Ecuador, land of contrasts (10 Days | 9 Nights)

Reinvent yourself exploring!

Ecuador is a beauty everywhere; it is an exciting and unpredictable land!

In Ecuador, you’ll find everything while experiencing and enjoying the happiest vacations ever. For instance, you can visit the eternal snow volcanoes that will guide your way through the famous “Volcano Avenue”. It is a small country with the most complex biodiversity system in the world, like the Amazonian jungle and the Galapagos Islands, known as the home to the largest natural laboratory and richest wildlife on earth.

Within its continental part, Ecuador is naturally subdivided in three well-marked regions: the coastal area, the Andean mountains, and the Amazon basin. These three regions produce completely different ecosystems, both in flora and fauna.

ITINERARY DESCRIPTION DAY BY DAY

DAY 1 – ARRIVAL TO QUITO AIRPORT AND TRANSFER TO THE HOTEL

Arrival at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport of Quito, and after custom procedures luggage pick up, your tour guide will be waiting for you at the international exit with your name written in a banner. The transfer to the hotel will be around 45 minutes. Dinner is not included, accommodation

DAY 2 – QUITO, CITY TOUR + MIDDLE OF THE WORLD - OTAVALO

BREAKFAST

This visit to Ecuador’s capital will take us from the modern residential area of Quito, situated in the north part of the city to the colonial part or old city. In 1978, the colonial part of the city was declared World Heritage, where you can enjoy several religious monuments that are great examples of the famous "Quito School” from the XVI, XVII and XVIII centuries, considered the most important and well preserved colonial city in South America.

While walking through the narrow streets of downtown Quito, we will see: the Independence Square, also called "Plaza Grande", located in the heart of Colonial Quito; surrounded by the political and religious powers represented by important buildings such as: the Presidential Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, the City Hall, and the Cathedral Church. These monuments have been restored preserving the original architectural style that has been integrated through centuries. This tour throughout the Colonial Quito also includes a visit to San Francisco Church, known as "The Escorial of America", and The Company of Jesus Church with its sumptuous decoration and beautiful gold leaf interior, as well as its volcanic carved stone façade. Lunch is not included

During the afternoon, the tour continues to the emblematic site called the “Middle of the World”. Visit to the museum called "Intiñan" word that comes from Kichwa language and means "Path of the Sun". This museum will make your passage through the Middle of the World an interesting and unforgettable experience. After the visit, we’ll continue our route from the north of Quito to Otavalo. Dinner is not included, accommodation

DAY 3 – OTAVALO – CUICOCHA LAKE – PEGUCHE – OTAVALO

BREAKFAST

Otavalo is located at 54 miles (87 km) north of Quito, in a valley at 8.300 feet above sea leavel (2530 m.a.s.l) and dominated by Imbabura Volcano (15.190 ft / 4.630 m).

The traditional market takes place every day at the square called “Plaza de los Ponchos”, a plaza full of colors and traditions; it is one of the most important crafts and handcrafts market in South America. The market is composed by three well-identified sectors: the animal market, which is located outside of downtown (only on Saturdays), the food market, where you can see the richness of our land, and the craft market. Lunch is not included

otavalo san pablo
After visiting the market, we’ll drive to Cuicocha Crater Lake, located at the foot of Cotacachi Volcano (16.220 ft/ 4.944 m). We will take a short hike along the crater rim to learn about the volcano, as well as the flora and fauna of this place. After that, we will visit the town of Cotacachi, where we can find leather goods of excellent quality.

The visit also includes a tour of the town of Peguche workshops, we will be able to learn about the work of tapestries made on ancient wooden looms and even the backstrap loom used by ancient civilizations in Ecuador, as well as the natural dyes used to color the wool. Also, we will visit a musical instruments workshop. At the end of the afternoon, return to the hotel.

