Nature, culture and relaxation; discover Ecuador in all its diversity

14 days/13 nights Every Sunday (also available as a small-group tour)  From Quito/to Guayaquil Discover with us the diversity of Ecuador with its varied scenery and different cultures. Explore everything Ecuador has to offer.

Itinerary

Day 1 (Sun): Arrival in Quito, city tour
Arrival in Quito. You will be met by your local travel guide at the airport. Transportation to your hotel in the new or old part of the town. Later on a walking tour through the colonial city center and a drive to the lookout point at Panecillo, which offers a breathtaking view of the city, are scheduled. (-/-/-)

Day 2 (Mon): Quito — Cotacachi & Artisan Villages — Cuicocha Lagoon
Ever-changing scenery accompanies you on your way to Otavalo. You have the opportunity to explore the small artisan villages around Otavalo and the village of Cotacachi, known for its leather crafts. The afternoon brings an easy hike at the idyllic Cuicocha Lagoon. (B/-/-)

Day 3 (Tue): Otavalo — El Angel Drive to the Chota Valley and the small town of El Angel in the nature reserve of Páramo del Angel. Hike through beautiful scenery to El Voladero Lake. (B/-/-)

Day 4 (Wed): Ibarra — Otavalo market — San Pablo Lake
After breakfast you will head back to Otavalo and visit the most important indigenous market in South America. Later, you visit San Pablo Lake, at the foot of the Imbabura volcano. (B/-/-)

Day 5 (Thu): Otavalo — Papallacta
At the new equatorial monument Quitza-To, near Cayambe, you learn how the indigenous cultures of the Ecuadorian Andes had already determined the position of the equator a thousand years ago. If the weather allows, you will have the opportunity to admire the snowcapped volcano “Antisana” (5.753 m / 18,875 ft).  In the evening, you reach the heights of the wonderful Papallacta thermal hot springs at 3.300 m / 10,800 ft. (B/-/-)

Day 6 (Fri): Papallacta — Pastaza Canyon — Baños/Patate  Along a route renowned for its waterfalls, you reach the Pastaza Canyon and the roaring waterfall of “Pailon del Diablo” (Devil’s pan). After a visit to the charming town of Baños, you reach Patate, your final destination for the day. (B/-/-)

Day 7 (Sat): Patate — Cimborazo — Riobamba
Your next adventure is a visit to Chimborazo, the highest volcano in Ecuador (6.310m / 20,700 ft). Desolate scenery and herds of shy Vicuñas are among the highlights of this region. Option to ascend to the Edward Whymper shelter at 5.000 m / 16,400 ft. (B/-/-)

Day 8 (Sun): Train ride across the Devil’s Nose — Ingapirca — Cuenca
Today’s program includes a spectacular zigzag train ride to the Devil’s Nose (Narizdel Diablo), followed by a visit to Ingapirca. You are in Cuenca in the late afternoon. (B/-/-)

Day 9 (Mon): City tour Cuenca and Panama Hat Factory
Sightseeing tour of the beautiful colonial city of Cuenca. A couple of highlights are the impressive cathedral and the daily market. At a panama hat factory, you learn about the manufacture of these outstanding straw hats. The afternoon is free for your own plans. (B/-/-)

Day 10 (Tue): Cuenca — Saraguro — Vilcabamba  Today you will drive from Cuenca to Saraguro, a small village famous for its corn cultivation and cow pattern hats. In the afternoon you will drive through Loja to the calm valley of Vilcabamba. (B/-/-)

Day 11 (Wed): Vilcabamba
Relaxation is the key for today in the Vilcabamba valley, which is perfect for hiking, horseback riding, or relaxing at the spa. Vilcabamba is famous for its inhabitants’ longevity. Thanks to the pure air and the superior mineral water found in this area, people here grow older than anywhere else in the country. (B/-/-)

Day 12 (Thu): Vilcabamba — Zaruma
You drive towards the coast and the old prospecting town of Zaruma with wooden houses dating back to around 1900. The area is famous for its breathtaking views. (B/-/-)

Day 13 (Fri): Zaruma — Guayaquil  Leaving the green highlands behind you, you descend towards the Pacific Coast and visit a banana plantation near Machala. Opportunity to hike through the tropical forest of a nature reserve, which also includes a boat trip. In the evening, arrival in the vibrant port of Guayaquil. (B/-/-)

Day 14: Transportation to the Guayaquil airport and flight back home, or one of the add-on programs: “Ruta del Sol” or City Tour in Guayaquil.

