- Explorandes

EXPLORANDES ECUADOR
WILSON 547 Y DIEGO DE ALMAGRO
QUITO – ECUADOR
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HIGHLIGHTS OF ECUADOR (10d/9n)
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HIGHLIGHTS OF ECUADOR
DAY1 (TUESDAY, THURSDAY, SATURDAY)
Arrival and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at Quito.
DAY2: QUITO CITY TOUR
Quito, declared world heritage by UNESCO, is
one of the most beautiful and preserved
historical cities of South America. We will visit
someof the most famous squares, churches and
colonial buildings. La Plaza de la Independencia
with its Presidential Palace, Archbishop Palace,
Statue of Independence and Cathedral. Close to
this main square we’ll visit a very nice colonial
building which used to be part of the Jesuit
Monastery and later became the First
University in Quito. We will continue to San
Francisco church and convent. Then we will
drive up to the Panecillo Hill where we will visit
the statue of La Virgen de Quito. The afternoon will be free. If you want you can visit the
indean market located in the “Mariscal area”, close to your hotel. B
DAY 3: OTAVALO FULL DAY
In the morning we will be picked up from
our hotel. After a two hours scenic drive
we reach Otavalo, city located next to
Lago San Pablo. Famous for its weaving
and music culture, the Otavalo people are
one of the most prosperous in Ecuador.
Nowadays we find their handicrafts and
music all over Ecuador and the world.
Otavalo is the heart of their culture and at
the marketplace we will find all kinds of
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HIGHLIGHTS OF ECUADOR
souvenirs at bargain prices. The Otavalo Indian market is famous for its textiles. Otavalean
men wearblue ponchos, white trousers and long braided hair, while women wear
embroided colorful blouses and long woolen skirts. Stop for lunch at one of the typical
restaurants. In the afternoon visit the leather shops in Cotacachi & and the crater Lake of
Cuicocha. We can make an optional boat ride across the lake. Dinner and overnight at
Hacienda Las Palmeras. B-L-D
DAY 4: OTAVALO - PAPALLACTA
On our drive towards Papallacta Hot Springs, we will stop to visit a rose plantation.
Ecuador is one of the top producers of roses in the world. Lunch will be served at an old
beautiful
Hacienda.
Later we continue our
scenic drive towards
Papallacta from where
we
can
see
the
impressive
Cayambe
volcano (third highest
volcano of the Ecuador
5790 m., 18,996 ft). As
we gain altitude we will
drive
through
the
highland
paramo
vegetation having great
views of the Papallacta Lake. Past the lake we will take a detour on a dirt road that will
take us to the hot Springs and our hotel. Papallacta, a small village located 10,491 feet
(3.197 mt) above sea level, famous for its thermal springs (38º C/100º F) and lush
vegetation. Afternoon at leisure, for those energetic there is a possibility to take a hike
into the Highland Cloud Forest, and those who want a more relaxing afternoon can stay at
the pools in the Hot Springs. Overnight will be at Termas Papallacta. B –L-D.
DAY 5: PAPALLACTA - COTOPAXI
Mid morning, after enjoying a dip in the hot
springs, we will drive to the Cotopaxi
National Park. Turning off the main highway,
you will enter into the park, traversing the
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HIGHLIGHTS OF ECUADOR
Andean Paramo and an extensive pine tree forest. Gently ascending the flanks of the
volcano, passing through fields of ancient lava strewn with boulders, you will arrive at the
base of the Cotopaxi, the world’s highest active volcano(19,700ft/5,897m).
This desolated and rugged scenery captivates both nature enthusiasts and casual visitors
alike. You will have lunch at Tambopaxi, dinner and the overnight stay at the inviting local
hacienda La Cienega. B-L-D
DAY 6: COTOPAXI – PATATE
The second day at the Cotopaxi Province
starts with a visit to one of the nearby
colorful local markets. Then your journey
will continue on the Panamerican
highway until Ambato city to make a
stop and visit the Botanical garden and
museum of Juan Leon Mera, one of the
most well known writers of the
Ecuadorean Literature. As we leave the
Panamerican Highway heading eats, we
continue our drive through a unique multicolor patchwork of crop fields towards Patate
Valley. This night you will stay at Hacienda Leito, from where we have an exquisite view of
Tungurahua Volcano, presently in constant volcanic activity . B-L-D
DAY 7: BAÑOS - RIOBAMBA
This morning you will travel to
Baños, an area rich in vegetation
and orchids, famous for its nearby
hot springs that provide hot
running water to the local baths.
You will see and visit beautiful
waterfalls on the way. A short
hike away from the road you will
have lunch at a charming
restaurant close to the Pailon del Diablo, an overwhelming waterfall. In the afternoon you
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HIGHLIGHTS OF ECUADOR
will continue to Riobamba , located at 9, 000 feet on the Avenue of the Volcanoes. The
city sits at the base of the Chimborazo Volcano, the highest one in Ecuador (6.268 mt –
20.564 ft). Overnight in Riobamba. B, L, D
DAY 8: DEVIL’s NOSE TRAIN – CUENCA
This day you will travel by train on “one of
the world’s most difficult railroad”, due
to the geographical obstacles that had to
be faced during its construction. The train
will take you to the famous “Devil’s Nose”
and to Alausí, descending 800 meters in
zigzag through a rocky formation. The
descent allows us to experience the
different climate zones
from the
highlands towards the coast vast open
valleys. You will be picked up in Alausí in
order for for you to continue the journey
to Cuenca. We make a stop at the
Ingapirca Inca Ruins. The Ingapirca
fortress was first a religious and
administrative complex built by the
Cañaris, and later conquered and rebuilt
by the Incas several hundred years
before the Spanish arrived. This is the
most important archaeological Inca site
in Ecuador. Overnight at Hotel Victoria.
B, L
DAY 9: CUENCA - GUAYAQUIL
In the morning you will visit Cuenca,
Ecuador’s third largest city, locally
known as “The Athens of Ecuador” in
honor of its numerous poets. The city’s
cobblestone streets, colonial plazas and
religious art treasures recall its distant
past, while the flower market on the
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HIGHLIGHTS OF ECUADOR
little Plaza del Carmen and the new and old Cathedrals on the main Plaza Calderón
provide some spectacular colors and impressive architecture. A trip along the Tomebamba
River takes you to the Inter-American Center of Popular Art, home to many regional
handicrafts while a walk through the city center will give you a chance to visit the ceramic,
textiles and jewelry stores. Lunch will be served at atypical restaurant.
In the afternoon we will drive to Guayaquil, located on the banks of the Guayas river and
called “The Pearl of the Pacific”. The city has a rich tradition and is proud of its
monuments
and
points
of
interest
such
as
The
Iguanas
Park.
During your sightseeing tour you won’t only visit the park, but also tourist attractions like
La Rotonda, the Moorish style clock tower, the recently reconstructed and impressive
Malecon, the Cerro del Carmen hilltops, (providing a magnificent view of the city and of
the convergence of the Daule and Babahoyo rivers which form the Guayas River), the
Centenario Plaza, Las Peñas, another neighborhood built at the turn of the century, and
the Church of Santo Domingo, the city’s first church built in 1548. Overnight . B-L.
DAY 10: TRANSFER OUT
Early breakfast in your hotel and transfer to the airport for international or extension
flights.
END OF SERVICES
The itinerary may change due to unusual weather patterns, natural events,
the strength of the group and so on. We will do our very best to keep to the
set itinerary however we cannot be held responsible for any last minute
changes that might occur. In all such circumstances your expedition leader
will have the final word.
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