ECUADOR ESSENTIALS
10 days / 9 nights (2020) Rates from $1,045 / person 2—4—6 participants
Quito, Lake Region, Amazon, Riobamba, Chimborazo, Cuenca and Guayaquil
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Excursion Highlights: Adventures along the equator Colonial cities Quito and Cuenca Largest indigenous market in Latin America Lush forests on the edge of the Amazon Impressive waterfalls in Baños Incan ruins
OTAVALO
QUITO
AMAZONIE PEU PROFONDE BAÑOS RIOBAMBA GUAYAQUIL ALAUSI
INGAPIRCA
CUENCA
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Itinerary
# AGENDA Tababela / Otavalo 1 Arrive at airport in Tababela Travel to Lake Region Otavalo / Quito 2 AM: Indigenous market of Otavalo and villages Peguche, Agato and Iluman PM: Visit Cotacachi and Lake Cuicocha Quito 3 AM: City tour of Quito PM: Visit the “Mitad del Mundo” Quito / Amazon 4 AM: Arrive at lodge on the edge of Amazon PM: Relaxation at the lodge Amazon 5 Activities to choose from at the lodge Amazon / Riobamba 6 AM: Depart for “highway of waterfalls” and “El Pailón del Diablo” PM: Cable car ride to “El Manto de la Novia” waterfall Riobamba / Cuenca 7 AM: “Devil’s Nose” railroad PM: Ingapirca Ruins Cuenca 8 AM: City tour of Cuenca and Panama hat mill PM: Museum of Aboriginal Culture Cuenca / Guayaquil 9 AM: Pumapungo Ruins and Cajas National Park PM: Visit Guayaquil Guayaquil 10 Shuttle to Guayaquil airport
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Day 1: Arrive in Lake Region
Sites of interest: Arrive in the Ecuador’s capital city. Nestled between mountains at 9,350 feet, Quito is the second highest capital in the world.
You will land at Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Tababela, just east of Ecuador’s capital city where your driver will be waiting to take you to the hotel. Along the way, take in the postcard worthy views of the volcanoes, lakes, and valleys that comprise Ecuador’s Northern Sierra. This region is home to more than six volcanoes, the most prominent of them being Cayambe (18,996 ft), Cotacachi (16,220 ft), and Imbabura (15,121 ft). These forces of nature make great landscape for lakes big and small to form in their craters, and thus the region is named as such. You will spend the night on the enchanting shores of one of the more well-known lakes of the highlands, San Pablo Lake. Accompanied by: Driver Meals included: None Altitude: Quito 9,350 feet Otavalo 8,307 feet Travel: Airport – Hotel in Otavalo: 1hr15min – 50 miles Accommodations: Cabañas del Lago***
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Day 2: Walk Through Otavalo Market and Around Lake Cuicocha
Sites of interest: Largest indigenous market in Latin America and impressive landscapes of Imbabura!
You will begin your day at the Otavalo market—the most famous indigenous market in South America, where Andean traditions thrive in the form of colorful textiles and handmade jewelry. Here, you’ll be able to admire the work of master weavers and expert leather craftsmen from the surrounding villages of Peguche, Agato, Iluman, and Cotacachi. The perfect place to buy your souvenirs! In the afternoon, you will explore Lake Cuicocha and its two islets. These natural wonders find themselves in Cotacachi-Cayapas Natural Reserve, the perfect site to take in the fresh air and beautiful terrain. You are required to hire a local guide at the entrance of the national reserve (price ref. $40). Set out for the capital where you will spend the night. Quito, colonial city and UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978 named so for its colonial architecture. The city´s namesake was the Quitus tribe who lived in the area before Inca rule. Later, the Spanish founded the city of Quito in 1534. Accompanied by: Driver Meals included: Breakfast Altitude: Cuicocha 10,649 feet Quito 9,350 feet Travel: Otavalo – Cotacachi: 20 min – 8 miles Cotacachi – Cuicocha: 25 min – 8 miles Cuicocha – Quito: 2h 30 min – 78 miles Accommodations: Embassy***
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Day 3: Discover Old Town Quito and the Equator Line
Sites of interest: Volcanic rock streets of the best-preserve historic center in Latin America and adventures at the equator line!
