| HIGHLIGHTS: Quito - Amazon Jungle - Banos / Puyo - Riobaba - Devil's Nose Railway - Cuenca - Sechura Desert - Trujillo - Chan Chan - Lima
First we visit the high Andean Cordilleras of Ecuador with their jagged mountain peaks, cone - shaped volcanoes and picturesque valleys. We then head to the Napo River in the heart of the Amazon Basin. Finally we reach the Sechura Desert of Peru - one of the driest in the world. Our short overland adventure ends in colonial Lima.
Day 1 Quito. Your trip starts today in Quito. No activities are planned, so you may arrive at any time. Quito is considered one of the world's most beautifully located capitals, surrounded by towering snow - capped volcanoes. Situated 2850 metres above sea level on the eastern slopes of an active volcano, Mount Pichincha, it is the second highest capital city in the world. This evening there will be a tour briefing at our hotel - around 6 pm. If you are unable to make this meeting, please check at hotel reception for a message from your Gecko's tour guide.
Day 2 Quito. Quito is not only the capital of Ecuador, but it also has one of the most impressive and well - preserved 'old town' areas in South America. In the morning we embark on a walking tour around the charming and evocative 'Centro Historico'. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, there is much to discover, meandering through the narrow, cobblestone streets and exploring the lively Plaza Grande and Plaza San Francisco. The city is filled with Baroque art and architecture, as exemplified by magnificent churches, monasteries and public buildings. We visit the beautiful Church of the Society of Jesus (La Compania de Jesus). With its ornate facade and intricately decorated and gold - gilded interior, this is undoubtedly Ecuador's most impressive church. Exploring further afield we head for one of the many viewpoints over the city. 'El Panecillo' (The Little Bread Loaf) offers sensational views of the city's white houses and surrounding volcanoes. The 30 - metre high statue of 'La Virgen de Quito' sits atop this small hill and can be seen from all over the city. We then drive north of the city to visit 'La Mitad del Mundo' (The Middle of the World). This monument is built on what was claimed in 1736 to be the line of the equator. We also visit another smaller complex nearby called Museo Solar Inti Nan, which is supposedly where the equator actually runs through since re - measurements were made. This is an entertaining little place where experiments are conducted before our very eyes. The evening is free for us to dine out at one of the many great eating spots in Quito (optional).
Day 3 Amazon Jungle. We leave Quito early in the morning and head eastwards down the Andes mountains to the jungle town of Tena. Here we travel into jungle terrain and make our way to the banks of the Napo River and on to our rustic jungle lodge. Spanning 5.5 million square kiLometres and spreading across nine nations, the Amazon rainforest region is undoubtedly one of the greatest wonders of the natural world. Home to thousands of indigenous inhabitants and more than a third of the world's plant and animal species, it is the largest and most bio - diverse tropical rainforest on Earth. The jungle canopy shelters monkeys large and small, sloths that hang upside down, countless species of bats, colourful toucans and golden macaws, whilst jaguars, armadillos and spectacled bears prowl the forest floor. The rivers too are teeming with tropical fish, frogs and caimans.
Day 4 The Amazon. After breakfast we are joined by our local site guide as we start our exploration of the region by river canoes. The indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest have used the incredible variety of fruits and plants for centuries, not just as a food source, but also for their health, as cures and potions. Today, the world scientists have developed treatments from these plants for everything from anxiety, fatigue and coughs to malaria, cancer and heart disease. Our guide will share with us their immense local knowledge, explaining the various medicinal and practical uses for these plants along with the fascinating customs and traditions of the native people. We have an opportunity to visit a wildlife rehabilitation centre, where if we're fortunate we can see tapir, toucan, ocelot, monkey, capybara and boa constrictor. You are required to pay a small entrance fee that contributes towards the running and maintenance of the centre.
Day 5 - 6 Banos / Puyo (Alternative). PLEASE NOTE - The Tungarahua volcano has become active in recent months. Both DFAT and FCO are currently advising "do not travel" to the nearby town of Banos. Until this warning is lifted, all groups will re - routed via the town of Puya for the two nights. The town of Puyo is found at the juncture of the northern and southern Oriente, and is Ecuador's largest jungle town. During our free time there are numerous optional activities available. These include a visit to Morete Puyo Water Park featuring the tallest waterslides in Ecuador and a wave pool, the Ethno Botanical Park Omaere to learn about the indigenous cultures of the Amazon, or the Orchid and Botanical Gardens. For those looking for something a little active, there is a walking trail along the Puyo River providing excellent bird watching opportunities. Your Gecko's tour guide will be happy to assist you in arranging any of these activities.
Should the travel warning be lifted, the group will take the original route via Banos: Today we leave the jungle and return to the mountains. Travelling by local bus we climb steeply into the Andes, where the town of Banos is situated in one of the most beautiful areas of Ecuador's central highlands. Set on the hillside of the Tungurahua Volcano amid lush green peaks, the town of Banos, meaning 'baths', is a great place to embrace the outdoors and discover Ecuadorian country life. We have time to wander around the town or venture off and explore the surroundings. There are many optional activities available including mountain bike riding, white - water rafting, hiking and horse riding. Alternatively you may prefer to soak in the thermal baths for which the town is renowned. Your Gecko's tour guide will be happy to assist you in arranging any of these activities.
