Antisana & Papallacta Thermal Springs tour, 2days/1night, private

< previous 1 of 5 next >   Open this gallery and post comments

Price from:
369.00 USD
per person

This is a spectacular excursion to the high Andes of Ecuador, into the paramo and the montane forest, rich in unusual flora and fauna with overnight in Papallacta Thermal Springs Resort area.

Itinerary

Day 1
The voyage starts with a drive to the Antisana volcano, the fourth in altitude in Ecuador, covered with glaciers and snow, and its surrounding Ecological Reserve. The climb and spectacular scenery on Antisana begins with close-up views of a massive glacial moraine, dating back to 11,000 year ago, jagged rocky peaks and a vast sweep of paramo (Andean moorlands) vegetation above the tree line.

Up in the paramo (at about 12,000 ft. elevation) several stops are made to walk about on level terrain and observe the small but beautiful  flowers hugging the ground among the lichens and paramo straw: yellow composites, gentians, red Indian paintbrush, orchids and the endemic chuquiraguas. Andean birds abound, in both a diversity of species and individual abundance of most of them, such as the highly endangered Black-faced Ibis, Cinereous Conebills, Brown Speckled Teal, Andean Lapwings, many Carunculated Caracaras, Black Wing Doves, and the rare Siskin. After all this natural history excitement, drive over to the hacienda Antisana for lunch. A three-course hot meal is served at the hacienda's dinning room, warmed by glowing fireplaces. In the afternoon, drive on to Papallacta and its hot springs, amid a breathtaking setting.

Papallacta Thermal Springs Resort is nestled high in the Andean Cordillera at the entrance of the Amazonian jungle and features several hot thermal spring pools of different sizes and temperatures. Facilities include a first-class hotel, a spa and a restaurant offering local and international cuisine with its main specialty: fresh trout.

Day 2
Start with a nature walk alongside pristine mountain streams, observing the flora and fauna of the humid montane Andean forest of the Canyon Ranch, one of the entrances to the ecological reserve Cayambe-Coca and then relax and soak away life's aches and pains and experience the notable, restorative effects of the thermal waters (sulfate alkaline terreous). The water is odorless, crystalline and ever changing. Return to Quito in the afternoon.

Included

•  One night Accomodations
• All meals
• Round trip ground transportation and guide

Travel Facts

• Warm clothing is needed.  It is quite windy, consider gloves and ear protection
• Sun block (SPF 40)
• Good walking shoes
• Camera (wide angle lens)
• Binoculars
• Sunglasses
• Altitude:  2800 to 4000 meters (9800 - 12,120 feet)
• Average Temperature Day: 5°  to 20° C (40°  to 68° F)

Information Price per Person (USD) 26 or more 263.00 16 - 25 269.00 10 - 15 311.00 4 - 9 369.00 3 persons 454.00 2 persons 548.00 1 person 866.00

Discover the magic of the Andean region

Discover the magic of the Andean region, marvelous landscapes and rich ancestral cultures

The joy of living with the simplicity and relaxed atmosphere of a bygone era. The two Andean cordilleras that run parallel and cross Ecuador from north to south, offer a most varied topography: volcanos and snow capped mountains, green valleys with impressive Colonial cities like Quito and Cuenca, quaint Indian villages, farmlands, haciendas, lakes and rivers of crystal blue waters.

The capital of Ecuador, Quito, brings the past to life in its museums, monasteries, the carved stone facades and golden altars of its many churches, as well as in the Archaeological Museum that displays centuries of pre-Columbian treasures. Enjoy scenic, Colonial and artistic Quito, then stand with a foot on each hemisphere at the Middle of the World.
The province of Imbabura is located in northern Ecuador, a picturesque land of lakes, majestic sierras and terraced farmlands, home to the Otavalo Indians, industrious and enterprising people, who offer their products at the famous outdoor market, full of ponchos, embroidered blouses, ceramics, wall hangings, native jewelry and authentic Panama hats. Near Otavalo are charming country inns and haciendas to stay overnight, and explore this wonderful area at a more leisurely pace.
Beginning in Quito and going south, is the Avenue of the Volcanoes with unparalleled views of the Andes. Mount Cotopaxi dominates the landscape of a National Park of the same name, where llamas graze and high-elevation bird species fly, including the Andean Condor. Our exclusive Hacienda programs provide an in-depth experience of Andean flavor, with stays at marvelous properties, as guests of the owners. For the more adventurous, the Andes are the perfect setting for trekking, hiking, mountain biking, bird watching and many more outdoor adventures.

Spectacular train rides, on exclusive coaches of the Expreso Metropolitan Touring, run from the Andean highlands to the Pacific shores, with the thrill of zigzagging the sharp angles of the Devil's Nose.
Private tours offer exclusive arrangements with multilingual guides for both FIT´s or groups. Semiprivate tours are operated on vans with a maximum of nine guests; while our sharing bus tours have a capacity of up to forty guests. Both semiprivate and sharing bus tours are guided with English/Spanish speaking guide only.