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Quito, the main city
in the Ecuadorian Andes, is two cities in
one. Contrasts between the colonial old city
and the modern new city to the north are as
visible as between those of its fertile green
valleys and the snowcapped volcanoes overhead.
In 1979 UNESCO (United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization) named
Quito a world heritage site, becoming a City
of Cultural Patrimony of Mankind by the Organization
of United Nations.
Located
at 9400 ft (3000 m) the temperatures in Quito
tend to be more mild then one would image.
The average temperatures range from 55º
F (7º C) at night, to 78º F (26º
C) at noon, averaging 64ºF (15º
C). |
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Quito
Services |
Description |
Price
Per Person |
|
Airport
Transfers |
Private
transfers between the airport and your hotel |
From $ 25 |
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Hotel
Reservations |
The
best Quito has to offer from Luxury hotel
to inexpensive hostels |
From $ 55 |
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Quito
City Tours |
Overview
of the Tumbaco Valley and new portions of
Quito and walking tour of the historic old
town Quito including the churches, plazas
and Panecillo |
From $ 98 |
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Combined
City & Equator Monument Tour |
The
Quito City tour combined with a drive to the
Equator Monument at Mitad del Mundo where
we visit the Ethnographic and Solar Culture
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From $203 |
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Guayaquil is the largest
shipping port on the Pacific Coast of South
America, handling 80% of Ecuador's imports
and 50% of its exports including shrimp, bananas,
cocoa and coffee.
Guayaquil is the largest city in Ecuador with
a population near 3 million. Though it has
always had a strong economy and plenty of
nightlife, it lacks the tourist attractions
and recreational opportunities of Quito. An
industrial city it is home to one of Ecuador's
two international airports. Much of the air
traffic in the country routes its way through
Guayaquil.
Flights between Quito and the Galapagos have
a short stop there, as do flights to Peru
and many other international destinations.
Travelers with heart conditions or other problems
aggravated by high elevations may consider
flying in and out of Guayaquil rather than
Quito. Its elevation, at sea level, is much
easier on the body. For safety reason visitors
to Guayaquil should plan organized tours of
the city rather than venturing out on their
own. The city is known for having a high crime
rate and it is easy for visitors to wander
into a "bad neighborhood" without
being aware. |
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Guayaquil Services |
Description |
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Airport Transfers |
Private
transfers between the airport and your hotel |
From $ 25 |
|
Hotel Reservations |
The best Guayaquil has to offer from Luxury hotel to inexpensive hostels |
From $ 64 |
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Guayaquil City Tours + Lunch |
The visit starts along the main avenue of Guayaquil, the heart of the business district of the city, by the Centennial Park that honors the heroes of Guayaquil's independence. Then, a stroll along Guayaquil's new and ravishing Malecon 2000, a 2.5 Km. (1.5 mile) waterfront, running parallel to the River Guayas and featuring historical, cultural and entertainment areas. |
From $209 |
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| Cotopaxi
& the Avenue of the Volcanoes |
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| Cotopaxi the highest
active volcanoes in the world at 19,348 feet
(5897m) is located at the center of Cotopaxi
National Park, the most visited National Park
on the Ecuadorian mainland. Located 1 ½
to 2 hours south of Quito on the eastern flank
of the Andes, Cotopaxi offers visitors the
opportunity to enjoy a variety of activities
including mountaineering, hiking, birding,
horseback ridding, camping and mountain biking.
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Cotopaxi
& The Avenue of the Volcanoes Tour |
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Day 1 |
Beginning
at your hotel where you are met by your bilingual
guide and driver, the tour heads south of
Quito along the Avenue of the Volcanoes. We
travel through the farm lands and up to Ecuador's
first National Park where we visit Cotopaxi
(19,400 ft) the highest active volcano in
the world.
Here we visit the grassy paramos, see birds,
llamas and wild horses and even enjoy a hike
up to the snow line at (15,800 feet). The
mountain offers a fantastic view of the surrounding
Volcanoes including Rumiñahui, Sincholagua,
Quilindaña and Antisana.
As we drive down the volcano returning to
the valley below we stop at a historic hacienda
for a delicious dinner and to spend the night. |
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Day 2 |
We
awaken and enjoy a leisurely breakfast at
our Hacienda before visiting the local villages
in the Central Highlands depending on the
day of the week our trip includes a visit
to one of the local Indian Markets* where
we can shop of local handicrafts. Before returning
to Quito in the evening.
*Ambato Market Mondays, Latacunga Market Tuesdays
and Saturdays, Pujili Market Wednesdays and
Sundays, Saquisili Market Thrusdays
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Price |
4 day / 3 night price: $1340 per person based on double occupancy. |
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Included |
Private
First Class Transportation, Services of an
Experienced Bilingual Guide, Beverages and
snacks during the Tour, Accommodations at
the Hacienda, Meals during the Tour |
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Not Included |
Items
of a personal nature, Gratuities, Beverages
while at the Hacienda |
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| Otavalo
Market & Surrounding Craft Villages |
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Travel to the Otavalo
Valley, this magical area of lakes, snow
covered mountains, small villages and farms
is home to the most famous handicraft market
in South America.
Each village has a specialty from wood
carvings, to leather goods, to felt hats
and embroidery. As well as visiting the
Otavalo Market where we can shop for everything
from farm animals to jewelry.
This tour offers you the sites and sounds
of the local villages while relaxing in
the comfort of a luxurious and historic
Hacienda.
