The following is a description of Special Interest
Land Tour Packages, tailored for those who want to see and share different
aspects of this magical country and its culture.
ECP01 Highlands
and Jungle lodge 10D/9N
Day 1: Arrival in Quito. Transfer to the hotel in
Quito.
Day 2: Quito.
Visit the old town with its beautiful narrow streets and the colonial churches
(San Francisco, La Compañía, etc). Visit to El Panecillo hill from where we get
a spectacular view of the city. Afternoon visit to the Equator monument. Hotel.
(B).
Day 3:
Departing from Quito, we’ll drive north to the city of Cayambe and then
continue to the city of Otavalo. Check in the hotel and then we continue to
visit the impressive Cuicocha Lake. Later on, shopping time in Cotacachi town,
famous for its quality leather goods. Final visit to Peguche indigenous
village. Hotel in Otavalo. (B)
Day 4:
Morning visit to the famous Indian market in Otavalo. Then we will be
transported up to the beautiful highlands of the Mojanda Lakes. Enjoy great
views of the Ecuadorian Andes. Afterwards ride the car towards the south to the foothills
of Cotopaxi Volcano. Hotel accommodation. (B,BL).
Day 5:
Morning visit to the beautiful Cotopaxi National Park. Enjoy great views of the
impressive volcano and the surrounding landscapes. Transport south towards the
charming town of Baños. Hotel accommodation. (B,BL).
Day 6: After a
relaxing morning we will drive east towards the intriguing rainforest of the
upper basin of the great Amazon River. Following the impressive canyon of the
Pastaza river we will first arrive in Puyo, a town located on the edge of the
jungle. From here we will continue our drive towards the shores of the Napo
river, one of the biggest tributaries of the Amazon. Lodge accommodation. (B).
Day 7:
Full day jungle tours. Lodge accommodation (3 different categories of
lodges – please check price list
Day 8: Full
day jungle tours. Lodge accommodation (3 different categories of lodges –
please check price list).
Day 9: After
breakfast our transport will take us back to Quito following the route
Tena-Baeza – Papallacta. Hotel in Quito.
Day 10:
Transfer out or program extension (Galapagos, Peru or Bolivia tours).
Difficulty
level: Comfortable.
Included: Private transport, double room accommodation with private facilities,
bilingual guiding services, meals as specify, all entrance fees.
Not included: Personal
expenses, tips, beverages, extras.
ECP02 Haciendas Del Ecuador 10D/9N
Day 1: Arrival in Quito. Transfer to hacienda San
Jorge (or similar) located nearby Quito.
Day 2:
Departing from Quito, we’ll drive north to Cayambe and then continue up to the
Mojanda Lakes at 3,800 m above sea level, where you’ll have the chance to catch
your own lunch! We’ll fish for trout, which we will eat grilled beside the
lake. The tour continues with a trip to the town of Zuleta, famous for its
beautiful weavings. We will then stay overnight in a local Hacienda. (B)
Day 3:
Breakfast, then we’ll visit the famous Indian market in Otavalo. After lunch we
continue our trip towards Cuicocha lake, Cotacachi village where you can shop
for quality leather goods, then drive to San Antonio de Ibarra and make finally
a short visit to the Indian village of Peguche. Stay overnight in a local
colonial hacienda. (B)
Day 4:
After breakfast, we’ll drive south to visit the beautiful Cotopaxi National
Park. Stay overnight in the Colonial Hacienda La Cienega. (B, BL)
Day 5: Day to
visit the beautiful highlands of Zumbagua. Later on we will head towards the
impressive Quilotoa Lake, located in the crater of an ancient volcano.
Overnight in Hacienda Rumipamba de las Rosas in the town of Salcedo. (B,BL).
Day 6: Today´s
tour will take us up to the beautiful paramos of Chimborazo, the highest
mountain (6310 m) in Ecuador. Here we can observe graceful vicuñas together
with impressive views of Mount Chimborazo. Accommodation in Hacienda Andaluza
near to Riobamba. (B,BL).
Day 7: Early morning wake up in order to
catch the famous Andean train which leaves from Riobamba on its way towards the
famous “Devil’s Nose “ pass. Enjoy a great trip admiring amazing landscapes.
