Hikes and Cultural Exploration from the Cloud Forest to the High Andes
Ecuador Private Journey
{"trip":{"TripID":10508,"Trip_Code":"PJECUADO","Trip_Name":"Ecuador Private Journey","TripYear":"2024","BrandName":"Wilderness Travel","BrandID":1,"Trip_Tag_Line":"see custom fields","Start_Location":"Quito, Ecuador","End_Location":"Quito, Ecuador","Number_Days":8,"Number_Nights":7,"DisplayOnWeb":true,"Book_On_Web":false,"Featured":false,"SpecialEvent":false,"BestSeller":false,"Short_Description":"<p>Discover the enchanting world of the cloud forest, the ancient haciendas of Ecuador's highlands, and hike on Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes on Earth! Celebrating Ecuador's phenomenal array of landscapes and cultures, our Private Journey immerses you in three totally distinct settings. In the lofty realm of the highlands, explore beguiling rural landscapes, centuries-old markets, and enjoy a warm welcome at an atmospheric 17th century hacienda. On the high páramo grasslands of Cotopaxi National Park, crowned by ice-draped Cotopaxi (19,347'), hike along high trails and enjoy fantastic stargazing in the night sky of the Southern Hemisphere. For a grand finale, enter Ecuador's pristine cloud forest, home to some of the richest biodiversity in the world, and walk through vine-draped forests and even take an aerial \"sky bike\" ride across the canopy. As you explore these three realms of Ecuador, dining will be a special part of the experience, with locally sourced meals inspired by the ingredients of Ecuador's natural bounty. Our handpicked accommodations, from a stunning nature lodge in the cloud forest to a 17th century hacienda and a cozy mountain lodge, will be as memorable as the journey itself.<\/p>","Long_Description":"<p><\/p>","ActivityHighlight":"5 days of optional hikes on moderate trails, 2-5 hours, altitudes between 3,200-11,800 feet; 1 optional hike at 15,600 feet","TripType":"Private Journey","HeaderImage":"","HeaderImageAltTag":"","ThumbnailImage":"https:\/\/s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com\/wildernesstravel\/trips\/thumb-PJECUADO-cotopaxi-volcano-national-park-ecuador-llama.jpg","MapImage":"https:\/\/s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com\/wildernesstravel\/trips\/pjecuado-map.jpg","MapImageAltTag":"","FloatingImage":"","VideoLink":"","GroupSize":"","tripURL":"www.wildernesstravel.com\/trip\/Ecuador\/zuleta-cotopaxi-mashpi-private-journey","ThisYear_Year":"2023","ThisYear_PriceDetails":"<p>$5,395 (4-6 members)<br>$5,895 (2-3 members)<\/p>","ThisYear_PriceDetails2":"<p>Single supplement: $1,495<\/p>","Price":"5395","SingleSupplementPrice1":"0","SingleSupplementPrice2":"0","SingleSupplementPrice1Caption":"","SingleSupplementPrice2Caption":"","AirPrice":"0","AirPriceCaption":"","FeePrice1":"0","FeePrice2":"0","FeePrice3":"0","FeeName1":"","FeeName2":"","FeeName3":"","ShowNextYearsPrice":true,"NextYear_Year":"2024","NextYear_PriceDetails":"<p><\/p><div>$5,695 (7-10 members)<\/div>$6,195 (4-6 members)<br>$6,795 (2-3 members)<p><\/p>","NextYear_PriceDetails2":"<p>Single supplement: $1,675<\/p>","PriceNextYear":"5695","SingleSupplementPrice1NextYear":"0","SingleSupplementPrice2NextYear":"0","NextYearSingleSupplementPrice1Caption":"","NextYearSingleSupplementPrice2Caption":"","NextYearAirPriceCaption":"","AirPriceNextYear":"0","NextYearFeePrice1":"0","NextYearFeePrice2":"0","NextYearFeePrice3":"0","NextYearFeeName1":"","NextYearFeeName2":"","NextYearFeeName3":"","TripSavings":false,"TripSavingsDescription":"<p><\/p>","VariablePricing":false,"PricingNoteTitle":"<p><\/p>","PricingNotes":"<p><\/p>","NewTrip":false,"MinAge":0,"TripRatingID":7,"TripRatingName":"3","TravelFromDate":"2022-01-01","TravelToDate":"2050-12-31","BookFromDate":"2022-01-01","BookToDate":"2050-12-31","EventID":23,"EventName":"","AccountingGroup":"Latin America","DepositRule":2,"DepositAmt":"1000","FinalDays":90,"AutoConfirm":false,"AutoConfirmAmount":"0","PrivateAvailable":true,"OperationMonths":"May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January","AccmRating":""},"itinerary":[{"DayFrom":1,"DayTo":1,"Headline":"Arrive in Quito","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Most flights from the US arrive in Quito around midnight. You'll be met by your private guide for a short transfer to the Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel, just minutes from the airport, for a well-deserved rest...meals on your own.","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":2,"DayTo":2,"Headline":"The Ecuadorian Highlands \/ Hacienda Zuleta","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"After a trip briefing with your private guide and breakfast at the hotel (a good start for sampling Ecuador's array of tropical fruits and juices), set off for a drive north along the Pan-American Highway into the green Ecuadorian highlands. Arrive in time for lunch at Hacienda Zuleta, your home for the next two nights. Virtually everything gracing the table at Zuleta comes fresh from Zuleta's rich earth and is carefully prepared by hand. After lunch, enjoy your choice of self-guided activities at Zuleta. You can hike to the hacienda's Cóndor Huasi conservation program, where injured Andean condors are rehabilitated for release into the wild and chicks are raised for release. Another option is a visit to the hacienda's artisan cheese production area, with a tasting. There are miles of trails at Zuleta that lead through a green patchwork where wheat, maize, potatoes, and quinoa are grown, and you can learn about traditional Zuleteña embroidery, or simply explore the grounds and enjoy the sublime mountain setting. Many of the hacienda's employees are from the Zuleta community. “Zuleteños” are known for preserving their culture and traditions—you'll notice that their attire is unique and different from the traditional Otavalo clothing. Zuleta has been known to cast a spell and it is a delight to savor its atmospheric setting. Optional activities (at extra cost) include horseback riding, mountain biking, and a cooking class. The main sitting room has a roaring fireplace to keep away the chill of high altitude. Enjoy a delicious family-style dinner around a common table this evening. Overnight at Hacienda Zuleta (9,488').\r\nDriving Time: 2 hours\r\n\r\nHacienda Zuleta is a stunning 17th century property and working farm set on 4,000 acres. For over 100 years, it has belonged to the family of Mr. Galo Plaza Lasso, who was president of Ecuador from 1948 to 1952. A liberal reformer, Galo Plaza Lasso and his mother did what no landowner in Ecuador had ever done before—introduced land reforms that returned substantial tracts of land back to the local people, and today the peoples of this local region enjoy independence and control over their lives. Many are still farmers, and the local women are productively engaged in the local embroidery industry.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":3,"DayTo":3,"Headline":"Hacienda Zuleta \/ Laguna Cuicocha Hike \/ Otavalo Market","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Enjoy a beautiful hike around Laguna Cuicocha this morning with your guide, with a box lunch prepared by Hacienda Zuleta. Cuicocha is a spectacular crater lake set at 10,000 feet in the Reserva Ecológica Cotacachi-Cayapas. You'll have views of the towering Cotacachi and Imbabura volcanoes. Along the way, keep your eye out for hummingbirds, orchids, and perhaps even a soaring Andean condor. You can make the hike just a mile or two out and back, or hike the complete circuit of 5.5 miles. In the afternoon, head with your guide to the town of Otavalo (8,202'), famed for its market featuring the textile arts of the Otalaveño and other indigenous Andean groups. The people of Otavalo have excelled at weaving since pre-Inca times and their centuries-old market is a rainbow of textiles, from blankets to alpaca sweaters. You'll recognize Otalaveño men by their fedoras, dark blue wool ponchos, and long braid (the long, single braid of Otavalo men is such an important symbol of their ethnic identity that when Otalaveño men serve in the Ecuadorian army, they are not required to cut it off). Women of Otavalo wear white blouses, long blue skirts of wool, and multiple necklaces of gold beads—some scholars think this is the closest to traditional Inca clothing worn anywhere in the Andes. Overnight at Hacienda Zuleta.