South America Vacations

Ecuador Vacation Package 1

22 Days Total Ecuador Boutique Tour Package

Duration: 22 Days / 21 Nights
Priced From: $5,485 pp dbl. occ.
Dates: Mar - Dec, Jan

 



Quito is the perfect place to begin exploring Ecuador. See the historic sites of Quito's Old Town and the city's dozens of museums; visit its hundreds of shops, cafes, and restaurants; and take advantage of the plethora of excursions, hikes and climbs in the surrounding area. If you haven't seen Quito, you haven't seen Ecuador!

Day 1. As most flights arrive late in the evening there are no activities planned for today. Grab a cab to your hotel and enjoy the sights and sounds of Latin America.

Day 2. An early rise sees us board our bus for the trip out of the Quito valley and down into the fringe of the Amazon. Sights, sounds and temperatures all changes we make our way to Tena - the Amazon jump off point.

Day 3-4. There is just no way that you can really experience a rainforest without stepping into one....and that is what we do for the next few days. No photograph, film, movie, or book can truly do it justice. The power, majesty, energy, and feeling of a primeval rainforest is incredible yet indescribable. In the Amazon Rainforest, a single acre of jungle will have about 300 different species of trees and another 300 to 400 species of higher plants... every where you look - you see something new, different and amazing. (2B,2L,2D)

Day 5-7. Situated in a valley of waterfalls and hotsprings, Baños has become a mecca for international travelers seeking year-round temperate weather, a small town atmosphere, and a base for exploring the great Ecuadorian outdoors. Located four hours by bus from Quito, Banos offers hotsprings, horseback riding, trekking, rafting, climbing and mountain biking. It also offers easy access to Riobamba, the starting point of the exhilarating train journey down the Devil's Nose to the coast, and to Puyo, one of the gateways to the Amazon. Banos also serves as a popular site for studying Spanish -- a mellower and cheaper alternative to Quito. (2B)

Day 8-9. San Pablo del Lago is a tranquil little village located near the San Pablo Lake. The surrounding water, mountains and volcano make for some breath-taking scenery. While the village itself is small and quiet, the surrounding area is filled with some amazing lodges hotels and haciendas. Besides being an incredibly relaxing place to go, there are many recreational activities which can be enjoyed in the area. The Laguna de San Pablo or San Pablo Lake is incredibly beautiful and means that the surroundings areas are quite fertile and green. You can hike up the Imbabura volcano, mountain bike some mountain trails, take short walks along the lake shore or even try your hand at riding horses. Some of the lodges offer facilities such windsurfing, kayaking, squash courts, swimming pools and motor boat tours. (2B, 2L, 2D) this is not correct, please change it.

Day 10-11. Alausí's train station, the goal of most visitors, sits behind the small plaza at the north end of 5 de Junio. The train through the famous Nariz del Diablo (Devil's Nose) now runs only on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday - and be happy for that. It starts in Riobamba at 7 a.m., stops off in Alausí near 11 a.m. for about half an hour, and then descends through the famous switchbacks, so tight that the entire train has to back up momentarily to fit through. (Sit on the right-hand side of the roof for the best views on the way down.) Just below the switchbacks, the train stops near Sibambe, turns around, and climbs back through the entire route. The whole trip from Riobamba to Sibambe takes all day.

One of the main tourist attractions in Ecuador and the province of Chimborazo is what is called "The most difficult train in the world". This train departs from Riobamba and crosses what's called the "Devil's Nose", which sports an impressive descent down a steep cliff. The final destination of the trip is in the city of Alausí. Originally the final destination was a city called Duran in the Province of Guayas, but parts of the railroad track were destroyed by the phenomenen "El Niño". Local authorities are currently reconstructing this part in order to recover the commerce in this area and also offer the tourists the complete trip to Duran. Nestled in the Chambo River Valley near the Chimborazo volcano in Ecuador is the city of Riobamba. This bustling little city is the center of trade for the surrounding cattle-ranches.