Then by car we continue towards Ingapirca ruins arriving there in time to visit
the Inca remains. Accommodation in Hacienda “La Posada
del Inca”. (B,BL).
Day 8: After a
relaxing morning we will drive towards Cuenca city, one of the most beautiful
cities in Ecuador with its typical Spanish-style houses, interesting museums,
etc.
There will be enough time to visit the city and admire its cultural
life. Overnight in a local hacienda house. (B).
Day 9: Morning
visit to the beautiful Cajas National Park, a protected area where we find amazing lakes, different
species of highland birds, Andean flora and with luck perhaps we can observe
the impressive flight of the condor. Afternoon flight back to Quito. Hacienda
accommodation. (B,L).
Day 10: Transfer
out.
Difficulty
level: Comfortable.
Included: Private transport, double room accommodation with private facilities, bilingual
guiding services, meals as indicated, all entrance fees.
Not included: Personal expenses, tips, beverages, extras.
This comfortable trip will introduce you to the rich culture and to the
beautiful landscapes of Ecuador, from the snow-capped volcanoes to the
jungle and down to the sandy beaches.
The Highlands:
Day 1. Arrival
in Quito. Transfer to your hotel. Visit
to the old town of Quito. After lunch, visit the Equator and the Ethnographic
museum. Hotel.
Day 2. Travel
to Otavalo city. Visit Cotacachi village, famous for its leather goods
(shopping possibilities). Visit Cuicocha Lake. San Antonio de Ibarra. Hotel in Otavalo. (B).
The Jungle:
Day 3. Drive
east to cross the highlands of Antisana Volcano and down to the town of Tena.
This drive is full of wonderful views of the eastern part of the “Cordillera de
los Andes”. Finally we will arrive at our lodge located on the shores of the
Napo river, one of the biggest tributaries of the great Amazon river. (B, L,
D).
Day 4. Day to
spend admiring the marvelous vegetation of this area in the company of an
experienced Indian jungle guide. Canoe ride along the Napo river. (B, L, D).
Day 5. Early
morning our transport will take us to the towns of Puyo and Baños. This trip
offers plenty of fantastic views of the rugged landscape of the Pastaza Canyon.
Hotel. (B).
Day 6. Morning
travel towards Mount Chimborazo refuge. Enjoy great views from the highest
mountain in Ecuador. Late afternoon drive down to Riobamba city. Hotel. (B,
BL).
The Coast:
Day 7. This
day we will enjoy one of the most exciting trips: the famous Ecuadorian train
ride down to the “Devil's Nose”, from where our bus will take us through
wonderful landscapes towards Cuenca city. Hotel. (B, BL).
Day 8. In Cuenca. Visit this beautiful
Spanish-style city. (B).
Day 9. Morning
visit to the beautiful Cajas National Park, continuing afterwards towards
Guayaquil city, the biggest port of Ecuador. (B, BL).
Day 10. Morning
visit to Guayaquil´s new “Malecon” and the interesting Natural Historic Park.
Travel to Pto. Lopez town located on the shores of the Pacific Ocean.
Accommodation in a local hotel. (B).
Day 11.
Relaxing day to enjoy the beach (optional tour to visit Isla de la Plata – “The
small Galapagos”). (B).
Day
12.
Travel to Santo Domingo de los Colorados. The Colorado Indians live in this area and still maintain their old
traditions. Hotel. (B, L).
Day 13. Morning
visit to the Colorado Community. After lunch travel up to the highlands,
enjoying beautiful views of the rugged western landscapes. Hotel in Machachi
town. (B).
Optional tour: Rafting Toachi or Blanco Rivers.
Day 14. Visit
to the Cotopaxi National Park, enjoy the view of Cotopaxi, one of the highest
active volcanoes in the world. Return to Quito. Hotel. (B, L).
Day 15.
Transfer to the airport. (Or program extension). (B).
Difficulty level: Comfortable.
Included: Private transport, noted meals, double room
accommodation with private toilet and shower, bilingual guiding services, all
entrance fees.
Not included: Personal expenses, tips, beverages, extras.