Andean Wonders
Andean Wonders - Ecuador
6 Days / 5 Nights
This exciting program begins in Quito, Ecuador's marvelous capital city, an attractive mix of modern and Spanish colonial architecture. Then, depart Quito traveling through the heart of awe-inspiring "Avenue of the Volcanoes" to Cotopaxi National Park, enjoying breathtaking landscapes, historic haciendas and rose plantations along the way. Explore the quaint town of Baños and the Waterfalls Trail on route to the Amazon region; then up the glorious Andes Mountains, where herds of wild vicuñas roam at the foot of imposing Chimborazo Volcano. Cultural discoveries and ethnic encounters await. The hidden life of the Conceptas cloistered nuns in Riobamba; the opportunity to be in contact with the people of the Indian communities, and their close relation with the Andean llama. Explore the Inca ruins of Ingapirca and arrive to Cuenca. In Cuenca, Ecuador's third largest city and a World Cultural Heritage Site, full of handcraft treasures - including the famous Ecuadorian "Panama" hat. Stroll along cobblestone streets lined with houses with red tile roofs and flowery balconies and plazas.
Departures: Saturday and Wednesday
Day 1 Home City - Quito
Meet and Greet at Quito's International Airport, and Transfer to your Hotel. Balance of day free to shop, stroll and explore this fantastic city, mix of modern and colonial on your own.
Day 2 Quito - City Tour
In the morning, enjoy a guided visit to downtown Quito to relish in this urban jewel and its treasures of art and architecture. Quito's colonial quarter, the largest and best preserved of South America, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stroll starts at the Independence Plaza, flanked by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop's Palace. Visit the temple of La Compañía de Jesús and its awesome gilded interior. Continue on to the Monastery of San Francisco, one the of great religious buildings of the New World; its impressive façade and atrium that lead to its Baroque interior influenced by Moorish style, with the winged Virgin of Quito at its main altar. Then continue to the Equatorial Monument, 25 Kms. (16 miles) North of Quito, which marks the exact Middle of the World, latitude 0º, where you can stand with a foot on each hemisphere. Visit the Ethnographic Museum inside the monument, which shows the different Native American groups living in Ecuador. Beside the monument there is a colonial-style town, complete with main square, church, post office, bullring, cafeterias, restaurants and many gift shops with postcards and souvenirs. You will get a certificate for having crossed the Equator.
Day 3 Quito- Yanapi Hat Shop – Cotopaxi National Park – Hacienda San Agustín de Callo - Patate
Enjoy Quito's renowned artisans in our visit to the Yanapi Hat Shop to observe the process of making hats by hand of wool felt and fur felt; these high-quality hats are exported to European, Australian and American markets. Then drive along valleys and mountains to the Cotopaxi National Park which surrounds the magnificent Cotopaxi Volcano, for an up-close view of the Andean paramo habitat and its unique flora and fauna; a number of high-altitude birds can be observed around Limpiopungo Lagoon, and occasionally, wild horses. On clear days, the perfect snow-capped cone of the Cotopaxi Volcano is quite a sight! At the foot of the volcano is a charming hacienda, where lunch is served in a room with Inca walls, perfectly preserved through the centuries –a truly archaeological jewel. After lunch, mingle with the llamas of the hacienda and stroll along a rose plantation, many varieties, many colours, ready for exportation. From here, descend towards the town of Patate, to overnight in a 300-year old hacienda, hidden among the mountains, a magical ambience, where, as the afternoon mist descends, stories are told about those who left in search of the treasure of the Incas in the nearby Llanganatis – and never returned… B L D
Day 4 Baños – Route of the Cascades - Urbina - Riobamba