Dinner is not included, accommodation

DAY 4 – OTAVALO – COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK - LASSO

BREAKFAST

After breakfast, we’ll make a journey of approximately 2 hours, during the trip, we will see different landscapes. We will also learn about Coined by Alexander Von Humboldt (1769 -1859), along with the expression "Avenue of the Volcanoes". This is the name that perfectly describes the landscape that crosses the Andean highlands of Ecuador in which a succession of extinct and active volcanoes can be seen; many of them have eternal snows. Volcanoes are all together and they form a natural corridor of wonderful landscapes. When contemplating them, it is easy to understand why the pre-Columbian people saw them as gods and spirits. Lunch is not included

A walk with your tour guide around Limpiopungo Lake at 12.467 ft / 3,800 m, will explain the formation of these wonderful landscapes shaped over the time by different eruptions of this volcano. These lands are home of: some species of birds, the Andean wolf, deer, rabbits among others; nonetheless, don't stop looking at the sky, we may see the majestic condor! At the end of the day arrival to the hotel. Dinner is not included, accommodation

DAY 5 – LASSO – QUILOTOA LAKE – RIOBAMBA

BREAKFAST

We will leave early in the morning, to take the route towards the west. The road passes up to 4,000 m | 13.123 ft height. The fact of being so high, will give us, on the way, a composition of wonderful landscapes . We'll look at the patch-work formed by the agriculture in the mountains. We will have also the opportunity to appreciate the hard work of the ecuadorian indigenous communities that inhabit these highlands. The scenery is wonderful to take pictures at every step! On route, we will stop to visit the naïf art workshop. The handcrafts and paintings are full of color, they capture stories, legends and traditions. Lunch is not included.

We will continue to Quilotoa lake, crossing by the small town of Zumbahua (market day on satudays). Quilotoa is a lake in the crater of an active volcano, which will surprise us with its colors, its reflections of clouds, sky and sun. After some minutes of driving, we will reach the viewpoint at 3.800 m | 12.500 ft. There is a difference in level of 400 m | 1.312 ft, between the view point and the lake, so if we have enough energy, we will walk downhill and comeback. It's also possible to have a mule ride for the climbing, with a supplement of US$ 10 per mule (to be paid directly to the owners of the animals). Once we meet at the viewpoint, we will continue our route to Riobamba, capital of Chimborazo provice and located at the foot of the highest pick in Ecuador. Dinner is not included, accommodation.

DAY 6 – RIOBAMBA – CHIMBORAZO WILDLIFE RESERVE - RIOBAMBA

BREAKFAST

This morning we will continue our route to the south, crossing this drawn landscapes and mountains covered by the designs and colors given by the crops that are cultivated in this region. After 1 hour (+/-) of driving, we will arrive at the Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve, which is the natural habitat of the vicuñas (Vicugna Vicugna). We will reach up to 4,800 m | 15.748 ft and if we have the energy and the courage, we can climb up to 5,000 m |16.404 ft to see this snow capped volcano from closer. Chimborazo has 6,268 m | 20.564 ft, and it's the highest point in the world from the center of the Earth. After this mountain experience, we’ll come down to the parish of Calpi, where we will visit a small community that has been developing a sustainable tourism during the lasts years. This community has been working on a project of llama raising. We’ll learn about llama, by visiting the museum at the indigenous community of Palacio Real. Lunch is not included

At the end of the day, we’ll return to Riobamba. Dinner is not included, accommodation

DAY 7 - RIOBAMBA - INGAPIRCA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE – CUENCA

BREAKFAST

After breakfast we will continue our route to the south. The route offers extraordinary landscapes, unique in Ecuador and that are a clear sample of the hard agricultural work. An extraordinary patchwork of diverse colors caused by the cultivated plants: potatoes, onions, cereals including the famous quinoa among other products that enrich the Ecuadorian gastronomy.
Lunch is not included

On the route we will first stop at the church of La Balbanera, the oldest in Ecuador, then we will have the opportunity to see from a viewpoint, the "Devil's Nose" and continue to the archaeological site of Ingapirca, we will learn about the history and influence of this culture that came from the south to conquer our people in the XV century. After this interesting visit that will take us to know the past of these lands we will continue to Cuenca, colonial city and declared World Heritage Site, UNESCO 1999. Dinner is not included, accommodation

DAY 8 – CUENCA – CITY TOUR

BREAKFAST

Early in the morning, we will go to meet the beautiful colonial city of Cuenca, which will open the doors to discover some of the most important colonial monuments and buildings. We will visit the Cathedral, the Park Calderon, the flower market and the "Calle Larga" with its neighborhood "El Barranco." There, we can see houses built on the edge of the Tomebamba River.

