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HIGHLIGHTS OF ECUADOR (10d/9n)

EXPLORANDES ECUADOR WILSON 547 Y DIEGO DE ALMAGRO QUITO – ECUADOR

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HIGHLIGHTS OF ECUADOR

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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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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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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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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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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.