From $3,176.00
Book now!Rich in Traditions, Culture, History, Nature and Archaeology
Quito, Otavalo and its colorful native market, Cuenca, Ingapirca and Cajas
Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
Twelve Days / Eleven Nights
Minimum 2 Persons
Valid for travel between April 15 and November 30, 2015
ITINERARY:
Day 1: Arrival in Quito.
Youn 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 / Lima (B)
After breakfast our guide will transfer you to the airport in order to take a local flight to Quito and connecting flight to Lima. Upon arrival there a host will meet and assist you in transferring to the hotel and in registering.
Lima, the “City of Kings” famous for its Spanish Colonial architecture, extraordinary museums and cuisine. Lima is internationally recognized as the “Gastronomic Capital of the Americas”, and its cuisine is considered among the most diverse and exquisite in the world on par with French cuisine.
Overnight accommodations at Hotel Sonesta el Olivar
Day 8: Lima
Tour of Modern and Colonial Lima (B)
Breakfast. This half-day tour visits both the colonial and modern sections of Lima. Colonial sites include the lovely Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, San Francisco Church and the exquisite Torre Tagle Palace modern day seat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In modern Lima, drive along the exclusive residential areas of Miraflores and San Isidro.
Overnight accommodations at Hotel Sonesta el Olivar
Day 9: Lima / Cusco (B)
Breakfast. Early morning transfer from the hotel to the airport for a short but spectacular flight over the snowcapped Andes to the oldest inhabited city in the hemisphere, Cusco, at an elevation of 11,440 feet. Upon arrival a host will meet and assist you in transferring to the hotel and in registering.
City Tour of Cusco
Visitors are caught up in the excitement of touring the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, a delightful combination of Inca and colonial architecture. The tour visits important landmarks such us Cusco’s Cathedral, Plaza de Armas and Koricancha “The Temple of the Sun”. Tour includes a visit to the emblematic Cusco neighborhood of San Blas, filled with narrow typical streets, charming small homes, galleries and craft workshops, where you see local artisans at work. Cusco is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the western hemisphere.
Overnight accommodations at Hotel Casa Andina Private Collection
Day 10: Pisac Market and Ollantaytambo Archaeological Complex (B/L)
Breakfast. Full Day Excursion to the Pisac Indian Market and the Ollantaytambo Fortress – Morning departure for a drive through the fertile countryside of the Urubamba Valley to the colonial village of Pisac where an Indian Market takes place Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Other days you will tour the religious nucleus and archaeological site of Pisac. During your visit to the bustling marketplace you will have the opportunity to bargain with the natives for many different types of Peruvian handicrafts and jewelry.
Continue to the Ollantaytambo archaeological complex, the Incas built it as a fort that included a temple, agricultural terraces, and an urban area. There are two distinct sectors: The religious and worship zone, and the residential area. Ollantaytambo was an important administrative center with probable military functions if one considers the walls and towers. There are also traces of ancient roads and aqueducts. The town of Ollantaytambo is called a “Living Inca Town” since the inhabitants maintain very old practices and customs. Lunch is at a beautiful country estate on the shores of the Urubamba River.
Overnight accommodations at Hotel Casa Andina Private Collection
Day 11: Cusco / Machu Picchu. (B/L)
Breakfast. Morning train ride through the sacred valley of Urubamba to the “Lost City of the Incas,” Machu Picchu. Perched 8,200 feet above the valley, it was hidden by mountains and semi-tropical jungles for 400 years until discovered by Hiram Bingham of Yale University in 1911. Archaeologists believe that the Inca “Virgins of the Sun” took refuge from the Spanish Conquistadors here. Guided tour of the ruins upon arrival. Lunch is at the Orient Express’ Sanctuary Lodge located just a few steps from the Inca citadel. After the tour transfer back to the train station for your return to Cusco for overnight
Overnight accommodations at Hotel Casa Andina Private Collection
Day 12: Cusco / Lima (B)
Transfer to the airport for your departure to Lima and your connecting international flight.
