South America Vacations

Ecuador Vacation Package 1

17 Days Ultimate Ecuador Tour Package

Duration: 17 Days / 16 Nights
Priced From: $8,610 pp dbl. occ.
Dates: Apr, Jul, Oct, Dec
 



Packed like a knee-cap between Peru and Colombia, Ecuador contains within its borders an improbable variety of landscape and culture. For the mountaineer, it is bisected by an epic stretch of the northern Andes. For the jungle explorer, there is a biological mother lode within the Amazonian Oriente. The sea-minded are rewarded with miles of Pacific coastline, to say nothing of the living wonders of the Galapagos Islands.

Not only are these regions highly defined, but excluding Galapagos they are also wonderfully contiguous. The entire country is about the size of Washington state, and it is home to some of the world's most extraordinary national parks. In a matter of two hundred miles, the traveler can penetrate all of the mainland's defining regions--the coastal lowlands in the West, the volcanic central highlands, and the rainforests of the East, or Oriente.

Ecuador's climate is equally generous to the traveler. Embracing the Pacific, Ecuador rests squarely on the equator (hence its name). Here, seasons are defined more by rainfall than temperature. A warm rainy season lasts from January to April, and May through December is characterized by a cooler, drier period that is ideally timed for a summer trip.

Day 1 QUITO

On your arrival in to Quito, the Capital of Ecuador, you will be at the airport and transferred to your hotel the Plaza Grande Hotel. As most flights arrive in the evening there are no activities planned for the your first day in Ecuador.

The Plaza Grande Hotel was one of the first hotels ever constructed in the capital - Quito, and has been extensively renovated and remodeled to become the finest boutique hotel in the city. It is the ideal place from which to explore the wonders of this timeless city.

Quito was declared a UNESCO "World Heritage Site" in 1978, thanks to its historic center, which is the largest and best preserved in Latin America. The colonial center of the Franciscan city of Quito is a treasure trove of baroque art and architecture, including buildings, churches, monasteries and narrow streets that reflect Ecuador's unique blend of indigenous and Spanish cultures.

Day 2. NAPO WILDLIFE CENTER

Today sees us venture from the cool highlands into the famous Amazon basin. Here is your chance to feel a little bit "Indiana Jones" as we utilize all form of modern and traditional transport to reach our jungle lodge - Napo Wildlife Centre.

To get to Napo Wildlife Center, we fly by jet from Quito to the town of Coca (officially known as Francisco de Orellana) on the Napo River.

After a short drive from the airport to the dock, we board a large, motorized, covered canoe for a scenic two-hour trip down the Napo River.

Upon arrival at the entrance to the NWC Reserve, we switch to smaller, dugout canoes and are paddled up - note others paddle! - the black water creek to the lake and lodge (no motorized transport is allowed on the creek or lake so that wildlife isn't disturbed).

This paddle can take anywhere from one to three hours, as on the creek we might encounter Giant Otters, potoos, kingfishers, Hoatzins, jacamars, hawks, and monkeys. We have lunch en route and arrive at the lodge by late afternoon

From accessible parrot clay licks to Giant Otters, Napo Wildlife Center shows off spectacular wildlife in the unparalleled Amazonian rainforest of Yasuní National Park.

Situated in eastern Ecuador on a black water lake near the Napo River, the Napo Wildlife Center complex features 10 private cabanas with lake views, a dining room, bar and lounge and an adjacent observation tower. Ecuadorian community members staff the lodge and work as native guides and specialized, bilingual naturalist guides. B,L,D

Day 3-4. NAPO WILDLIFE CENTER

The lodge consists of 10 luxury cabañas and a large dining hall with a library and a well-stocked bar.

Attached to the bar is a 50-foot viewing tower from which you can see the Andes on a clear day!

The rooms are huge (over 450 sq. ft.), always clean, and include:

one king-sized bed and one twin-sized bed (up to 3 people)
private bathrooms with on-demand hot water showers
private porches with lake views
24-hour electricity with plenty of lights and plenty of 120v outlets
ceiling fans and secure screens for plenty of bug-free ventilation
The lodge itself is beautiful with local architecture, hardwood floors and well considered amenities. Nearby blinds built at parrot clay licks bring the action to you, a 120-foot canopy tower deep in the forest allows you to experience the life above the forest floor, and the natural attractions are simply unmatched in Amazonian Ecuador. Take a look at our Guest Comments to see what others are saying.