After breakfast, enjoy a spectacular route along the gorge of the Pastaza River to the town of Baños (Baths) right at the foot of Tungurahua Volcano, from where the thermal waters that gave it its name emerge. Drive along the Route of the Cascades to El Pailón del Diablo (the Devil’s Cauldron) – the most adventurous will descend (medium difficulty) to observe the impressive cascade up close, surrounded by subtropical vegetation and orchids. The force and sound of the waters can also be appreciated from a lookout point without descending. Lunch is served at an hacienda / hostel in the surroundings, and in the afternoon a short stroll along Baños –a town with an international pulse, full of people from all over the world as well as many locals who pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Holy Water. From here, the route to Riobamba is up the mountain to touch the clouds alongside the massive Chimborazo, the highest mountain of Ecuador, on the high paramo where vicuñas graze and scamper – this is a protected Faunistic Preserve. On the hillsides, where the land is worked beneath the plow, one might think the farmer’s true objective was to paint the hills in fascinating patterns, not just to till the dark, fertile soil. Great photo ops on this route! Arrive to Riobamba for dinner and lodging. B L D
Day 5 Riobamba-Calpí-Colta-Guamote-Alausi-Ingapirca-Cuenca
After breakfast, visit the Museum of the Conceptas, housing one of the most important collections of religious art in Latin America, exhibited in several rooms that were originally the cloisters or cells where the nuns lived – a few nuns still live here in seclusion. The treasures of art, culture, traditions and religiousness of Riobamba are kept here thanks to the contribution of the visitors. Close to Riobamba is the Indian Community of Palacio Real, where an interesting visit to the Museum of the Llama is offered, an interactive community project to show the important role of the llama in the pre-Columbian ancestral cultures – both in the spiritual part as well as daily life; a short stroll in the community is possible. Next stop is at Guamote, an Indian town, for a short visit to Inti Sisa, an Educational Centre for the Development and Sustainability of Adults and Children. These visits are an important support to the efforts of improvement of the communities, and tourism is one of the main means to do so, while at the same time, guests can have a direct contact with the local people. Then, towards Alausí, where brunch is served to regain strength and continue exploring the Andean world to the south, visiting the Inca Fortress of Ingapirca en-route. Arrival to Cuenca at dusk for dinner and accommodations. B L D
Day 6 Cuenca, a World Cultural Heritage Site
Cuenca is Ecuador’s third largest city; yet it still retains its charming, colonial provincial air. Its red tiled roofs, cobblestone streets, flowery plazas and museums makes this a stroller's delight. Our comprehensive City Tour includes the Plaza of San Sebastian, a colorful artisans market, to bargain for local handicrafts. Then, visit the Museum of Modern Art featuring an excellent collection of contemporary fine art. Next to the flower market in the small plaza in front of the carved stone entrance to the church of El Carmen de la Asunción. From here, a stroll to the main square, surrounded by the imposing blue-domed Cathedral, the Court of Justice, the Municipal Palace, the Governor’s Palace and the Church of El Sagrario. Then, a drive along the Tomebamba river to admire the city’s overhanging houses. Lunch is at one of the excellent restaurants in Cuenca, and in the afternoon, drive for a short visit to a ceramics handicraft shop. Then, observe the whole process of making the famous Panama Hats of high-quality toquilla straw. Our Andean Wonders adventure ends at the airport – to board your flight to Quito or Guayaquil. Air ticket is not included. B L
B Breakfast L Lunch D Dinner
Includes:
- Meet and Greet upon arrival, and Transfer to Hotel
- Comprehensive 4 1/2 hour City Tour of Quito
- 2 Nights Hotel Accommodations in Quito
- Three Day Andean Wonders Tour including Admissions to museums and Cotopaxi National Park
- 1 Night Accommodations in a 300 year old hacienda
- 1 Nght Hotel Accommodations in Riobamba
- 1 Night Hotel Accommodations in Cuenca
- Comprehensive Cuenca City Tour
- Departure Transfer to Airport in Cuenca
- Breakfast Daily
- Lunch (4)
- Dinner (3)
- Hotel Taxes
Dress in layers (T-shirt, blouse, sweater, coat). Take a warm coat for evening and rain protection.. Sun protection (SPF 40) even if the day is cloudy. Hat or cap. Good walking shoes.
Altitude: 2,550 meters (7,750 feet) to 3,000 meters (10,000 feet)
Average Temperature: Daytime 50° to 77° F.; Nightime 43° to 50° F.
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