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
ItineraryDay 1: Arrive in QuitoStop At: Adventure Journeys, Quito, Pichincha ProvinceMeet your AJ trip leader and group at 6:00pm, at the hotel lobby. Our first day is an informational and acclimation day. We have no scheduled activities. One of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel and there will be plenty of time to discuss details and to answer any questions you may have regarding the adventure. Depending on arrival time, you can spend your day relaxing or exploring Quito and the surrounding area.About Quito: Quito is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Ecuadors capital. The city is considered The Cultural Capital of South America and the second most important city of the old Inca Empire. Due to its strategic location cradled in the middle of the Andes, fantastic day trip can be organized such as: Quito City tour, including a trip to the equator line, Mindo Cloud forest, Cotopaxi national park, Quilotoa crater lake, Otavalo indian market, Papallacta hot springs, Pululahua inhabitant crater and many more. Adventure Journeys offers many options for all types of travelers while in Quito and has incorporated outdoor activities into each experience. A sampling of our experiences for the adventurous traveler include: Cotopaxi biking, Pululahua crater horseback riding, Mindo canopy zip lines and tubing, Papallacta trekking and Jatunyacu river rafting.Please see the menu of adventures we have to offer and contact us if you are interested in further exploration in and around Quito. Duration: 1 hourNo meals included on this day.Accommodation included: Dann Carlton Hotel or Similar Day 2: Otavalo Indigenous MarketStop At: Otavalo Market, Otavalo, Imbabura ProvinceWe take an early departure from Quito and drive north through the majestic Andes. On our way we will stop at a viewpoint to admire Imbabura Volcano and Lake San Pablo. Once in Otavalo, you will have plenty of time to stroll along the narrow cobblestone streets, filled with the Otavalo Indigenous people wearing the traditional blue ponchos, white trousers and long braided hair. Learn all about their daily activities, typical food and native language. Explore their famous handicraft market, with its wonderful textiles, alpaca throws and rugs, knitted clothing native paintings, ceramics, jewelry, tapestries and more at bargain prices. In the afternoon, we will drive to Cotacachi to have lunch and witness the impressive leather goods of the town and enjoy the beauty of this small village. There will be some free time for you to explore the shops or simply relax while sipping on one of the best coffees in Ecuador in the main plaza. Finally we will go to Peguche, a small village known for its waterfalls and wind instruments productionDuration: 8 hoursMeals included: • Breakfast • DinnerAccommodation included: Hacienda Pinsaqui or Similar Day 3: Papallacta Hot Springs Stop At: Termas de Papallacta, Papallacta, Napo Provinceof the Andes. This road is situated between two national reserves, Antisana and Cayambe Coca, both located in the high mountain Paramo ecosystem, known for its short vegetation and for being home to some incredible animals such as the spectacled bear, deer, puma, Andean condor, cara-cara and more. After our 2 hour drive through the beautiful landscape, we will arrive at Papallacta Hot Springs Resort, where you can soak in the volcanic water pools surrounded by mountains and colorful flowers and birds. Duration: 8 hoursMeals included: • BreakfastAccommodation included: Papallacta Hot Springs HotelDay 4: Hummingbirds in the Cloud ForestStop At: Termas de Papallacta, Papallacta, Napo ProvinceEarly in the morning, we will drive down along a curvy panoramic road towards the Amazon Rain forest; as we descend from an altitude of 3000 meters to 500 meters, you will observe how the landscape and vegetation change drastically between climates. Our first stop will be the Guango reserve, where we will have the unique opportunity to see many different species of hummingbirds in the wild. These small creatures are famous for their incredible ability to flap their wings rapidly, as well as for their bright colors. Later, we also stop at the "Guacamayos-Macaw Lookout," located between Antisana and Sumaco National Reserves (low elevation cloud forest), to observe the magic blanket of clouds that covers the Amazon rain forest, until we finally arrive at the Arajuno River, where a motor canoe will take us 20 minutes up the river to the Itamandi Eco-Lodge. Duration: 8 hoursMeals included: • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: Itamandi Lodge or Similar Day 5: Amazon Hike and Kichwa CommunityStop At: Napo River, Cotopaxi ProvinceIn the morning, we will hike to explore the Tropical Rain Forest and have an interpretation from our guide and learn about medicinal plants and we will search for wildlife. Later, we will enjoy a cultural activity where an Amazonian Kichwa community will receive us and we learn about their way of life and the interaction they have with the forest. Appreciate the skills of the indigenous women manufacturing handmade pottery (ceramics). This little business helps to support the indigenous people in their daily life. Today we will also have the chance to learn how to make our own chocolate from the raw fruit. Accommodation:Itamandi Amazon Eco-Lodge Duration: 8 hoursMeals included: • Breakfast • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: Itamandi Lodge or Similar Day 6: Road of the Waterfalls and BañosStop At: Tungurahua, Banos, Tungurahua ProvinceThis morning explore the “Saladero” parrots clay lick. Come back for breakfast and continue our journey driving farther south to Puyo, where we will have a quick look at the balsa carving shop. From here continue onto Rio Verde, located in the UNESCO World Heritage site, Sangay National Park. Here, we will hike down to the second highest waterfall in Ecuador, the Pailon Del Diablo, where pounding water cascades on the rocks and mesmerizes you as you watch from a suspension bridge. You may also take an optional hike behind the falls. After another quick drive, we will arrive at another incredible waterfall called El Manto de la Novia, where we will ride in a cable car traversing the canyon of the Pastaza River. In the late afternoon we will arrive to Baños, located right on the foothills of the Tungurahua volcano, which has been active since 1999. It has some eruptions every few months which delights visitors with lava and steam displays that can be viewed from a number of safe view points in the region. Here in Baños you can also visit a spa or another place to enjoy the hot springs of the area.Duration: 8 hoursMeals included: • BreakfastAccommodation included: La Casa de Luis or Similar Day 7: Highest Volcano in Ecuador and VicuñasStop At: Mount Chimborazo, Chimborazo ProvinceEarly in the morning, we will drive through valleys and farming villages to reach the Chimborazo Volcano, the highest mountain in Ecuador with an elevation of 6310 meters above sea level; whose summit is also the furthest point from the center of the earth on the entire planet. On a clear day, the majestic peak of Chimborazo dominates the view for many kilometers. There will be a short hike for 0.9 km (0.57 mi) to reach the elevation of 5000 meters where the glacier begins. On the hike, we will spot a few of the animals that inhabit this volcanic wonderland such as the Andean condor, cara-cara, hummingbirds, and the timid vicuñas. Once extinct in Ecuador, they have been reintroduced and are now protected; this beautiful animal is related to the alpacas and llamas. Duration: 8 hoursMeals included: • Breakfast • LunchAccommodation included: Hacienda La Andaluza or SimilarDay 8: Devil's Nose Train and Inca RuinsStop At: Estacion Ferrocarril, Alausi, Chimborazo ProvinceAfter an early breakfast, we will take a scenic drive to the small town of Alausí. Here, we will board the train to the Devil’s Nose, where the tracks wind through the countryside in a zigzag formation, creating a travel experience like no other. After the train ride, we will continue our visit towards Ingapirca, the most impressive Inca ruins of Ecuador. We will spend the afternoon learning about this archaeological site, notable for its unique fusion of Inca and native Cañari architecture, as well as for its religious meaning. Later, we will head up to Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its colonial architecture.Duration: 8 hoursMeals included: • BreakfastAccommodation included: Hotel Carvallo or SimilarDay 9: UNESCO City CuencaStop At: Old Cathedral of Cuenca, Cuenca, Azuay ProvinceStarting in the morning enjoy a fantastic city tour, visiting the most important buildings and notable places in Cuenca, such as Calderon Square, the New Cathedral, El Barranco and El Turi lookout point. In the afternoon visit a famous Panama hat factory where we will understand the whole process of making this traditional Ecuadorian hat. In the early evening we will take a short 45 minute domestic flight back to Quito, where we will have our farewell dinner. Duration: 8 hoursMeals included: • BreakfastAccommodation included: Dann Carlton Hotel or SimilarDay 10: End of services Pass By: Quito Old Town, Quito, Pichincha ProvinceInternational departures, end of services. Take with you memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you a "buen viaje"! Meals included: • BreakfastNo accommodation included on this day.
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.
Private Transportation with Driver to Explore Ecuador
Dear Travelers,This is a customized trip which offers private transportation with a spansih speaking driver who will take you to visit the highlights places of Ecuador such: • Cities: Quito, Cuenca, Guayaquil, Otavalo, Riobamba, Tena, Puyo, Baños • National parks: Volcanoes & Reserves: Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Cuicocha, Cajas, Antisana • Markets: Otavalo, Pujili, Saquisili, Guamote, Pujili, Zumbahua • Lakes: Cuicocha, Quilotoa, Cajas • Archeological ruins: Ingapirca, Cochasqui • Train Routes: Devils Nose (Nariz del Diablo), Tren de la Libertad at Ibarra, Boliche at Cotopaxi area. Please febore confirming the trip we request you let us know your prior route in order to quote the right price or if you need assistance to design a customized trip please feel free to contact us.
From the Andes to the Amazon 3D- 2N Quilotoa- Baños- Puyo- Cotopaxi
ItineraryDay 1: Quilotoa-BañosStop At: Laguna Quilotoa, Cotopaxi ProvinceAn early departure at 7:30 am will venture you into the Andes through the Panamerican Highway admiring the diverse ecosystems of the route known 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. Duration: 5 hoursStop At: BañosArrive to Banos early at night. Your guide will drop you off at your hotel where you will enjoy a well-deserved rest.Duration: 12 hoursMeals included: • LunchAccommodation included: Overnight in Baños.Day 2: Ruta de las Cascadas & PuyoStop At: Ruta de las cascadas, Banos, Tungurahua ProvinceOn 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.Duration: 4 hoursStop At: PuyoThis 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.Duration: 3 hoursStop At: La Casa del Arbol, Banos, Tungurahua ProvinceBack in Baños, 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. Duration: 1 hourMeals included: • Breakfast • LunchAccommodation included: Overnight in Baños.Day 3: Cotopaxi National Park -QuitoStop At: Cotopaxi National Park, Cotopaxi Provincen 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.Duration: 4 hoursMeals included: • Breakfast • LunchNo accommodation included on this day.
Private Transportation with Driver to Explore Ecuador
Dear Travelers, This is a customized trip which offers private transportation with a spansih speaking driver who will take you to visit the highlights places of Ecuador such: • Cities: Quito, Cuenca, Guayaquil, Otavalo, Riobamba, Tena, Puyo, Baños • National parks: Volcanoes & Reserves: Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Cuicocha, Cajas, Antisana • Markets: Otavalo, Pujili, Saquisili, Guamote, Pujili, Zumbahua • Lakes: Cuicocha, Quilotoa, Cajas • Archeological ruins: Ingapirca, Cochasqui • Train Routes: Devils Nose (Nariz del Diablo), Tren de la Libertad at Ibarra, Boliche at Cotopaxi area. Please febore confirming the trip we request you let us know your prior route in order to quote the right price or if you need assistance to design a customized trip please feel free to contact us.
4-Days Andes and Amazon Tour
ItineraryDay 1: A day to relax!Stop At: Ecuador Best Tours, Quito, Pichincha ProvinceStart early in the morning, at 08h00, towards the “Amazon basins”.Duration: 5 minutesStop At: Termas de Papallacta, Papallacta, Napo ProvinceAfter traveling through the Valley of Tumbaco 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! This waters give us the opportunity to enjoy its incredible healing properties!Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Termas de Papallacta, Papallacta, Napo ProvinceUpon our arrival we visit the interpretation centre, which provides information of the protected area and its surrounding areas. 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!Duration: 1 hourStop At: Termas de Papallacta, Papallacta, Napo ProvinceYou will stay the overnight in Termas Papallacta SPA & Resort.Duration: 10 hoursNo meals included on this day.Accommodation included: Termas de Papallacta or Hostería PampallactaDay 2: Discovering the Tropical RainforestStop At: Termas de Papallacta, Papallacta, Napo ProvinceAfter breakfast, you will depart, early in the morning, to the subtropical rainforests, located at the foothills of the Andes. You will stop at Guango Lodge to experience the privilege to spot hundreds of hummingbirds flying around us from a very close distanceDuration: 2 hoursStop At: Napo River, Cotopaxi ProvinceIn the afternoon we will arrive to Itamandi Lodge where we will have lunch. We will have 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 of the tropical rainforest.Duration: 4 hoursMeals included: • Breakfast • DinnerAccommodation included: Itamandi Lodge or Liana LodgeDay 3: An amazing day!Stop At: Napo River, Cotopaxi ProvinceYou visit an animal rescue centre, then we do one of the most famous adventure sports well-known as “tubbing”, in the Arahuno River! After our fascinating experience, you will go back to the lodge to have lunch. Our next destination is Puyo, where we will learn all about the wooden carvings made out of balsa wood. Duration: 3 hoursStop At: Pailon del Diablo (Devil's Cauldron), Banos, Tungurahua ProvinceContinuing 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, until we arrive to the 72 meters tall waterfall, that give us the opportunity to enjoy three waterfalls! Duration: 1 hourStop At: Cascada el Manto de la Novia, Banos, Tungurahua ProvinceGoing 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 built inside mountains until we arrive to the “Agoyán waterfall”. Finally we arrive to “Baños de Agua Santa”, wich is at the foothills of the majestic “Tungurahua Volcano” (5.016 m.a.s.l.) that has been in activity since 1997.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Tungurahua, Banos, Tungurahua ProvinceWe will stay the overnight at Hotel Monteselva SPA & Resort, located in a privileged area! Dinner and time to relax in the SPA.Duration: 10 hoursMeals included: • Breakfast • DinnerAccommodation included: Hotel Monteselva or Hotel La FlorestaDay 4: Back in the AndesStop At: Cotopaxi National Park, Cotopaxi ProvinceAfter breakfast, we start our drive back to Quito. During our journey we will visit the “Salasaca's Indigenous Market”, and San Agustin de Callo, a unique colonial hacienda in Ecuador, built over impressive Inca structures! Here we will have the privilege to enjoy a typical lunch, surrounded by Inca walls and llamas, while we learn all about the history of this charming house!!Duration: 4 hoursStop At: Cotopaxi National Park, Cotopaxi ProvinceWe go to Cotopaxi Volcano (5.897 m.a.s.l.), which is a beautiful national park to admire the local flora, lagoons, wild horses and different other ecosystems! Also we enjoy the exotic fauna while we walk around “Limpiopungo Lagoon” (3.800 m.a.s.l.). After the hike, we drive up to the parking lot located at 4.500 m.a.s.l., then you will have the opportunity to do a hike up to 4.800 meters above sea level, where the "Jose Rivas refuge" is located, very close to the glaciers!!Duration: 4 hoursStop At: Quito Old Town, Quito, Pichincha ProvinceWe drive back to Quito, and finally it will be the end of this unforgettable lifetime experience!Duration: 2 hoursMeals included: • Breakfast • LunchNo accommodation included on this day.