arrive to quito quito city and equator tour
DAY 1 ARRIVE TO QUITO Arrive in Quito. Meet and greet with your bilingual guide; then transfer to the boutique Le Parc Hotel. Two nights, one room (double occupancy), including breakfast, hotel tax and service charge. DAY 2 QUITO CITY AND EQUATOR TOUR This interesting and renovated city tour starts with a visit of the Itchimbia neighborhood, which is a place that offers a spectacular view of the old and new city. Then you will visit the old colonial Quito starting in Santo Domingo Plaza walking through one of the oldest streets in the town “La Ronda Street” where you will see how the colonial houses were built and how the Quiteños lived in the sixteen hundreds. Your walk takes you through the city museum to San Francisco Plaza, making a quick stop to try the typical sweets of Quito. San Francisco is the oldest church in Quito and it is full of history and legends.
Next, you will visit to La Merced church is organized to see the arabesque and baroque style that was used to decorate this church. Finally, a visit to the main square where the presidential palace, the main cathedral and some other important buildings can be appreciated. La Compañía de Jesus church is one of the most beautiful churches in South
America or perhaps the world, this is the last treasure to be visited in our program before your guide takes you to the equator. Once there, you will visit a very interesting museum, INTI NAN, here you will learn about the different cultures that we have in Ecuador and some of the facts applicable on the Equator. (B,L) DAY 3 IMBABURA PROVINCE This whole area is the full of beautiful landscapes all decorated by the presence of the Andes. Today your guide will take you to Cotacachi – Cayapas National Park, to thrill at the beautiful paramos (the ecosystem of the Andes). Follow on to the lake of Cuicocha. From here, you will be able to hike in this area where your guide will explain the flora and fauna of this location. After your hike, take a brief visit to Cotacachi (the leather town) and then continue to have lunch in a Hacienda. Late in the afternoon you will go back to the Hacienda Cusin. One night, one room (double occupancy), including breakfast, hotel taxes and service charge. (B,L,D)
DAY 4 OTAVALO FULL DAY TOUR AND PAPALLACTA As we pass into the highlands, we’re treated to a sweeping view of Imbabura and Cotacachi Volcanoes rising above San Pablo Lake. We can first visit the animal market in Otavalo, you will be able to see people trading their animals (llamas, ship, pigs, chicken, etc…) then you will visit the main market which dates back thousands of years and is famous throughout the Andes for its handicrafts, textiles and tapestries. After the market you’ll visit the village of Peguche where native weavers demonstrate their craft, as they have for centuries. In the afternoon you will be transferred to PAPALLACTA THERMAL SPRING. One night, one room (double occupancy). Breakfast, lunch and local taxes included. (B,L,D)
DAY 5 PAPALLACTA – COTOPAXI The Papallacta River crosses both the hacienda as well as the high section of the valley, and it offers to the visitor a spectacular view of the Antisana Volcano. In this beautiful area, we offer walks along the ecological paths, where nature lovers can appreciate the local flora and fauna. This area is a treasure for ornithologists, with more than 160 different species of birds, including hummingbirds, tanagers and occasionally the great Andean Condor. Afterwards, enjoy the Hot Springs of Papallacta, whose thermal waters emerge from deep geological layers through fissures up to the surface. This will be a day of nature, health and relaxation. After lunch Then you will be transfer to La Cienega considered the oldest and most splendid colonial style hotel in Cotopaxi province offering charm, history and tradition. One night, one room (double occupancy) breakfast, service and taxes included. (B,L,D) DAY 6 FULL DAY TOUR TO COTOPAXI Today we start with a drive through the avenue of the volcanoes, named by Alexander Von Humboldt. In this area we find Cotopaxi volcano (5.897m - 19.460ft), considered the highest active volcano in the world. We will learn about the flora and fauna of the Paramo, depending on the weather conditions, we can go up to the refuge (4.800m - 15.840ft). Lunch is at Tambopaxi base camp.After lunch go back to Quito. Transfer to the boutique Le Parc Hotel. One night, one room (double occupancy), including breakfast, hotel tax and service charge. (B,L)
End of our services. The Galapagos and Ecuador schedule and the all touring arrangements herein are subject to change without notice and can be operated in a different sequence, depending on operational considerations. All hotels are subject to availability and can be substituted for similar hotels. All payments for custom-designed itineraries are non-refundable in the event of cancelation by passengers. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