The roads to and from Riobamba see a lot of traffic from the various farmers and traders who transport their stock to the city in order to sell them so they are well developed. In fact, on the way to Riobamba from Quito you will see a signpost that reads: "All roads lead to Riobamba". The comment is a humorous quip based on the extensive road infrastructure in the area. Besides cattle and other animals, Riobamba also regularly sees the export of textiles, handicrafts, leather goods, beer and dairy products. Most of these goods are also on sale at the Riobamba market place – a great way to shop. The main markets are San Alfonso and Mercado de Animales. The Plaza Roja is open on Wednesdays and La Condamine is best enjoyed on Fridays. Riobamba is quite spread out and if you plan to tour it, it is usually best to enlist the services of a taxi driver. Places worth visiting include the Parque Maldonado with its fountains and arcades, the municipality and the Santa Barbara Cathedral. The city is full of beautiful pre-styled colonial architecture. There are also a number of interesting museums to see if you have an appreciation for history. (2B)

Day 12-14. Ecuador's coast is a composition of beautiful lush green mangrove forests, a jungle, crystal clear waters, stunning white sandy beaches and many quaint fishing villages. The coast of Ecuador plays a big role in Ecuador's economy and cuisine, delivering tons of seafood daily, and entertaining the many tourists that visit each year. The Ecuadorian coast has a very hot and humid climate with temperatures averaging 25°C to 31°C. The rainy season is during the months of December to May, when it is warmer and very humid. The dry season is a little less humid but it isn't dry at all, Ecuador never goes long without heavy rainfall. There are four distinct provinces that make up Ecuador's coastal region: Esmeraldas, Manabi, Guayas, and El Oro. Esmeraldas, also known as 'the Green Province', is situated in the northwestern corner of Ecuador. Its cultural richness and beautiful untouched landscapes is primary allure for tourists. While Esmeraldas harbors very few emeralds, it does live up to its other name, the "Green Province."

Esmeraldas is the lushest coastal province, riddled with estuaries, mangroves, and flooded tropical forest. Its wild and remote inland areas, accessible only by canoe, make Esmeraldas the ideal destination for an unforgettable river safari. But if you aren't feeling up to paddling a canoe, you can relax on one of Esmeraldas' many pristine beaches. Positioned south of Esmeraldas is the coastal province of Manabi. Manabi's beach cities along the coast are very popular with the locals during summer and long holidays.

Humpback Whale Watching, diving, snorkeling and relaxing on the beach with a cocktail is only a few of the pursuits you can look forward to while visiting the virtually unspoiled province of Manabi. Home to Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city and chief port, is the Guayas Province. Known more for its commercial abilities than as a vacation destination, Guayaquil has not made a big impression on tourists as yet, but it has some pretty landmarks and historical neighborhoods. Like Guayaquil, the Guayas Province deserves more attention than it gets, especially the beaches of Montañita, Punta Blanca, Playas, and Puntas Arenas.

The El Oro province stretches from Guayaquil to the Peruvian border. Although it is considered by many as just a way station between Ecuador and Peru, El Oro can pleasantly surprise you by what you may find. El Oro is home to the thriving banana and shrimp producing city, Machala that divides El Oro's coast in two and it also boasts a gold mine. Anyone who wants to explore Ecuador should venture a little beyond the highlands and Amazon basins to discover what Ecuador is really about, a beautiful untouched 2000 kilometer coastline. (4B)

Day 15-17. Otavaleños have become the most prosperous and possibly the most famous indigenous group in Latin America. In part because of their economic success, Otavaleños have managed to hold on to centuries-old traditions without adopting a 'quick get dressed, here come the tourists' cultural identity. They are proud people and it shows. Otavaleños are still easily identified by their distinctive dress: women wear intricately embroidered blouses and a wealth of beaded necklaces, while men have long, braided hair and wear calf-length white trousers, ponchos and sandals. After checking into your quaint locally run hotel check out one of the many small restaurants that dot the main square. The afternoon is spent touring the town and nearby villages with a local guide. (2B, 2L. Budget trip w/boxed lunch).

Day 18. Baltra airport, Galapagos

This morning you are transferred from your hotle for your flight to the Galapagos Islands. The flight from Quito (via Guayaquil) to the Galapagos is approximately 2 ? hours on a Boeing 727. Upon arrival at Baltra travelers pass through an airport inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands and to pay the park entrance fee of $100 (unless prepaid). Guides will meet you, collect your luggage and escort you on the short bus ride to the harbor. Motorized rafts, called ‘Pangas’ will transport you in order to cross Itabaca Channel, then transportation by bus to Puerto Ayora and finally M/C Anahi and our crew will welcome you onboard. After departure and lunch, the first island visit is made.

