Luna
Travel Volcano Expedition:
12 Days/11 Nights
This program can start from Quito and finalize in Guayaquil or
vice versa.
Description
This program has been designed for the well-trained adventure seekers.
We recommend that the participants arrive in Guayaquil (sea level)
and finish it in Quito (2800 meters). The program includes one day
of acclimatization at Luna Runtun (2200 mts). The Expeditions program
takes place in Sangay National Park, a the perfect place to admire
breathtaking views of various eternally snowcapped volcanoes and
mountains as well as a plethora of black lagoons. On the way up
to the lagoons, we cross the through the Andean highlands, paramo,
and cloud forest, all the while observing wild animals such as Andean
tapirs, bears, and birds from hummingbirds to condors.
DAY 1
Arrival in Guayaquil. Transfer from the airport to the hotel. Overnight
at Four Points Sheraton or Hampton Inn in Guayaquil.
DAY 2
Breakfast. Departure for Luna Runtun via the Route of Stars, "the
most fascinating of the world". In less than 300 km., we drive
from sea level to 4000 meters experiencing the coastal warmth and
discovering the green plains of the province of Guayas with its
banana palms and rice fields; taking in the mega diversity of the
occidental western foothills of the Andes in the tropical highlands;
rising up to the frozen and dry cold of a desert of sand and stones
located a few miles away from the snowcapped Chimborazo, the world's
highest mountain when measured from the center of the planet. Finally,
we arrive at Luna Runtun, located in Sangay National Park, at the
foot of Volcano Tungurahua, a few miles away from the entrance to
the Amazon Rainforest. Great photo opportunities. Box lunch. Welcome
drink and relaxation in our beautiful SPA and gardens. Dinner. Overnight
at Luna Runtun.
DAY 3
Country breakfast. Day of acclimatization. Full day. Box lunch .
Biking tour: The King of the Wood - level-ground trip with some
uphill and downhill sections. Depart from Luna Runtun by minivan.
Bike through the Patate Valley passing through fields of corn, vegetables,
fruits, and palm trees. Afterwards, we drive to the paramo, at 3600
meters above sea level, where you will see the crater of the constantly
erupting Tungurahua. Great photo opportunity. After the picnic,
take your bike and enjoy a 22-km downhill ride through the cloud
forest On your left will be Llanganates National Park and in front
of you you'll see Hacienda Río Chico 1000 meters (3280 feet)
down below.... Greet the natives, cross little crystal clear streams,
surprise yourself by seeing chickens, dogs, and cows crossing the
road along with so many others surprises which will make this biking
tour so unusual. Finally, you'll reach Ulba, located at 1700 meters
above sea level where the car will be waiting for you....
Dinner and ovenight at Luna Runtun.
DAY 4
Country breakfast. Preparation for the expedition. Depart from Luna
Runtun by minivan bound for Pondoa (2800 meters above sea level).
We hike 2-3 hours to Volcano Tungurahua's refuge (3800 meters).
On the way up, we'll admire Tungurahua, Cotopaxi, Cerro Hermoso,
and Llanganates National Park. See orchids, primary forests, and
beautiful birds. Once at the refuge, enjoy a lunar landscape full
of ashes and volcanic stones. Listen to the sound of the Volcano
and imagine the crater just 2 miles away. Picnic, dinner, and overnight
at the refuge.
DAY 5
Breakfast. Hike back from Pondoa and continue on bike. Discover
the secrets of the Volcano Tungurahua trail. On bike, you'll discover
the geology and topography of the Volcano. Visit the 12 valleys
through which the "lahares" passed. Bike over the handmade
bridges constructed by the community due to the lack of assistance
provided by the government. Picnic, dinner, and overnight at Hacienda
La Chascona or La Candelaria (depending on weather conditions).
DAY 6
Breakfast. Horseback riding. (6 hours). Breathtaking views of Volcano
Altar and the surrounding Andean highlands. Trot through the paramo
and enjoy the beauty of the black lagoons of Minzas. Picnic, dinner,
and overnight in tents.
DAY 7 - 8
Breakfast. Explore Sangay National Park. Hiking or horseback riding.
Observe Tungurahua, birdwatching, great photos opportunities, and
fishing. Look out for tapirs, bears, etc. Lunch, dinner & overnight
in tents.
DAY 9
Breakfast. Leave the majestic scenery of the paramo. Cross El Arenal,
a field of ashes, making your way through the cloud forest, stopping
to refresh yourself at the Heaven Waterfall. Bike or hike down to
Luna Runtun. Lunch. Enjoy Spa activities and relax. Dinner and overnight
at Luna Runtun.
DAY 10
Country breakfast. Relax in our beautiful Spa. Shop in Baños.
This pretty town is the perfect place for shopping for handicrafts,
indian tapestries, souvenirs, postcards, paintings, etc. Lunch in
town, dinner & overnight at LR.
DAY 11
Country breakfast. Return to Quito through the famous Avenue of
the Volcanoes. See 11 of the 265 volcanoes in Ecuador : Carihuairazo,
Pasachoa, Ilinizas, and Cotopaxi, a perfect cone of eternal snow,
among others. Lunch at the Hacienda Rumipamba de las Rosas. Dinner.
Overnight at the Dann Carlton or Marriott Hotel in Quito.
DAY 12 - HASTA LUEGO
Breakfast. Transfer from the Hotel to the airport. Departure.
Notes:
(minimum 4 personas / maximum 6 personas)
Price per person: $ 3255.-
Program begins Sundays & Thurdays - Other possible departure
days can be arranged upon request
Programs include:
| DESCRIPTION |
Adv. |
Spa |
Exped. |
| . |
Program |
Program |
Program |
| Hotel accomodation |
X |
X |
X |
| 2 transfers (airport-hotel -airport)
|
X |
X |
X |
| Welcome drink |
X |
X |
X |
| All meals |
X |
X |
X |
| Non-Alcoholic drinks |
X |
X |
X |
| Alcoholic drinks |
. |
. |
X |
| Route of the stars |
X |
X |
X |
| Avenue of the volcanoes |
X |
X |
X |
| SPA activities at LR |
. |
X |
X |
| Adventure activities at LR |
X |
. |
X |
| Sauna at LR |
X |
X |
X |
| Volcanic stones carpet at LR |
X |
X |
X |
| Medical visit (entrance) |
X |
X |
X |
| Bathrobe & Sandals |
. |
X |
. |
| Ashes and volcanic stone |
X |
X |
X |
| T-shirts & cap |
X |
. |
X |
| Airport departure tax $ 25.00
|
. |
. |
. |
|