\r\nDriving Time: 1.5-2.5 hours\r\nHiking Time: 1 to 5.5 hours","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":4,"DayTo":4,"Headline":"Hike across Cotapaxi National Park","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"It's time to discover another Ecuadorian realm: magnificent Cotopaxi National Park and the high, green páramo landscape that surrounds Cotopaxi (19,347'), whose name translates as “the shining peak” for its glowing mantle of snow. A morning drive brings you into Cotopaxi National Park. Inside the park, stop for a leisurely picnic lunch at remarkable Pucará de Salitre, a semi-restored Inca fortress built in the late 15th century, with the grandeur of the park all around. Keep an eye out for resident and migrant Andean birds and savor views of mighty Cotopaxi, one of the most beautiful and colossal peaks in the high Andes, its perfect cone covered by a thick cloak of white snow that glows against the deep blue of the sky. After lunch, hike across the grassy páramo landscape, perhaps seeing some of the wild horses, deer, or llama that make the park their home, as well as seasonal mountain wildflowers. Cotopaxi National Park's landscape is a rolling moorland with native shrubs, lichens, and flowers adapted to the high realm. Your hike continues through the canyon of the Rio Pita to your perfectly located accommodation, Chilcabamba Mountain Lodge, a rustic accommodation in a gorgeous setting, with spectacular views of towering Cotopaxi on a clear day. Overnight at Chilcabamba Mountain Lodge.\r\nDriving Time: 3.5 hours\r\nHiking Time: 4 hours","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":5,"DayTo":5,"Headline":"Hike on Volcán Cotopaxi","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Drive from the lodge right up to the climbers' refuge at 15,748 feet on the flanks of Cotopaxi. Here you'll hike over steep terrain towards the base of the volcano's glaciers. It's a good idea to have warm clothing on hand, including a hat, gloves, scarf, and wind layers, as the weather can change quickly on this towering volcano. If the clouds part, the views are incredible. Cotopaxi is a popular high-altitude climb and you will see many climbers preparing for their ascents. Return to Chilcabamba for lunch, with the afternoon free to explore. An optional activity today (at extra cost) is a mountain bike ride from the base of Cotopaxi to Laguna Limpiopungo on a rugged fire road (approximately one hour). Overnight at Chilcabamba Mountain Lodge.\r\nHiking Time: 2-3 hours","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":6,"DayTo":6,"Headline":"From the Altiplano Into Vine-Draped Cloud Forest","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"After breakfast at the lodge, depart for a drive that brings you down to the cloud forest, with stark changes in landscape and vegetation en route. Arriving at Mashpi Lodge at 3,117 feet, you'll bid farewell to your private guide (who will meet you again on your arrival in Quito) and be welcomed by the lodge's naturalist guides for a short presentation on this fascinating ecosystem. The lodge is a striking contemporary building nestled into the private, 3,000-acre Mashpi Reserve in the heart of the cloud forest. The land in and around the reserve is world-famous as a biodiversity hotspot of flora and avifauna. In the afternoon, head out with one of the specialist guides for a short walk through primary forest dominated by ancient copal trees, whose aromatic resins were used by the pre-Columbians as incense. The lodge's Life Center building has forest panoramas from the wide wooden deck, a good place to spot birds, hear the roar of mantled howler monkeys, and learn about the many species of butterflies found in this region. The cuisine at Mashpi is inspired by the ingredients and flavors of the cloud forest. Guest rooms are designed with floor-to-ceiling windows to allow an immersion in the cloud forest, and it's a delight to awake to a magnificent forest view. Overnight at Mashpi Lodge.\r\nDriving Time: 4 hours\r\nWalking Time: 1 hour","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":7,"DayTo":7,"Headline":"Cloud Forest Ride, Healing Waterfall, Bike in the Sky!","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"The forest rewards early-bird explorers, and the dawn light attracts a wide variety of beautiful avians. Those who want to join the guides on the terrace at 6:30 this morning will enjoy not only the birdlife but also the beauty and the sounds of the forest. The lodge's spotting scope is available to look for birds, and there is coffee and tea available. After breakfast, join one of the lodge guides for a hike through the forest to the “Dragonfly,” the lodge's unique cable car system that crosses above and sometimes even directly through the forest canopy for a stunning open-air perspective (there are walks aplenty if you don't want to take the cable car). The Dragonfly ride is a chance to watch the mist rolls back from the forest below and listen to the birds. Afterwards, head out for an energetic hike deep into the reserve to the Healing Waterfall, where the sun bursts through the foliage with striking rays of light glancing off glimmering rocks. After lunch back at the lodge, walk to the Sky Bike station for a unique adventure—pedaling two-person “bicycles” suspended by a cable above a ravine and a river. It's an unforgettable way to experience the exuberant nature of Mashpi—and great for photos. At the Observation Tower, 85 feet above the forest floor, you'll get some of the best views across the canopy. Species spotted from here include toucans, woodpeckers, barbets, tanagers and parrots, as well as birds of prey, and this is a great place to watch the sunset. Overnight at Mashpi Lodge.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":8,"DayTo":8,"Headline":"Depart","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"After breakfast at the lodge, transfer to Quito, where you will be met and brought to the day rooms held for you at the Wyndham Airport Hotel. Optional activities in Quito (at extra cost) include a city tour with lunch, a museum visit, and a chocolate tasting, or a day excursion to Papallacta Hot Springs. Evening transfer to the airport for departure on homeward-bound flights.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":1,"DayTo":3,"Headline":"Quito \/ The Ecuadorian Highlands \/ Hacienda Zuleta","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"From Quito, set off for a drive into the green Ecuadorian highlands to Hacienda Zuleta, a stunning 17th century property and working farm set on 4,000 acres. Virtually everything gracing the table comes fresh from Zuleta's rich earth. Hike to the hacienda's Cóndor Huasi conservation program, where injured Andean condors are rehabilitated for release, visit Zuleta's artisan cheese production area, or hike the miles of trails. Enjoy a guided hike around Laguna Cuicocha, a spectacular crater lake set at 10,000 feet, and explore the famous market town of Otavalo (8,202'), a showplace for the textile arts of the Otalaveño and other indigenous Andean groups.","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":true},{"DayFrom":4,"DayTo":5,"Headline":"Hikes in Cotopaxi National Park","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"<meta charset=\"utf-8\"\/><body>Move up to another Ecuadorian realm, magnificent Cotopaxi National Park and the high, green páramo landscape that surrounds Cotopaxi Volcano (19,347'), with its glowing mantle of snow. Enjoy a picnic at Pucará de Salitre, a semi-restored Inca fortress, hike the grassy páramo landscape, perhaps seeing some of the wild horses, deer, or llama that make the park their home, and from the climbers' refuge at 15,748 feet on the flanks of Cotopaxi, hike up to the volcano's glaciers. Overnights are at Chilcabamba Mountain Lodge, a family-owned accommodation with spectacular views of towering Cotopaxi.