ECUADOR Air Force Airbases, CEMA Maintenance Centre, Army Aviation, Naval Aviation & Police Aviation Visits (tbc)

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1 ECUADOR Air Force Airbases, CEMA Maintenance Centre, Army Aviation, Naval Aviation & Police Aviation Visits (tbc) PROVISIONAL ITINERARY & GENERAL INFORMATION Sunday, 20 th Sunday, 27 th October Dealing with military authorities can take a long time to get confirmation of on-base visits. Fortunately we have very good contacts with the Ecuadorian Air Force (FAE) and most of their base visits are approved quite quickly; and we are hopeful we will receive confirmations from the navy, army and police in a timely fashion. In our favour is we last visited in 2014 and received 100% cooperation from all the various authorities and the 36 enthusiasts on the tour had a superb time. We have requested visits to, and await confirmation of: Latacunga: CEMFA - Centro de Mantenimiento de la Fuerza Aerea Shell Mera: Pastaza-Rio Amazonas, Grupo de Aviacion del Ejercito No.44 Manta: BA Eloy Alfaro: Ala de Combate No.23 Guayaquil: BA Simon Bolivar: Ala de Combate No.22 Taura: BA Taura: Ala de Combate No.21 (pictured above) Escuela Superior Militar de Aviación Cosme Renella, Salinas Grupo Aéreo del Ejército en Portoviejo Quito: Ala de Transporte Various naval and police aviation units where co-located on some of the bases All the above visits are to be confirmed as of 14 th December, We also visit the Museo Aeronautico de la Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana; its great collection of more than 30 aircraft include Canberra s, Strikemaster, BAe 748, Meteor, Jaguar, Kfir and Mirage F.1JAs. We plan to fly on the scheduled services of KLM from London s Heathrow Airport via Amsterdam (there are no direct flights to Ecuador; travel around Ecuador is with Avianca and specially chartered coach; we stay each night in a comfortable hotel on a bed and breakfast (B&B) basis; and, in addition to one of our aviation tour managers, we also have local English-speaking guides. All arrangements for this tour have been made with the assistance of a local travel company based in Quito, whose owner Roberto - is himself an aviation enthusiast. PROVISIONAL ITINERARY (all times local) DAY 1: SUNDAY, 20 th OCTOBER Between 04:30 05:00 please check-in with KLM in Terminal 4 at London s Heathrow Airport. Then meet your Ian Allan Tour Manager and fellow enthusiasts who will be gathering adjacent to the check-in area. We recommend you check-in no later than 90 minutes prior to departure: 05:00. Heathrow, Terminal 4 Flight: KL 1000 Departs: 06:30 Amsterdam Arrives: 09:00 Tour Ecuador - Provisional Itinerary - Issue 1 Page 1 of 10

2 On arrival we follow the signs for Connecting Passengers and go along to the departure lounge of our onward flight to Ecuador: boarding should start very soon, around 09:20. Amsterdam Flight: KL 755 Departs: 10:00 Quito Arrives: 14:40 On arrival we pass through Immigration, Baggage Reclaim and Customs. In the Arrivals Hall we meet our local guide and driver and transfer to the Hotel Quito: for details please see page 5. Subject to sufficient interest, during the afternoon there will be an optional sightseeing trip to the Equator which is about a 45-minute drive away. Please see page 6 for details. Please annotate your booking form if interested. DAY 2: MONDAY, 21 st OCTOBER At 08:30 we set off for the FAE s transport unit, Ala de Transporte No.11, Escuadron 1114, located at Quito International Airport. We then drive to Cotopaxi/Latacunga and CEMFA - Centro de Mantenimiento de la Fuerza Aerea the air force s overhaul and modifications centre for Mirage, Cheetah (pictured left) and Kfir aircraft (and possibly other types?). Also based here is another Escuardron of Ala 11, No Tonight we stay in the town of Banos at the Hotel Sangay; see page 5. DAY 3: TUESDAY, 22 nd OCTOBER Departing at 08:00 we continue our journey down into the Amazon rainforest. On arrival at Shell-Mera Airport/airbase (pictured right), we begin our visit to Pastaza-Rio Amazonas, home of the Grupo de Aviacion del Ejercito No.44 and their AS-332B, Ce205, IAI-201, Mil-17 and SA342s. We await confirmation of a visit to a new national police aviation unit which is planned to be based here. Before setting off back to Quito we stop off in the town for a late lunch (not included in the tour price). We arrive back in Quito around 21:00 and check-in again at the Hotel Quito. DAY 4: WEDNESDAY 23 rd OCTOBER This morning we fly with Avianca to Manta on the only flight that currently gives sufficient time to do all the visits planned for today (to be confirmed). Quito Flight: AV 1690 Departs: 06:00 Manta Arrives: 06:50 Boarding our coach we visit Ala de Combate No.23 on BA Eloy Alfaro and the resident A-37B (pictured left), Strikemasters Mk89/89A and A-29Bs. We await confirmation of our visit including the co-located national police aviation unit. Continuing to Guayaquil, about 3½ hours away, we visit the Ecuadorian Air Force Academy on Base Aerea Ulpiano Paez in Salinas. Then to the small army aviation helicopter unit at Portoviejo barracks. In Guayaquil, we stay 2 nights at the Grand Hotel Guayaquil. Hotel s details are on page 5. Tour Ecuador - Provisional Itinerary - Issue 1 Page 2 of 10

