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Ecuador offers numerous different landscapes and the beautiful colonial cities of Quito and Cuenca. You will have the opportunity to relax in beautiful spas surrounded by subtropical cloud forest. An adventurous train ride, indigenous villages, colorful markets, the largest historical Inca site, and snow-capped volcanoes are all part of your Andes adventure. Your travel then takes you through banana and cocoa plantations, along the coast, to Ecuador´s largest city Guayaquil.
ItineraryDay 1 (Sat): Arrival in Quito
You will be picked up by your guide and transported to your hotel in Quito. (B/-/-)
Day 2 (Sun): Quito – Papallacta
In the morning, you get a guided tour of the colonial city center of Quito, full of interesting churches, buildings, and squares. In the afternoon, you leave Quito and cross a 4.200 m / 13.800 ft mountain pass to reach Papallacta thermal springs after 1½ hours. If there is enough time left, you will be able to go on a short hike through the lush mountain landscape alongside the river Rio Papallacta. Relax in the spa area of the Hotel Termas de Papallacta. (B/-/-)
Day 3 (Mon): Papallacta – National Park Cotopaxi
In the morning, you will be heading to Cotopaxi National Park. Cotopaxi is Ecuador’s highest active volcano. By car, you ascend to an altitude of 4.500 m / 14.764 ft. From there you have the possibility to hike up to the José Ribas shelter at 4.800 m / 15.750 ft to see an impressive glacial ice avalanche. You will get to know the flora and fauna of the national park and spend the night in a typical hacienda nearby. (B/-/-)
Day 4 (Tue): Quilotoa Crater Lake – Riobamba
Past one of the Andes’ most scenic areas, you drive to the picturesque Quilotoa crater lake. You hike down to the turquoise-colored lake. If you prefer, you can rent a mule for the ascent back to the rim. In the evening, you will arrive in Riobamba where you spend two nights. (B/-/-)
Day 5 (Wed): Devil’s Nose train ride – Chimborazo
Early in the morning, you will start your train ride through beautiful Andean landscapes and small villages. From Alausí, the trip takes you through a dry valley and across the Devil´s Nose (Nariz del Diablo). In the afternoon, your journey will take you to Ecuador’s highest volcano, Mount Chimborazo (6.310 m / 20.700 ft). (B/-/-)
Day 6 (Thu): Market in Guamote – Ingapirca – Cuenca
Today you visit the indigenous market of Guamote, Ecuador´s most colorful market. You will continue your trip to Ingapirca, the largest historical Inca site in the country, where you can learn interesting facts about the culture of the Incas and their ancestors, the Cañaris. In late afternoon, you will arrive in Cuenca. (B/-/-)
Day 7 (Fri): Cuenca City Tour – Machala
After breakfast, you will tour the beautiful colonial city of Cuenca, which was added to the UNESCO world heritage list in 1999. Highlights of the tour are the river trail along the Rio Tomebamba, the cathedral, and the daily market. Later on, as you drive to Machala, you will visit a banana plantation in El Guabo. Accommodation in Machala. (B/-/-)
Day 8 (Sat): Through diverse countryside to Guayaquil
You will pass cocoa, banana, rice, and sugarcane plantations to reach Ecuador´s largest city, Guayaquil. Your drive will take you past a protected area of mangroves. Guayaquil is best discovered on foot. The hilltop of Santa Ana offers a marvelous view over the vibrant city, the Río Guayas, and the green mangroves. (B/-/-)
Day 9 (Sun): Airport transfer or start of the extension program
Please be advised: Services listed in the itinerary may be subject to change due to organizational or climate factors.
Accommodations at standard and tourist superior class hotels (upon request)
Non-included services:
Small-group tour (2-12 participants)
From the Andes to the Coast, 9 days/8 nights
STANDARD CLASS
2 pax: 1.890
3-4 pax: 1.540
5-6 pax: 1.330
7+ pax: 1.180
single occupancy supplement: 300
SUPERIOR CLASS
2 pax: 2.070
3-4 pax: 1.730
5-6 pax: 1.530
7+ pax: 1.390
single occupancy supplement: 440
All prices per person, double occupancy, in USD, good through Oct. 31, 2012.
Subject to change. Prices may be higher on national holidays.
Departure dates 2012:Small-group tours start on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month (2-12 participants). Private tours can be booked for departures every Saturday.
