discover our heritage to the world - gondwana ecotours · amazon rainforest and the traditional...

to the world...Discover our Heritage

GONDWANA ECO TOURSECUADOR | OUR HERITAGE

Sincerely,

Jared SternbergTulane Law School 2013President & Founder of Gondwana Ecotours

We invite you to join us on an epic adventure in Ecuador! Below is an example amazon to andes itinerary. We can adjust the length, style, locations, budget, dates and more based on your preferences. We operate trips all over Ecuador, including the Galapagos Islands! Contact Us for help planning your adventure. On this example itinerary, you have an 11-day/10-night adventure through Andean villages, the Paramo highlands and deep into the Amazon Rainforest, where you will experience a wide range of landscapes, cultures, wildlife, colors and flavors. Learn about the daily lives and traditions of local communities and how their lifestyles have adapted to the modern world. Discover the Amazon rainforest and the traditional lives of its inhabitants, and how they are changing with global influences. On this exciting journey you will explore Ecuador’s bustling capital city of Quito and the surrounding highlands, and later travel deep into the Amazon Rainforest. The Amazon is the world’s largest rainforest, covering 2.7 million square miles and containing 10% of the world’s known biodiversity. It is also home to 350 di erent indigenous communities, each with their own unique traditions and languages. The accommodations are incredibly tasteful and the itinerary, activities, and local guides are carefully chosen for maximum authenticity and enjoyment.

About Gondwana Ecotours:

Gondwana Ecotours shows your destination to you in the most unique, exciting and responsible way we can. We are committed to providing fun and sustainable travel: maintaining an environmental and cultural focus while providing the vacation of a lifetime! On our tours you can explore the Amazon rainforest with indigenous guides, encounter some of the last remaining mountain gorillas in the wild & contribute to their preservation, or safari in Tanzania and visit with the Maasai people. You can also watch the Northern Lights dance in the sky away from the crowds and hike with giant grizzly bears in Alaska. Feel free to contact us with any question, any time!

We can adjust the length, style, locations, budget, dates and more according to your preferences!


You can learn more about the company in any of the following places:

www.GondwanaEcotours.comwww.Facebook.com/Ecotours/Reviewswww.Instagram.com/Gondwana_Ecotours https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/15/travel/to-protect-the-land-jared-sternberg-turned-to-tourism .html?_r=1

What Does “Gondwana” Mean Anyway?

Gondwana was part of the Pangea supercontinent, back when all the continents were together and the world was one land mass. Gondwana

one trip at a time.



Your Lodgings


.FOR QUITO | CASA GANGOTENA

Casa Gangotena has been voted one of the best hotels in all of South America. It features a blend of colonial style, contemporary design and world-class cuisine. Located within a renovated mansion overlooking San Francisco Plaza, Casa Gangotena o�ers fine dining, spacious rooms and an unbeatable location. This is more than just a hotel, it is a historic and elegant experience.


.FOR IBARRA | LA MIRAGE

La Mirage o�ers a classic sophisticated experience blended with modern comfort. Grand guest rooms feature both local and European artwork and furnishings. The accommodations are unparalleled in luxury, o�ering privacy along with views of the nearby flower gardens. The restaurant, lounge, rose and orchid gardens all have an atmosphere of classic colonial luxury. Dine on contemporary Ecuadorian cuisine, amongst fresh flower bouquets and the sounds of hummingbirds. The on-site spa o�ers a variety of holistic wellness therapies, and you can even receive treatment from a local Shaman. This is the perfect place to relax and refresh your mind, body and soul.


.FOR PAPALLACTA | TERMAS DE PAPALLACTA

Follow the same route as the Spanish explorers in the 1500’s as we make our way to Termas de Papallacta. Located in a valley between two volcanoes, the healing hot springs at this resort and spa are an incredible way to sooth your body in between adventures. Stone pools capture the steaming mineral waters as they bubble up from the ground, before they make their way down into the Amazon Basin. Enjoy these springs as you relax between volcanoes at an altitude of 10,000 feet with tropical flowers hanging overhead.


.FOR AMAZON | NAPO WILDLIFE CENTER

The journey to Napo Wildlife Center begins with a boat ride down the Napo River surrounded by gorgeous jungle scenery and the sounds of monkeys and birds. Our final approach to the lodge is by canoe, another chance to spot wildlife as you silently paddle through the water. This eco-lodge built by the local Kichwa community o�ers luxurious five star accommodations in a pristine natural setting. The property sits on the edge of a lake surrounded by dense jungle. Each cabin has a private balcony, the perfect place to sit and relax after the day’s adventures with views of Lake Napo and the rainforest.


.FOR QUITO (TABABELA) | WYNDHAM QUITO AIRPORT

The newly built Wyndham Quito hotel o�ers modern design and a convenient home base for exploring this beautiful capital city. Attentive service and stylish decor make for a lovely stay, and signature cocktails and gourmet dishes add an extra level of luxury to the experience. The atmosphere here is perfect for settling down after an exciting adventure and preparing for the trip home.