3 DAY 5: THURSDAY, 24 th OCTOBER This morning we visit BA Simon Bolivar, home of Ala de Combate No.22: resident here are Cessna 206, Dhruv ALH, PA-34, SA-319B and TH-57As. Also based here is the army s Escuela de Aviacion del Ejercito flying AS-305B, Ce182, MT-7 and PC-6s; 4 naval Escuadrillas, comprising Cessna 500, Be-200, Be-300, CN-235, Bell 206, TH-57A, Bell230 and T-34s; and 3 national police aviation units operating AS-305, Bell 206, R-44, Cessna 172 and MD-53s. Visits to all these units have been requested. Late afternoon we return to our hotel in Guayaquil. DAY 6: FRIDAY, 25 th OCTOBER After breakfast we depart for Taura about a 45-minutes drive away. We are the guests of Ala de Combate No.21 and their Cheetahs and Kfir fighters. With the Mirage F-1s withdrawn from service, if any of them are still in storage on the base we will ask to see them. We then return to Guayaquil Airport and check-in with Avianca for our flight to Quito. Guayaquil Flight: AV 1631 Departs: 16:50 Quito Arrives: 17:45 Tonight we stay at the Hotel Quito. DAY 7: SATURDAY, 26 th OCTOBER At 09:00 we depart for our visit to the Museo Aeronautico de la Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana which has 35+ aircraft in its collection; of particular interest to British enthusiasts will be several Made in Britain types like the BAe 748, BAC Strikemaster, 3 Canberras, a Meteor FR.9 and a Jaguar. Website: We then return to Quito Airport and check in with KLM for our flights to London via Amsterdam; latest recommended check-in time is 14:00. Quito Flight: KL 751 Departs: 16:00 DAY 8: SUNDAY, 27 th OCTOBER Amsterdam Arrives: 12:15 Following the signs for Connecting Flights we go along to the departure gate of our onward flight to London; boarding should start around 15:10. Amsterdam Flight: KL 1021 Departs: 15:45 Heathrow Airport, Terminal 4 Arrives: 16:05 Whilst waiting for our luggage in Baggage Reclaim we take the opportunity to bid each other farewell until we meet again. Tour Ecuador - Provisional Itinerary - Issue 1 Page 3 of 10

4 PRICE PER PERSON TOUR: From TBA From TBA On request Based on sharing a twin bedded room on a bed and breakfast basis Single room supplement Land only: does NOT include any international flights to/from Quito, but does include 2 Ecuadorian domestic flights (please speak with one of our consultants before booking as the latter may change after the release of the winter schedules) TOUR PRICE WILL INCLUDE Flights on the scheduled services of KLM from London s Heathrow Airport Flights within Ecuador: currently on the scheduled services of Avianca as stated UK, Dutch and Ecuadorian Airport Taxes & UK Passenger Service Charge Departure tax at all Ecuadorian airports All transfers by air-conditioned charter coach as stated 6 night s hotel accommodation in rooms with private facilities Breakfast each morning Admission to the Museo Aeronáutico de la Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana Services of local English-speaking guides Services of an Ian Allan Tour Manager WILL NOT INCLUDE Meals, except as stated above Visas: not required by UK Passport holders see General Information page 7 for details Travel insurance (available for UK resident only) see General Information page 9 for details Personal expenditure, e.g. telephone calls, laundry, drinks, etc. Coach drivers gratuity Tips and gratuities Tour Ecuador - Provisional Itinerary - Issue 1 Page 4 of 10

