Quito to Guayaquil - a Private Tour Experience

Home , Azuay Province, Guayaquil

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Quito to Guayaquil - A Private Tour Experience

Relaxed and a blissful experience this tour will bring you close to the raw natural beauty that the Cotopaxi National Park is famous for. You get a unique opportunity to view the volcano that lends its name to the park and its Limpiopungo lagoon that was formed by glaciers. Also included is a visit to Quilotoa Crater Lake and a rose plantation, before you travel along the Devil’s Nose railway line with its multiple hairpin bends and finally make your way to the ruins of Ingapirca where Incas once lived. Finally you are never far from flavorful cacao and chocolate in Ecuador and you get to taste some of the best.

Cotopaxi & Limpiopungo Devil's Nose Train Quilotoa

Itinerary Day 1 - Thursday: From pristine mountains, lakes, and vistas, witness the natural beauty that makes Ecuador unique! Early in the morning, make your way toward the serenity of Ecuador's Cotopaxi National Park from on board a traditional train. After busses carry you the rest of the way, you will find yourself in the heart of one of Ecuador's most beautiful landscapes. Breathe in the crisp mountain air and reconnect with nature as you enjoy Cotopaxi through a walking tour of the Limpiopungo glacial lagoon and hike up to 4,600 meters above sea level through some of the stunning Andean volcanic terrain, where the view will leave you speechless. After lunch at a historic hacienda and an afternoon at leisure, you will continue on to the hotel of your choice for dinner and a pleasant evening.

Enojy a Nature Walk Through Meet the Llamas After a Delicious Depart from the Incredible Capital Cotopaxi Lunch City of Quito Day 2 - Friday: The beauty of crystal clear waters and the sweet aroma of roses await you on the second leg of your journey! Stroll along the length of the turquoise shores of Quilotoa Crater Lake after breakfast as you take in even more of Ecuador's natural splendor. Later, as you continue your journey south, stop at a rose plantation to learn all about the famous Ecuadorian roses and see where they are grown before being sent off for the rest of the world to enjoy. At a nearby hacienda that features organic roses, enjoy a delicious lunch before proceeding to Riobamba for an overnight stay in the hotel of your choice.

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Tour the Rose Plantation Famous Ecuadorian Roses Quilotoa Crater Lake Day 3 - Saturday: Ride a railway carved into the face of a mountain and walk the streets of an ancient city! The first item on the day's agenda is a marvel of modern engineering that takes you across a stretch of railway known throughout the world as some of the most treacherous tracks on earth. The Devil's Nose train ride, located in Alausi, begins at an altitude of 2,346 meters above sea level and descends to 1,860 meters in just 30 minutes along a railway that zigs and zags its way up and down steep mountain slopes. After the Devil's Nose and a boxed lunch, your guide will take you to the Incan ruins at Ingapirca, the most well-preserved ruins in all of Ecuador, so that you can take a walk through history and bear witness to the remnants of an empire that once ruled these mountains like gods on earth. This exciting day draws to a close as you continue on to the city of Cuenca, where you will enjoy dinner and spend the night at the hotel of your choosing.

Incredible Devils Nose Ride The spectacular ruins of Ingapirca! Town of Alausi Day 4 - Sunday: Walk down streets with centuries of history behind them, explore a national park, and satisfy your sweet tooth! Tour the city of Cuenca, designated as a World Heritage Site in recognition of its colonial heritage: the domes of its cathedrals, the spires of its churches, the architecture of its buildings! After the tour, enjoy lunch and visit nearby Cajas National Park, where you can observe spectacular changes to both landscape and altitude that highlight the natural beauty of Ecuador, especially the paramo lakes. In the afternoon, visit a cacao plantation to learn about what makes Ecuadorian cacao so special and witness the manufacturing process that goes into making chocolate! Then, upon arriving in Guayaquil in the evening, you will be brought to the hotel of your choice.

Cacao Plantation Day 5 - Monday: Depart for home or the next part of your journey from Guayaquil! Enjoy breakfast, then head to the airport to return home or continue on the rest of your journey!

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Depart from Guayaquil Guayaquil Malecon You Won't Want to Leave! Destination Information Alausí A quaint little town at the end of the Devil's Nose. Take a stroll in this town and see the vibrant colors of Ecuador come to life.

Cajas National Park The Cajas National Park is a national park in the highlands of Ecuador. It is located just west of the city of Cuenca. Located at 3100m to 4450m above sea level the park offers a tundra vegetation on a jagged landscape of hills and valleys that isn't seen in many areas. It was declared a National Park in 1996.

Chimbacalle Chimbacalle train station is the first wonder of quito. It was built between 1905 and 1908, year when the train came first to Quito.

Cotopaxi Cotopaxi is a stratovolcano in the Andes Mountains, located about 50 km (31 mi) south of Quito, Ecuador, South America. It is the second highest summit in the country, reaching a height of 5,897 m (19,347 ft) and is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world.

Cuenca The city of Cuenca is the capital of the Azuay Province. It is located in the highlands of Ecuador at about 2500 m above sea level. The center of the city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Trust site because of its many historical buildings.

