ANCESTRAL ROUTES: COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES I 7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS | FROM $1829
Duration
Tour Type
Explore Tours
IMPORTANT NOTES
- Reservations are subject to availability and change without notice UNTIL CONFIRMED.
- A 50% non-refundable deposit per passenger is required to confirm booking.
Rate applies for a minimum of 2 passengers. - Contact us for solo traveler supplements and group rates.
- Supplement applies for credit card payments.
- Prices do not apply to holidays or national festivals. Please inquire for a supplement.
- Itinerary is subject to changes due to weather, operational issues, or passenger safety
- The operator may assign a hotel of the same category in case of emergencies.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
- Quote is valid for 24 hours after the date of issue.
- Prices may change if there’s no prior confirmation.
- Full payment is required 30 days before the reservation start date.
Included/Exclude
- Airport – hotel – airport transfer
- Tourist ground transportation: Quito – Yunguilla – Mindo – Otavalo – Papallacta
- Bilingual guide
- 6 nights’ accommodation: Quito (4* hotel), Yunguilla (Community house), Mindo (3* hotel), Otavalo (Tourist hacienda), Papallacta (4* hotel)
- Meals as per itinerary: 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 1 dinner
- Entrance fees for activities per itinerary
- Quito City Tour
- Cooking Class
- Entry to Intiñan Museum
- Visit to the Yunguilla Microenterprise Corporation
- Participation in productive activities of the Yunguilla community
- Visit to the Yunguilla Community and Community Store
- Hummingbird Watching
- Entry to Nambillo Reserve
- Tarabita cable ride
- Visit to the Otavalo Poncho Market
- Visit to the Sacha Warmikuna Community
- Entry to the Papallacta Hot Springs
- International flights and airport taxes
- Transfer out: Hotel – airport
- Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary (estimated expense: USD 150.00 per person)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal expenses and tips for guides, drivers, and hotels
- Medical and travel insurance (MANDATORY)
- Activities not listed in the itinerary
- Single room supplement: Estimated cost USD 350.00
- Entrance fees for tourist attractions not specified
This departure requires a minimum of 2 passengers.
Arrival in Quito
Welcome to Quito! The most visited city in Ecuador, known for its rich cultural heritage and named the "Relic of Art in America." Quito was also the first city declared a UNESCO "Cultural Heritage of Humanity" site. Surrounded by the majestic Andes, including the Pichincha, Antisana, Cotopaxi, and Cayambe volcanoes, Quito offers a stunning natural backdrop.
A private vehicle will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you can explore the historic center of Quito and its surroundings. We can assist in arranging a day tour (please request in advance).
In the evening, one of our guides will meet you in the hotel lobby at 6:00 p.m. for a welcome briefing. This session will provide details about your adventure and answer any questions you may have. Day one is for acclimatization and information.
Includes: Accommodation at Hotel Mercure or similar (double occupancy).
Excludes: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Quito – City Tour – Cooking Class
Your day starts with a visit to the stunning Basilica del Voto Nacional, one of Quito’s most iconic structures. Its neo-Gothic architecture provides breathtaking city views from its towers. Next, you’ll explore Independence Plaza, surrounded by historical monuments, and continue to landmarks such as the Iglesia de la CompañÃa de Jesús and the Convent of San Francisco, renowned for their colonial art and intricate interiors.
You’ll also visit El Panecillo, a hilltop viewpoint offering spectacular panoramic views of Quito and the Andes.
Later, you’ll head to a traditional market, such as the San Francisco Market, to experience the local lifestyle. Here, you’ll see an array of fresh produce, spices, and ingredients essential to Ecuadorian cuisine. Following the market tour, enjoy a cooking class led by a local chef, where you’ll prepare and savor typical Ecuadorian dishes.
Includes: Accommodation at Hotel Mercure or similar (double occupancy), breakfast, and lunch.
Excludes: Dinner.
Quito – Mitad del Mundo – Yunguilla
The day begins with an exciting visit to the Intiñan Museum near the Equator line, where you’ll stand on the 0° latitude, experiencing the unique phenomenon of being in both the northern and southern hemispheres.
Next, you’ll head to the Yunguilla community, located in a lush cloud forest. This mestizo farming community focuses on sustainable living through proper resource management and community tourism. After lunch, you’ll participate in activities with the locals before settling into a family home, fully equipped to welcome you.
Includes: Accommodation at a Yunguilla community home, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Yunguilla – Mindo – Hummingbird Watching
After breakfast, visit various community locations and enjoy some activities. Following a delicious farewell lunch, continue to Mindo, a magical cloud forest. Here, you’ll visit hummingbird gardens, where these beautiful and vibrant birds gather. Learn about their behavior, diet, and unique characteristics from your guide as you capture photos and enjoy the serene environment.
Includes: Accommodation at Hotel Séptimo ParaÃso or similar (double standard occupancy), breakfast, and lunch.
Excludes: Dinner.
Mindo – Nambillo Forest – Tarabita – Waterfalls – Cayambe – Otavalo
Start your day exploring the Nambillo Forest and crossing it via a tarabita cable car, followed by a walk to stunning waterfalls. In the afternoon, travel to Cayambe, where you’ll visit Hacienda La CompañÃa, a historic estate with a Jesuit chapel, colonial treasures, and rose plantations. Learn about the rose industry’s impact on the community. End the day in Otavalo.
Includes: Accommodation at Hacienda Pinsaqui or similar (double standard occupancy), breakfast.
Excludes: Lunch and dinner
Otavalo – Poncho Market – Sacha Warmikuna Community – Papallacta
Visit Otavalo’s famous Poncho Market, South America’s most renowned Indigenous market. Then, head to the Sacha Warmikuna project, where you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch, explore flower gardens, and prepare ajà (hot sauce). Finally, travel to Papallacta for an overnight stay.
Includes: Accommodation at Termas Papallacta (double occupancy), breakfast, and lunch.
Excludes: Dinner.
Papallacta – Departure
Enjoy a relaxing morning at the Papallacta Hot Springs before your guide transfers you to Mariscal Sucre International Airport for your departure. Take home memories, photos, and a piece of your heart, as you’ll surely want to return to Ecuador for more adventures.
Includes: Breakfast.
Excludes: Lunch and dinner.
This departure requires a minimum of 2 passengers.
