Welcome to Puyo
Puyo is an enigma: whereas most towns make efforts to spruce up their centers and leave the outskirts stagnating, this place does the opposite. While it retains some vitality as the capital of the Pastaza province, overall this is just a built-up town with little to attract you. Regardless, anyone traveling in southern Oriente is quite likely to pass through. Dense green jungle flourishes close around the town’s edges, and – thanks in part to travelers from Baňos making the hour-long drive down to do a rainforest reconnoiter – accommodations are good and plentiful, with some highly recommended jungle tour operators located here.
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Puyo activities
Ecuador Highlights in 10 Day
Day 1.- ARRIVAL IN QUITOtransfer IN not included. Acclimatation day, welcome briefing Day 2: OTAVALO MARKET (B) Our day starts with a unique scenic drive back up to the highlands to the world-famous indigenous town of Otavalo there will be enough time for shopping and interaction with the locals. In the afternoon, we will drive to Cotacachi town to enjoy the most amazing leather goods and the beauty of this small village. Later we will finally arrive at this historical beautiful hacienda of Pinsaqui. Day 3: PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS (B) After appreciating the amazing views that this landscape offers, we will arrive at Papallacta Hot Springs Resort, where bliss awaits as you soak in the volcanic water pools surrounded by mountains and colorful flowers and birds. Day 4: Amazon Itamandi Eco - Lodge (L,D) HUMMINGBIRDS IN THE CLOUD FOREST Early in the morning, we will drive down a curvy panoramic road towards the Amazon Rainforest; as we descend from an altitude of 3000 meters to 500 meters, you will observe how the landscape and vegetation change drastically. Our first stop will be the Guango reserve, where we will have the unique opportunity to see different species of hummingbirds in their natural habitat. until we finally get to the Arajuno River, where a motorized canoe will take us for 20 minutes up the river to the Itamandi Eco-Lodge. Day 5: AMAZON CANOE RIDE AND WILDLIFE (B,L,D) In the morning, we will take a motorized canoe down the largest river in Ecuador, Napo River. Later, we will enjoy a cultural activity. Day 6: ROAD OF WATERFALLS TO BAÑOS (B) Drive farther south to Puyo, where we will have a quick look at the balsa carving shop. Continuing our journey, we will stop at Rio Verde, located in the Sangay National Park. Here, we will hike down to the second highest waterfall in Ecuador, the Pailon Del Diablo. Day 7: Chimborazo Volcano HIGHEST VOLCANO IN ECUADOR AND VICUÑAS (B,L)Drive to the Chimborazo Volcano, the highest mountain in Ecuador with an elevation of 6310 meters above sea level, The visit includes a short hike for 0,9 km (0,57 miles) to reach the elevation of 5000 meters where the glacier begins. Day 8: DEVIL'S NOSE TRAIN AND INCA RUINS ()BDrive to the small town of Alausí to the Devil's Nose train. After the train ride, we will continue our visit towards Ingapirca, the most impressive Inca ruins of Ecuador. Day 9: Cuenca City - Cuenca (B)In the morning, we will enjoy a fantastic city tour, In the early evening we will take a 45-min domestic flight back to Quito. DAY 10: QUITO DEPARTURE (B)Transfer Out not included
Banos to Puyo Amazon Rainforest Full-Day Trip Including Lunch
Your day trip to the Amazon jungle starts with meeting at a central location in Baños at 8:30 am. There, you will meet your prepared and experienced leaders and board a private vehicle to head to Puyo. After approximately 1 hour, you will reach Puyo where your first stop will be a rescue center for animals. Here, you will see monkeys, ocelots and caimans. We will then head to the camp in Hola Vida Reserve, an ecological reserve of 225 hectares dedicated to the conservation of the environment. You will first head with your guide to visit a beautiful waterfall located about two hours away from the cabins in the reserve. Once there, you will have a chance to swim and enjoy the tranquility of the forest. Spend some time here, taking in the atmosphere and stunning settings, which make this area a memorable place. Then, it is time to head back to the cabins and camp. On your way back, you will pass through and explore the jungle with your guide. Learn about the rainforest and its flora and fauna and try to spot interesting flowers and birds. Once you reach the cabins, you will enjoy a delicious and traditional lunch and then head on an exciting paddle canoe ride on the Puyo river. After 30-minutes of fun in the river, you will visit a viewpoint to admire an exceptional view of the rainforest and then continue your tour by visiting a Quichua indigenous community. See the people and how they make necklaces and bracelets. Here, you can also try and practice the blowpipe and paint your faces with achiote, which is a natural paint. After a fun-filled jungle adventure, you will be taken back to Baños.
