Description

Day 01 – Sunday Quito
Upon arrival at the international airport of Quito transfer from the airport to the hotel.

The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Day 02 – Monday Quito (B)
Today you will enjoy a sightseeing-tour of the city of Quito which leads you through the historical centre of Quito for a walk through the culturally diverse history of this city.

We will pass the church of La Compañia, which has the most ornate and richly sculptured façade and interior, the Independence Square with the Government Palace and the Cathedral including a visit. Afterwards, we will visit the famous hill of the old town, Panecillo (little bread) where you will see the angel statue “Virgen de Quito”.

Afterwards visit of the Equatorial Line Monument called “Middle of the World” where you get a truly rare experience to stand in both, the Northern and Southern Hemispheres simultaneously. The Equatorial Monument marks the spot where an 18th century French scientific expedition established the exact position of the Equator. The area has been built as a typical colonial town, with restaurants, gift shops and Post Office with philatelic sales. Visit the monument and Ethnographical Museum, which shows the history of the Indian cultures of Ecuador.

Day 03 – Tuesday Quito – Otavalo – Quito (B)
In the morning you will discover the worldwide known Indian handcrafts market Otavalo. The town consists of rather functional buildings with the Plaza de los Ponchos as the centre. The local Indians have achieved economic prosperity as a result of their skill in weaving a tremendous variety of designs in belts, tapestries, ponchos and other clothing items. Here you will enjoy the unique variety of handicrafts and textiles that offer this giant colourful market and certainly, you will be able to carry some new souvenirs with you.

Return to Quito later this afternoon.

Day 04 – Wednesday Quito – Cotopaxi (B)
After breakfast you will drive to “Cotopaxi National Park”. The highland zone, protected since 1975, belongs with its 33.000 ha wide area to one of the most attractive ecological reserves of the country. On a walk near the shallow lake „Laguna de Limpiopungo” at an altitude of almost 4.000 m, you will have the chance to learn about the typical vegetation of the so-called “Páramo” and will gaze in wonder at the beautiful view of Cotopaxi (5897m) in the background. To take a picture here makes photographers’ hearts beat faster!

Today you will also visit a beautiful flower plantation where the friendly staff will explain you everything about their work. The plantation shows a great variety of flowers.

Day 05 – Thursday Cotopaxi – Riobamba
After breakfast you will visit a colourful and original Indian market.
Continue about 14 km on to Quilotoa, the famous volcanic lake with beautiful views. In the late afternoon you will continue on to Riobamba, which is the capital of the province of Chimborazo, where a great number of indigenous communities live. Close to Chimborazo, the highest mountain of Ecuador, you will spend the night in one of the atmospheric Hosterías this region offers.

Overnight at Hotel in Riobamba

Day 06 – Friday Riobamba – Cuenca
After an early breakfast you will be taken to the train-station in Alausí to board the train for the famous Devil’s Nose ride.

Enjoy the fascinating landscape of the Andes. This is for sure a very special way to know the country! Lunchbox is included.

Note: Due to weather conditions or technical problems of the train, train ride is subject to reconfirmation!

You will start the approximately 2 hours drive to the City of Cuenca.

On your way you will stop at the Inca ruin site of Ingapirca, the most important monument of pre-Spanish culture in Ecuador. The ruins are located on a grass-covered hill at an altitude of about 3.100 m. On a walk through the former place where the Incas lived and hold their ceremonies, you will learn about their beliefs and rituals as well as about the way they constructed this ordination place, which has the shape of a puma.

After arriving in Cuenca, you will check in at your hotel.

Day 07 – Saturday Cuenca
After breakfast, you will visit the sights of Cuenca, the third largest city of Ecuador. In Cuenca, founded in 1557 on an Inca settlement valley, you still breathe the colonial air of Ecuadorian history. For most Ecuadorian inhabitants – and also for travellers – this centre of art, ceramic, panama hats as well as products of silver and gold is the most beautiful city in Ecuador. Due to the special atmosphere and early 19th century architecture Cuenca was declared “Cultural Patrimony
of Mankind” in November 1999. During the city tour you will see the historical buildings, located along the Tomebamba River, the “Todos los Santos” ruins, the flowers market and the main square with the old and new Cathedral. Furthermore, you will be led to a Panama hat factory.

The afternoon will be at leisure. You may walk around the narrow cobblestone streets with the whitewashed houses and noble façades to explore the beauty of this town on your own.

Day 08 – Sunday Cuenca – Guayaquil
This day we will travel on to Ecuador’s largest city Guayaquil, which is the industrial and commercial centre of the country. It lies on the western banks of the Río Guayas, about 56 km from its outflow into the Gulf of Guayaquil. Towards the coastal area the road loses height and the land is more intensively farmed. The Guayas lowlands are characterized by mangroves and ever increasing banana plantations.

Enroute visit of a cacao project. During a guided tour through the cacao plantations visitors can learn everything about the cultivation of the cacao fruit, the process of harvesting and the cacao bean treatment. The Ecuadorian cacao is famous and popular for its very high quality.

Upon arrival in Guayaquil short sightseeing tour of the city.

Day 9 – Monday Guayaquil
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight to your country or extension flight to the Galápagos Islands.

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GUARANTEED GROUP DEPARTURE CALENDAR 2020

GUARANTEED GROUP DEPARTURE CALENDAR 2021

Above prices are based on Guaranteed small group departures for minimum of 4 guests and maximum 12 participants with local English speaking guides. You can book this tour on private basis or a customized itinerary based on number of guests, their interests and budget.