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Starts
every Saturday, Monday or Wednesday:
DAY
1
Arrival & city tour in Quito. (depending on your arrival time) Overnight stay at hotel in Quito.
DAY
2 (B-L)
We drive north to Otavalo, to visit the indigenous market, where indigenous people from the mountains descend into the valley to sell their crafts, textiles, musical instruments, cows, and goats in the tiny town of Otavalo. This is the most famous Indian market on the continent, and the good-hearted Otavaleños are certain to win your heart, there we will spend the day bargaining with the locals over fine sweaters, tapestries, and woodwork. We will also visit the leather city of Cotacachi and the crater lake of Cuicocha. At the end of the day, drive back to Quito.
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DAY
3 (B-D)
We will drive to the south of Quito, visit Ecuador’s first Cotopaxi National Park, where Cotopaxi Volcano , the highest active volcano on earth, is the main attraction. You can explore the Andean moorlands with more than 90 species of highlands birds or hike up to the snow line (4,800 mts). Entrance fee to Cotopaxi National Park is extra, USD$10.
DAY
4 (B-D)
Continue with our drive south along the "Avenue of the Volcanoes", viewing the spectacular and breathtaking high plains. We'll continue towards Riobamba, admiring the incredible mountain panoramas and visiting the Chimborazo refuge lodge if weather conditions permit. Chimborazo is Ecuador's highest mountain (20823ft/6310m) and its summit is the farthest point from the centre of the earth. If time allows we'll visit Guano, a well-known handmade rug and tapestry center. Overnight at a typical hacienda.

Quito old town by night
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Cotopaxi Volcano
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DAY
5 (B, Box Lunch, D)
We'll take a thrilling train ride on the mountain known as the "Nariz del Diablo" (The Devil's Nose), a sheer wall of rock, to the branch railroad station of Sibambe and back to Alausí. Drive south towards the fortress of Ingapirca - a major pre-colonial Inca site which dates back to the 15th century. At Ingapirca you can explore Incan history, Ingapirca means 'stone wall' . Soldiers were stationed here on the road between Quito and Cusco. Arrive to Cuenca late afternoon to a nice night of 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 operation days are Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Chimborazo mountain
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Cuenca by night
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DAY
6 (B-D)
In Cuenca we'll visit the city's major places of interest; Cuenca marks the start of the southern sierra - a traditional region that boasts some of Ecuador's most unusual indigenous communities as well as remote landscapes. The city of Cuenca is considered to be one of Ecuador's most beautiful cities. It has kept its old-world architectural charm and feeling of the colonial period. It is famed for its huge cathedral, and the smaller Indian cathedral, as well as being a centre for silver and ceramics craftsmen.
DAY
7 (B-D)
We'll drive thru the biggest Ecuadorian Lake complex "El Cajas" (over 250 lakes) on our way to Guayaquil, the biggest city in Ecuador and the city with the main commercial activity of the country, on our way we will enjoy kilometers of Cacao, Bananas, Mangos, Papaya, plantations, among others. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Historical Park of Guayaquil.
The Historical Park of Guayaquil is open from Wednesday thru Sunday.

Cuenca flower market
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Cuenca city
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Prices 2008 per person:
$1228 Ecuador Scenic Standard
$1460 Ecuador Scenic De luxe
Ecuador Scenic Standard hotel accommodation:
* Dann Carlton (Quito)
* La
Cienega (Cotopaxi)
* Abraspungo / Andaluza (Riobamba)
* Hotel
Carvallo (Cuenca)
* Grand
Hotel Guayaquil (Guayaquil)
Ecuador Scenic De luxe hotel accommodation:
* Swissotel (Quito)
* La
Cienega (Cotopaxi)
* Abraspungo / Andaluza (Riobamba)
* Mansión del Alcazar (Cuenca)
* Oro Verde (Guayaquil)
- Prices include: Private transportation, English speaking guide, double room accommodation, breakfast and dinner (not in Quito), Box Lunch during the train trip, entrances to Museums in Quito and Cuenca, Ingapirca and train ticket., all transfers.
- Does not included: Lunch , dinner in Quito , US$10.00 Cotopaxi National Park, $10 Chimborazo, $10 El Cajas
- Please ask
for single accommodations available.
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