Your ItineraryGONDWANA ECO TOURSECUADOR | OUR HERITAGE

.DAY 1 | THE MIDDLE OF THE WORLD Arrival and transfer, Casa Gangotena

.DAY 2 | OUR HISTORY Quito + Equatorial Line Excursions, Casa Gangotena

.DAY 3 | OUR PEOPLE Otavalo + Workshops, La Mirage

.DAY 4 | OUR CELEBRATION Kichwa Community + Pachamanca, La Mirage

.DAY 5 | OUR BEAUTY Liberty Train + Rose Plantation, Termas de Papallacta

.DAY 6 | OUR SPIRIT Cotopaxi + Horseback Riding + Biking, Casa Gangotena

.DAY 7 | OUR LIFE To the Amazon + Local Community, Napo Wildlife Center

.DAY 8 | DEEP INTO THE RAINFOREST Sloths, Monkeys, Canopy Towers, Napo Wildlife Center

.DAY 9 | DEEPER INTO THE RAINFOREST Macaws, Dolphins, Giant Otters, Napo Wildlife Center

.DAY 10 | OUR HERITAGE Canoe Trip + Back to Quito, Wyndham Quito Airport

.DAY 11 | YOUR HERITAGE Transfer Out

EXPEDITION OVERVIEW


.DAY 1 | THE MIDDLE OF THE WORLD

Upon landing at Quito’s new international airport, you will be greeted and driven one hour to the city’s historic district. This beautiful part of the city was the world’s first location to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once there we will assist you with check in at our boutique hotel, Casa Gangotena. This location o�er fine dining, grand guestrooms and historic style in an unbeatable location. After dinner we will visit the incredible “Viewpoint Lounge” where you can take in views of the Old Quito skyline.

Drive time: 1 hour

Meals included: Dinner Accommodation: Casa Gangotena (Luxury Rooms)



.DAY 2 | OUR HISTORY

In the morning we will explore Old Quito, a well preserved colonial area full of gorgeous architecture and art. Our tour wraps up with a visit to the “Virgen de Quito” monument at the top of Panecilla Hill. Enjoy a sweeping view of the city and “Volcano Avenue”, two parallel mountain ranges home to eight of the country’s highest peaks. Following lunch we head to the “Middle of the World”, an hour North of the city where we will visit the Intiñan Solar Museum. Afterwards, we visit the equatorial line, where you can stand with a foot in each hemisphere for an incredible photo opportunity!

Drive time: 3 hours 30 minutes Walking time: 5 hours

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Casa Gangotena (Luxury Rooms)


.DAY 3 | OUR PEOPLE

We will head out from Quito, making a brief stop in the town of Miralago to take in views of Lake San Pablo and taste bizocho. This clay oven baked bread comes covered with delicous cheese or caramel. Then it’s on to Otavalo, home to the largest indigenous market in Ecuador. Browse the market for crafts and textiles, while enjoying the aromas of the food markets and the surrounding mountain scenery. Later in the afternoon we will visit a family of weavers to learn how they make the textiles this area is famous for in their traditional looms. You will also have the chance to visit a family of musicians who build their own instruments by hand. If you prefer, you can spend this time wandering the market and town, or taking a stroll around the calm waters of Cuicocha Lake.

Drive time: 2 hours 30 minutes Walking time: 2 hours



.DAY 4 | OUR CELEBRATION

In the Kichwa language, “Pacha” means earth and “Manca” means oven. Learn about the “Pachamana” cooking technique developed by the Incas, and the rituals that pay tribute to “Pachamama”, Mother Earth. At a Kichwa farm we will join in the preparations for this celebratory dinner - your guide will show you all the ingredients and the di�erent stages of the cooking process. This hands on and interactive experience involves heating up granite rocks around a wood fire until they are extremely hot. The rocks are then arranged in an underground pit, and the food is placed on top until ready to eat. This is a unique culinary experience and cultural exchange, and a delicious way to pay tribute to Mother Earth.

Drive time: 45 minutes Walking time: 1 hour

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: La Mirage (Standard Rooms)


.DAY 5 | OUR BEAUTY

Our journey today begins with a ride on a restored 20th century locomotive from Ibarra, the White City, to visit a rose plantation in the Andes. Later, we will drive to the Papallacta Resort and Spa, where you can indulge in their natural volcanic hot springs. The waters are a soothing 104 degrees, and contain minerals known to have various health benefits including anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory qualities. Let your stress melt away as you soak in the stone pools, in the shadow of the Antisana Volcano.

