Funny family experience in Ecuador
This program has been designed for the whole family, from 8 years old. Everyone will be able to enjoy the adventure in Ecuador.
Ecuador is perfect for tackling the distant family trip or for a first contact with Latin America. It is indeed a mass of this continent: there are lakes, glacial mountains and active volcanoes dominating the Altiplano, and we can quickly move from uplands to deep Amazon. The inhabitants, mostly Quechua Indians, are welcoming and still wear their traditional clothes. Lively and colorful markets offer rich and vibrant craftd next to exotic fruits and vegetables. And the city of Quito is one of the most beautiful in South America. This is why we invite you to visit with your family, on foot, on horseback, by bike, ziplining, by boat or canoe. During the day, there will often be a break for a bath in a natural hot water pool or in a river in Amazon. A journey that will leave unforgettable memories for children ... and their parents! Suitable for children aged 7 and more.
The highlights of this trip:
- Fun and varied activities to discover the treasures of the country: Hiking, mountain biking, zip line, rafting, canyoning.
- Horseback riding at the foot of Cotopaxi, in the heart of the National Park
- Meeting the residents of a rural community
Day 1: Quito - Otavalo
Arrival at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport of Quito. Transfer to the northern part of the country to the indigenous village of Otavalo, in the area of Imbabura.
Day 2: Otavalo - Laguna Cuicocha - Otavalo
Short transfer to Laguna Cuicocha. The lake is located in the crater of the eponymous volcano that formed on the slopes of the volcano Cotacachi. A lovely trail along the crater edges has a very varied flora and stunning views of the Imbabura province. Boat ride on the sparkling waters of the lake and return to Otavalo in the late afternoon.
Day 3: Otavalo - Community San Clemente - Otavalo
Transfer to the indigenous community of San Clemente for a day of sharing and cultural exhange. Participation in various rural and craft activities with the inhabitants such as farming, cultivation of fruits and vegetables and making crafts. In the afternoon, horseback riding on the slopes of Volcan Imbabura to explore the remote landscapes of this territory.
Day 4: Otavalo market - Quito
On Saturday, the village of Otavalo offers a wonderful spectacle with its weekly market. Indian people go down from the hills with their felt hats and their characteristic poncho, to trade all that one can imagine. In the morning visit of the animal market, and local craft market. Transfer in the afternoon to the Ecuadorian capital.
Day 5: Biking to Quito - Machachi
On Sundays from 8 am to 14pm, most of the old city is car free. We enjoy the "Ciclopaseo" (bike ride) to discover the Ecuadorian capital, placed in the hollow of volcanoes, and first city declared World Heritage by Unesco. Transfer to the town of Machachi, at the gates of the Cotopaxi National Park.
Day 6: Machachi - Cotopaxi National Park- Baños
Transfer within the national park where we start a beautiful and magical horse ride in the middle of the Andean Paramo (altitude steppe with varied flora) at the foot of the active volcano, the highest in the world, which cone covered with glaciers peaks at 5,897 meters. By late afternoon, transfer to Baños at the gates of the Amazon forest.
Day 7: Baños
Spa town famous for its hot pools and the nearby magnificent active volcano Tungurahua (5,016 m), Baños is a paradise for lovers of thrills. Day full of discovery and adventure, in the morning introduction to canyoning followed by a giant zip line in the midst of lush vegetation.
Day 8: Baños - Waterfalls road- Amazon
Today we will head to the Amazon, we will enjoy the spectacular "Waterfalls road". This road runs along the gorge of the Pastaza River and offers stunning views over a dozen of the most impressive waterfalls. The sudden change of ecosystem is a sign of the arrival in the heart of the earth’s lungs. Arrival at the lodge in the middle of the forest.
Day 9: Amazon
This morning we go for a walk in a forest area where we can observe a variety of flora, birds, insects and animals of all kinds, colors and shapes! In the afternoon, various activities are possible depending on the group's wishes: a visit of a rescue center for animals, an Indian community, bathing in a river, boat ride ...