In the morning, walk the streets of the largest and best well-kept historic center in Latin America. Start in the Plaza de la Independencia. There encompassing the plaza are some of the most beautiful churches and convents of the capital. You will have the chance to visit, among others, La Compañia de Jesús whose interior is covered entirely in gold, and the Plaza San Francisco which was built out of volcanic rock. Higher up, you will have the chance to appreciate the grandeur of the world’s second highest capital city from the Panecillo. Here, at almost 10,000 feet, stands the statue of the Virgin of Quito whose placement is said to unite the North and South of the city. From here you will head off to the Mitad del Mundo. Don’t leave without a picture of yourself in two hemispheres at once! From the Panecillo, you can look out over the entire city of Quito north to south. The peak was home to a sun-worshipping temple which was destroyed during Spanish occupation. In 1975, the statue of the Virgin of Quito was placed upon the hill, she represents the Virgin Mary.
Accompanied by: Driver Meals included: Breakfast Altitude: Quito 9,350 feet Panecillo 9,895 feet Mitad del Mundo 9,186 feet Travel: Quito – Mitad del Mundo: 45 min. – 19 miles Accommodations: Embassy***
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Day 4: Escape to the Edge of the Amazon
Sites of interest: Andean hot springs and arrive in the Amazon!
On the drive from Quito to Tena you’ll be able to observe the fascinating change in ecosystems between the highlands and the orient. First you’ll pass through the village of Papallacta at over 13,400 feet where, should you so desire, you can stop to soak in the natural hot springs known for their tremendous healing powers. You will traverse some of the most biodiverse forests of Ecuador to finally reach the plains of the Amazon and arrive at Casa del Suizo. After dinner you will coordinate your activities for the following day with the lodge staff. Accompanied by: Driver + Shared local guide at lodge Meals included: Breakfast + dinner Altitude: Papallacta 10,600 feet Tena 1,962 feet Travel: Quito – Tena: 4h – 130 miles Accommodations: Casa del Suizo***
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Day 5: Adventures in the Amazon
Sites of interest: Immersive activities in the biodiverse forests of the Ecuadorian Amazon!
Listed below are the activities that you have to choose from (to be scheduled with the discretion of the local guide depending on the availability of activities, physical condition of the participants, and weather permitting): - Cosano / AmaZoonico: Cosano is located 20 minutes away by boat and from there you can choose from a selection of hikes varying in duration and difficulty level on which your guide will inform you of the different flora and fauna you will find along the way. You will return to Casa del Suizo in a boat known as a ‘boya’. Upon your return you can also visit the animal sanctuary ‘AmaZoonico’. - Misicocha: Start off with a boat ride and finish on foot as you traverse the natural reserve. Throughout the tour your local guide will keep you informed about the plants you come across as well as their medicinal uses. - Chicha, traditional pipes, pottery and boatbuilding: Learn about the natural surroundings and the role they play in local culture from a Quichua family. They will show you how to make ‘chicha’ (a typical drink), different variations of traditional pipes and pottery, hunt, and build a typical wooden boat. - Island Exploring: In this activity you will learn about local agriculture and observe the different insects and birds of the region. - Butterfly Haven: Here, wander around a greenhouse with 20 different species of butterflies that are born and raised in the haven itself. Accompanied by: Shared local guide Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Accommodations: Casa del Suizo***
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Day 6: Stop in Baños Along the Highway of Waterfalls
Sites of interest: Pailón del Diablo waterfall!
You will make a short stop in Puyo where you’ll visit an artisanal balsa wood workshop and a rum distillery before arriving in Baños, the mountain town at the base of the Tungurahua volcano. You won’t want to leave town without trying some regional sweets made from cane sugar. Between Puyo and Baños you will take the “highway of waterfalls” to reach the “Pailón del Diablo” waterfall and take a cable car ride over the Pastaza River to the “Manto de la Novia” waterfall. Keep an eye out for other falls along the way! You will spend the night in Riobamba comforted by views of the tallest mountain on Earth, the awe-inspiring Chimborazo (20,560 ft). Chimborazo has long been an important symbol of Ecuador and is thus included in its coat of arms. Guidance: Driver Meals included: Breakfast Altitude: Tena 1,962 feet Baños 1,820 feet Riobamba 9,035 feet Travel: Tena – Puyo: 1h 20 min – 50 miles Puyo – Pailón del Diablo: 55 min – 30 miles Pailón del Diablo – Riobamba: 1h 35 min – 50 miles Hike: Pailón del Diablo: 1h – 1 mile (easy) Accommodations: Casa Real***
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Day 7: Zigzag Aboard the “Devil’s Nose” and Visit Ingapirca Ruins
Sites of interest: Devil´s Nose railroad and the Incan Ruins of Ingapirca!