<\/body>","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":true},{"DayFrom":6,"DayTo":8,"Headline":"Into Vine-Draped Ecuadorian Cloud Forest","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"<meta charset=\"utf-8\"\/><body>Descend to the cloud forest realm of beautiful Mashpi Lodge at 3,117 feet, set in a private nature reserve that is a biodiversity hotspot of flora and avifauna. Join one of the lodge guides for forest hikes, ride on the \"Dragonfly,\" the lodge's unique cable car system that crosses the forest canopy, spot birdlife from the 85-foot-high Observation Tower. The cuisine at Mashpi is inspired by the ingredients and flavors of the cloud forest. Guest rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows to allow immersion in the cloud forest. Return to Quito and depart on Day 8.<\/body>","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":true}],"itinpdf":[{"ItinYear":"2023","docType":"1","FileName":"https:\/\/s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com\/wildernesstravel\/itins\/ecuador-private-journey-itinerary-2023.pdf"},{"ItinYear":"2024","docType":"1","FileName":"https:\/\/s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com\/wildernesstravel\/portal\/ecuador-private-journey-itinerary-2024.pdf"},{"ItinYear":"","docType":"2","FileName":""}],"whattoexpect":[{}],"highlights":[{"DisplayOrder":1,"HighlightText":"","Description":"Visit the famous Otavalo market, with its world-famous crafts","Image":"","VideoLink":"","ImageAltTag":"","image_id":25261,"caption":""},{"DisplayOrder":2,"HighlightText":"","Description":"Enjoy the ambiance of Zuleta, a classic highland hacienda and working 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Hotel check-in is at 12:00 pm.<\/p>","Custom_Departure_-_Sales":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2022-12-05T14:44:51 --><p><strong>Suggested Airport:<\/strong> Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO)<br \/><strong>Suggested Date & Time:<\/strong> Day 8, after 4:00 pm <br \/><br \/>Trip members will be transferred from Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel to Mariscal Sucre International Airport 3.5 hours prior to their international departure. Most flights depart for the US in the evening.<\/p>","Custom_International_Air_Travel":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2022-12-05T14:46:43 --><p>You are responsible for making your own arrangements for flights to and from Ecuador. There are many online consolidators for booking travel, but for more personal help arranging air transport, you can contact Exito Travel at 1-800-655-4053 in the US or 1-800-670-2605 in Canada. They are very adept at putting flight itineraries together, to even the most far-flung places. More information can be found at <a href=\"https:\/\/exitotravel.com\/\">www.exitotravel.com<\/a>.<br \/><br \/>Depending on your routing, it is necessary to depart from the US one or possibly two days prior to Day 1 of the trip itinerary. The name on your airline ticket must match the name on your passport exactly, and your passport must be valid for at least six months after your date of return to the US.<br \/><br \/><strong>Please do not purchase your tickets until you are confirmed on the trip.<\/strong> Once tickets are purchased, please forward a copy of your email flight confirmation from the airline. It is your responsibility to ensure your flight times coordinate with the arrival and departure logistics for this trip.<\/p>","Custom_Extra_Hotel_Nights":"","Custom_Recommended_Hotels":"","Custom_A_and_D_Misc_-_Header_1":"","Custom_A_and_D_Misc_-_Text_1":"","Custom_A_and_D_Misc_-_Header_2":"","Custom_A_and_D_Misc_-_Text_2":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Header_1":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Text_1":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Header_2":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Text_2":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Header_3":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Text_3":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Header_4":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Text_4":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Header_5":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Text_5":"","Custom_When_to_Go":"","Custom_Children":"","Custom_Tag_Line":"Hikes and Cultural Exploration from the Cloud Forest to the High Andes","Custom_Lodging":"7 nights hotels, haciendas, and lodges","Custom_Meals":"All meals included","Custom_Activity":"","Custom_Difficulty":"5 days of optional hikes on moderate trails, 2-5 hours, altitudes between 3,200-11,800 feet; 1 optional hike at 15,600 feet","Custom_Currency_Exchange_Rate":"","Custom_Fuel_Surcharge":"","Custom_Signing_Up_For_a_Trip_-_Email":"","Custom_Optional_Hotel_Upgrades_-_This_Year":"","Custom_Optional_Hotel_Upgrades_-_Next_Year":"","Custom_What_the_Trip_is_Like":"<p>This trip is rated <strong>Level 3, Moderate, <\/strong>according to our trip grading system. 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In the cloud forest at Mashpi, expect daytime highs of around 80\u00b0F and much cooler evenings, possibly as low as the mid-50s, and higher humidity.<\/p><p>The summer season is June through September, and you will enjoy great views of the volcanoes and mountains. The rainy season is generally February-April, and while temperatures are comfortable, it is not an optimum time for hiking.<\/p>","Custom_Accommodations":"","Custom_Cuisine":"","Custom_Transportation":"","Custom_What_the_Trip_is_Like_-_Header_1":"","Custom_What_the_Trip_is_Like_-_Text_1":"","Custom_What_the_Trip_is_Like_-_Header_2":"","Custom_What_the_Trip_is_Like_-_Text_2":"","Custom_Trip_Level_Note_1":"","Custom_Trip_Level_Note_2":"","System_Choosing_the_Right_Trip":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T07:50:16 --><p>Adventure travel often involves exotic destinations, unusual loris of physical exertion, or activities you ma not have participated in previously. We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please call Wilderness Travel at 1-800-368-2794 and ask for the<\/p>","System_References":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T07:50:51 --><p>We'd be happy to put you in touch with a past client that has traveled with us on this trip.<\/p>","System_Visit_Our_Website":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T07:51:32 --><p>At <a href=\"http:\/\/www.wildernesstravel.com\">www.wildernesstravel.com<\/a>, you can find out about added departures, last-minute deals, and special WT Expeditions that aren't listed in our catalog. You can also access a complete library of our detailed itineraries and browse the customized reading guides for each of our adventures.<\/p>","System_Helpful_Links":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T07:52:03 --><p>Wilderness Travel has compiled a list of useful websites for travelers. Find the Toucan Club tab on the home page of our website and choose Helpful Links: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.wildernesstravel.com\/ toucan\/links\">www.wildernesstravel.com\/ toucan\/links<\/a>.<\/p>","System_About_Private_Journeys":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-02-17T11:00:24 --><p>Wilderness Travel Private Journeys are designed for people who want to travel with their own small private group, but who still want to experience the same superb itinerary design, great accommodations, and signature quality of Wilderness Travel's escorted group trips. These Private Journeys allow you to choose your own dates and your traveling companions -- even if it's just the two of you -- yet still enjoy a guided adventure.<\/p>","System_About_New_Trips":"","System_Social_Media":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:33:43 --><p><strong>SOCIAL MEDIA:<\/strong> We invite you to share your adventure with us on social media. Tag @wildernesstravel and we may even feature your content on our pages!