Monkeys, Parrots, and Giant Otters during the day, with the comfort of a hot shower, tasty dinner, and a cold beer at the end of the day. This is the way to see the rainforest in luxury, and is just what you have been looking for.... B,L,D days 3 and 4

Day 5. QUITO

Today we return from the Jungle back to the Andean ranges and to Quito. Tonight is free to explore the city o Quito and the gastronomic delights it has to offer. B

Day 6. COTACACHI

Having spent a few nights in Quito it is now time to explore this ancient city - ancient in that it was once the Incan capital before the expansion of the empire saw a second capital created in Cusco Peru.

Our comprehensive city tour includes visits to residential neighborhoods at the northern end of the city, visiting the " Guapulo Mirador", passing through the 12 of October Avenue up to the Culture House and the Legislative Palace (Congress) where the rock murals related to the history of Ecuador can be appreciated.

The tour then continues through Gran Colombia Avenue up to the Basilica Church, where we will make a brief stop and the "San Juan Mirador" presents us with a beautiful sight of Colonial Quito.

Walking through the colonial streets we will then stop at Independence Plaza where the stunning Cathedral, Government's Palace, and the Archiepiscopal palace are all within easy walking distance of each other.

We also visit La Compañia Church, Sagrario Church and San Francisco which was built in the XVII century.

We now drive to the Middle of the World monument, geographically located at 0 degrees 0 minutes 0 seconds.

We will visit the museum and afterwards walk around a authentic replica of a Spanish Colonial town. Finally, we drive to a viewpoint where we can observe the crater of the extinct Pululahua volcano-the only inhabited crater in the world.

From the centre of the world we head to one of the most idyllic of the world - Cotacachi north of Quito.

The surrounding farms lands and towering volcanoes make the drive north one of beauty and spectacle.

We end our active day at the La Mirage Hacienda.

Perched on an Andean Hillside a one and a half hour drive north of Quito, La Mirage is a contemporary Resort built on the grounds of 200-year-old Hacienda.

23 large, exquisitely furnished and unique Rooms and Suites no two alike - all with an eclectic blend of local and European Pieces of Art. Each room has a Fireplaces, a separate Sitting Area and all the amenities one would require.

Here you can wander through the extraordinary fragrant hummingbird-filled gardens, where plants and flowers grow to prehistoric proportions. Dahlias, Bougainvillea, Hibiscus, Roses and Orchids are just a small listing of the flowers you’ll find.

Enjoy Breakfast and Lunch in the Hotel's glass pavilions on the lawn while watching peacocks strolling and hummingbirds flying by. The select four course a la carte Gourmet Dinner (included in the price of your stay) may be enjoyed with impeccable service in the Main Dining Room. B,L,D

Day 7. OTAVALO -QUITO

History has it that Otavaleño Indians have been talented textile makers and businesspeople since ancient times, prior even to the Incan invasion. Under Incan rule in the 15th century, Otavalo became an important administrative center, as new crops and animals were introduced to the area. A year after the Spanish conquest, Ecuadorian land was parceled-out to the Spanish. In Otavalo, Rodrigo de Salazar set up a large weaving workshop ("obraje") on his land; by the mid-1500's it employed hundreds of workers and produced a large share of the textiles used in colonial South America.

The market is centered on 'Poncho Plaza'. All day long, the whir of cotton candy machines, Andean pipe music, and Quechua, the native tongue derived from the Incan tongue, drift across the square. A blinding maze of colored textiles spills from the square out across town.

As you stroll the streets you'll find everything from jumpers to armadillo shell guitars, wall hangings to ceramic fried eggs.

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.

Don't restrict yourself to Poncho Plaza, as you'll probably get better bargains away from the main square (the more items you buy, the lower the prices you can haggle), and the goods on display start to diversify as the market weaves its way through the side streets.

After a day of hard bargaining, use of 2 camera memory cards, lots of food and great memories we return to Quito. B,L,D

Day 8-12.  GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Perhaps more so than any other place in the world, the fauna of the Galapagos are unique. Charles Darwin's observations of these unique animals, their remarkable adaptation to a hostile environment, and the subtle variations between races of the same species living on different islands led directly to his theory of natural selection.

The theory explains how the vast multitude of species on the Earth have evolved from a simple, singled-celled ancestor. The theory remains the single most important one in biology. Thus we can look back at nearly five centuries of human contact with the Galapagos and say that, without a doubt, the most important event in the human history of the Galapagos was Darwin's visit in 1835.

Even without Darwin, though, the tale of human contact with the Galapagos is a fascinating one, and the Enchanted Islands, as the early mariners called them, have meant many things to many people from many lands.

