Day 1: Ecuador Land of Culture & Ancestral Knowledge (L-D)
Pick you up 05;00 am from Quito to Shell Once at Shell, guests will be received by our Achuar representatives and will be assisted for the flight. The plane will rise over the immaculate pristine jungle,on a 50-minute flight, arriving at the landing strip of the local Sharam community, where they will be welcomed by the Achuar guides. Lunch at Achuar Lodge. Afterwards, guests will have the opportunity to relax, unpack and get a feel for the surroundings.Afternoon: we will have a quiet activity where guests can walk along one of theRiver beaches. Here, our guides will give guests an introductory orientation session with information about the rainforest and the Achuar culture, whileenjoying a beautiful sunset.At night after dinner, we will explore the River in search of nocturnal animalssuch as monkeys, alligators and birds. All this coupled with a fantastic starry sky.
Day 2: Our guides will escort guests on a 30 minute boat ride to reach one of the best natural attractions, the Claylick, where guests will see different species of parrots, macaws, and parrots such as the Cobalt-Winged Parakeet, ChestnutFronted Macaw, Yellow Crowned Amazon. After breakfast guests can take a walk, approximately 2 hours with stops, where they will learn about medicinal plants of the area and tropical forest ecology. Lunch at Achuar Lodge. Time to rest. Afternoon: guests will be able to explore, via balsa wood, the River and its connecting lagoons, while looking at the local wildlife such as the pink river dolphin. As the river is quite calm, swimming is completely safe. After dinner: guests can partake in a spectacular night walk, observing the many different kinds of insects and amphibians that are found around the Sharam Community.
Day 3: Early in the morning we are going to participate in “Guayusada” ceremony and dreams interpretation. Later, guests will have the opportunity to finding and spotting the great variety of birds that the southeast Rainforest of Ecuador offers like Hoatzin, Aninga, Speckled Chachalaca, White Eared Jacamar, Cocoi Heron, Neotropical Cormorant, and the Great Egret. Optional: We can enjoy a cleaning ritual with Shaman of the community ($20 per person) Breakfast and departure for a full day activities: our guides will escort guests along the Tsenkush o Kawau trail and visit Sharam Guanchanza waterfall, which in english means “golden parrot”. Where the guests can learn about the benefits and uses of the palms to the Achuar and the important ecological role played by insects and animals in the forest. In the afternoon, some activities will be offered: including fishing where you can fish for piranha or catfish and traditional food (“maito”) cooking classes.
Day 4: This day the guests could go to Birdwatching upstairs river or to go to the Claylick. Breakfast and departure for a full day activities: our guides will escort guests along the Waterfall trail. During this time guests can learn about the forest and its benefits for the Achuar native people. Our guides will also teach guests about Achuar hunting techniques and ARUTAM the spirit of the forest. After lunch: guests will visit an Achuar community. This is one of our most popular activities offered, because of the significant cultural contribution to the Achuar people. Guests will have a chance to see a community and its members and purchase some traditional handicrafts. Return to the lodge followed by dinner. After a traditional typical dinner: cultural activities (legends in hammock house, traditional greetings) Guests will also be able to learn and practice the art of Achuar face painting and how it relates to their different activities. (Standard Itinerary)
Day 5: Early morning: our guides will bring guests to specific points near the hotel, in order to locate various species of birds. Breakfast and preparation for departure.
In the last few hours before departure from the Achuar territory, guests can participate in a blowgun contest to demonstrate who is the best hunter among the guides and guests.
➢ Fly back to Shell (included).
Day 5: Baños to Alausi (B-L-D) Breakfast in the lodge and continue our route to Baños Alausí Lodging
Day 6: Ingapirca Complex (B) Pick you up between 7:00am or 08:00 am and Train Nariz del Diablo after lunch Ingapirca, the largest and best preserved archeological complex in Ecuador. It lies deep in the dry sierra, swept by the winds of the southern range. Along the way you see interesting Andean scenery and people in colorful clothing. Ingapirca offers us an incredible view of the past, coming to know the Cañari and Inca cultures. Marvel at the different styles of construction of the temples as well as the precise solar calculations and aqueduct system. There are also patios, terraces, temples. Continue our route to Cuenca. Lodging at Ingapirca
Day 7: Transfer from Ingapirca to Cuenca (Free Time) (B) Breakfast and we will continue our trip to Cuenca, in this place will have free time to enjoy in this amazing city. Lodging in Cuenca Day 8: Gualaceo & Chordeleg (B) The day begins with a tour of the city, including visiting the Historic Center on foot. Included are Calderón Park, the majestic New and Old Cathedrals, the Flower Plaza, the Barranco, the Broken Bridge, and Turi Lookout, with its impressive panoramic view of the city. Following this tour, we head for Gualaceo, where we will visit an artisan workshop of the famous “Macanas” or “Outfits of IKAT”, typical dress of our Chola Cuencana. Next will be lunch in a beautiful small hotel in the region. The visit in Gualaceo continues with a walk in the Central Park and the market with traditional food and its famous “baked pork”, typical dish of the zone. We continue the trip toward Chordeleg, visiting the banks of the Santa Barbara River. In Chordeleg you will see an abundance of crafts in gold, silver, ceramics, and wood. Gualaceo and Chordeleg are surrounded by beautiful, welcoming scenery. Return to hotel at about 5 p.m. Lodging in Cuenca
Day 9: Cuenca to Guyaquil through Cajas (B) Breakfast and panoramic visit the Cajas National Park offers us impressive landscapes of cloud forest and Andean moorland. The mysterious silence of its mountains invites us to wander the incredible paths bordering some of its lakes. There are more than 200 lakes and lagoons. Continue driving to Guayaquil, (Places to visit: Malecon, land iguanas park, the Historic Park and traditional places. Lodging in Guayaquil
Day 10: Departure to Galapagos o Quito (B)
• Breakfast in the Hotel
• Transfer to the airport
