Tours in Ecuador Quito surroundings 1. Quito City and the Half of the World Tour Duration : 8 hours Departures : Daily Quito Elevation: Around 2,810 masl Half of the World Elevation: Around 2,200 masl Our first stop will be the panoramic point of Guápulo. Here we will see the place where Francisco de Orellana started his journey to find the Country of the Cinnamon, adventure that led him to discover the Amazon River. After that, we head towards the colonial part of the city, along October Twelve Avenue. Many financial institutions are found in this zone, as well as some educational ones, namely: the Catholic University of Ecuador, the Ecuadorian Culture Center, the Egypt Embassy, El Ejido and Alameda Parks, the Astronomical Observatory, the Simon Bolívar Memorial, and the National Oath Basilica. We then go along Gabriel García Moreno Avenue, also known as “the Seven Crosses Street.” We there begin a walk in the Historical Downtown, starting with The Independence Square or Main Square, the Presidential Palace, Quito Cathedral, the Archbishopric offices, the Church of the Company, and finally, San Francisco Church and Convent. After visiting the colonial district, 16 miles or 30 kilometers north, the Equinoctial Line is found, 0° 0´0´´ Latitude. This will be your chance to photograph yourself with one foot on the Northern Hemisphere, and the other on the Southern one, both at the same time. In addition, you will be part of those that visit its small square. Lunch, as it will be described on the menu, will be held at noon in the restaurant The Crater. The program includes: Access to the Basilica and the Company of Jesus Church, and visits to San Francisco and Independence Squares. Access to the Half of the World or Intiñan Center. Lunch at The Crater’s Private shuttle service Bilingual tour guide Av. Diego de Almagro y Wimper Ed. Torres Wimper Mz 02 – Quito –Ecuador –Tel/Fax: 593 2 601 1101 Cel: 593 9 9 937 6750 - E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.mallkuexpedition.com The program does NOT include: Unspecified expenses Unspecified drinks and snacks What to bring: A camera A small suitcase A light sweater A cap, gloves, and sunscreen Umbrella due to the chance of rain A passport copy 2. Cotopaxi National Park Duration: 8 hours Departures: Daily (at 08:30 AM) Quito Elevation: Around 2,810 masl Cotopaxi parking lot elevation: Around 4,500 masl Cotopaxi Shelter Elevation: Around 4,800 masl We will begin the 70-km journey in Quito, along the Volcanoes Avenue, until the magnificent Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world, which has an elevation of 5,897 masl. This volcano is surrounded by a 36,000-hectare forest area, and is considered a national park and the main nature reserve in Ecuador. The volcanoes, part of this attraction, are: Cotopaxi, Rumiñahui and Sincholagua. Limpiopungo Lake, and the condor, llama and diverse birds’ habitat will fascinate your senses to the point of only hearing the vertigo of nature fullness. Finally, we will go to a restaurant where we will taste a delicious ranch lunch. The program includes: Visit to the Limpiopungo Lake and the Cotopaxi Volcano Private shuttle service Bilingual tour guide Lunch menu The program does NOT include: Unspecified expenses Unspecified extra drinks and snacks Av. Diego de Almagro y Wimper Ed. Torres Wimper Mz 02 – Quito –Ecuador –Tel/Fax: 593 2 601 1101 Cel: 593 9 9 937 6750 - E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.mallkuexpedition.com Notes: In case of proper weather and passenger’s physical condition, walking until Diego Rivas Shelter will be allowed Lunch drinks are not included What to bring: A camera A small suitcase Light sweater A cap, gloves, and sunscreen 3. Mindo Nature Reserve Duration: 8 hours Departures: Daily (at 08:30 AM) Mindo elevation: Around 550 masl Very early in the morning, we will leave from Quito City. Riding over 84 km on the North-west Highway, we will reach Mindo Nature Reserve which due to its climate is known as the Protective Forest. This is because it enjoys of the richest bird fauna in the country. During the journey you will be able to see the relief of the north-west mountain chain. On our way there, we will visit the Pahuma Orchid House, the Mindo Butterfly Farm and we will have time to watch the local hummingbirds. In its diverse vegetation, species such as the white, yellow and black cinnamon trees, the red myrtle tree and many other plants are found. These also include: orchids, blackberries, mountain chilli, and shanshi which together with the mamals and reptiles’ wild life, give the reserve a picturesque natural atmosphere. During this stunning walks, we will allow some time for lunch, to then head back to Quito The program includes: Visit to the Pahuma Orchid House, Mindo Butterfly Farm and Sachatamia (hummingbirds) Private shuttle service