Guayaquil Guayaquil is the largest and the most populous city in Ecuador, with around 3.75 million people in the metropolitan area, as well as the nation's main port. The city is the capital of the Ecuadorian province of Guayas and the seat of the namesake canton. Guayaquil is located on the western bank of the Guayas River, which flows into the Pacific Ocean at the Gulf of Guayaquil.

Ingapirca Home of the Inca ruins of Ingapirca, experience the rich Ecuadorian history while visiting the ruins.

Latacunga Latacunga is a plateau town of Ecuador, capital of the Cotopaxi Province, 89 km (55 mi) south of Quito, near the confluence of the Alaques and Cutuchi rivers to form the Patate, the headstream of the Pastaza. At the time of census 2001 Latacunga had 51,689 inhabitants, largely mestizo and indigenous.

Quito to Guayaquil - A Private Tour Experience(© www.palacetours.com) 3/9 Quilotoa Amazing 2 mile wide crater lake formed during a volcanic eruption over 800 years ago.

Quito Quito is the capital city of Ecuador, and at an elevation of 9,350 feet (2,800 meters above sea level), it is the highest capital city in the world housing the administrative, legislative and judicial functions. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains. With a population of 2,239,191 according to the last census (2010), Quito is the second most populous city in Ecuador, after Guayaquil. It is also the capital of the Pichincha province and the seat of the Metropolitan District of Quito. The canton recorded a population of 1,842,201 residents in the 2001 national census. In 2008, the city was designated as the headquarters of the Union of South American Nations.

Riobamba Riobamba (full name San Pedro de Riobamba) is the capital of the Chimborazo Province in central Ecuador, which is located at the Chambo River Valley of the Andes. It is 200 km (120 mi) south of Ecuador's capital Quito and located at 2754 m on the Avenue of the Volcanoes. The city is an important regional transport center as well as being a stop on the Pan-American Highway that runs through Ecuador. Riobamba stands as one of the largest cities in the central portion of Ecuador's Sierra region.

Price Chart

Accommodation Hotel Mansion Alcazar , Cuenca (4) Cuenca A turn of the century Mansion, completely restored is transformed in a luxury boutique hotel, in order to satisfy the most discriminating traveler. Mansion Alcazar is located in the heart of the city of Cuenca, Ecuador; which was selected as one of the few World Cultural Heritage Cities by UNESCO in 1999 as a result of community efforts to restore the splendid beauty of years long passed by. The Lordly house of Mansión Alcázar is set within the historical down town of Cuenca City on Bolivar Street which is important for its Business, banks and tourist buildings.

Facilities - Spa - Lounge - Business Center - Library

San Juan Hotel , Cuenca (4) Cuenca Conveniently located in downtown Cuenca,this large historic home was elegantly restored into a beautiful botique hotel. All the rooms are stocked with all the necessities and most up-to-date technology. The service is very attentive and personalized for each and every guest. It is a stay you will never forget! Facilities - Up-to-date technology in rooms - WiFi - Room Service - Safety Deposit Box

Quito to Guayaquil - A Private Tour Experience(© www.palacetours.com) 4/9 Oro Verde , Guayaquil (5) Nueve de Octubre y García Moreno Part of the Oro Verde hotel group, the Oro Verde Guayaquil is a real luxury experience. From the location to the service, this hotel could not be better!

Facilities - High speed internet access - Luxurious comfortable guest rooms and suites - 50" flat screen TVs in each room - Mini-bars - In-room safe - Spa & Outdoor Pool - Beauty Parlor - Gift Shop - Ecua Arte Shop featuring local artisan goods and works - Dry Cleaning & Laundry Services

Hampton Inn Guayaquil , Guayaquil (3) Guayaquil Enjoy all the comforts of Hampton Inn during your stay in Guayaquil from the signature beds, to the delicious complimentary breakfast, you won't be disappointed! Located only three blocks from the Malecon 2000, it is in the perfect location.

Facilities - Gym - Pool - Business Center - Complimentary High Speed WiFi

Abraspungo Hacienda , Riobamba (4) Riobamba You'll be welcomed to this hacienda by incredible views, as it is located at 9,000 feet in the Ecuadorian Andes, and by a rich colonial feel in the architecture and their history, explicit of their past. The ownership is dedicated to providing the best guest experience possible!

Facilities Lodging in comfortable and cosy rooms - On-site restaurant with world renowned chefs - On-site bar - Meeting Space - Laundry Service - Mail Service - Wireless Internet - Free phone calls to the USA and Canada - International phone line - Spa services - Game room with billiards, darts, foozeball and board games Business centre; Room service; Handicraft shop; Tennis and volleyball courts; Playgrounds for children; Games room for adults displaying pool table, table football, dart boards and different table games.

** The above accommodations are for reference and all efforts will be made to give these accommodations. In some circumstances if they are not available, alternate arrangements will be made in similar hotels

Quito to Guayaquil - A Private Tour Experience(© www.palacetours.com) 5/9 Travel Tips & FAQ's General Information Visa and Travel Documents As per international law, you must have a visa in order to enter Ecuador to begin your trip. While Palace Tours does not provide visas, we can help by providing you with all the necessary information you need to successfully obtain a visa to Ecuador. Insurance (Personal and Otherwise): Palace Tours strongly recommends the purchase of adequate travel insurance in your country of origin prior to arrival on Tren Crucero to cover injury, illness, death, loss of luggage or effects, or cancellation (For more information on the latter, refer to the Cancellation Policy in our Booking Terms and Conditions).