<\/p>","System_If_You_Miss_Your_Flight":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:34:09 --><p><strong>IF YOU MISS YOUR FLIGHT<\/strong><br \/>If you miss your flight or are otherwise delayed, contact our Wilderness Travel office as well as our local partners, with your new flight information. Refer to the Emergency Contact Information listed in this Final Bulletin.<\/p>","System_Valid_Passport":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-06-16T10:26:21 --><p><strong>VALID PASSPORT:<\/strong> Check that your passport is valid for at least six months from the last day of your trip, and that you have at least two blank pages for any necessary visa or entry and exit stamps.<\/p>","System_Insurance_Policy":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:36:23 --><p><strong>INSURANCE POLICY:<\/strong> If you have purchased the Travelex Travel Protection Plan, you should have received an email confirmation of your policy. Please bring a digital or printed copy of this policy with you. If you cannot find your email confirmation, please contact Travelex's Customer Solutions team at 844-877-1885 or e-mail customersolutions@travclcxinsurancc.com. If you have not purchased Travelex insurance already, you have the option to do so up to 24 hours prior to your departure.<\/p>","System_Covid-19_Travel_Requirements":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-04-19T13:27:44 --><p><strong>COVID-19 TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:<\/strong> Please double-check COVID-19 entry requirements for any countries you may be traveling to or transiting through, on this website: <a href=\"apply.joinsherpa.com\/travel-restrictions\">apply.joinsherpa.com\/travel-restrictions<\/a><\/p>","System_Pre-Trip_Safety":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:37:06 --><p><strong>PRE-TRIP SAFETY:<\/strong> In the next weeks, we encourage you to do everything possible to stay healthy. Please practice social distancing, steer clear of potential COVID-19 exposure, and take an at-home antigen or lab based PCR test before you depart.<\/p>","System_Wilderness_Travel_Office":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:38:07 --><p>Our office in Berkeley, California can be reached at 510-558-2488, or by email at info@wildernesstravel.com. We are available during regular business hours (M-F, 8:30 am-5:00 pm, PST). <\/p>","System_ECI_Travel_Insurance":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:38:31 --><p>If you have purchased the Travelex Travel Protection Plan through Wilderness Travel, please remember to bring your Confirmation of Coverages (COC) with you on the trip, including your Plan Number and important emergency contact information.<\/p><p>If you've purchased a travel protection plan on your own, we recommend that you bring a copy of your policy, including all coverages, with you on your trip.<\/p>","System_Face_Masks_and_Hand_Sanitizer":"","System_DidNotPurchase_Insurance":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-02-28T12:27:44 --><p>Travel Insurance: We recommend that you purchase travel insurance for this trip. For your convenience, we offer Travelex travel protection. Please let us know if you would like us to add the Travelex Travel Protection Plan to this final invoice. You can learn more about the policy on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildernesstravel.com\/toucan\/travel-insurance\">website<\/a>.<\/p>","System_Purchased_Insurance":"","System_Questions?":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T13:47:31 --><p>Our Area Specialists are you single point of contact and would be happy to answer any questions about yout trip!<br \/>800.368.2794 | 510.558.2488<\/p>","System_Travel_Insurance":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T07:58:05 --><p>We highly recommend you purchase travel insurance. You can take advantage of a comprehensive Travel Protection Plan designed for Wilderness Travel by Travelex, or purchase other insurance on your own. See our website for details: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.wildernesstravel.com\/insurance\">www.wildernesstravel.com\/insurance<\/a><\/p>","System_Make_it_Your_Trip":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:44:18 --><p>The prices above are for the ready-to-book adventure outlined in this Detailed Itinerary, a popular option that has been handcrafted by our Area Specialists to include the best of every destination. While many travelers choose to book this tour as is, our Area Specialists are also happy to work with you to customize this Private Journey to suit your specific interests and style of travel. We can arrange for longer or shorter stays, offer hotel upgrades (see below for sample costs), or add an extension to additional places of interest. We can even add special activities or customize excursions depending on your interests. We invite you to contact us to discuss your options!<\/p>","System_Signing_up_for_a_Trip":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:44:42 --><p>Early reservations are recommended since accommodations often sell out far in advance. Please call 1-800-368-2794 and ask for our [Africa Manager] or email us at [africa@ wildernesstravel.com] with any questions that you may have about this trip. To reserve your Private Journey, we will need to know your preferred dates of travel. We will then check availability and send you a proposed itinerary with exact pricing for your adventure. We can typically hold a provisional booking for one week. At that time, we must collect your initial deposit or accommodations will be released. We accept Visa, Mastercard, or American Express card. Upon receipt of your deposit, we will send you a Welcome Packet that includes a letter of confirmation, Detailed Itinerary, Trip Application, Medical Form, and Pre-Departure Information Booklet with information to help you prepare for your adventure. Please see our Cancellations and Transfer Fee Schedule for specific payment information.<\/p>","System_Trip_Leaders":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-02-13T09:24:57 --><p>Wilderness Travel Trip Leaders have a passion and a joy for creating an unforgettable journey. We are extremely proud of them and the incredible travel experiences they make possible. The Trip Leader for each departure is listed on the "Dates & Prices" tab on our Pilgrim's Way webpage:<\/p>"},"terms":{"PaymentSchedule":"<meta charset=\"utf-8\"\/><body><p>At time of reservation: $1,000<br>90 Days prior to departure: Balance <br><br><em>*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.<\/em><\/p><\/body>","CancelSchedule":"<meta charset=\"utf-8\"\/><body><p>Minimum fee: $500 per person<br>61-90 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost<br>46-60 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost<br>45 days or less: 100% of trip cost <br><br><em>*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.<\/em><\/p><\/body>"}}
Overview
Discover the enchanting world of the cloud forest, the ancient haciendas of Ecuador's highlands, and hike on Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes on Earth! Celebrating Ecuador's phenomenal array of landscapes and cultures, our Private Journey immerses you in three totally distinct settings. In the lofty realm of the highlands, explore beguiling rural landscapes, centuries-old markets, and enjoy a warm welcome at an atmospheric 17th century hacienda. On the high páramo grasslands of Cotopaxi National Park, crowned by ice-draped Cotopaxi (19,347'), hike along high trails and enjoy fantastic stargazing in the night sky of the Southern Hemisphere. For a grand finale, enter Ecuador's pristine cloud forest, home to some of the richest biodiversity in the world, and walk through vine-draped forests and even take an aerial "sky bike" ride across the canopy. As you explore these three realms of Ecuador, dining will be a special part of the experience, with locally sourced meals inspired by the ingredients of Ecuador's natural bounty. Our handpicked accommodations, from a stunning nature lodge in the cloud forest to a 17th century hacienda and a cozy mountain lodge, will be as memorable as the journey itself.
