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10 Days Tour Cost Middle Class hotels AUD$1689 pp t/s AUD$405 Single room supplement Comfort Class hotels AUD$2407 pp t/s AUD$860 Single room supplement Guaranteed Departures Jan 18/ Feb 15/ Mar 08/ Apr 12/ May 03/ Jun 14/ Jul 12/ Aug 16/ Sep 13/ Oct 18/ Nov 15/ Dec 06 Independent departures available daily Although Ecuador is the smallest of the South American countries it is distinguished by its geographical diversity. It is located across the Equator with Quito, the capital, at 2850 metres above sea level. With charming Spanish-period architecture and a largely indiginouspopulation, Quito is a city well worth visiting. To the north the country slopes down to the Amazon Basin, a delightful region with lagoons, dense forest and wildlife. And to the west you’ll find the beaches of the Pacific Ocean and glorious sunshine. And 1000km off the coast are the Galapagos Islands which can only be described as a ‘window into the distant past’. Includes: All airport transfers days 1-8, nine nights accommodation, meals as indicated, entry fees to included sites, touring by air-cond coach, train and public bus, local English speaking guides. Not Included: International airfares, arrival and exit taxes, visas, optional activities, other meals, personal expenses, tips, optional activities. Our hotels in Ecuador City Middle Class Comfort Class Quito Hotel Grand Mercure
Hotel Hilton Colon Otavalo Hacienda Pinsaqui Hacienda La Mirage Papallacta Hotel Thermas Papallacta Hotel Thermas Papallacta Cotopaxi Hacienda La Cienega Hacienda San Agustin Callo Riobamba Hosteria Abraspungo Hosteria Abraspungo Cuenca Hotel Crespo Mansion Alcazar Guayaquil Hotel Unipark Hotel Oro Verde
ITINERARY
Day 1: Quito You are met on arrival and transferred to the hotel. Day 2: Quito [B] A half-day tour includes the historical centre of the city, the Equatorial Line monument (prepare to be surprised) and the Ethnographic Museum. Day 3: Otavalo [B] A two-hour bus journey to the unique town of Otavalo. The route descends into the Guayllambamba Gorge with views to volcanic peaks and glaciers. We stop en-route at a typical Hacienda, visit a Crater Lake and the town of Cotacachi. Day 4: Papallacta [B] A morning visit to the Indian market in Otavalo and Plaza de los Ponchos. Indian crafts include tapestries, ponchos, weaving and leather. Afternoon transfer to Papallacta, famous for its thermal springs. Our spa-hotel is located at 3220m above sea level. Day 5: Cotopaxi [B] We drive to the Cotopaxi Nat. Park and stroll through the spectacular landscape of lakes and mountains. Day 6: Riombamba [B] We visit the very traditional Indian market of Zumbahua before departing for Riobamba, capital of the province and home to a number of indigenous communities. Overnight at a Hosteria Day 7: Cuenca [BL] With lunchbox in hand we board the train for the ‘Devil’s Nose’, then descend to the coastal plain- a spectacular journey! Day 8: Cuenca [B] A morning tour visits the sites of Cuenca, founded in 1557, where one can still ‘breathe’ the colonial atmosphere. Day 9: Guayaquil [B] An overland transfer to Ecuador’s largest city. The route descends the highlands and passes through rich agricultural land, banana plantations and mangrove before we reach Guayaquil. Join a short orientation tour on arrival, and overnight. Day 10: Departure [B] After breakfast transfer to the airport for your onward journey. Option: Transfer and flight to the Galapagos Islands. |