Day 10: Amazon - Rafting - Quito
In the morning, whitewater rafting on the meanders of the equatorial forests through the tropical valleys and canyons sprinkled with waterfalls. After the thrills, we leave the Amazon and head to the Sierra. After passing a col at 4,100 meters in altitude, we arrive in the capital, Quito.
NB : walking times are indicative only. If you leave a day other than Sunday, the program will be adapted to attend the Otavalo Market on Saturday and Sunday Bicipaseo while performing the entire program.
GET A QUOTE HEREAventurEcuador Highlights 
- Accomodation in double rooms
- Full pension (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Free drinking water
- All entries to national parks, churches and activities as mentioned in the intineray
Activities
Horse riding 
Biking 
Canyoning 
Zipline 
Trekking 
Rafting
Regions visited
Andes & Amazon
Level
Multi-activities level2 of 5: For occasional walker. Several half day or days walk (3 to 5 hours)
In the field
The team
- English speaking tour guide
- A driver for driving the vehicle
Displacements
- Private bus reserved for the group for the entire trip
Accomodation
Throughout your stay, accommodation is varied:
- Hostels 3-4 stars in cities (local standards).
- Homestay (basic comfort)
- Family inn or cozy guest room
- Lodge in the Amazon
Meals
- Breakfast served at the accommodation
- At noon picnic for hiking, restaurant meals the other days
- In the evening, restaurant meals or prepared food at accomodation
Ecuadorians products help ensure varied menus and good quality.
The luggage transport
During the excursions and activities, each participant carries a light backpack containing only personal belongings needed for the day (water bottle, camera, protective clothing, ...). Luggage transport is ensured by vehicle.
Travel equipment
Travel Essentials
- Passport and photocopies
- Photocopy of certificate of insurance / assistance contract
- Vaccinations record and medical indications
- Currency, credit card => The ideal is to carry personal papers and money in a discreet travel pouch worn under your clothes.
- Camera
- Universal Adapter
- Flashlight (frontal ideal) and extra batteries
- Sun protection (sunglasses and bag, sunscreen SPF 30 minimum, cap / hat)
- Personal pharmacy (see below)
- Tissues / toilet paper
- Travel alarm
- Toiletries and towel (microfiber type)
- Protective plastic bag (cloth, paper ...)
- Swimsuit (pools Baños)
- A backpack 30L / 50L: this capacity lets you take all you need for a day of travel: rain clothes, warm clothes, small pharmacy, water bottles, snacks, and possibly part of the picnic
Aid kit
- Analgesic
- Anti-diarrheal
- Cream / ointment after sun
- Antibiotic broad spectrum (paracetamol, aspirin ...)
- Disinfectant for wounds (type Hexomedine)
- Set bandages, tape, scissors, blister dressing
- Hydroalcoholic gel
- Survival blanket
The Amazon
- Long and light clothes (for mosquitoes protection). Avoid black clothes which attract them more
- Anti-mosquito (type Tropic) and anti-itch cream
- Swimsuit
- Poncho or rain jacket
- Binoculars
GET A QUOTE HEREPaperwork
No visa is required for nationals of countries of the European Union, Switzerland, USA and Canada for a stay of less than 90 days. A passport valid at least 6 months after the travel date in Ecuador is enough.
Travelling with childrenThe foreign minors are subject to the same obligations as adults. They must hold a passport valid at least six months after the travel date.
International flights
We do not offer international flight booking. To plan your route in Ecuador, several international airlines provide transportation to Quito (or Guayaquil), such as Air France (via Bogota or Caracas), KLM, Iberia and Lan (via Madrid), American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Lufthansa, etc ...
Health
Mandatory vaccinations
No mandatory vaccine.
But vaccination against yellow fever is mandatory if you have previously been to a country situated in endemic areas.
Recommended vaccinesWe strongly recommend to update the classic vaccinations: diphtheria-tetanus-polio +/- whooping cough, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, hepatitis A and B.Yellow fever vaccination is highly recommended if you go to the Amazon or to a province east of the Andes below 2,300 meters in altitude.