Arrive: Quito, Ecuador
Depart: Quito, Ecuador
Highlights
- Visit the famous Otavalo market, with its world-famous crafts
- Enjoy the ambiance of Zuleta, a classic highland hacienda and working farm
- Explore Cotopaxi National Park, with a picnic at an Inca fortress
- Hike up to the glaciers on magnificent Volcano Cotopaxi
- Glide across a cloud forest, hike to a “healing” waterfall, hear the roar of howler monkeys
Itinerary
Download Itinerary
Expand All Days
From Quito, set off for a drive into the green Ecuadorian highlands to Hacienda Zuleta, a stunning 17th century property and working farm set on 4,000 acres. Virtually everything gracing the table comes fresh from Zuleta's rich earth. Hike to the hacienda's Cóndor Huasi conservation program, where injured Andean condors are rehabilitated for release, visit Zuleta's artisan cheese production area, or hike the miles of trails. Enjoy a guided hike around Laguna Cuicocha, a spectacular crater lake set at 10,000 feet, and explore the famous market town of Otavalo (8,202'), a showplace for the textile arts of the Otalaveño and other indigenous Andean groups.
Move up to another Ecuadorian realm, magnificent Cotopaxi National Park and the high, green páramo landscape that surrounds Cotopaxi Volcano (19,347'), with its glowing mantle of snow. Enjoy a picnic at Pucará de Salitre, a semi-restored Inca fortress, hike the grassy páramo landscape, perhaps seeing some of the wild horses, deer, or llama that make the park their home, and from the climbers' refuge at 15,748 feet on the flanks of Cotopaxi, hike up to the volcano's glaciers. Overnights are at Chilcabamba Mountain Lodge, a family-owned accommodation with spectacular views of towering Cotopaxi.
Descend to the cloud forest realm of beautiful Mashpi Lodge at 3,117 feet, set in a private nature reserve that is a biodiversity hotspot of flora and avifauna. Join one of the lodge guides for forest hikes, ride on the "Dragonfly," the lodge's unique cable car system that crosses the forest canopy, spot birdlife from the 85-foot-high Observation Tower. The cuisine at Mashpi is inspired by the ingredients and flavors of the cloud forest. Guest rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows to allow immersion in the cloud forest. Return to Quito and depart on Day 8.
Dates & Pricing
Test Verbiage May to January. For our Private Journeys, you choose your own group and your preferred dates. Prices are not guaranteed until services are confirmed. Contact us for availability, questions, or to book your adventure!Payment & Cancel Schedule
At time of reservation: $1,000
90 Days prior to departure: Balance
*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.
Cancellation & Transfer Schedule
Minimum fee: $500 per person
61-90 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost
46-60 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost
45 days or less: 100% of trip cost
*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.
Included
- Expert leadership of a Wilderness Travel guide (Day 1 to 6) and local guides
- Accommodations in hotels, haciendas, and lodges
- All meals
- All activities as indicated in Detailed Itinerary
- All ground transportation and baggage handling from meeting until departure
Not Included
- Travel to and from the arrival and departure location as indicated in Detailed Itinerary
- Additional hotel nights outside the trip's scheduled dates
- Optional gratuities to guides or staff
- Optional travel insurance
- Other expenses of a personal nature (some alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.)
- Any activities and services described as an upgrade or optional
Accommodations
Listed below are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
Wyndham Quito Airport
Day 1 (1 night)
The Wyndham Quito Airport is a nice hotel with a great location right next to the airport. Rooms are spacious, with plush bedding and great views of the nearby hills, and the lounge area is perfect for relaxing upon arrival. The hotel also has a spa with a sauna.
Hacienda Zuleta
Days 2-3 (2 nights)
There is something quite special about Hacienda Zuleta. Surrounded by more than 2,000 acres of forest and grazing lands, it was built at the end of the 16th century and is still a private family home. You can get a sense Ecuador's history here, and that of the Galo Plaza-Lasso family (which has produced two of country's most beloved former presidents) in their photos, paintings, and furnishings. There are just 11 guest rooms at the estate, plus beautiful gardens, famous hospitality, and excellent food, often fresh from the organic garden and trout farm (and Zuleta's hand-made artisan cheese is delicious). All the guest rooms and the main sitting room have roaring fireplaces to keep away the chill of the 9,000-foot altitude. There are no TVs or video games here to break the spell, just peace and quiet in a spectacular Andean setting. It's a delightful place to call home after a day of hiking, visiting the condor rehabilitation project, or horseback riding in the high Andes.
Chilcabamba Mountain Lodge
Days 4-5 (2 nights)
Family-owned Chilcabamba is an exclusive, yet unpretentious, mountain lodge in a gorgeous setting, with spectacular views of towering Cotopaxi on a clear day. Guest rooms are comfortably furnished and heated by wood-burning stoves (and with thick duvets to keep you warm throughout the night!). The chef prepares excellent home-cooked meals using fresh local ingredients from Ecuador's highlands. At night, it's a treat to sit out by the lodge's campfire and gaze at the stars.
Mashpi Lodge
Days 6-7 (2 nights)
Mashpi is a luxurious retreat surrounded by a private nature reserve in the cloud forest. Guest rooms have floor to ceiling windows onto the cloud forest, and the terrace is the perfect place to enjoy sights, sounds, and views over the canopy. The chefs provide meals sourced from fresh, local ingredients as well as the diverse culinary heritage of Ecuador. The lodge's butterfly enclosure, waterfalls, “sky bikes,” research center, and knowledgeable guides all add to the delights.
1/4
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 3, Moderate, according to our trip grading system. Cultural explorations and day hikes are the focus of the trip, with hotel, hacienda, and lodge accommodations throughout. Much of the trip takes place at higher altitudes, ranging from 9,500 feet at Otavalo to over 15,000 feet in Cotopaxi National Park. Overland travel is by van. There are five days with optional hikes of about 2-4 hours each. For your enjoyment of the trip, we recommend you make a special effort to be in very good physical condition, and ready to hike on varied terrain (rock and sand), driving on mountain roads that can be rugged, and the hikes will often be cross country, not on developed trails. Please note that your Trip Leader may make adjustments to the itinerary and hiking routes, depending on local weather and trail conditions.