Day 7 Riobaba. Today we continue to Riobamba. Known as 'the Sultan of the Andes', the town is located on Ecuador's Avenue of Volcanoes. Riobamba is a delightfully friendly and old fashioned town and an important commercial centre for the region. Saturday, the main market day, sees the wide streets filled with colourfully dressed people from surrounding communities who flood into town by truck and donkey alike, to trade everything from handicrafts to guinea pigs. You might like to wander down to Parque Maldonado in the afternoon. This large and stately square, bordered by 19th century architecture, is a great place to watch local life unfolding. This evening we can relax in readiness for tomorrow's rail adventure.
Day 8 Devil's Nose Railway - Cuenca. Today we take a memorable train journey through the mountains, riding aboard the Devil's Nose Railway (La Nariz del Diablo). The Nariz del Diablo is the last stretch of track which remains functional, from the famous Ferrocarril Transandino. The historic Trans - Andean Railway, constructed over a century ago, was considered in it's time an incredible feat of engineering and once ran from Guayaquil to Quito. We begin the day travelling by public bus in the shadow of the volcanic giant Chimborazo (6310m), passing through tiny villages and sprawling countryside, on our way to picturesque Alausi. Here we store our luggage and board the train to Devil's Nose. Our excursion also includes entry to Museum Condor Pununa. We later have time for lunch in Alausi, and then continue by bus to Cuenca.
Day 9 Cuenca. The beautiful preserved city of Cuenca is the third largest in Ecuador and the focal point of this region. Founded in 1557 on the banks of the Rio Tomebamba, on the ruins of an Inca settlement, the old part of town is brimming with character and enough old colonial charm to rival Quito. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999 this stunning city is a maze of cobblestone streets, whitewashed red - tiled buildings and towering cathedrals. It has a young and vibrant atmosphere which belies its 18th century origin. Your time is your own in Cuenca and your leader will advise you of the many activities and sights you can enjoy. Not far from the city are the Inca ruins of Ingapirca. These 15th century ruins are the largest in Ecuador and were initially occupied by the Canari people over 500 years ago. The Incas who defeated the Canaris destroyed most of the original structures in favour of their own. These are the first Inca ruins encountered on this journey and they are certainly worth a visit.
Day 10 - 12 Sechura Desert - Trujillo. This morning we catch the bus down to the Peruvian border at Tumbes, where we say goodbye to our Ecuadorian tour guide and meet their Peruvian counterpart, before continuing our journey south into the Sechura Desert. Our first overnight stop is the fishing village of Zorritos - a great spot to sit under a palm tree and watch the sun go down. Time permitting, Zorritos also offers hiking, horseback riding and nearby mud baths. Heading further down the coast we arrive at beachside Chiclayo. Rice production, sugar cane and cotton are popular in this strong agricultural region, which is also well known for its natural medicines, fine Peruvian cuisine and archaeological sites. From Chiclayo we venture further down the coast to the city of Trujillo on the Moche River, gateway to the magnificent ruins at Chan Chan.
Day 13 - 14 Chan Chan - Lima. Just north of Trujillo, we visit the huge adobe ruins of Chan Chan - the imperial city of the Chimu Kingdom. It is the most extensive Pre - Colombian city in South America and has the largest adobe citadel in the world. Constructed over 700 years ago this city of an estimated 60,000 inhabitants spread over an area of almost 30 square kiLometres. The city's walls and buildings are decorated with detailed friezes and the small museum nearby has fantastic aerial maps of the area. You can also take a short taxi ride to the nearby surf village of Huanchaco, which is famous for its narrow pointed fishing rafts made of reeds. On Day 14 we catch a bus to Lima and arrive there in the early evening.
Day 15 - 16 Lima. You have a free day to explore Peru's capital Lima, once deemed 'La Ciudad de los Reyes' or 'The City of Kings', is a vast buzzing metropolis of over 8 million people. The heart of the city is full of Spanish colonial splendour, fine art and baroque architecture. Highly recommended is a visit to the Museo Rafael Larco Herrera, which houses impressive collections of ceramics, traditional weaving and remarkable illustrations of pre - Columbian erotic pots. If you are keen to soak up the history of Peru's ancient civilisations, then you should not miss the Museo de La Nacion which is home to priceless artefacts from the ancient Inca and coastal civilisations. In the evening be sure to indulge in the local seafood; Lima has some of the finest dining in South America and the city is alive with music and dancing. The lively Barranco Quarter has many bars, discos and clubs where traditional Afro - Peruvian music and Creole food can be enjoyed. Your tour guide is on hand to help you arrange any optional sightseeing tours required. Our trip comes to an end after breakfast on Day 16.
This trip contrasts three very distinct regions of South America 16 day tour departing Quito.2 nights accommodaiton in an Amazon jungle lodge. 13 nights accommodation in hotels. 15 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners.An experienced local leader in Ecuador and Peru, and there will be the services of local guides at some sites
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