The city of Cuenca was founded in the sixteenth century by the Spanish, who established the city over the ancient ruins of of the Incas, called Tumipamba. Some of the stones with indubitable Inca cuts, can be observed in the walls of some buildings in downtown. Lunch is not included

We will continue the visit, to the hat factory or "Montecristi Hats" with its generalized and famous name of "Panama Hats," nonetheless, that famous hat is made in Ecuador.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Museo de Culturas Aborígenes, a visit that will show you a chronological explanation of the different pre-Columbian cultures in Ecuador, dating from 13,000 years BC, until the arrival of the Incas in the XV century. Dinner is not included, accommodation

DAY 9 – CUENCA - CAJAS NATIONAL PARK - GUAYAQUIL

BREAKFAST

Depart from Cuenca in the morning. We will go towards Guayaquil, one of the most important coastal cities of Ecuador. We will see wonderful views due to the change of altitudes. On our way, we’ll cross the Cajas National Park, a glacial ecosystem that collects around 260 lakes. This area provides to Cuenca with the 60 % of drinkable water. We will do a short, buy interesting, and not difficult walk around one of the biggests lake of the park: Toreadora Lake. Afterwards, we’ll take our car to continue the route. We will cross the western mountain range at the pass called "Las Tres Cruces" at 4,164 m | 13.662 ft . During our driving, we will have the great opportunity to appreciate the changes on vegetation that progressively shows us the large plantations of bananas, cocoa, rice, sugar cane, and so on. Lunch is not included

Arriving in Guayaquil in the afternnoon, room distribution and inmediately, we will leave the hotel to visit Guayaquil, known as the "Pearl of the Pacific".

Guayaquil city tour consists of an interesting walk by the “Malecón Simón Bolívar,” which is a boulevard of approximately 3 km long on the edge of the great Rio Guayas. On the way, we will see the famous Moorish Tower or also called the Clock Tower, as well as the City Hall, the Government House, until we reach the neighborhood of Las Peñas. If we have the energy, we will get up to the lighthouse on the top of hill, to get a panoramic view of Guayaquil city. Dinner is not included, accommodation

DAY 10 – GUAYAQUIL - TRANSFER OUT

Transfer from the hotel to Guayaquil's Airport José Joaquín de Olmedo to take your flight.

RATES PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE ROOM

2-3 people

Comfort 3* US$ 1.900 Superior 4* US$ 2.150
4-6 people

Comfort 3* US$ 1.590 Superior 4* US$ 1.830
7-10 people

Comfort 3* US$ 1.140 Superior 4* US$ 1.385
11-15 people

Comfort 3* US$ 970 Superior 4* US$ 1.215

SUPPLEMENT IN SINGLE ROOM:

COMFORT: US$ 115
SUPERIOR: US$ 320

INCLUDED

Accommodation according to client selection. Two hotel categories: Comfort 3* or Superior 4*
Bilingual tour guide English/ Spanish. Available in other languages upon request
All the transportation according to what is described in the program
We offer a driver/guide for private tours, 2-4 people
Entrance fees to sites that are described on the itinerary
All PACHA JOURNEYS permissions and licenses

NOT INCLUDED

International or national flights
Any visit described as *optional or extensions
Entrance fees to sites that are not described on the itinerary
Drinks of any type
Meals that are not described in the itinerary
Insurances of any type
Tips and personal expenses

ACCOMMODATIONS

ABOUT THE HOTELS

Hotels, "COMFORT" category, type 3 * are comfortable, clean and with all the basics you need. These hotels are adapted to customers of different nationalities.
Hotels "SUPERIOR" category 4 * are high-standard hotels or haciendas that offer a high quality and personalized service

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

From day 1 to day 10 of your tour you will be accompanied by a professional tour guide.
We work with tour guides who speak different languages (upon request and confirmed reservation)
National tour guides from mainland cannot lead in the Galapagos; for this reason, if you take the extension to the Galapagos Islands, we have native guides, naturalists, professionals, and experts of the Galapagos Islands.
On the day 10 of our itinerary, your tour guide will drop you at the Guayaquil's airport. He or she will assist you for the check in for the flight to Galapagos if you took the extension.
We will adapt the program according to your international flights.

RESERVATION & CANCELLATION POLICY

To reconfirm a booking, a 30% deposit is required within 7 days of the reservation.
Amount due is required 60 days prior to arrival date.
If booking is cancelled after being confirmed 10% of the deposit is non-refundable.
If booking is cancelled 120 days prior to arrival the deposit is non-refundable.
If booking is cancelled 60 days prior to arrival 100% of the deposit is non-refundable.
All cancellation fees will be discounted from the deposits.
All cancellations must be sent in writing via e-mail.
Last minute bookings are non-refundable.

PAYMENT METHODS