The Galapagos Archipelago is situated 800 kilometers west of the Ecuadorian coast and lie directly on the equator. The archipelago encompasses over 50 islands of volcanic origin that are spread out over an area of about 4,500 square kilometers.

The volcanic Galapagos platform originated probably not more than 15 million years ago and the oldest island not more than 2.4 million years ago. Volcanic eruptions still occur in the islands. Isla Fernandina and the Sierra Negra volcano on Isla Isabela have erupted within the past 10 years.

According to legend... the Inca Tupac Yupanqui set sail from the coast of Ecuador in the late 1400's with 20,000 men on balsa rafts. On his journey he discovered and named two islands - Ava Chumbi (Outer Island) and Nina Chumbi (Fire Island) . Some historians believe these islands were the Galapagos.

In 1535, a Spanish captain, Thomas de Berlanga rediscovered the Galapagos archipelago. "We found seals, turtles and such big tortoises that each could carry a man on top of itself, and many iguanas that are like serpents..."

They were later used by Spanish and English buccaneers, whaling fleets, and fur sealers.

Charles Darwin visited the islands in 1835 and made them famous in Origin of Species. "Here, both in space and time, we seem to be brought near to the first appearance of new beings on this earth."

A scientific collection expedition of The California Academy of Sciences in 1906 also helped bring the Galapagos to attention of scientists and the public.

The Galapagos National Park was established in 1959 to protect the unique flora and fauna of the islands.

That same year the Charles Darwin Research Station was founded in Academy Bay on Isla Santa Cruz. In 1979, the Galapagos Islands were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

As of December 20, 2001, the newest addition to the expanding Galapagos fleet, the modern 5-star, adventure-style M/V Galapagos Legend set sail with a maximum of 90 discriminating explorers. The Legend's 3, 4, and 7-night weekly voyages Darwin's "living laboratory" into a course in evolution and natural history.

With 2,746 GRTs the Legend offers all the amenities of a larger cruise liner, yet she is small enough for that intimate experience with nature that brings you to the Galapagos. This ship has been designed for the most comfortable Galapagos adventure.

Veterans of the Galapagos cruise industry consider the "Legend" to be among the finest cruise liner offering weekly naturalist cruises in the Archipelago for these reasons: The Galapagos Legend has a length of 91.5 meters/300 feet, 5 decks, spacious public areas, elegantly appointed cabins and suites, conference room, medical facilities staffed by an M.D., a crew of 55, and 6 multilingual naturalist guides as well as some of the most technologically advanced safety equipment in the Galapagos waters.

Guests can benefit from the added comfort of extra space in our tastefully decorated cabins and suites, most with ocean views, wardrobes, and private facilities, offering hot and cold water, hair dryer, safe deposit boxes and other amenities.

Other facilities include an auditorium for conferences, multiple social areas, Ecuadorian and international specialties at the dining room, coffee bar, swimming pool with broad sun decks, and observation platforms.

The M/V Galapagos LEGEND is a 300 feet Ocean-going cruise ship that provides all the facilities and services to make the cruise enjoyable and comfortable. B,L,D days 8 to 11B day 12

Day 13. QUITO - PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS

After some amazing adventures on the Galapagos it is time to take it back a level and enjoy some of the natural phenomenon of the Andean ranges and explore the Papallacta Hot Springs.

Termas de Papallacta SPA and Resort is located 40 miles east of Quito.

Located in a high Andean valley at the entrance route to the Ecuadorian Amazon jungle, the spa - resort offers visitors health, recreation, adventure and rest.

Whether relaxing in the thermal baths, indulging in pampering spa treatments, or embarking on adventure walks at the Rancho del Cañón (Canyon Ranch) or Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve, you are sure to enjoy the Papallacta experience.

The restaurants, which serve a range of culinary delights are there to tickle your taste buds.

After this day of indulgence we return to Quito. B,L

Day 14. RIOBAMBA

Today we start a journey to the lowlands of Ecuador via the amazing rail system that dissects the Andean mountain range.

A Chiva is a typical, old-fashioned Latin American bus, with plenty of room on the roof for bags of grain, bananas and the odd chicken.

In Quito, these buses have taken on a new lease of life as party vehicles with adapted, high-sided roofs.

Typically, someone hires a chiva for a celebration, invites all their friends to ride on top, the bus drives around the streets of Quito, an oompa-oompa brass band banging out favorite tunes, while Andean canelazo drinks are liberally poured.

We utilise and adaptation of the chiva idea that has been applied to the historic train ride from Quito to Guayaquil.