Santa Cruz Island - Highlands
The trail to the highlands leaves from Bellavista and passes through the agricultural zone, near the National Park boundary, the Miconia Zone and then goes to the Fern and Sedge zone. With clear weather (unpredictable) this area affords beautiful scenes of rolling hills and extinct volcanic cones covered with grass and lush greenery all year round.
B.L.D.

Day 19.  Chinese Hat
Chinese hat is a tiny Island just off the southeastern tip of Santiago Island is less than a quarter of 1 sq km in size. It is a fairly recent volcanic cone, which accounts for its descriptive name, it has the shape of a down-facing Chinese hat. The hat shape is best appreciated from the north side. Opposite Sombrero Chino, on the rocky shoreline of nearby Santiago, Galapagos penguins are often seen.
A 400 m trail goes around the cove and through a sea lion colony - marine iguanas cover the landscape. The volcanic scenery is attractive, and there are good views of the cone. There are snorkeling and swimming opportunities in the cove.?

Santiago Island - Puerto Egas
Wet landing. James Bay at the western end. Puerto Egas with its black sand beaches was the site of small salt mining industry in the 1960s. A hike inland to the salt crater is an excellent opportunity to sight land birds such as finches, doves, and hawks. A walk down the rugged shoreline, especially at low tide, will turn up many marine species. Iguanas bask on the rocks and sea lions laze in the tide pools. At the end of the trail there is a series of grottoes or sea caves where fur seals and night herons are found resting on shady ledges.
The wet landing on the dark sands of Puerto Egas, James Bay leads to one of the more rewarding visits in the Galapagos. First, a trail leads inland to the remains of a salt mining operation, one of several largely unsuccessful attempts to commercialize the Galapagos. Some groups will make the 1 hour round trip to the Sugarloaf Volcano (about 1000 ft elevation). But it is the Fur Seal Grotto that produces the most pleasure for visitors. Here one can get very close views of both fur seals and sea lions in a series of rocky pools. For many, this is the only opportunity to see the Galapagos fur seal, once thought to be on the verge of extinction in addition to the fur seals. James Bay offers the best opportunity for tide-pooling in the Galapagos.
B.L.D.

Day 20. Santiago Island - Bahia Sullivan
This visitor site provides a unique opportunity to view a recent lava flow of approximately 100 years old. The East Side of James Island is known to have barren volcanic landscapes, dominated by black pahoehoe (ropy) lava flows of very young age. On the surface of the lava is possible to observe some tree that was carried down by the flow of the fresh lava. It is also interesting to see how some Mollugo plants are starting to colonize the small lava fissures.

 Bartolome Island
A small barren island, located across Sullivan Bay off James Island, Bartholomew has two visitors’ sites. At one of them it is possible to climb to the summit of the island, from where visitors can observe a variety of volcanic formations, spatter and tuff cones, lava flows and lava tubes. ?The moon like landscape provides the most scenic panorama in the archipelago. At the other site, the visitor may swim and snorkel from a beautiful beach or walk across the isthmus to another beach that faces south, where swimming is prohibited. Multi –colored fish and occasionally penguins may be seen at the base of the tall pinnacle rock, which dominates Bartholomew's landscape.
(B,L,D)

Day 21. Santa Cruz Island - Bachas Beach
These two small beaches are found to the West of Turtle Cove. Their sand is made of decomposed coral, which makes it white and soft, making it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches there is a small brackish water lagoon, where occasionally is possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimpers. The other beach is longer, but it has two old barges that were abandoned during the Second World War, when the USA used Baltra Island as a strategically point to protect the Panama Channel.
After your visit to Bachas, transfer to the airport in Baltra. Flight back to Quito and transfer to your hotel (B)

Day 22. Transfer to airport for your flight home.

• Domestic return airfare
• Jungle transfers
• all meals
• all acitivities as listed
• all guides
• all accommodation
• all taxes

• Yasuni National Park entrance fee $ 25
• Visa fees (if required)
• Passport & Visa Costs
• Vaccination Costs
• Personal Spending Money
• Meals where not listed
• Drinks
• International Flights
• Travel Insurance
• Airport departure taxes
• Border taxes or fees

A perfect combination is a visit toi Sacha and ther Insiders View to the Galapagos

• Galapagos Islands
• Otavalo Market Visit
• Quito City Tour
• Visit to the Equator
• White Water Rafting
• Mountain Biking
• Train Journeys

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