live a natural experience through agritourism activities associated with farming
fine cocoa scent
the Cocoa Route
Day 1: Arrival to Quito
Arrive in Quito and transfer to the hotel. Welcome and briefing
Day2:Quito City Tour / Middle of the World
We visit Quito (Declared by UNESCO, first cultural patrimony of humanity), visit to the viewpoint of Guápulo, passed by the House of Culture, the Legislative Palace And the Church of the Basilica del Voto Nacional, we continue to the Plaza de la Independencia in the streets of colonial historic center, visiting on a walking tour the Cathedral the Government Palace and Arzobispal, the Church La Compañia where you find sculptures made of gold, and the church of San Francisco built in the seventeenth century.
We continue our visit to the viewpoint El Paneceillo, renowned for its beauty, where we can see a beautiful landscape of Quito. We continue north to La Mitad del Mundo, Visit the monument that divides the Northern Hemisphere from the southern hemisphere. It was built in the eighteenth century when a French Expedition defined the precise location of the Ecuador line that divides the world. You can visit the Museum Intiñan. Return to Quito.
Meals: breakfast and lunch.
Day 3:Quito - Quilotoa Lagoon - Quito
We visit the Quilotoa lagoon, the most important natural attraction of the Cotopaxi province, where a native guide lead us into the crater for kayaking, then we climb back by mule. After this adventure we enjoyed a delicious typical lunch at the Community Kirutwa restaurant, visit the art gallery where you can purchase the crafts and paintings of Tigua. Then we will go to the community Shalala, a magical place where the spectacular view, allow us to know another side to the stunning Quilotoa lagoon. Return to Quito.
Meals: breakfast and lunch.
Day 4:Quito - Amazon
We traveled toward the Amazon, through Papallacta, Baeza, Tena, arriving to Shandia Lodge, where we were welcome with a delicious natural fruit juice t ypical of the area. Accommodation and Lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit the Cacao community farm. Then the community woman, they held an exhibition of handicrafts, one of the daily activities of the community, here we can understand its value, its meaning, and also we can participate in its development. Then we share the community their way to make handmade chocolate. Dinner, In the evening, the dance group of community, delights us with a cultural presentation.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day5: Cocoa Route / Napo
Discover the route of the fine cocoa scent of Napo province, this tour takes us along the cantons Archidona (Pacari Initiative), Tena and Arosemena Tola. Archidona where we will begin the process of harvest and post harvest of this ancient product , Lunch at the local hotel. Then we moved to Canton Arosemena Tola for cocoa and other value-added enterprises. Back to Tena, gastronomic tour to taste some cocoa traditional products.
Back to Shandia will tend a night of Shamanism, dinner and overnight.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 6:Shandia - Quito
Early breakfast and trek through the jungle with destination Saladeros de loros, where hundreds of these birds gather to eat on a rock in the Amazon, then we visit the Pimpilala waterfalls and natural pools Guayusa Yaku, this day of adventure ends with a refreshing swim. Return to the lodge for lunch and back to Quito.
Meals: breakfast and lunch.
Day 7:Quito - Manta - Puerto Lopez
We will go to the airport to travel to Manabi beaches, the most beautiful in the country. Lunch, in the afternoon we visited the community of Agua Blanca for its archaeological community project, meet pre-Inca cultures and also enjoy a relaxing swim in their sulfur pools, we will visit Puerto Lopez.
Accommodation. Meals: breakfast and lunch.
Day 9:Puerto Lopez - Quinkigua
After breakfast we headed to the Center for Community Tourism Quinkigua, here Poza Honda community will welcome us with a delicious typical drink made with cocoa and enjoy a delicious lunch. In the afternoon we walk toward the Pata de pajaro river and enjoy a relaxing bath. Dinner and then community will delight us with an evening of cultural integration.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 8: De la Plata Island
This day is very special, aboard a speedboat sailing to the Isla de la Plata, famous for the variety of wildlife like found in the Galapagos Islands, their paths take us to meet blue-footed boobies, frigates, sea lions and other species, also en route to the island will see the imposing humpback whales (July to September) in this season are close to coasts.
Our adventure ends with Snorkeling, where we will discover a variety of species . Dinner and overnight in Puerto López.
Meals: breakfast and lunch.
Download the itinerary Tour
Day 11:Quinkigua - Vinces
Our tour took us to the town of Vinces in Los Rios province this city is known worldwide for its historic cocoa tradition, here we will have lunch in a traditional farm in the town, in the afternoon we will take a city tour, to admire monuments and squares dating from the time of the cocoa boom in Ecuador, known at that time "Paris Chiquito" . Vinces overnight .
Meals: breakfast and lunch.
Day 12:Vinces, Cocoa Route / Los Rios
Our adventure begins with a visit to the community Estero de Caña, whose population is well known for the best farms of fine cacao scent , we will ride through the farm for the colony of howler monkeys unique in the coastal zone of the country. Visit the Chocolate Factory La Pepa de Oro, a community project where we can learn the whole process of packaging of this delicious product. Return to the Lodge, lunch and then can enjoy a rodeo montubio and relax in the Hotel. Accommodation Vinces.
Meals: breakfast and lunch.
Day 13:Vinces - Guayaquil
We moved to Guayaquil, city known as the Pearl of the Pacific. A city tour for their more traditional places such as the Malecon 2000 and the colonial neighborhood of Las Peñas, Lunch. In the afternoon visit the Chocolate Museum, here we can appreciate and enjoy drinks and products made from chocolate and may even receive a relaxing chocolate massage. Accommodation in Guayaquil.
Meals: breakfast and lunch.
Day 14:Guayaquil- Cocoa route Guayas
After breakfast, our adventure took us to walk the path of cocoa in the province of Guayas in the Naranjal and Balao cantons, in this way we visit traditional cacao farms, know the customs and traditions of its people also know the Mangrove Reserve Churute . Lunch, then moved to Tsuer Etnsa Shuar community, a well-known for its natural hot springs site, ideal for taking a relaxing swim in the warm, clear waters, returning to Guayaquil. After dinner we will make our farewell party aboard the yacht Morgan sail along the mighty Rio Guayas between dancing and delicious cocktails. Meals: breakfast and lunch.
Day 15:Transfer Out
Breakfast and departure to Guayaquil Simon Bolivar Airport.
Spanish version
Day 10: Quinkigua
After breakfast, we made a boat trip on the Laguna Poza Honda, for the “Islote del Pato Cuervo” located in the center of it, for watching wild birds, especially duck Raven, a native bird of the zone. Then we landed on a cocoa farm. Return to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon we will visit a collection center integration, to learn the process of post harvest and marketing of fine cocoa scent, also we take a tour of the agroindustrial plant of juices and citrus of Poza Honda, group led by the women of the communities.
Back to Quinkigua will make the preparation of cacao (chocolate) in a craft as traditionally it has developed in the industry for decades, consisting of roast and ground grain, it will taste at dinner time. Dinner and overnight at Quinkigua.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
