Day 2: El Angel Ecological Reserve

1. Depart for the El Angel Ecological Reserve, a paramo (Andes meadow) reserve in Northern Ecuador, where the famous Frailejones Asters almost reach their Southernmost limit. Visit the Voladero Lake where you will also see some of the most spectacular and ancient bromeliads of the Andes, the Herculas Club. Some 320 species of birds are known to the park, including the Andean Condor, a variety of hummingbirds, as well as several species of ducks and grebes, etc.;

2. Return to Quito, Airport, in the village Tababela at 10 minutes from the airport;

3. Spend the night at Tababela.

Day 3: Fly from the Andes to the the coastal city of Manta

1. Pick up from the hotel to fly to the city of Manta;

2. Drive from Manta to Machalilla National Park;

3. Excursion into the interior of Machalilla National Park to get to know the extremely rare Tropical Pacific dry forest, which only occurs in a narrow stretch of land between the wet tropical coastal forest near the border with Colombia and the desert starting in the south of Ecuador near the Peruvian border. Machalilla National Park is the only main park in the world protecting this type of forest.

4. Afternoon excursion at Les Frailes Beach and swim;

5. Spend the night at Puerto Lopez.

Day 4: Machalilla National Park with Isla de la Plata

1. Visit Isla de la Plata, part of Machalilla National Park, where one - depending on the season - can see Red-, Nazca- or blue-footed booby nesting colonies and with some luck a colony of Frigate birds. While ecologically not really correct, one can observe how touroperators have joined together to feed wild green turtles in the harbor of the island, allowing visitors to see the turtles right under their boat in the cristal clear sea water. Sea Lions frolic in the deep blue waters surrounding the island, while different species of whales migrate along any time during the months of June - September (sightings are not guaranteed);

2. After return time off for a late afternoon swim at the beach in Puerto Lopez;

3. Spend another night in Puerto Lopez.

Day 5: Visit Ecuador's Largest City, Guayaquil

1. In the morning, a brief excursion into the park, before driving to Guayaquil;

2. Ride from Puerto Lopez to Guayaquil;

3. In the afternoon (and/or evening), visit the famous Malecon (=Boulevard) of Guayaquil;

4. Spend the night in Guayaquil.

Day 6: Churute Ecological Reserve

1. Drive to South America's southernmost important mangrove in Churute Ecological Reserve, where more than 250 species of birds have been recorded, including Frigate birds, Brown Pelicans, Spoonbills, a multitude of different herons, White Ibises, etc. ;

2. Other fauna elements include different crabs as well as dolphins;

3. Travel to Cuenca;

4. Time permitting, stroll the colonial streets of Cuenca at night after dinner;

5. Spend the night in your hotel in Cuenca.

Day 7: Ingapirca World Heritage Site

1. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Ingapirca, a mixed Inca and Canari [ a contemporary culture to the Incas and subjected to them] style fortress, which was the northern-most main defense fortress of the Inca Empire;

2. In the afternoon, travel to Riobamba;

3. Spend the night in Riobamba.

Day 8: Chimborazo Fauna Reserve

1. Get to know the Vicunas of Chimborazo Fauna Reserve. As anywhere high up in the mountains, one may stumble upon an Andean Condor and other birds of pray;

2. Visit the Refugio - 4800m masl - for a brief high elevation walk and exploration of the high paramo of the highest mountain in the world measured from the center of the earth. The vegetation is very sparse at this elevation. Be careful, you are extremely high up and the oxygen level is very low;

3. Spend the night in a hotel near Cotopaxi National Park.

Day 9: Cotopaxi National Park

1. Visit Cotopaxi National Park - the world's highest active volcano - to rise to the first shelter parking lot;

2. Visit Limpiopungo Lake;

3. Look for Andean Wolfs;

4. Return to Quito.

MODULES

We developed several shorter modules, that still give you an impression of the Andes and coastal habitats. These modules, vary depending on your place of departure being Quito, Guayaquil or Cuenca.

OPTION A: FULL NATIONAL PARKS TOUR (9-days tour)

OPTION B: QUITO MACHALILLA - QUITO (6 - 7-days tour)

1. After Machalilla, either return to Quito (6 days) or travel to a hotel near Chimborazo Ecological Reserve

Day 7: Visit Chimborazo Ecological Reserve

1. See the vicunas along the highway passing by the reserve; Ascent to the mountain house of the volcano. Drive over the new western highway to Quito to admire the alpaca's that usually can be seen along that route;

2. Arrive in Quito to be dropped off at hotel (last hotel not included).

OPTION C: START AND FINISH IN GUAYAQUIL (5-days tour)

While starting in Guayaquil, Option C visits:

1. Machalilla for 2 nights;

2. Returns to Guayaquil;

3. Visit the Malecon or Historic Park;

4. Visit the Churute Mangroves;

5. Spend the night in Cuenca;

6. Visit Cajas National Park;

7. Return to Guayaquil in your hotel (last not included).

OPTION D: START IN CUENCA AND FINISH IN ECUADOR's LARGEST CITY, GUAYAQUIL (5-days tour)

This particular module reverses Module C.

