin, religious patron of Otavalo, as well as to Pasha Mama (“Mother Earth in Kichwa”) for allowing good harvests.
It will be an opportunity to admire magnificent parades, traditional dances, concerts, and folk music in contact with the locals. The Miss Otavalo (Reina de Otavalo) election also takes place during this week, and a swim across the San Pablo Lake is organized for the bravest. Dinner on your own in Otavalo and overnight in a magnificent hacienda located on the shores of the San Pablo lake.

Meal

B/D

Visit

6h00

Hike

1h30

transport

1h30

Day 6 – September 4 : Otavalo > Sangolqui (Paseo del Chagra) > Cotopaxi

Early in the morning, a stone’s throw from the hacienda, you can station yourself on the San Pablo lagoon shores. This will be the moment to take some beautiful landscapes or local workers’ pictures.
Return to the hacienda for breakfast and transfer to Sangolqui where the Corn Festival (also called Paseo del Chagra) is celebrated. Each year, around 2000 chagras from different cantons come together. In the morning, chagras accompanied by folk floats parade the streets of the small town while the population is sprayed with carnival foam. As a sign of respect, traders offer a glass of alcohol to passing riders.
In the afternoon, a wooden 3-floor popular arena is mounted. The locals gathered in the stands to watch the show. Many people who enter and leave the structure freely try to approach the wrestling bulls who watch the movements. The riskier the game, the more the spectators applaud! Note that the bulls are not mistreated in any way during this show.
Night in a typical hacienda located in Cotopaxi National Park heart. At nightfall, the volcano opposite the hacienda marks a perfect time to take great photos. You will have a warm and friendly evening.

Meal

B/D

Visit

6h00

Hike

0h00

transport

3h30

Day 7 – September 5 : Cotopaxi National Park> Chimborazo

You will be in Cotopaxi National Park heart, where the highest active volcano in the world is located: Cotopaxi, whose summit rises to 5896m in altitude.
In the afternoon, you will continue your journey to the Chimborazo reserve which is home to Ecuador’s highest volcano -Chimborazo- with its 6270m. You will be accommodated at the Colossus of the Andes foot in a superb mountain lodge. Again, it will be a magical moment to take beautiful shots at nightfall.

Meal

B/D

Visit

0h00

Hike

de 1 à 4h

transport

2h30

Day 8 – September 6 : Chimborazo reserve > Salinas de Guaranda > Guayaquil

At daybreak, the llamas and alpacas that graze around the hacienda will come at the foot of the volcano. If time permits, the photo is worth the detour!
Then, you will reach the heart of the Chimborazo Reserve where you will observe lunar landscapes made of sand, earth, and stones, and numerous vicuñas (called in Ecuador “vicuñas”) in total freedom.
Then, transfer to Salinas de Guaranda. Here, a community economy was set up. Chocolate and cheese are specially designed and sold there throughout Ecuador.
Transfer to Guayaquil.

Meal

B/D

Visit

2h30

Hike

1h00

transport

5h00

Day 9 – September 7 : Guayaquil > Puerto Lopez (Spondylus Route)

You will leave this morning for the Pacific coast of Ecuador. You will follow the Spondylus road which offers the most beautiful landscapes of the Ecuadorian Pacific coast.
Famous for the humpback whales that you can observe between June and September, this small village, where you can see fishermen coming up the beach all day long, has a charm that will not leave you indifferent.

Meal

B

Visit

0h00

Hike

0h00

transport

4h00

Day 10 – September 8 : Puerto López (Isla de la Plata)

Before your visit, get up early to reach the main beach where the fishermen display their catches to the local’s delight who can enjoy their daily breakfast.
Then, visit the Isla de la Plata island considered in Ecuador to be the “Galapagos of the poor” where you will observe large frigates and the blue-footed boobies.

Meal

B/L

Visit

3h00

Hike

1h30

transport

3h30

Day 11 – September 9 : Puerto López (whale watching) > Pile (montecristi) > Quito

This morning, departure by boat in search of whales with the aim of taking the best possible shot.
Then, transfer to Pile located in the Montescriti region. Pile is indeed the cradle of the first fine woven hats in the world, hence the name of origin Montecristi.
Arrive at Manta airport and flight to Quito.

Meal

B

Visit

1h30

Hike

0h00

transport

2h50

Day 12 – September 10 : Quito > Lago Agrio > Amazon rainforest (Cuyabeno reserve)

Flight of about 40 minutes, to the Lago Agrio town. Ground transfer from the airport to the Cuyabeno river bridge where you will board a motorized canoe to reach the lodge located in the Cuyabeno Reserve heart.
In the late afternoon, a night walk in search of insects and reptiles.

Meal

B/L/D

Visit

3h00

Hike

45'

transport

5h00

Day 13 – September 11 : Amazon rainforest (Cuayebno reserve)

In the morning, you will go by canoe in search of freshwater birds and dolphins. In the morning, and especially at sunrise, is indeed one of the best times to observe animals.
Then, trek accessible to all to discover the Amazon rainforest and its extraordinary flora and fauna.
In the afternoon, you will go canoeing down the Cuyabeno River in search of monkeys and birds that you have not yet observed.
A canoe trip at the end of the day is planned to enjoy the superb sunset lights over the lagoon.

Meal

B/L/D

Visit

3h00

Hike

3h00

transport

0h00

Day 14 – September 12 : Amazon rainforest (Cuyabeno reserve)

In the morning, you will go by canoe on the Cuyabeno River. Here again, you will be able to observe the incredible Amazon mammals and birds.
Then, meeting with a Siona community to learn about local customs and traditions.
At the end of the afternoon, you can swim in the middle of the lagoon and you will observe a new superb sunset.
After dinner, you will go for a short night walk in search of caimans, insects, and nocturnal birds.

Meal

B/L/D

Visit

3h00

Hike

3h00

transport

0h00

Day 15 – September 13 : Amazon rainforest (Cuyabeno reserve) > Lago Agrio > Quito

Return transfer to Lago Agrio airport where you will catch your flight back to Quito.

Meal

B

Visit

0h00

Hike

0h00

transport

5h00

Day 16 – September 14 : departure from Quito

Transfer to Quito airport for your return international flight.

Meal

B

Visit

0h00

Hike

0h00

transport

50'

B: Breakfast
L: Luch
D: Dinner

«Comfort » category : charming and comfortable accommodation 2/3*** category. Clean and offering an adapted-to-European and American customer service.

« Superior » category : charming accommodation 3/4**** category. Top of the range quality infrastructure and personalized service. Spacious and tasteful rooms.

« Luxe » category: top of the range accommodations 4/5***** categoryoffering an irreproachable quality of service. The rooms are luxurious and spacious. .

ANDES

Excursions and private transportation with your local Spanish-speaking private guide (Kia Sportage type vehicle).

AMAZON

Transport and collective visits (10 people maximum). Bilingual Spanish/English local naturalist guide.

PACIFIC COAST

Your private guide present in the Andes will accompany you during the visits.

– Transfers and visits times are indicative.
– For every not included meal, foresee between $5 -popular- and $50 -gourmet- per person.
– Tips: we recommend between $ 10 and $ 20 per worked day for a guide, and between $ 5 and $ 10 per worked day for a driver.