 
Services:

• Travel arrangements as described, with private transportation
• Qualified English- or German-speaking guide
• Accommodations at good comfort-class hotels
• Meals as described in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, BL=Box Lunch, D=Dinner)
• Admission fees
• Train ticket

Non-included services:

• Not specified meals and beverages
• Tips and personal expenses

Please be advised: Services listed in the itinerary may be subject to change due to  organizational or climate factors. 

 
Rates private tour:

Minimum number of participants: 2

The Diversity of Ecuador, 14 days/13 nights

All rates are in USD and per person, in double room accommodation. Valid until 31.10.2012

Subject to change. Prices may be higher on national holidays.  

OPTION 1

Add-on Program Ruta del Sol

Day 14 (Sat): Guayaquil—Puerto Lopez Drive along the famous “Ruta del Sol”. In Santa Elena you visit one of the oldest cemeteries in South America. In the afternoon you can take a refreshing bath in the ocean at the beach “Playa Rosada” and finally you arrive at the small fishing village of Puerto Lopez. (B/-/-)

Day 15 (Sun): Puerto López: Isla de la Plata

Accompanied by a local naturalist guide, you take a boat ride to the ”Isla de la Plata”, where you can hike, swim, or snorkel. From mid-June through September, the coastal waters of Ecuador are home to giant humpback whales, which can be observed with a bit of luck. Box lunch included. (B/BL/-)

Day 16 (Mon): Puerto Lopez – Los Frailes - Chirije In the morning visit to Machalilla National Park. You can hike to the lookout point or swim at the beach of “Los Frailes”. A scenic drive along the coast takes you to Chirije. (B/-/-)

Day 17 (Tue): Bahia de Caráquez – Jama
Visit to the city of Bahia de Caráquez, the center of the crab-fishing industry. You have the option to either tour an organic shrimp farm or to visit “Isla Corazón”. You continue with a scenic and remote drive through small fishing villages, passing unspoiled sandy beaches, until you reach Jama. (B/-/-)

Day 18 (Wed): Jama – Quito
Today you can explore the Manabí Province. In the afternoon drive to Quito, via Santo Domingo. Arrival at your hotel in Quito’s new or old city center.  (B/-/-) 

 
Services:

• Travel arrangements as described, with private transportation
• Qualified English- or German-speaking travel guides (except Day 15—excursion to Isla de la Plata is only possible with English-speaking guide)
• Accommodations at good comfort-class hotels
• Meals as described in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, BL=Box Lunch, D=Dinner)
• Admission fees
• Snorkeling equipment (Day 15)

Non-included services:

• Not specified meals and beverages
• Tips and personal expenses

PLEASE NOTE: The excursion on Day 15 to Isla de la Plata is only possible with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide. All of our German-speaking clients will receive a detailed introduction to Isla de la Plata from their German-speaking guide prior to their visit.

Please be advised: Services listed in the itinerary may be subject to change due to  organizational or climate factors. 

 
Rates:

Add-on Program Ruta del Sol

All rates are in USD and per person, in double room accommodation. Valid until 31.10.2012

Subject to change. Prices may be higher on national holidays.

OPTION 2

Add-on Program City Tour Guayaquil

Day 14 (Sat): Guayaquil city tour & transfer out

a) City tour 3 hours: Iguana Park, the river boardwalk “Malecón 2000″, historic quarter “Las Peñas” and Santa Ana hill.

All rates are in USD and per person, in double room accommodation. Valid until 31.10.2012

Subject to change. Prices may be higher on national holidays.
 

b) City tour 5 hours: Iguana Park, the river boardwalk “Malecón 2000″, historic quarter “Las Peñas”, Santa Ana hill, Parque Histórico, and the cemetery.

All rates are in USD and per person, in double room accommodation. Valid until 31.10.2012

Subject to change. Prices may be higher on national holidays.

 
Services:

• Qualified English- or German-speaking guide
• Admission fees

Non-included services:

• Not specified meals and beverages
• Tips and personal expenses  

Please be advised: Services listed in the itinerary may be subject to change due to  organizational or climate factors.