PRICE PER PERSON: $2,452.00 AT 50% DISCOUNT = $1,226.00 Prices include: • Accommodation in suites in Quito and standard rooms in Country side (double) • Meals as detailed (B=breakfast, L=lunch and D=dinner) • English speaking guide • Private transportation • Entrance to museums and churches in Quito Does NOT include: • Drinks (soft and alcoholic) • Tips to guides
Next, you will visit to La Merced church is organized to see the arabesque and baroque style that was used to decorate this church. Finally, a visit to the main square where the presidential palace, the main cathedral and some other important buildings can be appreciated. La Compañía de Jesus church is one of the most beautiful churches in South
America or perhaps the world, this is the last treasure to be visited in our program before your guide takes you to the equator. Once there, you will visit a very interesting museum, INTI NAN, here you will learn about the different cultures that we have in Ecuador and some of the facts applicable on the Equator. (B,L) DAY 3 IMBABURA PROVINCE This whole area is the full of beautiful landscapes all decorated by the presence of the Andes. Today your guide will take you to Cotacachi – Cayapas National Park, to thrill at the beautiful paramos (the ecosystem of the Andes). Follow on to the lake of Cuicocha. From here, you will be able to hike in this area where your guide will explain the flora and fauna of this location. After your hike, take a brief visit to Cotacachi (the leather town) and then continue to have lunch in a Hacienda. Late in the afternoon you will go back to the Hacienda Cusin. One night, one room (double occupancy), including breakfast, hotel taxes and service charge. (B,L,D)
DAY 4 OTAVALO FULL DAY TOUR AND PAPALLACTA As we pass into the highlands, we’re treated to a sweeping view of Imbabura and Cotacachi Volcanoes rising above San Pablo Lake. We can first visit the animal market in Otavalo, you will be able to see people trading their animals (llamas, ship, pigs, chicken, etc…) then you will visit the main market which dates back thousands of years and is famous throughout the Andes for its handicrafts, textiles and tapestries. After the market you’ll visit the village of Peguche where native weavers demonstrate their craft, as they have for centuries. In the afternoon you will be transferred to PAPALLACTA THERMAL SPRING. One night, one room (double occupancy). Breakfast, lunch and local taxes included. (B,L,D)
DAY 5 PAPALLACTA – COTOPAXI The Papallacta River crosses both the hacienda as well as the high section of the valley, and it offers to the visitor a spectacular view of the Antisana Volcano. In this beautiful area, we offer walks along the ecological paths, where nature lovers can appreciate the local flora and fauna. This area is a treasure for ornithologists, with more than 160 different species of birds, including hummingbirds, tanagers and occasionally the great Andean Condor. Afterwards, enjoy the Hot Springs of Papallacta, whose thermal waters emerge from deep geological layers through fissures up to the surface. This will be a day of nature, health and relaxation. After lunch Then you will be transfer to La Cienega considered the oldest and most splendid colonial style hotel in Cotopaxi province offering charm, history and tradition. One night, one room (double occupancy) breakfast, service and taxes included. (B,L,D) DAY 6 FULL DAY TOUR TO COTOPAXI Today we start with a drive through the avenue of the volcanoes, named by Alexander Von Humboldt. In this area we find Cotopaxi volcano (5.897m - 19.460ft), considered the highest active volcano in the world. We will learn about the flora and fauna of the Paramo, depending on the weather conditions, we can go up to the refuge (4.800m - 15.840ft). Lunch is at Tambopaxi base camp.After lunch go back to Quito. Transfer to the boutique Le Parc Hotel. One night, one room (double occupancy), including breakfast, hotel tax and service charge. (B,L)
End of our services. The Galapagos and Ecuador schedule and the all touring arrangements herein are subject to change without notice and can be operated in a different sequence, depending on operational considerations. All hotels are subject to availability and can be substituted for similar hotels. All payments for custom-designed itineraries are non-refundable in the event of cancelation by passengers. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
PRICE PER PERSON: $2,452.00 AT 50% DISCOUNT = $1,226.00 Prices include: • Accommodation in suites in Quito and standard rooms in Country side (double) • Meals as detailed (B=breakfast, L=lunch and D=dinner) • English speaking guide • Private transportation • Entrance to museums and churches in Quito Does NOT include: • Drinks (soft and alcoholic) • Tips to guides