Bilingual tour guide Lunch menu The program does NOT include: Unspecified expenses Unspecified extra drinks and snacks Notes: Av. Diego de Almagro y Wimper Ed. Torres Wimper Mz 02 – Quito –Ecuador –Tel/Fax: 593 2 601 1101 Cel: 593 9 9 937 6750 - E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.mallkuexpedition.com In case a bird specialist guide is required, this must be requested 2 days in advance. In case of requiring a particular place specially requested by a passenger, please notify to do the corresponding change. What to bring: A camera A small suitcase A light sweater A cap, gloves, and sunscreen Umbrella due to the chance of rain 4. Otavalo Quito elevation: Around 2,810 masl Otavalo elevation: Around 2,530 masl Otavalo is located North the Andes. This is an indigenous market well-known for its textile manufacture and its handcrafts. The tour includes stops at different communities such as Calderón, famous because of its marzipan figures. Another stop will be at a panoramic point to watch the beauty of San Pablo Lake at the feet of Imbabura Volcano. Once at the renowned Ponchos Market where a great variety of textiles are traded, passengers will have time to walk and shop. At the end of this activity, we head towards Pinsaqui, and if we have enough time, we will visit the Peguche Community, to see first-hand how textiles are knitted. A few minutes from there, you can find Cotacachi, a small but colorful community which offers a great variety of leather accessories and articles. At the middle of the day, our rest will be complemented by a delicious lunch at Pinsaquí Hostel, known for being a ranch. The program includes: Visit to Calderón, Cayambe, Otavalo and Cotacachi Private shuttle service Lunch at Pinsaquí Hostel Bilingual tour guide The program does NOT include: Unspecified expenses Unspecified extra drinks and snacks Av. Diego de Almagro y Wimper Ed. Torres Wimper Mz 02 – Quito –Ecuador –Tel/Fax: 593 2 601 1101 Cel: 593 9 9 937 6750 - E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.mallkuexpedition.com Notes: We suggest you take this program on Saturday; however, the market is open all days. What to bring: A camera A small suitcase Light sweater A cap, gloves, and sunscreen Umbrella due to the chance of rain Galápalos 1. Galápagos Standard Itinerary: Day 1: Shuttle in + Visit to Highlands (Santa Cruz Island) Day 2: Visit to Charles Darwin Research Station + Tortuga Bay Day 3: Ship Tour Day 4: Shuttle out The program includes: Shuttle service from/to the airport; stay at the Palmeras Hotel for three nights; American breakfast buffet, bilingual tour guide (Spanish/English), visits according to itinerary above, one ship tour to a nearby island including lunch, and access to Highlands. The program does NOT include: Plane ticket to/from Galápagos (reference price USD 580 per passenger); access to Galápagos National Park (reference price USD 100 per foreign passenger), Migratory Control Card INGALA (reference price USD 10 per person), unspecified meals, tips and free-of-charge concepts. Nothing unspecified in the program. Note: The ship tour is subject to availability (Bartolomé, Seymour, Plazas Floreana Islands) Itinerary may change under instruction from Galápagos National Park or due to weather conditions Rates subject to change We need confirmation ASAP Rates per person: Based on double room: USD 556 per person *Supplement in single room: USD 260 Av. Diego de Almagro y Wimper Ed. Torres Wimper Mz 02 – Quito –Ecuador –Tel/Fax: 593 2 601 1101 Cel: 593 9 9 937 6750 - E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.mallkuexpedition.com 2. Galápagos Delux (4 days/3 nights) Itinerary: Day 1: Shuttle in + Visit to Highlands (Santa Cruz Islands) Day 2: Visit to Charles Darwin Research Station + Tortuga Bay Day 3: Ship Tour Day 4: Shuttle out The program includes: Shuttle service from/to the airport; stay at the Sol&Mar Hotel for three nights; breakfast buffet, bilingual tour guide (Spanish/English), visits according to itinerary above, one ship tour to a nearby island including lunch, and access to Highlands. The program does NOT include: Plane ticket to/from Galápagos (reference price USD 580 per passenger); Access to Galápagos National Park (reference price USD 100 per foreign passenger), Migratory Control Card INGALA (reference price USD 10 per person), unspecified meals, tips and free-of-charge concepts. Nothing unspecified in the program. Note: The ship tour is subject to availability (Bartolomé, Seymour, Plazas Floreana Islands) Itinerary may change under instruction from Galápagos National Park or due to weather conditions Rates subject to change We need confirmation ASAP Rates per person: For double room: Sol & Mar Tower *sea view: USD 1,115 per person. *Supplement single room: USD 905 For double room: Isla Sol Tower* Outside view: USD 945 per person.