Gentle Walking

Ecuador - 2019

Ecuador

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SU

Pre-tour extension for Galapagos Cruise in Style Ecuador sits on the equator between Peru and Colombia and it is one of the smallest of the Andean countries. Despite its small size the country is an ideal destination for a gentle walking trip. Upon arrival you will transfer to Otavalo, an area famous for its craft market and workshops. Here you will walk through pretty pastoral countryside as well as visiting for a walk around this scenic crater-lake, and you and will stay in a charming family run inn and a beautiful old hacienda. You will then drive to Quito’s colonial Old Town and explore the streets and churches of this fascinating city. Then it is off to the Galapagos to join up with your group and begin your fabulous Galapagos Cruise in Style.

Day 1 – Fly to Quito. You will depart London on an overnight flight to Cuzco.

Day 2 – Arrive Quito. Transfer to Otavalo. Stop at the equator at Guachala on the way. Upon arrival in Quito you will be met and driven to Otavalo, a drive of about 2 hours. Along the way you will stop at Guachala so you can straddle the equator. This is a touristy place but it’s an

ExtensionOption experience to step across the equator. Depending on the flight arrival time you may also stop for lunch along the way. On arrival at your accommodation you will have time to settle in before stretching your legs on a short local walk. Dinner will be taken at your accommodation where you will be able to enjoy some typical Andean cuisine. Overnight: Casa , Otavalo Meals: (L D)

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Day 3 - Walk to Otavalo. Visit market. Peguche Waterfalls walk. Visit craft workshops. Today’s walk starts at Casa Mojanda and soon drops into the small river valley, descending through a peaceful rural area until you get to the small streets leading to Otavalo town centre. Here you will visit the famous Otavalo market. The Saturday and Wednesday markets at Otavalo are one of the most famous in South America. You find many stalls selling a wide range of handicrafts made by the local indigenous community. Afterwards you will walk to the sacred waterfall of La Cascada de Peguche. It is an easy walk up on good paths to the base of the falls, followed by steps up above them for some great views. A boxed lunch will be taken along the way. At the top of the waterfalls you will be met by your vehicle and taken to visit some of the traditional craft workshops famous in this area. Overnight: Casa Mojanda, Otavalo Meals: (B L D)

Day 4 – Walk round Cuicocha Lake, 3,246m/10,650ft - 5-6 hours. After breakfast you drive to Laguna Cuicocha (Guinea Pig Lake) a spectacular crater lake situated in the collapsed crater of a volcano, at the foot of Volcán . Here you can enjoy a pleasant walk around the lake along a well-maintained trail which undulates along the crater rim with good views over the lake and its two islands. The trail then descends to some modern buildings, including an interpretation centre where Indian women often gather to sell souvenirs. It may be possible to take an optional boat ride out onto the lake from here if you wish. Peru Overnight: Hotel Hacienda Zuleta, Otavalo (Meals: B L D)

- Day 5 – Walk to Condor Husai Project – 2 hours. Cookery class with the local Zuleta community. This morning you will walk to the hacienda's condor rehabilitation project stopping along the way to view some pre-Inca mounds. The Condor Husai is the only place in Ecuador licensed to breed and release condors into the wild. You will be able to observe the condors they have in captivity and may see wild Andean condors flying above you or even landing on the aviary. For lunch you will visit a local house in the Zuleta community where you will receive a warm welcome and the chance to help cook a traditional meal. Having cooked the meal you will then proceed to eat it for lunch! Later you will return to your delightful hacienda where you have time to relax at leisure. Overnight: Hotel Hacienda Zuleta, Otavalo (Meals: B L D)

Day 6 – Drive to Quito. Tour of Old Town. This morning you return to Quito, and in the afternoon you have a guided tour of the Old Town with its fabulous array of colonial churches, monasteries and convents. Firstly, for orientation, you visit El Panecillo a hill on the southern edge of the Old Town topped by a huge statue of the Winged Virgin. From here there are great views of the city and the surrounding mountains. You then take in some of the major monuments from Quito's colonial past including the vast cobbled square of San Francisco with its adjoining church and monastery and the richly decorated Church of La Compañia. Your tour ends with a ‘chocolate experience’ at Republica del Cacao where you get to sample some of Ecuador’s finest chocolate. Overnight: Hotel Patio Andaluz or Similar, Quito (Meals: B L)

Day 7 – Fly to Galapagos (San Cristobal). Start cruise. After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to San Cristobal in the Galapagos. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your boat for the start of your Galapagos cruise. (Meals: B L D)

ExtensionOption Prices

Price: £2,525 per person based on a minimum of 2 persons travelling on a twin share basis. Single room supplement: £360 per person. (Prices valid until 31 December 2019)

Price includes: Services of an English-speaking guide; internal flight and airport transfers; sightseeing as per the itinerary; meals as stated; good standard accommodation on a twin share basis; all road transfers by private vehicle.

Price does not include: Tips; drinks; airport departure taxes if applicable.

Please note that a deposit of £400 is required for this extension.

Mountain Kingdoms Ltd, 20 Long Street, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, GL12 7BT tel: 01453 844400 email: [email protected] www.mountainkingdoms.com 1. Updated: 6/2/19