From $1,525.00
Book now!Rich in traditions, culture, history and nature
Eight Days / Seven Nights
Minimum 2 Persons
Valid for travel between April 15 and November 30, 2015
ITINERARY:
Day 1: Arrival in Quito.
On your arrival, our guide will welcome you at the new International airport and transfer you to your hotel.
Overnight accommodations at Hotel Boutique Anahi – Double Room
Day 2: Quito
Private Combined tour of Colonial Quito and Middle of the World (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Your tour begins with a visit to the Independence Square, where the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral and El Sagrario Church are located. We will also visit the Church of La Compañia (1605), with its amazing gilt altars. This is considered as one of the finest examples of baroque art in America, and the Moorish influence can also be noted in the intricate designs carved on the magnificent red and gold columns and ceilings. Afterwards we will take you to the church and monastery of San Francisco (1535). This is the oldest Ecuadorian church and the main altar inside is a spectacular example of baroque carving. There is also a fine collection of artwork, including paintings, sculptures and furnitures dating back to the 16th century. Finally, we will drive up to the highest viewpoint of the city, “El Panecillo” hill from where we will have a spectacular view of Quito. Then just 30 minutes from Quito is the location of the Equator at La Mitad del Mundo (“the middle of the world”.) This is the site where, in 1736, Charles-Marie de la Condamine’s expedition made the measurements that demonstrated that this was indeed the equator. Here visitors have the rare opportunity to be on two hemispheres at the same time! A monument was built to mark the site and visitors can take an elevator right to the top, as well as visiting the excellent ethnographical museum inside. Around the monument are buildings and restaurants designed to represent those of a typical colonial town.
Overnight accommodations at Hotel Boutique Anahi – Double Room
Day 3: Quito & Otavalo (B/L)
Private tour – Otavalo colorful native market and surrounding villages
Breakfast at the hotel. Driving northwards from Quito, your trip begins in the town of Calderon where we find the well-known bread-dough figures and decorations known as “masapan”. As we approach Otavalo and before we arrive in the province of Imbabura, also known as “the Province of Lakes”, you will have stunning views of the San Pablo Lake with the high peak of Imbabura Volcano behind it. Our next stop is the town of Otavalo, home of the largest indigenous market of its kind in South America. You’ll arrive just in time to bargain for beautiful tapestries, local paintings, hand-knitted wool sweaters, socks and gloves, wood carvings, silver jewelry, embroidered blouses and straw hats, to name only a few of the items on offer.
After lunch in one of the local haciendas, we head for Cotacachi, a town renowned for its handmade leather goods. If time allows, we will also visit Cuicocha, an ancient, eroded volcanic crater famous for the deep lake found within it. In our way, back to Quito, we stop at the city of Cayambe, where we invite you to try the local specialty: biscuits or “Biscochos”. Return to Quito.
Overnight accommodations at Hotel Boutique Anahi – Double Room
Day 4. Quito / Cuenca (B)
Private Tour – Cuenca City Tour
After breakfast at hotel our guide will transfer you to the airport in order to take a local flight to Cuenca, when you arrive in Cuenca our guide will welcome you at the airport. Transfer to the hotel; then you will visit the city. In this tour, you will have plenty of time to visit one of the most beautiful and picturesque cities in Ecuador. The tour begin with a walk into the center of the city, where we will admire the cathedral, historical buildings and we make a visit to the “Conceptas” museum which is housed in what used to be the old infirmary of the Convent of the Immaculate Conception. Here you can see an interesting display of religious art and an exhibition of photographs. The tour continues to visit the famous “Panama Hat” factory and ends with a visit to the colorful flower market.
Overnight accommodations Hotel Victoria – Double Room
Day 5: Cuenca (B)
Private Tour – Ingapirca – Inca Ruins
Breakfast at hotel.At 3,230m. above sea level, Ingapirca is Ecuador’s most important ancient ruins from the Inca times, who governed the region until the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. Probably Ingapirca was a fortress as well as an administrative center. The main structure is known as “The Temple of the Sun”, which had religious and ceremonial purposes and still boasts some of the Incans’ finest stonework. You will have the opportunity to step back in time and imagine an era when here the Sun and the Moon were worshipped. We also invite you to visit the museum and admire the jewelry and ceramics, which date back to this ancient civilization.
Overnight accommodations Hotel Victoria – Double Room
Day 6:. Cuenca (B)
Private Tour – Cajas National Park
Breakfast at hotel. Las Cajas National Park lies about 30km West of Cuenca and it is well known for its many high altitude beautiful lakes, shining like jewels against the harsh countryside. Of interest to nature lovers, are the small forests of queñua tree, which grow at the highest altitudes of any tree in the world. The park is the perfect place to enjoy a hike in and observe breathtaking scenery. It is also a spectacular location for keen bird-watchers, who get plenty of opportunities to glimpse the giant cone bill, the tit-like dacnis and the grey-breasted mountain toucan, as well as a variety of enchanting hummingbirds.
Overnight accommodations Hotel Victoria – Double Room
Day 7: Cuenca / Quito (B)
After breakfast our guide will transfer you to the airport in order to take a local flight to Quito, when you arrive in Quito our guide will welcome you at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. B
Overnight accommodations at Hotel Boutique Anahi – Double Room
Day 8: Depart Quito (B)
After breakfast our guide will transfer you to the airport for yur flight to your next destination. order to take a international flight. B
RATE PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY: $1,525.00
(Single Supplement $400 per person)
RATE INCLUDES:
Four nights at the Hotel Boutique Anahi and three nights at the Hotel Victoria Hotel based on double occupancy; aily breakfast; 22 taxes and services fees. All transfers between airports and hotels in Quito and Cuenca on private basis. All tours in Quito and Cuenca on private basis. All meals as indicated in itinerary. Entrance fees.
NOT INCLUDED:
International and local flights; porterage, tips,extras, expenses of personal nature.
