01
… /QUITO
Meet and greet at the airport in Quito outside of customs. Assistance and transfer to the selected hotel. (Distance between Quito airport and the city one hour approximately).
Overnight in Quito
02
QUITO CITY TOUR
Breakfast at hotel.
This sightseeing excursion offers the best of Quito with its rich cultural legacy, ornate facades, and dazzling gilt altars. Quito’s Historical Center, the largest and best preserved in Latin America was built over the ruins of the Inca’s northern imperial seat. A fabulous example of colonial architecture and art blended with indigenous styles. Quito, founded in 1534 became the first city in the world to be declared by UNESCO in 1978 a World Cultural Heritage site. The visit will take you to iconic places such as the Plaza Grande or Independence Square to have a view of important colonial buildings: The Archbishop’s Palace, The Metropolitan Cathedral, The Government Palace, as well as other representative examples of colonial art and architecture as the Santo Domingo Convent.
PM: at leisure
Overnight in Quito
03
ANDEAN HANDICRAFTS & THE OTAVALO MARKET – NORTHERN HIGHLANDS
Breakfast at hotel.
An early start departing from Quito will take you due north on a beautiful scenic drive to the province of Imbabura, a magic land located at 2530 m above the sea level surrounded by lakes and mountains of outstanding beauty. The day opens the possibility to learn about the customs of the people living in the area.
The Northern Highlands are the home of the Otavalo Community. The Otavalos are known around the world for their weaving patterns and textiles that pre-date the Spanish conquest. The market is world known for its colorful textiles, woven on back-strap and shuttle looms, its piles of ponchos and hand-made textiles, hats, Indian jewelry and creative handicrafts. This is a unique occasion to wonder through this maze of color and enjoy some fun bargaining and buying great quality handicrafts at superb prices. Close by is the town of Peguche where some of the Otavalo Indians live. Peguche, a picturesque town where its inhabitants are famous for their weaving abilities on hand made looms. This visit opens up the possibility to see the typical houses of the area and their way of living.
Lunch will be offered at one of the many charming hosterias or country inns of the area.
After lunch return to Quito.
Overnight in: Quito
04
QUITO – THE AMAZON RAINFOREST
Breakfast at hotel.
At proper time be transferred to airport in Quito to take the regular flight to the Amazon rainforest.
Upon arrival to El Coca airport (Amazon), will be met by a representative of the selected eco-lodge to start our adventure in the rainforest.
05
06
IN THE AMAZON RAINFOREST
Breakfast at hotel.
This is one of the earth’s hot spots of biological diversity which attracts nature oriented tourists and visitors just as much as it does to scientists and explorers. This is the perfect venue to discover, to learn and to respect the wonders of nature. Among the activities offered we can highlight the observation of birds and wildlife, walks, navigations on the river, visit local communities, etc. And all of them are provided with specialized native guides. Overnight at selected eco-Lodge
07
THE AMAZON – QUITO
Breakfast at hotel.
Transfer to airport in the Amazon to take the regular flight back to Quito.
Arrival to Quito, assistance and transfer from airport to selected hotel.
Overnight in Quito
08
THE ANTISANA AREA & RIOBAMBA – CENTRAL HIGHLANDS
Breakfast at hotel.
Depart from Quito direction Riobamba. During this trip we will go through the Andean Region, covering approximately 400 km. This 400 Km. stretch of the Andes is rightfully known as “The Avenue of the Volcanoes” (German scientist – Alexander von Humboldt -1802). It is a breathtaking natural boulevard flanked by impressive volcanoes, both active and inactive, and giant peaks covered with glaciers and perpetual snow, towering well above 5 and even 6 thousand meters above sea level. If the day is clear, we might get a glimpse of the geometrically perfect colossus Mount Cotopaxi (5897m), the world highest active volcano. In between, a never-ending line of emerald green valleys, dotted with gold-colored fields provide spectacular sights, a paradise for photographers…
During this overland trip from Quito to Riobamba a stop at the Antisana Ecological Reserve is included where there might be the possibility to see the famous Andean Condor. Learn about the Andean Páramo (moorlands), enjoy on a clear day beautiful panoramic views of the Antisana volcano (stratovolcano), a large glacier which at 5,704 m is the fourth highest volcano in Ecuador.
Lunch is included at a hacienda or at one of the hosterias of the area.
In the afternoon, continue direction Riobamba, founded in 1534 by the Spaniards. A stop is included in the highest point of this route at a mountain acclimatization lodge where you will learn about the tallest mountain in Ecuador, the Chimborazo, which at 6.268m
due to its location near the equator, arguably is the farthest point from the earth’s center.
Overnight in: Riobamba
09
RIOBAMBA-INGAPIRCA-CUENCA
Breakfast at hotel.
Depart from Riobamba direction south. The route offers beautiful panoramic views of the highlands and a good opportunity to see the changes in the scenery of the highlands. Great opportunities to take pictures will be present in a couple of stops made during the route.
We will drive through what it was the pre-Inca territory of the Cañari culture, until the Inca empire started its expansion into Ecuador.
We will reach Ingapirca, a name given by the Incas, to the fortress and complex, which are by far the most important archaeological sites left by the Inca Empire in Ecuadorian territory. The Temple of the Sun is by far the most significant building in the complex. It was constructed in the Inca way with careful consideration of their beliefs, being sun and moon worshipers, and their knowledge of the cosmos. The Temple built high in the mountains at an elevation of 3.200 m is positioned in such a way so that at the right moment of the day, the sunlight would shine through the center of the doorway of the chamber at the top of the Temple.