Click here for a printable pdf of the national parks tours modules.

 

[2026] COFAN LODGE / CUYABENO LODGE / PARKS AND TRIBES PRICES

 

CUYABENO LODGE PROGRAMS (DOWNLOAD CUYABENO LODGE)
CUYABENO LODGE PROGRAM
DURATION	Prices per person in US$
3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS
Shared budget room (Dormitory shared among 4 people, shared bathrooms)	$ 239
Standard room (17 m2, private bathroom, shared balcony)	$ 299
Standard room Plus (20 m2, private bathroom, shared balcony)	$ 339
Deluxe room (25m2, private bathroom, private balcony in the tower)	$ 379
Suite (36m2, private bathroom, private balcony)	$ 419
4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS
Shared budget room (Dormitory shared among 4 people, shared bathrooms)	$ 279
Standard room (17 m2, private bathroom, shared balcony)	$ 379
Standard room Plus (20 m2, private bathroom, shared balcony)	$ 419
Deluxe room (25m2, private bathroom, private balcony in the tower)	$ 459
Suite (36m2, private bathroom, private balcony)	$ 499

 

5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS
Shared budget room (Dormitory shared among 4 people, shared bathrooms)	$ 349
Standard room (17 m2, private bathroom, shared balcony)	$ 459
Standard room Plus (20 m2, private bathroom, shared balcony)	$ 499
Deluxe room (25m2, private bathroom, private balcony in the tower)	$ 539
Suite (36m2, private bathroom, private balcony)	$579
Single occupancy surcharge (for the entire trip)	$ 100

Individual bookings are WELCOME

 

QUITO - CUYABENO (or visa versa) PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION
	Prices in US$
One way per party price from or to Quito. Group Price for parties of 2 - 7 to the park entrance (minivan) who share the costs.	$ 300
Private Bus 1 way	$ 35
One way Coca to Cuyabeno. Minimum 2. 4 pax or more	$ 35 $ 25
Lagoagrio - Cuyabeno. 5 pax or more is free	$10

 

PARKS AND TRIBES AMAZON PROGRAMS WHAT's INCLUDED?    HOW GET TO THE AMAZON? Prices excluded meals
NAPO - YASUNI DURATION STAY	Prices per person in US$
3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS	$ 799
LAGARTOCOCHE EXPEDITION (DOWNLOAD BROCHURE LAGARTOCOCHA)
DURATION STAY	Prices per person in US$
4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS	$ 799
Departure from Nuevo Rocafuerte at the border with Peru. There is a daily rapid public boat services between Coca and Nuevo Rocafuerte for about $50 (not included). Biligual guiding $50 extra
Prices are based on a minimum of 2 passengers.

Prices are based on a minimum of 2 passengers.

 

NATIONAL PARKS TOUR PROGRAM (DOWNLOAD PARKS TOUR; ANDES TOUR)
DURATION STAY	Prices in US$
OPTION A: Complete national Parks Tour (10 days). From	$ 1399
OPTION B: After Machalilla return to Quito (6 days). From	$ 999
OPTION C: After Machalilla return to Quito (6 days) via Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve (7 days). From	$ 1099
OPTION D: Start and finish in Guayaquil (5 days). From	$ 999
OPTION E: Start in Cuenca and Finish in Guayaquil (5 days). From	$ 999

Prices are based on a minimum of 2 passengers.

 

GALAPAGOS TOURS (DOWNLOAD ISLAND HOPPING)
	Prices in US$
Galapagos Island Hopping Tours 5 days, 4 nights from:	$ 849
Additional Daytrip Bartelome plus extra night hotel Santa Cruz	$ 349
Additional Daytrip Española (with Waved Albatros) plus extra night hotel Santa Cruz (April - November when the Albatros are present)	$ 349

Prices excluding flight and park entrance fees. Mínimum 2 persons.

 

 

LIMA CUSCO MACHU PICCHU (DOWNLOAD PROGRAM PERU)
DURATION STAY	Prices in US$
7 days - 6 nights, Not included international flights. Flights Lima Cusco Lima are additional and usually vary between $50 and $75 depending on the day and season.	$ 1049

Flights not included. Prices are based on a minimum of 2 passengers.

 

ECUADOR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS