Capítulo tercero Violencia
3.4 Guerra y violencia sublimada
Day 1Quito Arrive at any time.
Spend the first day of your trip wandering Ecuador's capital city. Meet the group in the evening at the hotel.
Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting 1h
The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore, but make sure you're back in time to meet the group. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your tour.
Accommodation
Hotel Eugenia (or similar) Hotel
Day 2Quito/Tena
Travel to the jungle city of Tena and continue by truck to a jungle community.
Travel overland to Tena, located on the edge of the Amazon. From there, transfer for 45 minutes by truck to the local community of Pimpilala that will be our home for 3 nights. Stay with a Quichua family, enjoy the hospitality of these wonderful people, and experience life in the jungle first-hand.
Local bus Quito - Tena6h-7h
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Amazon Jungle Homestay Tena
Learn about local traditional beliefs and customs on this amazing homestay in the Ecuadorian Amazon close to Napo River. Stay with a friendly Quichua family near the community of Cando. They've introduced countless visitors to local living and a completely different way of doing things -- one that may give you a different perspective on life.
Take part in a number of amazing activities. Hike through the rainforest, plunge into waterfalls, and learn the uses of tropical plants. Experience local tradition, and learn about Quichua history and culture.
Accommodation
Cabanas Pimpilala (or similar) Homestay
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Days 3-4Tena
Spot wildlife on nature walks and learn about local traditions at an overnight homestay.
Amazon Jungle Homestay Tena
Learn about local traditional beliefs and customs on this amazing homestay in the Ecuadorian Amazon close to Napo River. Stay with a friendly Quichua family near the community of Cando. They've introduced countless visitors to local living and a completely different way of doing things -- one that may give you a different perspective on life.
Take part in a number of amazing activities. Hike through the rainforest, plunge into waterfalls, and learn the uses of tropical plants. Experience local tradition, and learn about Quichua history and culture.
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 5Tena/Baños
Travel to Baños, an adrenaline junkie's paradise.
Baños is the perfect setting for outdoor pursuits, including horseback riding, canyoning, hiking, mountain biking, climbing, and rafting in the surrounding mountains and on the River Patate.
Pickup truck Tena45m
Hop into the back and ride along to the next destination.
Local bus
Tena - Baños3h-4h
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Free Time BañosAfternoon
Get out and explore Baños and its beautiful surroundings.
3
HideShow
Optional Activities - Day 5 Hot Springs
Baños
Soak weary muscles in the thermal baths that Baños is famous for. Head to hot springs at the base of Tungurahua Volcano, which means "little hell" in Quichua, or try some of the baths fed by the melt waters of Tungurahua's glaciated flanks. Rise before the sun for an early soak - watching the sun peak over the mountains while relaxing in the warm waters is definitely worth the early start.
Horseback Riding Baños
25USD per person
Hop in the saddle and explore Baños' beautiful countryside by horseback. Check out the unique vegetation in the region, and, perhaps, trot over to Tungurahua Volcano for amazing views.
Mountain Biking Baños
10USD per person
Hop on your bike and explore the amazing scenery surrounding Baños. Pass by mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and changing vegetation - depending on what path you take. Enjoy the cool wind on downhill stretches, but be sure to bring sunblock; the sun can be strong.
Accommodation
Hotel La Floresta (or similar) Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6Baños
Free Time BañosFull Day
Get out there and get exploring.
6
HideShow
Optional Activities - Day 6 Hot Springs
Baños
Soak weary muscles in the thermal baths that Baños is famous for. Head to hot springs at the base of Tungurahua Volcano, which means "little hell" in Quichua, or try some of the baths fed by the melt waters of Tungurahua's glaciated flanks. Rise before the sun for an early soak - watching the sun peak over the mountains while relaxing in the warm waters is definitely worth the early start.
Canyoneering Baños
25USD per person
Take the opportunity to go canyoneering in this prime place for outdoor adventure. Get fitted with gear and go with the group to explore waterfalls, rock formations, and the area's amazing natural beauty, all from a unique (and fun-filled) perspective.
Horseback Riding Baños
25USD per person
Hop in the saddle and explore Baños' beautiful countryside by horseback. Check out the unique vegetation in the region, and, perhaps, trot over to Tungurahua Volcano for amazing views.
Hiking Baños Free
Head to the mountains for some amazing treks; Baños provides the perfect natural setting for outdoor adventure.
Mountain Biking Baños
10USD per person
Hop on your bike and explore the amazing scenery surrounding Baños. Pass by mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and changing vegetation - depending on what path you take. Enjoy the cool wind on downhill stretches, but be sure to bring sunblock; the sun can be strong.
Whitewater Rafting Baños
70USD per person
Hit the rapids in the adrenaline capital of Ecuador. Choose a river that suits your experience level; there a number with varying ranges of difficulty. Enjoy amazing Andean scenery and a fun-filled ride!
Accommodation
Hotel La Floresta (or similar) Hotel
Day 7Baños/Cuenca Travel to historic Cuenca.
Ecuador's third largest town, Cuenca, retains a pleasant provincial air with its colonial architecture, art galleries, and museums. The surrounding countryside is an outdoor playground. Visit national parks, take walks in the beautiful countryside, and see Ecuador's only Inca ruin site.
Local bus
Baños - Riobamba2h
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Local bus
Riobamba - Cuenca6h
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Accommodation
Hotel La Casona (or similar) Hotel
Day 8Cuenca
Enjoy a free day to visit Cajas NP or the Inca ruins of Ingapirca.
Free Time CuencaFull Day
Enjoy free time to explore colonial Cuenca and its surroundings.
2
HideShow
Optional Activities - Day 8 Ingapirca Ruins Visit Cuenca
Visit the ruins of Ingapirca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is approximately an hour and a half drive north of Cuenca, through some of Ecuador's most beautiful countryside. Although it is a major Inca site, not a lot is known about its history.
Cajas National Park Visit Cajas National Park 10USD per person
Head out for an excursion from Cuenca with a visit to Cajas National Park. Tour this natural outdoor playground that combines stunning scenery and wildlife with excellent areas for hiking. The terrain is quite stark, mostly above 4,000m (13,120 ft) in the páramo (grassy highlands), with many clear lakes. Try some of the variety of treks in the park's vast 28,000 ha, and keep an eye out for oncillas, wild llamas, pumas, and a wide variety of birds, including toucans!
Accommodation
Hotel La Casona (or similar) Hotel
Day 9Cuenca/Máncora
Cross the border into Peru and head to the beach.
The adventure continues as we travel from Cuenca through the busy border town of Huaquillas and across the Peruvian border into Mancora. We follow the Pan-American Highway south to the seaside town of Mancora, a village populated by fishermen and surfers from around Peru and the world. Enjoy the relaxing beach atmosphere.
Local bus
Cuenca - Huaquillas5h-6h
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Border Crossing (Ecuador - Peru) Huaquillas - Aguas Verdes
Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
Local bus
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Accommodation
Hotel Las Olas (or similar) Hotel
Day 10Máncora
Opt to relax on the beach, discover Mancora, go horseback riding, or take a surf lesson.
Free Time MáncoraFull Day
Enjoy a free day to relax or get active.
2
HideShow
Optional Activities - Day 10 Surfing
Máncora
Jump up on a board and catch a wave!
Horseback Riding Máncora
Ride on a beautiful horse and get a new perspective on this area.
Accommodation
Hotel Las Olas (or similar) Hotel
Day 11Máncora/Huanchaco
Free time in Mancora. Overnight bus to Huanchaco.
Free Time MáncoraFull Day
Get out and enjoy this beachside town.
Overnight bus Máncora - Huanchaco
Curl up and catch a snooze en route to the next stop.
Day 12Huanchaco
Enjoy more beach time or opt to visit pre-Inca sites or the city of Trujillo.
We continue heading south along the coast to Trujillo, the largest city in northern Peru. It is known for its beautiful colonial structures and nearby attractions of Chan-Chan ruins and the resort town of Huanchaco, where we spend the night.
Free Time Huanchaco
Get out and enjoy the beach or go further inland for exploration.
2
HideShow
Optional Activities - Day 12 Trujillo Visit
Walk Trujillo's centre for a taste of colonial Peru. If shoes are your thing, hit the shopping district, where you'll find beautiful hand-made leather shoes to buy, thanks to Trujillo's large local shoemaking industry.
Chan Chan Ruins Visit Trujillo
Hop in a taxi and travel to the ruins of Chan Chan, the capital of Peru's largest pre-Inca empire, located 5km (3.1 mi) away from the city of Trujillo. Abandoned in the 1470s after the Inca army overran the city, it is now approximately 5,000 acres of eroded adobe.
Accommodation
Hotel Huankarute (or similar) Hotel
Day 13Huanchaco/Lima
Full day in Huanchaco before boarding a night bus to Lima.
Free Time
HuanchacoFull Day
Do as much or as little as you'd like before an overnight bus in the evening.
Overnight bus Huanchaco - Lima8h
Curl up and catch a snooze en route to the next stop.
2
HideShow
Optional Activities - Day 13 Trujillo Visit
Trujillo
Walk Trujillo's centre for a taste of colonial Peru. If shoes are your thing, hit the shopping district, where you'll find beautiful hand-made leather shoes to buy, thanks to Trujillo's large local shoemaking industry.
Chan Chan Ruins Visit Trujillo
Hop in a taxi and travel to the ruins of Chan Chan, the capital of Peru's largest pre-Inca empire, located 5km (3.1 mi) away from the city of Trujillo. Abandoned in the 1470s after the Inca army overran the city, it is now approximately 5,000 acres of eroded adobe.
Day 14Lima
Explore Peru's capital on an optional city tour, try paragliding, or simply relax. Be sure to try the tasty ceviche and pisco sours.
To get a feel for colonial Lima, take a cab to the Plaza de Armas and watch the changing of the Palace Guard in the afternoon. Walk around the streets surrounding the Jirón de la Unión for great examples of Spanish-colonial architecture and to experience life in a large South American city. There are many fine museums in and around the city, including the Museo Rafael Larco Herrera. An optional city tour visits many of the cities highlights.
Free Time LimaFull Day
Get out and enjoy a first taste of Lima, the capital of Peru.
2
HideShow
Optional Activities - Day 14 Lima City Tour
Lima
Discover Lima's highlights on this half-day tour.
Lima
Glide over Costa Verde, hover over Lima's city life and see the desert dunes over Pachacamac. Tandem flights are available to those who have never glided.
Accommodation
Hotel Gemina (or similar) Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 15Lima
Enjoy the day exploring the city.
Free Time Lima
Get out and get exploring!
2
HideShow
Optional Activities - Day 15 Lima City Tour
Lima
Discover Lima's highlights on this half-day tour.
Lima Paragliding Lima
Glide over Costa Verde, hover over Lima's city life and see the desert dunes over Pachacamac. Tandem flights are available to those who have never glided.
Accommodation
Hotel Gemina (or similar) Hotel
Day 16Lima/Paracas
Free morning in Lima before travelling by bus to Paracas.
Savour a pisco sour while staying in Pisco's neighbouring town of Paracas.
Free Time LimaMorning
There's not a lot of time to explore this morning as the bus to the station picks up around midday.
Local bus
Lima - Pisco4h250km
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Minibus
Pisco - Paracas30m
It's bigger than a van, smaller than a bus, and just the right size for adventure.
Accommodation
Hotel Refugio del Pirata (or similar) Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 17Paracas/Nazca
There is time in the morning for an optional excursion to the popular Ballestas Islands, which provide an excellent chance to view a lively sea lion colony, pelicans, penguins, and other varieties of birdlife.
Back on land, catch a bus south to Nazca. On the way, pass by the pleasant colonial town of Ica.
Ica enjoys a dry, sunny climate year-round and is known for its huge sand dunes. Located around the nearby oasis of Huacachina, the dunes are perfect as subjects for photographs and for a favourite local past time: sandboarding. Apart from the dunes, Ica is famous for its wines and there are several wineries and distilleries in the area.
Private Vehicle
Paracas - Nazca4h175km
Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.
Huacachina Winery Visit Huacachina
Learn about the wine and pisco production in the area and enjoy a tasting of different varieties, which are all available for purchase.
2
HideShow
Optional Activities - Day 17 Ballestas Islands Excursion Las Ballestas
Visit this group of islands off the Peruvian coast, an excellent place to go wildlife watching. Spot sea lion colonies, Humboldt penguins, and a variety of bird life.
Sandboarding in Ica Ica
40PEN per person
Drive into the dunes in a sand buggy, making four stops along the way. Take some photos of the magnificent scenery before trying your hand at sandboarding down dunes of different sizes.
Accommodation
San Marcelo Hotel (or similar) Hotel
Meals included: Dinner
Day 18Nazca/Arequipa
Opt for a flight over the Nazca Lines. Overnight bus to Arequipa.
Free Time NazcaFull Day
Enjoy some free time during the day.
Overnight bus
Nazca - Arequipa8h-9h570km
Curl up and catch a snooze en route to the next stop.
2
HideShow
Optional Activities - Day 18 Flight over Nazca Lines Nazca
105USD per person
Take to the skies for the best view of the enigmatic Nazca Lines, a series of patterns and pictures etched in the ground, crisscrossing a wide area of flat desert. Marvel at the lines measuring up to 10km (6 mi) in length, yet, remaining perfectly straight. See depictions of birds, insects, and animals only recognizable from the air. Decide for yourself the origin of the lines - who drew the lines, and why,
remains a mystery. Current beliefs suggest that they may be part of complex agricultural calendar.
Nazca Desert Cemetery and Potter's Studio Guided Tour Nazca
80PEN per person
See remains of the Nazca culture during an included tour of the ancient Pre-Inca desert cemetery site of Chauchilla. Spot
1500-year-old mummies, bones, and pottery on the desert floor. The entire desert area was also once home to the ancient Paracas and the Nazca cultures, which preceded the Incas by more than half a millennium. Stop for a visit at an artisan's workshop, where modern masters create Nazca style pottery.
Day 19Arequipa
Opt to visit the Santa Catalina Convent or a local hot spring.
Those with an interest in history and architecture may opt to visit the Convent of Santa Catalina, which offers a brief respite from the outside world and a unique view into a bygone way of life. Other optional excursions include rafting and mountaineering.
For spicy food lovers, checking out one of the "Picanterías" is a must. Arequipa has a variety of regional food: alpaca, shrimp, pork, lots of soups, and spicy sauces.
Free Time ArequipaFull Day
Make the most of your time here.
2
HideShow
Optional Activities - Day 19 Santa Catalina Monastery Visit Arequipa
60PEN per person
Visit this 16th-century monastery (over 20,000 sq m) for its beautiful architecture built in the Mudéjar style. Travel back in time wandering its small streets lined with colourful walls, and take some time to learn about its captivating history.
Arequipa City Tour Arequipa
Head out and see the sights, exploring all you can of "the white city."
Accommodation
Hotel Arequipa Inn (or similar) Hostel
Day 20Arequipa/Chivay
Take a full-day tour of the spectacular Colca Valley, and opt for a soak in hot springs.
Enjoy an overnight excursion to the impressive Colca Canyon - one of the deepest canyons in the world. Stop in fascinating villages and at "miradors" (scenic lookouts), where, with a little luck, visitors can see Andean condors soaring over the majestic Andes. Other unusual animals that can be spotted in the Andean landscape include three different species of camelids: alpaca, llama and vicuña.
Private Vehicle
Arequipa - Colca Canyon4h30m-5h165km
Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.
Colca Canyon Guided Tour Colca Canyon2-2.5
Spot condors on this guided tour, and keep your eyes peeled for other unusual animals. Look for three different species of camelids: alpaca, llama, and vicuña, which are all typical of Peru.
1
HideShow
Optional Activities - Day 20 Hot Springs
Chivay
Soak your weary bones in steaming hot water pouring from the earth and relax.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 21Chivay
Set out looking for the majestic soaring condors.
Get an early start to go on the lookout for flying condors. Travel from Chivay town to a condor viewpoint to admire these magnificent birds in the air. On the way back, stop by some local villages and viewpoints to see old terraces and sections of Colca Canyon, the deepest canyon in the world.
Colca Canyon Guided Tour