Tours
ECUADOR 2017
A delicious, chocolate and coffee adventure to Ecuador awaits you March 11th - 19th
Right in the middle of the world, where the chocolate was originated, the adventure and culture meets.
We invite you to join us as we explore the world of fine cacao and coffee in Ecuador. We’ll visit farmers and business pioneers in the Ecuadorian chocolate and coffee industries. The tour is led by Jenny Samaniego, a native Ecuadorian and owner of Cocoa Provisions, and Jody Hayden, owner of Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate.
If you love chocolate, and adventure, you won’t want to miss this opportunity. At it’s source, learn it’s origins, and about the amazing people who create it from pod to the port. Ecuador is home to beautiful colonial architecture, amazonian rainforest and great adventures. Join us on a 7-day trip to Ecuador to participate in one unforgettable experience in one of the most recognized chocolate countries in the world.
Saturday, March 11th - DAY 1
Arrive in Quito
Sunday, March 12th - DAY 2
Quito - Manta
Visit Quito’s spectacular historical district, tour the area’s colonial churches and plazas and take a tram ride to the highest point in the city for incredible panoramic views. Enjoy a private chocolate tasting led by your tour guides Jenny Samaniego and Jody Hayden.
***We will take a short flight to Manta in the evening.***
Monday, March 13th - DAY 3
Manta
Spend the day visiting our cacao partners, Fortaleza Del Valle, a cooperative from the Manabi Provence who won the prestigious ‘Cocoa of Excellence’ Award in 2015 at the Salon du Chocolat in Paris. Learn about cacao farming from longtime cacao producers and get a glimpse into life on the farm. Meet with the directors of the farming co-op and learn about the business of coffee growing, processing and exporting from this very successful farmer’s cooperative.
Tuesday, March 14th - DAY 4
Manta - Quevedo
Visit another farming family from Fortaleza Del Valle then drive in a private van to Quevedo. There we’ll be hosted by our friends Samuel and Anita, who own Hacienda Limon and Orecao, one of the few producer members of the Heirloom Cacao Preservation fund. Samuel is a swiss-born cacao farmer who has lived in Ecuador for over 30 years. He was head of Nestle’s agronomic’s division before starting his own cacao business. Anita is a extraordinary chef and partner in the chocolate business.
Wednesday, March 15th - DAY 5
Quevedo
Tantalize your taste buds with a special tasting of their rare, heirloom chocolate, led by Samuel and Anita. Take the opportunity to ask questions about the rigorous application to become an Heirloom Cacao Preservation member and gain valuable insight into the cacao industry. Enjoy a guided tour of Samuel an Anita’s farm and processing facilities plus lear about the importance of fermentation, grafting and the cultivation of the rare Ecuadorian Nacional cacao variety.
Tantalize your taste buds with a special tasting of their rare, heirloom chocolate, led by Samuel and Anita.
Take the opportunity to ask questions about the rigorous application to become an Heirloom Cacao Preservation member and gain valuable insight into the cacao industry. Enjoy a guided tour of Samuel an Anita’s farm and processing facilities plus lear about the importance of fermentation, grafting and the cultivation of the rare Ecuadorian Nacional cacao variety.
Thursday, March 16th - DAY 6
Nanegalito
Travel to Nanegalito to visit coffee farmers and local sugar cane plantation. Along the way we’ll visit the Museum of Tulipe, where the Yumbo civilization once thrived from 800 AD until the Spanish Conquest around 1660. The Yumbo pre-date the Inca and they were a peace loving society engaging with foreign trade/relations.
Friday, March 17th - DAY 7
Pichincha
Learn about the bean-to-bar processing at our partner factory, Ecuatoriana de Chocolates, a small chocolate producing factory in Quito. Then we’ll explore the supply chain of Ecuadorian Coffee - growing, roasting and marketing - at La Perla coffee plantation. We’ll tour coffee fields and enjoy guided coffee tasting. Visit Mitad Del Mundo, a monument celebrating the equatorial line and the indigenous people who once inhabited the area.
Saturday, March 18th - DAY 8
Otavalos
Enjoy an early visit to the Otavalos animal market and then a guided tour of the largest artisan market in South America. Shop for hand-made artisan crafts and textiles. Visit a local artisan co-op and celebrate our final visit with a private Kichwa concert hosted by our friends in Peguche.
Sunday, March 19th - DAY 9
Depart from Quito