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Ecuador & Galapagos

Highlands & Volcanoes of Ecuador

Day 1
Depart London on your Iberia flights to Quito via Madrid. Arrive and transfer to the Hotel Patio Andaluz (Tourist/Superior) for a stay of two nights.

Day 2
Half day visit to downtown Quito, declared by UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start 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, located 25 Kms 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 small shops. Return to Quito in the early afternoon. (Breakfast)

Day 3
Depart on your two day tour of the Otavalo area. This trip allows you to explore the fertile valley of Otavalo, enjoy its landscapes of mountains, lakes and corn fields, its craft centres, and wonderful people.

First stop is Calderón, a small town where bread dough figurines are made in many shapes and sizes. Continue along the valleys of Guayllabamba and Cayambe, with their dairy farms and flower plantations. Visit the town of San Antonio de Ibarra, famous for the woodcarvings, the town of Cotacachi, an entire town dedicated to selling fine leather products, and the town of Peguche where textiles are woven in old-fashioned shuttle looms. Overnight at the renovated colonial Hacienda Cusin. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4
Early start visiting the handicraft market of Otavalo, piled high with ponchos, woollen goods, tapestries, the original 'Panama' hat, sweaters, Indian jewellery and many handicrafts. On the return trip, a stop is made for a coffee break at one of the haciendas of the Cayambe area. Return to the Hotel Patio Andaluz in Quito for overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 5
Depart towards Cotopaxi National Park with stop en route at the Yanapi Hat shop where you can observe the hat making process. Arrive at the National Park on time for lunch in a charming hacienda at the foot of the volcano. Time to stroll in the grounds of the hacienda before continuing to the town of Patate for an overnight stay at a 300-year old hacienda hidden among the mountains.  Dinner and overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6
Depart in the morning on a spectacular route along the gorge of the Pastaza River to Baños, located at the foot of the Tungurahua Volcano. Drive along the Route of the Cascades to El Pailón del Diablo (the Devil’s Cauldron) where those who wish can descend 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. After lunch short stroll along Baños before continuing towards Riobamba via beautiful mountain scenery for dinner and overnight at a local inn. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7
Visit to the Museum of the Conceptas, housing one of the most important collections of religious art in Latin America. Possibility to visit the Museum of the Llama before continuing to the Indian town of Guamote 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, onwards to Alausí for brunch before continuing to Cuenca with a visit en route of the Ingapirca Inca Fortress. Overnight at the Hotel Santa Lucia in Cuenca. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8
Visit this colonial town which has been declared World Heritage Site. The tour will include visits to the Plaza of San Sebastian (a colourful artisans' market), the Museum of Modern Art, the flower market and the Church of El Carmen de la Asunción. Continue the stroll to the main square before driving along the Tomebamba river to admire the city’s overhanging houses. Stop for lunch and in the afternoon visit to a ceramics handcraft before returning to your hotel.  (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 9
Morning departure for your overland drive to Guayaquil (approximately 4 hours) passing through the National Park El Cajas. Overnight at the Hotel Hampton Inn (Tourist/Superior Class). (Breakfast)

Day 10
Morning transfer to the airport on time for your flight to Galápagos for your 7-night cruise (flights to Galápagos and cruise not included in the cost of this tour-as prices will vary depending on your choice of cruise and whether you wish to go for 7-nights or less-cruise prices on request). (Breakfast)

Days 11-16
In the Galápagos Islands.

Day 17
Fly back from Galápagos to Guayaquil airport (flight back from Galápagos not included in the cost of this tour) and connect to your Iberia flights back to London via Madrid (international flights included).

Day 18
Arrive in London.

Departures: Monday & Thursday (please note that daily departures are possible with amendments to the itinerary depending on your choice of cruise and on the schedule of the Avenue of the Volcanoes excursion).

2009
Price per person/British Pounds (£): 2,585 (Low Season)
Price per person/British Pounds (£): 2,780 (High Season)

High Season: July, August and December
Low Season: Rest of the year

Please enquire for longer stays or alternative hotels of lower or higher category.

Chiva picture courtesy of Metropolitan

Austral Tours Ltd: 20 Upper Tachbrook Street
London SW1V 1SH - United Kingdom
Tel. +44(0)20-7233 5384 / Fax +44(0)20-7233 5385
Email: info@latinamerica.co.uk

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