Health Considerations Ecuador does not require a yellow fever vaccination, and the nation has no yellow fever or malaria alerts at any location at this time. Palace Tours strongly recommends you consult your physician for any personal health advice based on your travel itinerary. Weather

Ecuador experiences two major seasons: A dry season from October to March and a wet season from April to September. During the wet season, humidity is higher, and we recommend bringing a raincoat. Temperatures remain relatively consistent throughout the year in Ecuador across her various climate zones. In the highlands, temperatures can range from 5° C/40° F to 25° C/80° F. In the coastal lowlands, temperatures can range from 20° C/70° F to 32°C/90° F. Frequently Asked Questions When is the best time to visit Ecuador? Ecuador is a perfect destination to visit at any time of year! What is the altitude during Tren Crucero's journey? The altitude is 2,800 meters above sea level in Quito and 3,300 meters above sea level in Papallacta.

Is traveling in Ecuador safe? We're very proud of our safety record and do everything we can to ensure your experience is safe, comfortable, and enjoyable. That being said, we recommend taking certain precautions, such as keeping valuables out of sight, not carrying all of your valuables on your person or in one place, and remaining with the group and with your guide during travel. Please talk to your guide at any point if you feel uncomfortable so that they might alleviate your concerns. What is the currency? How can I exchange currency in Ecuador? Ecuador's national currency is the U.S. dollar, so it is legal tender for any transactions you may make while visiting. What is the time difference in Ecuador? Ecuadorian time is GMT-5 (The same as New York City).

Is the water safe to drink? Drinking the local water supply is not advised.

Terms & Conditions PAYMENT TERMS:

Quito to Guayaquil - A Private Tour Experience(© www.palacetours.com) 6/9 10% of total tour cost due at the time of booking 90% or balance no later than 68 days prior to tour departure date Children between 2 and up to 12 years of age at time of travel are priced at 75% of the adult tariff.

CANCELLATION FEES: (i) 10% of the total tour value if cancelled more than 68 days prior to date of first service sold by TRAVBUZZ / PALACE TOURS (ii) 100% of the total tour value if cancelled 0-67 days prior to date of first service sold by TRAVBUZZ / PALACE TOURS Includes: - Private Guide and Transportation - Accommodation in the chosen hotels - Full Board (Breakfast and lunch as noted in itinerary) - English, Spanish speaking guides. - Entrance to the tourist attractions Does Not Include: - Tips and personal expenses - Beverages - Other not mentioned

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From Princeton area: Our office is located on the north side of Route 206 in Princeton, New Jersey. We are in the Research Park office complex, directly opposite from the Princeton Airport. From points North: Via Route 1: Take Route 1 South towards Trenton. After you pass Forrestal Village Campus, you will begin to see signs for “Downtown Princeton & Shopping”. Turn right on Washington Road. Follow Washington Road for approximately 1.5 miles. Turn left on Nassau Street (Route 27). Turn right on Stockton Street (Route 206 North) & follow for approximately 4 miles. Turn right onto Wall Street. Via Route 287: Take Route 287 South towards Somerville. Take exit 17 for Route 206 South (Somerville). You will pass through a traffic circle – follow signs for Route 206 South. Follow Route 206 South for approximately 12 miles. Turn left onto Wall Street. From points South: Via the Garden State Parkway: Take the Parkway North/South to exit 98 for Route 138 West toward Trenton. Route 138 West becomes Route 195 West. Follow 195 West for approximately 17 miles. Merge onto Route 295 North toward Trenton. Follow directions below. Via Route 95/ 295: Take Route 95 North until it becomes Route 295 North toward Trenton. Take exit 67A and merge onto Route 1 North. Follow Route 1 North for approximately 5 miles. Take the exit for Washington Road. Turn right on Washington Road. Follow Washington Road for approximately 1.5 miles. Turn left on Nassau Street (Route 27). Turn right on Stockton Street (Route 206 North) & follow for approximately 4 miles. Turn right onto Wall Street.

Princeton Junction is the main train station along the Northeast Corridor for Amtrak and New Jersey Transit. Visitors can take a cab from here to Princeton or transfer to a one-car train to Princeton called the "Dinky". The train ride takes about 5 minutes, and drops you at University Place across from McCarter Theatre. If you choose this option, be sure to purchase a rail ticket to “Princeton” for presentation upon boarding the Dinky. Our office is a 10-minute cab ride from Princeton station (approx. 4.5 miles). By bus:

Several buses arrive and depart daily from Princeton Research Park (i.e., New Jersey Transit’s 605 Montgomery Line). From the bus station, walk into the Research Park office complex. We are located at #20 Wall Street.

*For emergencies while traveling within India, you may contact our Jaipur office. Details will be provided in your travel vouchers, which are issued upon full payment.