5 OUR HOTELS QUITO: Hotel Quito (3*) This hotel is located 10 minutes from downtown, overlooking the Cumbaya Valley and the mountains. The hotel offers 200 rooms and facilities including a heated swimming pool and spa, lovely gardens and rooftop restaurant overlooking Quito. BANOS - Hotel Sangay (3*) Located in front of Cascada de la Virgen Cascade in Baños, the hotel offers 60 bright guest rooms with large windows overlooking the cascade. Rooms offer free Wi-Fi and cable TV. Hotel amenities include restaurant bar and grill, swimming pool, tennis court, Turkish bath and hot tub and games room. GUAYAQUIL - Grand Hotel Guayaquil (3*) The hotel is located just a short walk away from the financial and commercial centres of the city. The hotel offers 182 comfortable rooms including suites. Facilities include two restaurants, two bars, a business centre and a gym complex. Tour Ecuador - Provisional Itinerary - Issue 1 Page 5 of 10

6 OPTIONAL TOUR DETAILS EQUATOR - TOUR TO THE CENTRE OF THE WORLD Just 14 miles (22 kms) north of Quito stands the monument marking the equatorial line as established by the 18 th century expedition of the French/Spanish Geodesic Mission. Stand on both hemispheres simultaneously or try to stand right on top of the Equator. Climb to the top of the monument for a great view of the Andes Mountains and enjoy a tour of the Ethnographic Museum. Estimated Price: per person, depending on numbers (payable prior to tour departing UK). Please annotate your booking form if interested. Tour Ecuador - Provisional Itinerary - Issue 1 Page 6 of 10

7 GENERAL INFORMATION Payment for A deposit of per person should accompany your Booking Form, with the balance due 10 weeks prior to the tour s departure. Please see your Booking Confirmation/Invoice for the exact date. Please note that a reminder of the payment date will not be sent. Passports and Visas Citizens of the UK are required to be in possession of a Full UK Passport, which must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of your return. You may also refer to the World Travel Guide website: for general information on passports, visas and health requirements. British nationals do not require a visa to enter Ecuador. Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) Consular Advice The FCO's consular service is a major operation. Every hour of every day consular staff around the world are advising and helping British nationals. We suggest you visit for up-to-date passport, visa and security information on the destination you intend visiting. In addition, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) provide an Information Line for UK callers only, telephone: This line is open between the hours 10:00 16:00, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). Coach Travel only use coaches chartered from reputable companies, with a driver. Where we have had to cancel a tour, due to the small number of bookings, we have looked at the possibility of renting a seater mini-van, with our tour manager driving. However, without exception, the hiring of such a vehicle is illegal if any of the occupants make any payment towards the rental price, fuel and/or other expenses - known as for hire or reward. Any such rental, made without these facts being made known to the rental company at the time of booking, also invalidates all insurance covering the vehicle, contents and persons. The DVLA has also confirmed that any for hire or reward rental could breach the normal driving classification of a standard UK driver s license. Therefore, we do not undertake any tours using 9-18 seater mini-vans from a rental company; either with our tour manager, or a member of the group, driving. Baggage Regulations KLM Departing from London s Heathrow Airport Checked Baggage: KLM will transport 1 piece of checked baggage per person free of charge, the total dimensions of which must not exceed 190cm x 75cm x 65cm (75in x 29½in x 25½in), including the handle, pockets and wheels. Maximum weight is 23kg (50lb). Cabin Baggage: for travel out of London s Heathrow Airport you may take 1 carry-on bag (and 1 personal item). Your main piece of hand baggage can be up to the dimensions of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (22in x 18in x 10in), including handles and wheels. You must be able to lift the bag into the overhead locker unaided. Carry-on baggage must be stowed in carry-on compartments of the aircraft, under a seat, or in an overhead locker. Your bag must also fit into the bag gauge, available at the check-in area. All largersized items must go in the aircraft s hold. Baggage Allowance Avianca Domestic Services in Ecuador Checked Baggage: you make take free of charge one piece of luggage, the sum of the external dimensions (height+length+width) cannot exceed 158cms (62 inches). Maximum weight is 23kgs (50lbs). Cabin Baggage: you make take one piece measuring no bigger than 115 cms (45 inches) (height+length+width). And one smaller item like a bag or laptop. Tour Ecuador - Provisional Itinerary - Issue 1 Page 7 of 10