Located around two hours from the city of Cuenca, the Ingapirca Complex offers a fascinating blend of the Cañari and Inca architecture and vestiges of their culture on a single site. Visit the onsite museum which includes numerous samples of ceramic, textiles and metal works found on diverse digs around the area of influence of these two cultures, an evident prove of the expert hands of this pre-Hispanic communities. Walk around the remains of this ancient facility, learning about the living practices of the ancient cultures. After this visit, the tour continues south direction Cuenca.
Overnight in: Cuenca
10
CUENCA, HALF DAY CITY TOUR
Breakfast at hotel.
Visit Cuenca, the city is third largest in size, population, and a main icon of the southern Andes. Cuenca has preserved its rich colonial past, beautifully shown on its narrow streets, white houses with flowerpot balconies, impressive churches, with their majestic domes and towers. Not far from each other we encounter convents, museums, plazas covered with flowers and monuments, all surrounded by the scenery of green hills, mountains and the presence of four rivers that cross the city. For all its beauty and well-preserved historical buildings, Cuenca was also declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1999.
This is a walking tour in the Colonial area of Cuenca to discover the beautiful churches and house facades; visit a few the of artisan centers where there is the opportunity to learn about the ceramic items, the famous Panama hat, gold and silver jewelry and embroidery which are some of the handicrafts for which Cuenca is also known.
PM: Afternoon at leisure to explore Cuenca at your own pace.
Overnight in: Cuenca
11
CUENCA/GUAYAQUIL
Breakfast at hotel.
Early morning overland transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil. This transfer will give the opportunity to enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the Southern Highlands as well as the drastic change in the climate and the vegetation when we start descending to the lowlands. Arrival to Guayaquil and some time at leisure to rest
PM: Guayaquil scenic tour
Guayaquil, called by many the “Pearl of the Pacific”, is the largest port in Ecuador. Founded in 1538, Guayaquil is a now a dynamic cosmopolitan city, which offers what any major city on the world can. At its origins it was an important port and ship-building location for the Spaniards and a target of English and French pirates. For these reasons Guayaquil offers a rich historical background with its wonderful museums, a handsome modern district with great shopping and delightful gastronomy. Guayaquil is a prosperous city leading the economy of the country, which displays great pride.
Visit a number of historical places by car like the Centenario, a neighborhood established in 1915, which counts with many houses of historical heritage or to the picturesque Las Peñas neighborhood, full of brightly painted homes, cafes and its famous winding climb to the top of Santa Ana Hill. Stroll along the Riverfront or Malecon, the Moorish Tower; either way by car or on foot, Guayaquil offers great variety of sites and for that constitutes another great place to discover!
Overnight in Guayaquil
12
GUAYAQUIL – PUERTO LOPEZ
After breakfast start travelling by the seacoast towards Salinas where we will have the first encounter with the archaeology and history of the Coast of Ecuador at the only Paleo-Indian site found in Ecuador which dates c.a. 700 BC. Visit the Museum where we find the “Lovers of Sumpa” a millenary burial site where an open tomb shows the skeletons of a young man and woman lovingly intertwined on an eternal embrace… This site is important as it gives information about Neolithic burial practices previously unknown.
Lunch at one of the Restaurants of the area (set menu basis)
In the afternoon continue towards Puerto Lopez, a small coastal town; the route presents beautiful panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
Overnight in Puerto Lopez.
13
PUERTO LOPEZ – ISLA DE LA PLATA
Breakfast at hotel.
Early in the morning navigate to Isla de la Plata, located at 28 miles (45 kilometers) from the coast of mainland Ecuador. This is a small volcanic island of approximately some 8 square kilometers of surface, emerging from the Pacific bed floor. The Island, due to its relative proximity to the coastline, seems to have been an important religious, ceremonial and trade center for the Bahia Culture (500 years B.C.).
The excursion requires a good physical condition as it involves a rather demanding hike of approximately 400 stairs to reach to the top plateau of the islands where noisy blue footed boobies and Nazca boobies as well as magnificent frigates will welcome us.
A light lunch will be provided before coming back to Puerto Lopez. The rest of the day will be free to explore the nearby areas of Puerto Lopez.
Overnight in Puerto Lopez
14
PUERTO LOPEZ – MONTECRISTI – MANTA – QUITO
This day will visit the village of Montecristi, famous for the weaving of straw hats known as “Panama hats”. After this visit will drive up to Manta, directly to the airport to take the flight back to Quito.
Upon arrival to Quito assistance and transfer to the selected hotel. (Distance between Quito airport and the City one hour approximately).
Overnight in Quito
15
QUITO – DEPARTURE
At the scheduled time transfer from the hotel to the airport to take your departure flight. (Distance between any of the hotels in Quito to the airport approximately one hour)
Included
- Private services in mainland Ecuador, with bilingual Spanish/English speaking driver/guide in the range of 2 passengers, and from 3 passengers the services will be proveded with driver & guide.
- Sharing basiss services in the Amazon program, with local native guides
- Hotel pick up and drop-off
- Meals: as described in the itinerary on set menu basis
- Entrance fees,
Not Included
- Lunches or Dinners not mentioned,
- Travel insurance (Cancellation and Medical Insurance)
- Tips to guides & drivers,
- Soft and/or alcoholic drinks
- Personal expenses
- Domestic and/or International air tickets
- Early check-inn or late check-out (available please inquire)
- Visa and/or passport charges
- Gratuities to porters, hotel and restaurant staff- at your discretion
- Any item that is not specified as being included
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