Upon your arrival in Alausí, you’ll board the train on the “Devil’s Nose” railroad. Indulge in beautiful Andean landscapes all while enjoying a unique and extraordinary feat of engineering famous for its zigzagged route. In the afternoon, you will discover the archeological ruins of Ingapirca. Ingapirca is paramount evidence of Incan presence in Ecuador as well as their construction practices and precise solar calculations. From here you will walk toward the “Face of the Inca,” a giant nature-made human face on the side of a steep cliff near the temple ruins. This site was very important during Inca rule before Spanish conquest. Its political, administrative, military and religious significance made it a place of power for Inca culture just like Machu Picchu. Accompanied by: Driver Meals included: Breakfast Altitude: Alausí 7,759 feet Cuenca 8,398 feet Travel: Riobamba – Alausí: 1h 45 min – 60 miles Alausí – Ingapirca: 1h 55 min – 55 miles Ingapirca – Cuenca: 1h 30 min – 47 miles Accommodations: Hotel de las Culturas***
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Day 8: Explore Colonial City of Cuenca
Sites of interest: Stroll through Ecuador´s most beautiful city principal cultural and tourist attractions!
Explore the heart of Ecuador’s most beautiful city: Cuenca. You will come to be enchanted by Cuenca’s churches, parks, plazas and flower market. Visit the Plaza San Francisco, where they market the fabric made in the North, and enjoy the amazing view from El Turi hilltop. While in Cuenca, you will also witness the meticulous work of the Panama hat makers. These Ecuadorian straw hats have been named an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. In the afternoon, dive into the various and diverse pre-Columbian cultures of Ecuador in the Museum of Aboriginal Culture quaintly located in the center of a remodeled colonial home. Accompanied by: Driver Meals included: Breakfast Altitude: Cuenca 8,398 feet Accommodations: Hotel de las Culturas***
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Day 9: Travel Through Pumapungo Archeological Park and El Cajas National Park
Sites of interest: One of the most beautiful national parks in Ecuador and the country’s largest city: Guayaquil
To start the day, you’ll take a drive through Pumapungo Archeological Park wherein lies the physical traces of the rich mixture of Cañari and Inca cultures. You will pass through El Cajas National Park at the altitudes you have come to know well in order to descend to the coastal region and its banana, rice, cacao, and coffee plantations. You will then reach Guayaquil, the country’s biggest city nicknamed “the pearl of the Pacific.” Soak up the sun in Parque Seminario alongside the iguanas and walk along the Malecón 2000 until you reach Las Peñas. From there climb the stairs to Cerro Santa Ana for a breathtaking view of the city and the Guayas River. Accompanied by: Driver Meals included: Breakfast Altitude: El Cajas 13,222 feet Guayaquil 13 feet (sea level) Travel: Cuenca – Guayaquil: 3h 25 min – 120 miles Accommodations: Continental***
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Day 10: Visit Guayaquil
You will have today to explore the city on your own, go souvenir shopping, or enjoy the fresh regional seafood while you still can. You will be taken to the airport in Guayaquil three hours before your international return flight. Accompanied by: Driver Meals included: Breakfast Travel: Hotel – Airport: 15 min 4 miles
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Accommodations
The accommodations included in this itinerary are the following*:
Cabañas del Lago*** - Otavalo The hotel Cabañas del Lago is situated on the shores of the beautiful San Pablo Lake and just a few minutes outside the town of Otavalo, famous for its indigenous market.
26 rooms / restaurant / bar / garden / kids play area / mini-golf: http://cabanasdellago.com.ec/
Embassy*** - Quito Located in the Mariscal district of Quito, the Embassy Hotel offers you modern and spacious rooms. This humble hotel is only a couple blocks away from the Plaza Foch, best-known for being the nightlife center of Quito.
47 rooms / restaurant / bar http://www.hoteles-embassy.com/embassy/es/index.php
Casa del Suizo*** - Tena The Casa del Suizo sits in the heart of the primary forest on the Napo River. You will love waking up to the birds and relaxing in the hammocks.