Drive time: 3 hours 30 minutes Train ride: 4 hours Walking time: 15 minutes

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Termas de Papallacta (Standard Rooms)


.DAY 6 | OUR SPIRIT

After breakfast in Papallacta, we head out to visit Cotopaxi National Park. We begin with a 2 hour drive into the scenic beauty of the park. We will wear the traditional poncho and chaps of the Andean cowboys as we ride horses to visit the world’s highest active volcano. Then wewill explore the highlands and their otherworldly landscape. After we’ve refueled ourselves with a hearty lunch, we spend the afternoon hiking and mountain biking through the park taking in the extraordinary scenery.

Drive time: 3 hours 30 minutes Horseback riding: 2 hours Biking time: 2 hours



.DAY 7 | OUR LIFE

In the morning we fly to Coca, the gateway to the Amazon rainforest. Spanish explorers first sailed through this region in 1541, on their voyage across the continent to the Atlantic Ocean. From here we will board a motorized boat for a safe and comfortable ride down the river, with bottled water and snacks available. After 2.5 hours we will reach the scenic lakeside location of the Napo Wildlife Center. In the afternoon, we paddle the surrounding waterways in search of exotic wildlife. We visit the local Interpretation Center, where we meet women from the local community to learn about Kichwa customs and experience the rituals and dances of their ancient culture.

Drive time: 45 minutes Flight time: 25 minutes Canoe time: 3 hours 10 minutes

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Napo Wildlife Center (Standard Rooms)


.DAY 8 | DEEP INTO THE RAINFOREST

In the morning, after a bu�et breakfast, we will explore the Tiputini Trail, hiking through swamp forests to spot wildlife like monkeys, snakes, sloths. When we return we will rest and have lunch back at the lodge. In the afternoon we will head to the observation tower to view the rainforest from above the jungle canopy. From this viewpoint you will get a close look at colorful birds including toucans, parrots and flycatchers. You will also have a chance to see spider and howler monkeys the feed on the fruits in the nearby trees. Afterwards, we will head back to the lodge for a delicious Ecuadorian dinner. The lodge features an open kitchen area so you can see how these traditional meals are prepared.

Walking time: 2-4 hours (depending on the animal activity)



.DAY 9 | DEEPER INTO THE RAINFOREST

Today we get up early for a unique wildlife experience: the most spectacular parrot clay licks in the Ecuadorian Amazon. These birds flock here to consume minerals in the soil, which help them digest the fruits and seeds they feed on. The colors of the various parrots that gather at this spot make for an unforgettable sight and incredible photographs. Later in the afternoon, we will hike through the forest to observe birds, monkeys, orchids, bromeliads and ancient trees. Following the hike, we will paddle in canoes down nearby creeks to view aquatic wildlife. Upon our return to the lodge we will gather in the evening for an Amazonian feast.

Canoe time: 1 hour 45 minutes Walking time: 2-4 hours (depending on the animal activity)



.DAY 10 | OUR HERITAGE

Following an early breakfast, we return to the town of Coca along the same route. Observe more flora and fauna on our way back up the Napo River. Back in Quito, we will have the afternoon and evening free to rest after our 10 days of Andean and Amazon adventures.

Canoe time: 2 hours 30 minutes Flight time: 25 minutes Drive time: 5 minutes

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Wyndham Quito Airport (Deluxe Rooms)


.DAY 11 | YOUR HERITAGE

In the morning we will assist you with your check in at the nearby Quito International Airport for your flight home. We are so happy to have shared the beauty of the Andes and the Amazon with you, and hope that you join us again soon on more international adventures!

Drive time: 5 minutes

Meals included: Breakfast Accommodation: N.A.

GONDWANA ECO TOURSECUADOR | OUR HERITAGE Expedition Summary

SAMPLE PROGRAM OUR HERITAGE | EXPLORING THE ANDES+AMAZON

REFERENCIAL GROUP PRICING PRICE PER PERSON (USD)

Triple Room Pricing USD 4,945.00 Standard Pricing (Double Occupancy) USD 5,345.00 Single Supplement USD 1,583.00

IMPORTANT NOTE: The itinerary is subject to cancellations, modifications and changes due to unforseen circumstances such as weather conditions.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

- All excursions and activities as described, with a bilingual local guide plus Gondwana trip leader- All meals as described- All transportation as described, including roundtrip flights from Quito to Coca- All accommodations as described

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

- International flights to/from Quito- Medical or Travel Insurance (highly recommended)- Additional excursions, nights, services or items not mentioned in the brochure- Alcoholic beverages, bottled water and snacks- Excess baggage charges- Laundry services

To reserve your spot simply request (via phone or email) an invoice for your $500 deposit. This deposit is refundable for any reason within 30 days of booking. Upon signup we will send you a trip registration link and our pre-trip guide to prepare you for the journey. These documents contain full booking terms, a packing list, health and safety tips, suggested reading and lots of other useful information.

Thanks so much for your interest and if you have any other questions please email Ola ([email protected]) or call us at 877-587-8479.

discover our heritage to the world - gondwana ecotours · amazon rainforest and the traditional...

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