From the Andes to the Amazon 3D - 2N Cotopaxi - Quilotoa - Baños - Puyo
An early departure at 7:30 am will venture you into the Andes through the Panamerican Highway admiring the diverse ecosystems of the route know as the "Avenue of the Volcanoes". Following, you'll head out to Quilotoa Lake, a 3km wide water filled caldera formed by the collapse of the volcano's crater after a massive eruption. Here it is possible to either hike around the edge of the caldera or do the hike towards the lake. There are kayaks available at the lake for rent, which will add a sense of adventure to your visit to this breathtaking site. You’ll have lunch in a local restaurant and make your way to Baños late in the afternoon. Overnight in Baños. On day 2 you’ll explore the route of the waterfalls. Baños de Agua Santa (Spanish for Baths of Holy Water) is named after the hot springs and thermal baths located around the city which have a reputation of having healing properties due to their mineral content. Visit Pailón del Diablo, one of the largest and most spectacular falls in Ecuador. Baños is also known as the "Gateway to the Amazon", as it's the last big city still located in the mountains before reaching the rainforest in the lowlands. This day you'll get the opportunity to experience the diversity and beauty of the Amazon Rainforest by visiting "Hola Vida" reserve, just a few kilometers away from Puyo. Be ready for a day full of possibilities and maximum flexibility in the visits and activities available. If weather permits you'll enjoy the sunset at “The Tree House” and swing of the end of the world with the best view to Tungurahua Volcano. On the last day, a two hour drive will bring you to the Cotopaxi National Park, arriving at the foot of the impressive active volcano 5.897-m-high, considered the highest active volcano in the world. You'll hike around the Limpiopungo Lagoon and, weather permitting, you'll get the best view of Cotopaxi. You'll enjoy a delicious lunch at Tambopaxi: an ecological hotel and mountain refuge located within the park at 3720 meters above sea level. Later in the afternoon, you'll drive back to Quito.
ANDES AND AMAZON EXPERIENCE
DAY 1: We start at 08h00, towards the “Amazon basins”. After traveling across the eastern cordillera of the Andes and then descending through the cloud forest to reach the small village of Papallacta, you will enjoy its hot springs! Besides its magnificent setting, nestled among the rolling, green, cloud-forested hills, Papallacta draws in tourists with its main attraction, the thermal springs! Upon our arrival we visit the interpretation centre. Then you continue with your spirit of adventure in a nature walk along marked trails and pristine mountain streams, observing the flora and fauna of the Andean forest! Overnight at Termas Papallacta SPA & Resort. Dinner. DAY 2: After breakfast, drive to the subtropical rainforest, located at the foothills of the Andes. Stop at Guango Lodge to experience the privilege to spot hundreds of hummingbirds flying around you from a very close distance. Stop at “Macao’s viewpoint”, from that point we can appreciate a large green carpet with exuberant Amazon vegetation! In the afternoon arrival to Itamandi Lodge for lunch. Time to acclimatize and adapt to the new weather conditions. There we begin our Amazon adventure! During our walk in the jungle, we will enjoy the incredible landscape. At night we will share our experiences at the pool area, which is located next to the bar! Dinner. DAY 3: You will visit an animal rescue centre, then we do one of the most famous adventure sports well-known as “tubing”, in the Arahuno River! After our fascinating experience, we will go back to the lodge to take our luggage. Our next destination is Puyo, where we will learn all about the wooden carvings made out of balsa wood. Continuing with our trip we cannot miss the well-known and famous “Avenue of the Waterfalls”; as “Pailón del Diablo”, where you will walk through narrow trails and hanging bridges! Going back to the Andes, we will stop to take a ride on the 500 meters long cable car, which give us the opportunity to admire another beautiful waterfall called “Manto de la Novia”. We go through several tunnels until we arrive to the “Agoyán waterfall”. Arrival to “Baños de Agua Santa”, which is at the foothills of the majestic “Tungurahua Volcano”. Overnight at Hotel Monteselva. Dinner. DAY 4: Breakfast. Drive back to Quito. Visit to the “Salasaca`s Market”, and San Agustin de Callo, a unique colonial hacienda, built over impressive Inca structures! Traditional meal surrounded by Inca walls and llamas! After lunch, we go to Cotopaxi Volcano (5.897 m.a.s.l.), to admire the local flora, lagoons and wild horses! Also we enjoy the exotic fauna while we walk around “Limpiopungo Lagoon” (3.800 m.a.s.l.). After the walk, drive up to the parking lot located at 4.500 m.a.s.l., then hike up to 4.800 m.a.s.l., where "Jose Rivas refuge" is located, very close to glaciers! End of this unforgettable lifetime experience!