We will enjoy an exclusive and unique trip through the Andean countryside and the coastal lowlands on board our Chiva Express - specially adapted for safety and comfort, while complementing the fun of the ride. Canelazo and brass band optional.

The first half of this journey is along the Avenue of the Volcanoes from Quito to beautiful Cuenca in the south; among spectacular scenery from the roof of the CHIVA EXPRESS with many stops along the way for a close contact with the indigenous cultures, haciendas, plantations and a taste of the products of the land.

The second half is dedicated to the cultural and natural experience of exploring the charms of Cuenca and the Valley of Gualaceo.

The adventure starts in Quito with a bus ride to the station of Tambillo, where the "Chiva Express", a colorful one coach train, like a bus on tracks, is ready to depart.

A highlight of the trip is to 'ride the roof' with a panoramic view of the stunning Andean region of Ecuador. You will leisurely enjoy the ever-changing scenery as the "Chiva Express" advances along the ancient tracks.

Stop for a snack at a dairy hacienda with cows, horses and llamas. Then the Chiva advances up and down the slopes of Cotopaxi volcano and the fertile Valley of Latacunga for a visit to a rose plantation and a taste of the products of the land. Continue by bus to Riobamba, and at the foot of imposing Chimborazo volcano, visit a Tagua workshop and warm up with a canelazo by the fireplace. Dinner and overnight at Riobamba. B,L,D

Day 15. CUENCA

After an early breakfast, transfer to the train station to board the "Chiva Express" for an astonishing ride, twisting and turning over the Andes, along bridging ravines and river gorges.

Stop at Guamote, an Indian town, for a short visit to an Educational Center for Adults’ Development and Sustainability.

Continue aboard the Chiva to Alausí, where a snack is served, and prepare to go down the Devil's Nose switch backs, one of the most impressive feats of rail engineering in the world, and back to Alausí. Continue south along the Andes by motorcar to Cuenca, visiting the Inca Ruins of Ingapirca to arrive at dusk, with a stop for lunch.

The forest of Ingapirca is located at the north of Cuenca . It is a complex built by the Incas on top of today old bases of the town Cañari . It has become the most important monument of the Inca's Empire in Ecuador . Surprising are the unknown techniques of construction used by the Incas. Enjoy the wonderful environment in which they have established this powerful and sacred temple dedicated to the sun. B,L,D

Day 16 .CUENCA - QUITO

Today guests will enjoy a full day to discover, at a leisurely pace, the beauty and charm for which Cuenca has been recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Its red tiled roofs, cobblestone streets, flowery plazas and museums make it very special. Lunch is served at a cozy restaurant.

The city's cobblestone streets, towering cathedrals, and marble and whitewashed buildings give it a colonial air unequaled in Ecuador. Cuencanos, known for their traditional demeanor and conservative cultural values, match their 18th century surroundings and continue a proud intellectual tradition that has produced more notable writers, poets, artists, and philosophers than anywhere else in Ecuador. In addition to being the cultural Mecca of Ecuador, Cuenca is the capital of the Azuay province, the third largest city in the nation, and the economic center of the southern Sierra. These distinctions, along with the city's incredibly preserved history, recently earned Cuenca the honor of being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Trust site.

We return to Quito via light aircraft for our final night and farewell meal in Ecuador. B,L,D

Day 17. HOME
You will be transferred to the airport for your return flight home Adios! B

• Meals as listed
• All transfers
• All transport
• All accommodation
• Transfers in Quito – airport / hotel / airport
• 5 night accommodation at Plaza Grande hotel (deluxe), Quito
• Visit to: Quito city tour & Equator line, Otavalo market and Papallacta hotsprings
• 1 night accommodations in Riobamba at the Hosteria Abraspundo
• Devil's Nose train, visit to Ingapirca ruins and ground transportation to Cuenca
• 1 night accommodation at the Santa Lucia Hotel in Cuenca
• Half-day city tour of Cuenca
• 1 night accommodations at the Hacienda La Mirage, Otavalo
• 4 nights Galapagos Cruise with transfers, meals on board, and islands guided sightseeing - based on cabin choice
• Domestic airfare Quito-Galapagos-Quito, Quito-Coca-Quito and Cuenca-Quito.
• Galapagos Park Tax & Fee (currently $110per person STC)
• 3 night jungle trip at Napo Wildlife center lodge with transfers, meals and jungle excursions guided by an expert Amazon guide
• Yasuni NP entrance fee

• 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

• Horse riding Otavalo
• Mountain Biking

Your guide will meet upon arrival into Quito

Galapagos Cabin options available are:

• Junior Suites
• Legend Suites
• Balacony Suites

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