Departures: Every Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday
DAY 1
Reception and transfers to Dann
Carlton Hotel
DAY2 City Tour with “Mitad del Mundo” (Middle of the World) (B-L)
Delve into the heart of colonial Quito and experience the charm of Independence Square with its awe inspiring Cathedral, Presidential Palace and Archbishop’s Palace. Admire the church of La Compañia (1605); considered to be the finest example of baroque architecture in America. Not forgetting the church and monastery of San Francisco (1535). Our tour then takes you to Panecillo Hill an ideal location for a panoramic view of this historic capital.
Our country, needless to say, owes its name to the Equatorial Line which crosses it 15 minutes to the north of Quito. There you find a monument marking the latitude 0º 00’ 00” this is a very fun and unique place where you can literally jump from the northern to southern hemisphere of the planet. This tour includes a visit to the Ethnographic Museum on site. Certificates are awarded to visitors who take part in this adventure. Accommodation at Dann Carlton Hotel.
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DAY 3 Otavalo 2 Days (B-D)
Start your trip through the Awakening Valley in Calderón
with its bread-dough figures and Cayambe where we can enjoy bizcochos a local pastry specialty.
Passing by some of the most attractive artisan centers and Andean
landscapes, you arrive in Otavalo and its famous indigenous market
just in time to bargain for hand-knitted wool sweaters, colorful
tapestries, wood carvings, silver jewelry, native paintings, woolen
and straw hats, and much more. San Antonio de Ibarra, famous for
the woodcarvings and the town of Peguche where textiles are woven
in old-fashioned shuttle looms. Evening meals and hotel accommodation at:
(Casa
de Hacienda)
DAY 4 (B)
On the second day we visit Cuicocha and
the interesting town of Cotacachi, an entire town dedicated to selling
fine leather products and handicrafts. Later we return to Quito,
with accommodation at Dann
Carlton.
DAY 5 QUITO – COTOPAXI (B-D)
We embark on our journey south on the Panamericana highway in the early hours of the morning following collection from your hotel. This route is the connection between “Andes” and “Costa”, passing several small towns regarded as having had a great influence on Quito. This is followed by a beautiful area known as “Volcano Avenue” here volcanoes such as; Corazon, Rumiñahui, Iliniza Norte, Iliniza Sur and Cotopaxi one of highest snow-capped in the world might be seen. We enjoy a typical lunch in one of the nearby haciendas with
accommodation at La
Cienega.
DAY 6 QUILOTOA - BAÑOS (B-D)
This active volcano is home to an unmissable, magnificent lagoon of turquoise water. A perfect spot have lunch and continue to the southern part of the highlands, crossing rich valleys and cities such as Latacunga and Salcedo. Upon arrival to BAÑOS, a city known as the "Door to the Amazon Basin", we visit an area with beautiful waterfalls, tomato trees and a wide variety of orchids, if the weather permits. Accommodation at Posada del Arte or similar.
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DAY 7 BAÑOS FULL DAY (B-D)
We start the day by visiting several waterfalls, the most spectacular of which is "El Pailon del Diablo" (the Devils Cauldron), others include "Manto de la Novia" and "Agoyan". Accommodation at Posada del Arte or similar.
DAY 8 BAÑOS –RIOBAMBA (B-D)
We advance along Panamericana
highway until we get to the city of Riobamba, located at the foot
of the snow-capped Chimborazo (6310m). This historical city represents a great deal of importance as the first Ecuadorian Constitution was established here. Places to visit include the Cathedral and the museum of “Las Conceptas”, there are also a number of other places worth visiting. Overnight
at Riobamba in Hosteria
Abraspungo or Andaluza.
DAY 9 RIOBAMBA – TRAIN – INGAPIRCA - CUENCA (B-D)
The day commences with a trip through the highlands offering spectacular views of Chimborazo. Arrive to Alausi to begin a breathtaking descent down the Nariz del Diablo, a 45-degree gradient mountain. Once back in Alausí we drive south towards the fortress of Ingapirca, a major pre-colonial Inca site which dates back to the 15th century. This is the most important religious and political monument left by the Incas and the many pre-Columbian cultures that once dwelled in this area. It is a direct testimony of their mechanisms of defense and how the Incas really lived. Before returning to Cuenca in the late afternoon to enjoy a well deserved rest at the hotel.
*Important: Due to operational reasons and rail maintenance the train portion of the trip is subject to cancellation without previous notice. The train operates everyday except on Monday and early wake up is required to complete this trip.
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DAY 10 CUENCA FULL DAY (B-D)
At a leisurely pace guests enjoy a full day of discovering the beauty and charm for which Cuenca and its surroundings have been internationally recognised as having. This World Cultural Heritage Site surrounded by red tiled roofs, cobblestone
streets, florid squares and museums make it very a very special place . Hotel
accommodation and evening meals at hotel Carvallo or Crespo.
DAY 11 CUENCA – VILCABAMBA (B-D)
As we depart from Cuenca and enjoy the Andean scenery we pass through the town of Saraguro, famed for its weaving and distinctive indigenous population. Later we descend into the unique warm valley of Vilcabamba. This beautiful and tranquil place provides an ideal opportunity to relax in an agreeable climate. The evening meals and accommodation are at Madre Tierra.
DAY 12 VILCABAMBA - LOJA - ZARUMA (B-D)
Early in the morning we head to Zaruma, a beautifully conserved colonial city perched on a hilltop with steep, twisting streets and painted wooden buildings. Its magnificent architecture and culture give this pre-Hispanic gold mining city a beautiful and unique appearance. The evening meals and accommodation are at Hotel Roland.
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DAY 13 ZARUMA – PORTOBELO - GUAYAQUIL (B-D)
As we depart Zaruma to make our way to Guayaquil we pass Portovelo, an outstanding location with mountains, valleys, volcanoes, rivers and lakes with a marvelous mixture of colours and vegetation, offering the most beautiful landscapes in Ecuador. We continue our journey to Machala, known as the “World Capital of the Banana". Here we enjoy the climate change from the cool highlands to the warmth of the coast and finish the trip in Guayaquil. Accommodation and evening meals are at Grand
Hotel Guayaquil
DAY 14 TRANSFER OUT GUAYAQUIL (B-D)
Transfer from your hotel to the airport is provided or why not extend your trip and visit the GALAPAGOS
ISLANDS
Prices 2012 per person:
| 1 person | USD4512 | single room |
| 2 people | USD2573 | double room |
| 3 people | USD2044 | triple room |
| * 4 people | USD2175 | double room |
Prices include: Private transportation with an english speaking guide, breakfast and dinner (not in Quito), Box Lunch during the train trip, entrances to Mitad del Mundo and Cuenca museums, Ingapirca and train ticket., all tranfers, Cotopaxi National Park, El Cajas
* Tours for 4 passengers and up will have a private guide and driver due to local tourism regulations
Please ask for single accommodation availability.
Hotels:
Columbus Travel Ltd. ® 2011 - info@andesadventure.net
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