Because of Ecuador's location on the equator, the weather patterns don't change very much during the year. Altitudes are very much the determining factor in the temperatures. In Quito, temperatures are pleasant and spring-like much of the year, with highs around 75°F and lows around 50°F. The central highlands of Ecuador are crossed by the Andes, with snow line starting at altitudes of about 16,500 feet. Expect the daily high to be around 75°F. Nights and mornings are cold, dropping down to 50°F or even lower. In the cloud forest at Mashpi, expect daytime highs of around 80°F and much cooler evenings, possibly as low as the mid-50s, and higher humidity.
The summer season is June through September, and you will enjoy great views of the volcanoes and mountains. The rainy season is generally February-April, and while temperatures are comfortable, it is not an optimum time for hiking.
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
Submit the form below to download itinerary
Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.
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The lodge is a striking contemporary building nestled into the private, 3,000-acre Mashpi Reserve in the heart of the cloud forest. The land in and around the reserve is world-famous as a biodiversity hotspot of flora and avifauna. In the afternoon, head out with one of the specialist guides for a short walk through primary forest dominated by ancient copal trees, whose aromatic resins were used by the pre-Columbians as incense. The lodge's Life Center building has forest panoramas from the wide wooden deck, a good place to spot birds, hear the roar of mantled howler monkeys, and learn about the many species of butterflies found in this region. The cuisine at Mashpi is inspired by the ingredients and flavors of the cloud forest. Guest rooms are designed with floor-to-ceiling windows to allow an immersion in the cloud forest, and it's a delight to awake to a magnificent forest view. 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After breakfast, join one of the lodge guides for a hike through the forest to the “Dragonfly,” the lodge's unique cable car system that crosses above and sometimes even directly through the forest canopy for a stunning open-air perspective (there are walks aplenty if you don't want to take the cable car). The Dragonfly ride is a chance to watch the mist rolls back from the forest below and listen to the birds. Afterwards, head out for an energetic hike deep into the reserve to the Healing Waterfall, where the sun bursts through the foliage with striking rays of light glancing off glimmering rocks. After lunch back at the lodge, walk to the Sky Bike station for a unique adventure—pedaling two-person “bicycles” suspended by a cable above a ravine and a river. It's an unforgettable way to experience the exuberant nature of Mashpi—and great for photos. At the Observation Tower, 85 feet above the forest floor, you'll get some of the best views across the canopy. Species spotted from here include toucans, woodpeckers, barbets, tanagers and parrots, as well as birds of prey, and this is a great place to watch the sunset. Overnight at Mashpi Lodge.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":8,"DayTo":8,"Headline":"Depart","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"After breakfast at the lodge, transfer to Quito, where you will be met and brought to the day rooms held for you at the Wyndham Airport Hotel. Optional activities in Quito (at extra cost) include a city tour with lunch, a museum visit, and a chocolate tasting, or a day excursion to Papallacta Hot Springs. Evening transfer to the airport for departure on homeward-bound flights.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":1,"DayTo":3,"Headline":"Quito \/ The Ecuadorian Highlands \/ Hacienda Zuleta","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"From Quito, set off for a drive into the green Ecuadorian highlands to Hacienda Zuleta, a stunning 17th century property and working farm set on 4,000 acres. Virtually everything gracing the table comes fresh from Zuleta's rich earth. Hike to the hacienda's Cóndor Huasi conservation program, where injured Andean condors are rehabilitated for release, visit Zuleta's artisan cheese production area, or hike the miles of trails. Enjoy a guided hike around Laguna Cuicocha, a spectacular crater lake set at 10,000 feet, and explore the famous market town of Otavalo (8,202'), a showplace for the textile arts of the Otalaveño and other indigenous Andean groups.","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":true},{"DayFrom":4,"DayTo":5,"Headline":"Hikes in Cotopaxi National Park","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"<meta charset=\"utf-8\"\/><body>Move up to another Ecuadorian realm, magnificent Cotopaxi National Park and the high, green páramo landscape that surrounds Cotopaxi Volcano (19,347'), with its glowing mantle of snow. Enjoy a picnic at Pucará de Salitre, a semi-restored Inca fortress, hike the grassy páramo landscape, perhaps seeing some of the wild horses, deer, or llama that make the park their home, and from the climbers' refuge at 15,748 feet on the flanks of Cotopaxi, hike up to the volcano's glaciers. Overnights are at Chilcabamba Mountain Lodge, a family-owned accommodation with spectacular views of towering Cotopaxi.<\/body>","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":true},{"DayFrom":6,"DayTo":8,"Headline":"Into Vine-Draped Ecuadorian Cloud Forest","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"<meta charset=\"utf-8\"\/><body>Descend to the cloud forest realm of beautiful Mashpi Lodge at 3,117 feet, set in a private nature reserve that is a biodiversity hotspot of flora and avifauna. Join one of the lodge guides for forest hikes, ride on the \"Dragonfly,\" the lodge's unique cable car system that crosses the forest canopy, spot birdlife from the 85-foot-high Observation Tower. The cuisine at Mashpi is inspired by the ingredients and flavors of the cloud forest. Guest rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows to allow immersion in the cloud forest. 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The hotel also has a spa with a sauna.","ItinBlock":"","VendorPhoto":"https:\/\/s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com\/wildernesstravel\/vendors\/10-wyndham-quito-airport-interior-lobby.jpg","ProductPhoto":"","OnRequest":"Option","Overhead":false,"BookingNotes":"","TicketSession":"","TicketTimeOfDay":"","TicketRound":"","TicketCategory":"","TicketDate":"","TicketLocation":"","NotTicketOnly":false,"Inactive":false}],"CustomFields":{"Custom_Trip_Level_5":"","Custom_Trip_Name_Addendum":"","Custom_Welcome_Letter_Addendum":"","Custom_Welcome_Email_Send_List":"","Custom_Welcome_Insurance_Intro":"We recommend you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect your travel investment against the unexpected. ","Custom_FI_Optional_Donation_Text":"","Custom_Sales_Email_-_Trip_Sales_Points":"","Custom_Sales_Email_-_TP_Trip_Sales_Points":"","Custom_Sales_Email_-_Payment_Terms":"","Custom_Sales_Email_-_Region":"","Custom_Sales_Email_-_Region_Sales_Points":"","Custom_Hiking_Poles":"","Custom_Daypack":"","Custom_Vaccination_Card":"","Custom_FB_Packing_Reminders_-_MISC_1":"","Custom_FB_Additional_Notes_-_MISC_1":"","Custom_FB_Additional_Notes_-_MISC_2":"","Custom_Arrival":"","Custom_Arrival-_Meeting_Place":"","Custom_Arrival_Transfer":"","Custom_Departure":"","Custom_Extra_Services":"","Custom_Contact_Information_for_Friends_and_Family":"","Custom_Outfitter_Contacts_Left":"","Custom_Outfitter_Contacts_Right":"","Custom_Valid_Passport_Alternative":"","Custom_Visa":"","Custom_FB_Before_You_Go_-_MISC_1":"","Custom_FB_Before_You_Go_-_MISC_2":"","Custom_Luggage_Requirements":"","Custom_Carry-On":"","Custom_name_slug":"ecuador-cotopaxi-private-guided-tour","Custom_Meta_Description":"With your private guide, discover