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Otavalo
Market & Craft Villages |
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Day 1 |
Your
tour begins at your hotel where your bilingual
guide will pick you up. Journeying north along
the Pan-American Highway, the first stop is
the the town of Calderon famous for miniature
bread dough figurines. Continuing down into
the great valley where you will be able to
take incredible photos we stop at the Equator
line town of Cayambe where we visit a local
bakery to sample some of the typical biscuits.
As we continue into the valley we stop at
the weaving village of Peguche where the local
people are dedicated to all kinds of weaving
and we have the chance to visit the local
waterfall.
After enjoying a delicious lunch at one of
the local Haciendas we enjoy an afternoon
stroll along the shores of Lake Cuicocha.
Here we can observe the beautiful scenery
created by this lake inside a volcanic crater.
In the afternoon we visit the Village of Cotachi
famous for its leather goods before settling
into our Hacienda for the night.
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Day 2 |
We
wake in the morning to enjoy breakfast at
our Hacienda before setting off to the world
famous Otavalo Market. (Saturday visits will
rise early to visit the animal market and
return for breakfast) Walking from Ponchos
square, the main square of the Indian Market
we have enough time to visit the whole market
and shop for handicrafts.
After a full morning we leave the market to
enjoy lunch at the Hosteria Puerto Lago before
driving back to Quito in the afternoon.
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Price |
2 days / 1 night price: From $413 per person based on double occupancy. |
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Included |
Private
First Class Transportation, Services of an
Experienced Bilingual Guide, Beverages and
snacks during the Tour, Accommodations at
the Hacienda, Lunch and Dinner on Day 1 and
Breakfast and Lunch on Day 2 |
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Not Included |
Personal
expenses, Gratuities, Beverages at the Hacienda.
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A short drive from
Quito bring you to the sub-tropical cloud
forest of Mindo. Among the most bio-diverse
places in the world Mindo is a favorite
getaway place where nature lovers delight
in the many birds, butterflies and orchids
that inhabit the region. Home to more than
170 recorded species of birds including
the Tanager-finch, giant antpilla, swallow-tailed
night jar and the brightly colored tanagers
and mountain toucans.
This small village is located in the Mindo
Nambillo Protected Forest offers a crystal-like
streams, waterfalls and deeply forested
mountain gorges.
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Mindo
Cloud Forest |
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Day 1 |
Your
tour begins with an early morning departure
from Quito with your private driver and bilingual
guide. The two-hour drive down into the cloud
forest offers a warm escape from the highlands
of Quito.
Arriving in Mindo your guide will lead you
on a nature walk pointing out the many species
of birds and wildlife as well as the variety
of plants and their medicinal values.
Returning to Mindo we enjoy an early dinner
and the unique experience of a lodge that
invites both the local cloud forest and tropical
gardens to surround us.
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Day 2 |
Nature-lovers
can chose to rise very early for the hike
to view the Cock-of-the-Rock at sunrise and
then return to the lodge for breakfast and
a short nap. Our day includes exploration
of the primary and secondary cloud forest,
a visit to the waterfalls where you have the
opportunity to swim or bird watch or visit
to the Caligo Butterfly Farm and local Orchid
Garden before returning to Quito.
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Price |
2
days 1 night price: From $250 per person based
on double occupancy. |
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Included |
Private
First Class Transportation, Services of an
Experienced Bilingual Guide, Beverages and
snacks during the Tour, Accommodations at
the Lodge, Lunch and Dinner on Day 1 and Breakfast
and Lunch on Day 2 |
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Not Included |
Items
of a Personal Nature, Gratuities, Beverages
while at the Lodge. |
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| Machalilla
Whale Watching |
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Visit one of the
largest untouched cloud forests in Ecuador
and the only protected tropical dry forest
in South America. Machalilla offers some
of the best wildlife viewing in the country
including the premire location for whale
watching and an exceptional archeological
site and museum.
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Machalilla
Whale Watching |
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Day 1 |
Flight
from Quito to Manta. Visit to Montecristi
village by bus (famous Panama hat manufacturers).
After visiting the hat weavers we continue
to Machalilla National Park. At the park we
have time to situate ourselves in our accommodations
at the Mantarraya Logde before lunch. In the
afternoon we enjoy a visit to the Machalilla
National Park Center and Los Frailes beach
for snorkeling before returning back to the
hotel for our daily briefing and dinner.
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Day 2 |
After
enjoying breakfast we set sail for "Isla
de la Plata". Along the way we have the
opportunity for some of the best Whale Watching
in the world. On Isla de la Plata we have
the opportunity to hike along trails viewing
birds and sea lions or enjoy time swimming
and snorkelingin the ocean. After a full day
at the Island we sailing back to Puerto López
for the night.
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Day
3 |
We
enjoy breakfast we visit the Agua Blanca,
Archaeological Museum and enjoy our last lunch
an afternoon visit to Portoviejo andla Pila
village before returning for our flight back
to Quito.
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Price |
3
day / 2 night price: $377 per person based
on double occupancy. |
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Included |
Private
transportation from and to Manta or Portoviejo,
bilingual naturalist guide from the Machalilla
National Park, accommodation at Mantaraya
Lodge, full board, all excursion described
in the itinerary |
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Not Included |
Beverages,
Tips, Personal Expenses, Airfare to Manta
or Portoviejo and National Park Entrance fee. |
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