RATE PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY: 3,176.00
RATE INCLUDES:
ECUADOR: Four nights at the Hotel Boutique Anahi and three nights at the Hotel Victoria Hotel based on double occupancy; daily 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.
PERU: Four nights at Hotel Sonesta el Olivar in Lima; three nights at Hotel Casa Andina Private Collection in Cusco. Daily breakfast. All airport transfers listed in the itinerary on private basis. All tours and excursions indicated in the itinerary on Private basis. English speaking guides. Baggage handling at airports and at hotels. All entrance fees and transfers needed to operate tours and excursions. All meals indicated in the itinerary.
NOT INCLUDED:
International and local flights; local airport taxes; porterage, tips,extras, expenses of personal nature.
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Rich in Traditions, Culture, History, Nature and Archaeology
Quito, Otavalo and its colorful native market, Cuenca, Ingapirca and Cajas
Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
Twelve Days / Eleven Nights
Minimum 2 Persons
Valid for travel between April 15 and November 30, 2015
HIGHLIGHTS
- Four nights at first class hotels in Quito, Cuenca, two nights in Lima and three nights in Cusco.
- Private fully escorted tours in Quito and Cuenca, Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
- Private transfers between airports and hotels in Quito and Cuenca, Lima and Cusco
ITINERARY:
Day 1: Arrival in Quito.
You 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. A comprehensive visit to the most important sites in the colonial section of Quito combined with a tour to the Middle of the World.
Overnight accommodations at Hotel Boutique Anahi – Double Room
Day 3: Quito & Otavalo (B/L)
Otavalo colorful native market and surrounding villages
Breakfast at the hotel. As we approach Otavalo you will have stunning views of the San Pablo Lake. Visit Otavalo, home of the largest indigenous market of its kind in South America. After lunch in one of the local haciendas, visit Cotacachi, a town renowned for its handmade leather goods. Afternoon return to Quito
Overnight accommodations at Hotel Boutique Anahi – Double Room
Day 4. Quito / Cuenca (B)
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. Afternoon 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 and 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)
Ingapirca – Inca Ruins
Breakfast at hotel. 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.
Overnight accommodations Hotel Victoria – Double Room
Day 6:. Cuenca (B)
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. Overnight accommodations Hotel Victoria – Double Room
Day 7: Cuenca / Quito / Lima (B)
After breakfast our guide will transfer you to the airport in order to take a local flight to Quito and connecting flight to Lima. Upon arrival there our guide will welcome you at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight accommodations Hotel Sonesta El Olivar
Day 8: Lima
Tour of Modern and Colonial Lima (B)
Breakfast. This half-day tour visits both the colonial and modern sections of Lima.
Overnight accommodations at selected hotel (B)
Overnight accommodations Hotel Sonesta El Olivar
Day 9: Lima / Cusco (B)
Breakfast. Early morning transfer from the hotel to the airport for a short but spectacular flight to Cusco Upon arrival a host will meet and assist you in transferring to the hotel and in registering.
Afternoon Tour of Cusco.
Overnight accommodations Hotel Casa Andian Private Collection Cusco
Day 10: Pisac Market and Ollantaytambo Archaeological Complex (B/L)
Breakfast. Full Day Excursion to Pisac and the Ollantaytambo Fortress – Indian Market takes place Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. On non-market days tour the religious nucleus and archaeological site of Pisac. Continue to the Ollantaytambo archaeological complex.
Overnight accommodations Hotel Casa Andian Private Collection Cusco
Day 11: Cusco / Machu Picchu. (B/L)
Breakfast. Morning train ride to Machu Picchu. Guided tour of the ruins upon arrival. Lunch is at the Orient Express’ Sanctuary Lodge located just a few steps from the Inca citadel. After the tour transfer back to the train station for your return to Cusco for overnight
Overnight accommodations Hotel Casa Andian Private Collection Cusco
Day 12: Cusco / Lima (B)
Transfer to the airport for your departure to Lima and your connecting international flight.
RATE PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY: 3,176.00