Ecuador's traditional cultures, hike the high trails of Cotopaxi National Park, explore pristine cloud forest from a stunning nature lodge.","Custom_List_Description":"With your private guide, discover Ecuador's traditional cultures, hike the high trails of Cotopaxi National Park, explore pristine cloud forest from a stunning nature lodge.","Custom_Redirect":"","Custom_PJ_-_Best_Months":"May to January","Custom_After_Dates":"","Custom_Trip_Web_Note":"","Custom_Title_Tag":"Ecuador Private Guided Tour | Hiking Cotopaxi & Cloud Forest","Custom_Before_Days":"","Custom_After_Days_Header_1":"","Custom_After_Days_Text_1":"","Custom_After_Days_Header_2":"","Custom_After_Days_Text_2":"","Custom_Choosing_Right_Trip_Office_Contact":"","Custom_About_WT_Expeditions":"","Custom_Arrival_-_Sales":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2022-12-05T14:43:52 --><p><strong>Suggested Airport:<\/strong> Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO)<br \/><strong>Suggested Date & Time:<\/strong> Day 1, anytime<br \/><br \/><strong>Meeting Place:<\/strong> You will be met upon arrival by a private transfer representative (as you exit customs) and transferred to the Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel by complimentary shuttle. Hotel check-in is at 12:00 pm.<\/p>","Custom_Departure_-_Sales":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2022-12-05T14:44:51 --><p><strong>Suggested Airport:<\/strong> Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO)<br \/><strong>Suggested Date & Time:<\/strong> Day 8, after 4:00 pm <br \/><br \/>Trip members will be transferred from Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel to Mariscal Sucre International Airport 3.5 hours prior to their international departure. Most flights depart for the US in the evening.<\/p>","Custom_International_Air_Travel":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2022-12-05T14:46:43 --><p>You are responsible for making your own arrangements for flights to and from Ecuador. There are many online consolidators for booking travel, but for more personal help arranging air transport, you can contact Exito Travel at 1-800-655-4053 in the US or 1-800-670-2605 in Canada. They are very adept at putting flight itineraries together, to even the most far-flung places. More information can be found at <a href=\"https:\/\/exitotravel.com\/\">www.exitotravel.com<\/a>.<br \/><br \/>Depending on your routing, it is necessary to depart from the US one or possibly two days prior to Day 1 of the trip itinerary. The name on your airline ticket must match the name on your passport exactly, and your passport must be valid for at least six months after your date of return to the US.<br \/><br \/><strong>Please do not purchase your tickets until you are confirmed on the trip.<\/strong> Once tickets are purchased, please forward a copy of your email flight confirmation from the airline. It is your responsibility to ensure your flight times coordinate with the arrival and departure logistics for this trip.<\/p>","Custom_Extra_Hotel_Nights":"","Custom_Recommended_Hotels":"","Custom_A_and_D_Misc_-_Header_1":"","Custom_A_and_D_Misc_-_Text_1":"","Custom_A_and_D_Misc_-_Header_2":"","Custom_A_and_D_Misc_-_Text_2":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Header_1":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Text_1":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Header_2":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Text_2":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Header_3":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Text_3":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Header_4":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Text_4":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Header_5":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Text_5":"","Custom_When_to_Go":"","Custom_Children":"","Custom_Tag_Line":"Hikes and Cultural Exploration from the Cloud Forest to the High Andes","Custom_Lodging":"7 nights hotels, haciendas, and lodges","Custom_Meals":"All meals included","Custom_Activity":"","Custom_Difficulty":"5 days of optional hikes on moderate trails, 2-5 hours, altitudes between 3,200-11,800 feet; 1 optional hike at 15,600 feet","Custom_Currency_Exchange_Rate":"","Custom_Fuel_Surcharge":"","Custom_Signing_Up_For_a_Trip_-_Email":"","Custom_Optional_Hotel_Upgrades_-_This_Year":"","Custom_Optional_Hotel_Upgrades_-_Next_Year":"","Custom_What_the_Trip_is_Like":"<p>This trip is rated <strong>Level 3, Moderate, <\/strong>according to our trip grading system. Cultural explorations and day hikes are the focus of the trip, with hotel, hacienda, and lodge accommodations throughout. Much of the trip takes place at higher altitudes, ranging from 9,500 feet at Otavalo to over 15,000 feet in Cotopaxi National Park. Overland travel is by van. There are five days with optional hikes of about 2-4 hours each. For your enjoyment of the trip, we recommend you make a special effort to be in very good physical condition, and ready to hike on varied terrain (rock and sand), driving on mountain roads that can be rugged, and the hikes will often be cross country, not on developed trails. Please note that your Trip Leader may make adjustments to the itinerary and hiking routes, depending on local weather and trail conditions.<\/p>","Custom_Terrain":"","Custom_Getting_in_Shape":"","Custom_Weather":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-06-11T22:46:09 --><p>Because of Ecuador's location on the equator, the weather patterns don't change very much during the year. Altitudes are very much the determining factor in the temperatures. In Quito, temperatures are pleasant and spring-like much of the year, with highs around 75\u00b0F and lows around 50\u00b0F. The central highlands of Ecuador are crossed by the Andes, with snow line starting at altitudes of about 16,500 feet. Expect the daily high to be around 75\u00b0F. Nights and mornings are cold, dropping down to 50\u00b0F or even lower. In the cloud forest at Mashpi, expect daytime highs of around 80\u00b0F and much cooler evenings, possibly as low as the mid-50s, and higher humidity.<\/p><p>The summer season is June through September, and you will enjoy great views of the volcanoes and mountains. The rainy season is generally February-April, and while temperatures are comfortable, it is not an optimum time for hiking.<\/p>","Custom_Accommodations":"","Custom_Cuisine":"","Custom_Transportation":"","Custom_What_the_Trip_is_Like_-_Header_1":"","Custom_What_the_Trip_is_Like_-_Text_1":"","Custom_What_the_Trip_is_Like_-_Header_2":"","Custom_What_the_Trip_is_Like_-_Text_2":"","Custom_Trip_Level_Note_1":"","Custom_Trip_Level_Note_2":"","System_Choosing_the_Right_Trip":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T07:50:16 --><p>Adventure travel often involves exotic destinations, unusual loris of physical exertion, or activities you ma not have participated in previously. We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please call Wilderness Travel at 1-800-368-2794 and ask for the<\/p>","System_References":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T07:50:51 --><p>We'd be happy to put you in touch with a past client that has traveled with us on this trip.<\/p>","System_Visit_Our_Website":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T07:51:32 --><p>At <a href=\"http:\/\/www.wildernesstravel.com\">www.wildernesstravel.com<\/a>, you can find out about added departures, last-minute deals, and special WT Expeditions that aren't listed in our catalog. You can also access a complete library of our detailed itineraries and browse the customized reading guides for each of our adventures.<\/p>","System_Helpful_Links":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T07:52:03 --><p>Wilderness Travel has compiled a list of useful websites for travelers. Find the Toucan Club tab on the home page of our website and choose Helpful Links: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.wildernesstravel.com\/ toucan\/links\">www.wildernesstravel.com\/ toucan\/links<\/a>.