Private tour: Daily

 

Highlights:

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• Enjoy the beautiful contrasting scenery of the tropical lowlands and magical highlands

• Visit a cacao farm and taste cocoa fruit 

• Stop at the continental divide between the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans

• Hike through the moorland and Polylepis Forest 

 

Description:

 

This one-way tour begins either in Guayaquil or Cuenca. From Guayaquil, we will drive through the beautiful farming area of the lowlands. Ever tasted the pulp of fresh cacao beans? We will visit a local family farm, the main product growing here is cacao (base to make chocolate), you will be able to experience the process of craft chocolate making and try it if you like to while our tour guide explains the history of cacao and the local customs as well. 

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We will also visit a local market booming with colors and fruits, with our experienced tour guide will learn and sample (If you like to) some of the local sweet and exotic fruits grown here. If you think you know the taste of bananas, mandarines, coconut, dragon fruit, passionfruit to name a few, get ready for the real flavor of these delicious fruits!

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On the way, we will stop for lunch at this very local restaurant where the specialty is trout, however, there are several options including vegetarian and vegan. Our tour guide will advise.

 

We will drive upwards to the highlands through the southern Andes. Here we will visit the Cajas National Park, considered to be one of the most scenic and important protected areas in Ecuador. It's a lake system that constitutes the main source of water for Cuenca. We will take a hike (based on your fitness) to explore the moorlands ecosystem, native Polylepis forest and unique vegetation found here. 

 

After a full-day trip, we will drop you in Cuenca at your hotel or the location of your choice.