PRIVATE ADVENTURE: ECUADOR JUNGLE AND MOUNTAINS
Day 1: We start, after breakfast, at 08h00, towards the “Amazon basis”! We pass through Papallacta village, which gives us the opportunity to enjoy its hot springs that have incredible healing properties. We continue through the subtropical rainforests, located at the foothills of the Andes, and then we arrive to Baeza. Then you continue towards the “Macao’s viewpoint”, from that viewpoint you can appreciate a huge green carpet with exuberant Amazon`s vegetation! In the afternoon we will arrive to Liana Lodge where we will stay the overnight. Day 2: After breakfast, you will do a walk into the primary tropical rainforest! During your walk in the jungle, you'll enjoy the incredible landscape! We visit an animal rescue centre, then we do one of the most popular adventure sports, well-known as “tubbing”, in the Arajuno River! Visit to a Kichwa community to learn all about the daily life of this fascinating region! Back to the Lodge to have lunch. Free afternoon to relax and enjoy the lodge`s facilities and its wildlife! Day 3: Breakfast. Our next destination is Puyo, where we will learn all about the famous wooden carvings made out in balsa wood. Continuing with your trip you can’t miss the well-known and famous “Avenue of the waterfalls”, as “Pailón del Diablo”, where we will walk through narrow trails and hanging bridges, until we arrive to the 72 meters waterfall, that give us the opportunity to enjoy three waterfalls! Going back to the Andes, we stop to take a ride on the 500 meters long cable car, which give us the opportunity to admire another beautiful waterfall called “Manto de la Novia”! We drive through several tunnels until we arrive to the “Agoyán waterfall”. Finally we arrive to “Baños de Agua Santa”, and you`ll stay the overnight at Hotel Monteselva. Day 4: In this city, full of magic and adventure, you will have time to rest and relax in one of the different SPA that Baños offers; also you`ll have time for shopping; unless you decide to do walks through footpaths in secondary forests, or practice adventure sports, such as white water river rafting, canyoning, horseback riding, paragliding, biking, etc. Day 5: We start our drive back to Quito. During our journey you will visit the “Salasaca`s Indigenous Market”, and Cotopaxi volcano (5.897 m.a.s.l.), which is a beautiful national park to admire the local flora, lagoons, wild horses and many other different ecosystems, in high altitude! Also you will enjoy the exotic fauna while you walk around “Limpiopungo lagoon” (3.800 m.a.s.l.)! Afterwards we drive up to the parking lot located at 4.500 m.a.s.l., then you`ll have the opportunity to do a hike up to 4.800 meters above sea level (16,000 feet), where the "Jose Rivas refuge" is located, very closed from the glaciers!! We drive back to Quito. end of this unique and unforgettable life experience!
4-Day Baños Private Guided Tour from Cuenca
Day 1: Cuenca, Ingapirca and Davil's Nose Train Our tour guide will pick you up at your hotel or meeting place at 8:00am. After a one and a half hour drive we will arrive at Ingapirca. You will have enough time for exploring, so you can admire and learn about the Inca ruins.Later we'll drive through the Ecuadorian highlands with their beautiful views to arrive in Alausi. This charming town is known for the "Devil's Nose Train" which is one of the most challenging railways in the world. After lunch you will board this famous train for an exciting ride that will take about 2 ½ hours. Upon your arrival at the train station in Sibambe be ready to enjoy the rich cultural, folklore and handicrafts made and performed by local people. Upon your arrival back in Alausi your guide will take you to the Hotel. Day 2: Alausi - Riobamba - Baños Drive from Alausi through the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Our first stop will be Colta, a little town where the Spanish founded the first city in Ecuador. Here you will also find the first catholic church built in the country.Later, depending on the weather, you will be able to take pictures of snow-capped mountains, including Tungurugua and Chimborazo, the highest peak in Ecuador. Upon arrival in Baños, check in at your hotel and enjoy a free afternoon to relax at the hot springs, in your hotel, or take a walk to explore the city and surroundings on your own. Day 3: Waterfalls route & Amazon rainforest After a half an hour drive we will take a short hike to visit the "Treehouse" where the National Geographic photo contest winner was taken.Later we will drive for about an hour, making several stops along the waterfalls route, before reaching “Pailon del Diablo” waterfall. After a two kilometer hike we will reach this magical place, one of the ten largest waterfalls found around here.After lunch we will drive to Puyo and the Amazon Rainforest. Once there, we will visit a rescue center where you will learn about the flora and fauna of the area.”Day 4: Baños - Cuenca After a trip full of adventure, we will depart at 9:00 am and return to Cuenca. Drop of in Quito available for an extra cost