77 rooms / restaurant / hammocks http://www.casadelsuizo.com/es/
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Casa Real*** - Riobamba Located just outside the city of Riobamba, the hotel Casa Real offers the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle. Its architecture is modeled after the elegant royal houses of Spain and most of the rooms have a lovely view of the indoor garden.
26 rooms / restaurant / patio and indoor garden http://www.hotelspacasareal.com/
Hotel de las Culturas*** - Cuenca The Hotel de las Culturas finds itself in an antique home in the historic center of the colonial city of Cuenca in the district Calle Larga. Decorated using aspects of Ecuadorian culture, archeological pieces, and hand chosen artwork, the hotel has a sober atmosphere. The rooms face the indoor garden and thus away from the street noise ensuring you a peaceful stay.
21 rooms / restaurant / indoor garden http://www.hoteldelasculturas.com/
Continental*** - Guayaquil Located in the heart of Guayaquil, the Continental is conveniently situated just a few blocks from the Malecón 2000, Guayaquil’s beautiful and extensive boardwalk. The rooms are modern and offer views of Parque Seminario, also known as “Iguana Park” for the iguanas that frequent it. The hotel offers two restaurants, one serving traditional Ecuadorian cuisine and the other a variety of international options.
91 rooms / two restaurants / cafeteria / bar https://www.hotelcontinental.com.ec/es/
* Limited availability. In the case that one of these options is not available, accommodations of the same level of quality will be recommended. ** Hotel categories according to local standards
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Rates
2020 rates are in American dollars (USD) and may be subject to change by the time of confirmation.
Tour 10 days / 9 nights 2 guests 4 quests 6 guests Double Room $1,635/person $1,150/person $1,040/person Single Room Supplement $225/person
These rates are not valid during holidays in Ecuador (Christmas, New Year’s Day, Carnaval, Holy Week/Easter, May 24th Battle of Pichincha, August 10th Independence Day, October 9th Independence of Guayaquil, November 2nd and 3rd Days of the Dead).
We reserve the right to modify this itinerary in the case of necessity.
Included in the Rates Above
Lodging in the aforementioned establishments Private transportation to and from excursion sites A local, shared guide/naturalist at Casa del Suizo The following meals: o Breakfast days 2-10 o Lunch day 5 o Dinner days 4 and 5 “Devil’s Nose” train ticket Our assistance throughout the course of your trip
NOT Included in the Rates Above
International flights Baggage assistance in hotels and airports Meals not specified as included Drinks Guide at the entrance to Cotacachi-Cayapas National Reserve (price ref. 40 USD) Entrance fees to aforementioned excursion sites and museums (to be payed on-site). Insurance Tips, extra costs, and anything not specified as included in the program
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Terms and Conditions
Ecuador Emotions will always make a conscious effort to adhere to the programmed itinerary. However, the order of events may be modified and/or certain visits eliminated due to circumstances beyond our control (weather and sea conditions, strikes, public authority decisions, road conditions, and the discretion of local tour operators). Ecuador Emotions will not be held responsible for extra costs due to late or cancelled transportation for whatever reason. It is also the responsibility of the client to abide by the baggage restrictions enforced by the airlines (overweight baggage fees will be paid by the passenger directly). Moreover, flight rates are subject to change without notice. Ecuador Emotions recommends that their clients make sure their passports are valid during the programmed dates of travel as well as find out if a visa is required for them to enter the country. Ecuador Emotions suggests that their clients consult their doctor before traveling, especially to ensure that their health will not be at risk at altitude. Certain excursions may be changed due to the physical condition of our clients if said excursions are determined unsafe or harmful. Thank you for informing us of any health problem or allergy in advance. We recommend purchasing travel insurance in order to avoid any additional charge that may come with any last minute change of your flight itinerary. The client must inform us of any problems as soon as they arise during the program to the following email: [email protected]
Terms of Payment
With the confirmation of our services, an initial payment of 30% the total amount must be processed within 10 days of the reservation. The total amount must be paid no later than 45 days before the start of the tour.
Cancellation Policy
Up to 45 days before the start of the tour: penalty equivalent to the amount of initial payment. Between 44 and 31 days before the start of the tour: penalty of 60% the total amount.* Between 30 and 15 days before the start of the tour: penalty of 80% the total amount.* Less than 15 days before the start of the tour: penalty of 100% the total amount. *A credit memo equivalent to the amount already payed (penalty not included) will be issued.
Quito, June 23, 2020
Ecuador Emotions