MalariaMalaria occurs below 1,500 meters, mainly in the Amazon area: classification 3 (high resistance). Antimalarial treatment is necessary. Consult your doctor.The risk is moderate in the coastal provinces. It is recommended to protect yourself in some areas: Baños, on the Pacific coast and the Galapagos Islands.Make sure you have in addition preventive personal protection against mosquito bites (repellents, loose clothing and spanning).
ZikaEcuador is affected by the Zika virus disease transmitted by bites of Aedes mosquitoes.In case of pregnancy, the hypothesis of a causal relationship between the event of outbreak of fetal or neonatal microcephaly and infection Zika virus in the mother is likely. It is therefore recommended for pregnant women or for those having a project of pregnancy to consider postponing their stay or to first consult a doctor to be informed about the complications that can occur during infection by Zika virus.
Acclimatization and preventive treatment of acute mountain sicknessWe recommend you before your trip to Ecuador to visit a doctor to check your ability to stay at high altitude. Andean reliefs are very marked and altitudes are significant (Quito already at 2,800m above sea level).Whether on adventure, discovery, trekking or mountaineering tours, routes include acclimatization steps and time required for the body to naturally adjust to the altitude. By following a few simple tips especially the first days (drink regularly, avoid alcohol, overeating, too abrupt efforts ...), you will facilitate the acclimation process and avoid the most common symptoms (headaches, shortness of breath ...).
For more information, visit the Association for Research in Environmental Physiology (www.arpealtitude.org) or the International Medical Service (www.smi-voyage-sante.com)
Currency
The currency is the US dollar. Exchange rates (indicative price): 1 € = $ 1.12 or US $ 1 = € 0.89.Most credit cards (MasterCard, Visa ...) are accepted in Ecuador in department stores. It is possible to make withdrawals * directly to distributors in major cities you will be going to during your trip (Quito, Otavalo, Guayaquil, Riobamba, Baños, Cuenca ...). Plan ahead among the major steps to not run out of cash for personal expenses (souvenirs ...). Moreover, it is better to have small denominations (5, 10, 20 $) because the businesses rarely have the exchange.For stays in Galapagos, only the islands of Santa Cruz and Santa Cristobal are equipped with distributors.
NB: it is difficult to change euros, the exchange is only possible in major cities in banks (limited opening hours) and exchange offices ("casa de cambio").
* Before departure, it is best to consult your bank to know your conditions / fees abroad to avoid inconvenience.
Climate
Ecuador is located in the equatorial zone where there is no clear-cut seasons. It is possible to travel throughout the year in Ecuador. The climate is however very variable and unpredictable!It generally cool in Quito (15 ° to 25 °), very mild in Cuenca (18 ° to 30 °) and very hot in the Amazon or on the Pacific coast (27 ° to 40 °). Galapagos, the heat is tempered by the winds that cool constantly the islands (20 ° to 35 ° C).
Security
Ecuador is considered to be one of the safest countries in South America. However, we advise you to avoid, as far as possible, to carry valuables. The risk of theft exists, avoid displaying wealth, be vigilant in crowded places (markets, city centers ...) and leave whenever possible valuables and significant amounts of money in the safes of hotels. Do not hesitate to ask your guide in which places it is necessary to pay particular attention and which ones to avoid.
Each participant must be aware of the fact that the tour chosen may include activities (rafting, hiking, ziplining, biking ...) which may be risky. The service providers selected for those services were chosen for their professionalism and the quality of supervision and equipment. Each activity will begin with a reminder of the safety instructions.Language & some useful words
Useful information
In Ecuador, Spanish is spoken by all the population. The Quechua language and local dialects are used in remote locations. English is practiced by persons in relation to tourism (hotels & restaurants of higher category).
Electricity
We recommend that you bring an adapter because the plugs are flat type 110 volts, as in the United States.
Jet lag
Ecuador is located on the GMT -5. The time is the same in all the country except the Galapagos (- 1 hour).The sun rises around 6am and night falls around 6pm, all year.