<\/p>","System_About_Private_Journeys":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-02-17T11:00:24 --><p>Wilderness Travel Private Journeys are designed for people who want to travel with their own small private group, but who still want to experience the same superb itinerary design, great accommodations, and signature quality of Wilderness Travel's escorted group trips. These Private Journeys allow you to choose your own dates and your traveling companions -- even if it's just the two of you -- yet still enjoy a guided adventure.<\/p>","System_About_New_Trips":"","System_Social_Media":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:33:43 --><p><strong>SOCIAL MEDIA:<\/strong> We invite you to share your adventure with us on social media. Tag @wildernesstravel and we may even feature your content on our pages!<\/p>","System_If_You_Miss_Your_Flight":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:34:09 --><p><strong>IF YOU MISS YOUR FLIGHT<\/strong><br \/>If you miss your flight or are otherwise delayed, contact our Wilderness Travel office as well as our local partners, with your new flight information. Refer to the Emergency Contact Information listed in this Final Bulletin.<\/p>","System_Valid_Passport":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-06-16T10:26:21 --><p><strong>VALID PASSPORT:<\/strong> Check that your passport is valid for at least six months from the last day of your trip, and that you have at least two blank pages for any necessary visa or entry and exit stamps.<\/p>","System_Insurance_Policy":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:36:23 --><p><strong>INSURANCE POLICY:<\/strong> If you have purchased the Travelex Travel Protection Plan, you should have received an email confirmation of your policy. Please bring a digital or printed copy of this policy with you. If you cannot find your email confirmation, please contact Travelex's Customer Solutions team at 844-877-1885 or e-mail customersolutions@travclcxinsurancc.com. If you have not purchased Travelex insurance already, you have the option to do so up to 24 hours prior to your departure.<\/p>","System_Covid-19_Travel_Requirements":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-04-19T13:27:44 --><p><strong>COVID-19 TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:<\/strong> Please double-check COVID-19 entry requirements for any countries you may be traveling to or transiting through, on this website: <a href=\"apply.joinsherpa.com\/travel-restrictions\">apply.joinsherpa.com\/travel-restrictions<\/a><\/p>","System_Pre-Trip_Safety":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:37:06 --><p><strong>PRE-TRIP SAFETY:<\/strong> In the next weeks, we encourage you to do everything possible to stay healthy. Please practice social distancing, steer clear of potential COVID-19 exposure, and take an at-home antigen or lab based PCR test before you depart.<\/p>","System_Wilderness_Travel_Office":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:38:07 --><p>Our office in Berkeley, California can be reached at 510-558-2488, or by email at info@wildernesstravel.com. We are available during regular business hours (M-F, 8:30 am-5:00 pm, PST). <\/p>","System_ECI_Travel_Insurance":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:38:31 --><p>If you have purchased the Travelex Travel Protection Plan through Wilderness Travel, please remember to bring your Confirmation of Coverages (COC) with you on the trip, including your Plan Number and important emergency contact information.<\/p><p>If you've purchased a travel protection plan on your own, we recommend that you bring a copy of your policy, including all coverages, with you on your trip.<\/p>","System_Face_Masks_and_Hand_Sanitizer":"","System_DidNotPurchase_Insurance":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-02-28T12:27:44 --><p>Travel Insurance: We recommend that you purchase travel insurance for this trip. For your convenience, we offer Travelex travel protection. Please let us know if you would like us to add the Travelex Travel Protection Plan to this final invoice. You can learn more about the policy on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildernesstravel.com\/toucan\/travel-insurance\">website<\/a>.<\/p>","System_Purchased_Insurance":"","System_Questions?":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T13:47:31 --><p>Our Area Specialists are you single point of contact and would be happy to answer any questions about yout trip!<br \/>800.368.2794 | 510.558.2488<\/p>","System_Travel_Insurance":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T07:58:05 --><p>We highly recommend you purchase travel insurance. You can take advantage of a comprehensive Travel Protection Plan designed for Wilderness Travel by Travelex, or purchase other insurance on your own. See our website for details: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.wildernesstravel.com\/insurance\">www.wildernesstravel.com\/insurance<\/a><\/p>","System_Make_it_Your_Trip":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:44:18 --><p>The prices above are for the ready-to-book adventure outlined in this Detailed Itinerary, a popular option that has been handcrafted by our Area Specialists to include the best of every destination. While many travelers choose to book this tour as is, our Area Specialists are also happy to work with you to customize this Private Journey to suit your specific interests and style of travel. We can arrange for longer or shorter stays, offer hotel upgrades (see below for sample costs), or add an extension to additional places of interest. We can even add special activities or customize excursions depending on your interests. We invite you to contact us to discuss your options!<\/p>","System_Signing_up_for_a_Trip":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:44:42 --><p>Early reservations are recommended since accommodations often sell out far in advance. Please call 1-800-368-2794 and ask for our [Africa Manager] or email us at [africa@ wildernesstravel.com] with any questions that you may have about this trip. To reserve your Private Journey, we will need to know your preferred dates of travel. We will then check availability and send you a proposed itinerary with exact pricing for your adventure. We can typically hold a provisional booking for one week. At that time, we must collect your initial deposit or accommodations will be released. We accept Visa, Mastercard, or American Express card. Upon receipt of your deposit, we will send you a Welcome Packet that includes a letter of confirmation, Detailed Itinerary, Trip Application, Medical Form, and Pre-Departure Information Booklet with information to help you prepare for your adventure. Please see our Cancellations and Transfer Fee Schedule for specific payment information.<\/p>","System_Trip_Leaders":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-02-13T09:24:57 --><p>Wilderness Travel Trip Leaders have a passion and a joy for creating an unforgettable journey. We are extremely proud of them and the incredible travel experiences they make possible. The Trip Leader for each departure is listed on the "Dates & Prices" tab on our Pilgrim's Way webpage:<\/p>"},"terms":{"PaymentSchedule":"<meta charset=\"utf-8\"\/><body><p>At time of reservation: $1,000<br>90 Days prior to departure: Balance <br><br><em>*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.<\/em><\/p><\/body>","CancelSchedule":"<meta charset=\"utf-8\"\/><body><p>Minimum fee: $500 per person<br>61-90 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost<br>46-60 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost<br>45 days or less: 100% of trip cost <br><br><em>*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.<\/em><\/p><\/body>"}}