8 Restrictions remain in place for the carriage of liquids, gels, and creams in hand baggage for all passengers departing from and transferring through all EU airports. Some other airports around the world operate their own restrictions. Customers are advised to check before they travel. Limited quantities of liquids (individual containers must not exceed 100ml or 3.5 fl oz), are allowed as hand baggage but must be carried separately through security in a clear plastic, zip-top or re-sealable bag that does not exceed 20cm x 20cm (8 inches x 8 inches), or quart size. Items must fit in the bag comfortably and the bag must be completely closed. The bag can only contain liquids such as shampoo, suntan lotions, creams, toothpaste, hair gel and hair spray, perfumes, cosmetics such as mascara and lip gloss, water and other drinks, soups and syrups and other items of a similar consistency. Cigarette lighters are NOT permitted in hold baggage or through the security search. These may be purchased airside. Hand baggage can also include electronic equipment such as mobile phones, digital cameras and MP3 players (such as i-pods). Laptops must be removed from the bag for x-ray. Prescription medicines in liquid form, e.g. diabetic kit can also be included. At security all remaining items should be placed in the tray provided for screening, e.g. car keys and fobs, cash, solid food, books, newspapers, cigarettes and tobacco, belts and shoes. Pushchairs and walking aids are permitted but must be x-ray screened. All wheelchairs will be subject to search. Please note: you may be subject to a hand search by the security team and required to remove footwear to be x-ray screened. Baggage Weight Restrictions UK Airports Since 1 st June 2004, any single piece of checked baggage weighing more than 70lbs (32kgs) has not been accepted at check-in by any airline operating from London s Heathrow Airport. The BAA may introduce this limit at their other airports in the UK (and so might non-baa airports), in an attempt to reduce manual handling injuries amongst airport staff. Please bear this in mind when packing your suitcase. Meals On this tour continental breakfast each day at the hotel is included in the tour price. Health Requirements There are no known mandatory or recommended precautions for visiting Ecuador; however, we recommend you consult your local doctor or health centre for the latest information. Climate The weather depends on where you are in the country and the altitude. October is in the dry season, but there are days when it is dull. In Quito the average temperature is 21ºC - in Guayaquil around 30ºC - all year round; and both cities enjoy 12 hours of daylight between 06:00 18:00. Dress We recommend items of summer clothing. Local Currency Since 2000 Ecuador s official currency has been and remains - the US Dollar! Ecuadorean-minted 5c, 10c, 25c and 50c coins, which are used in parallel with the US equivalents, is the country s only legal currency. Credit cards see next paragraph - and US Dollar travellers cheques are generally accepted in cities. Credit Cards VISA, Mastercard, American Express, and Diner's Club are the most widely recognized cards in Ecuador and can be used in hotels, shops, restaurants, and for cash advances from Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) or banks. Tipping Tour Ecuador - Provisional Itinerary - Issue 1 Page 8 of 10

9 Tipping is completely at your discretion, but because a 10% service tax in restaurants and hotels is added to your bill, most people don't feel the need to tip; however, if you are pleased with the service, feel free to do so. Travel Insurance For citizens of the United Kingdom, are able to offer competitive and comprehensive insurance cover. However, if you do not wish to take out our insurance, you must ensure that comparable or greater cover is taken. The number of your Insurance Policy should be written, if known, on your Booking Form at the time of making the reservation, but no later than the date when final payment is due. A copy of the policy must be forwarded to. Individual insurance policies are arranged through CoverMore Insurance Services Limited; the premiums for which will vary according to your circumstances. Full details are available on request. These policies also include cover for non-scheduled flights, i.e. pleasure flights, where the aircraft is licensed and insured to undertake such flights, and where a payment is made. Wheelchair Assistance at Airports. Anyone requiring wheelchair assistance at airports must have this service requested and confirmed in advance. Airlines and/or airports can no longer provide this service without prior confirmation, therefore, please annotate your booking form accordingly. Please note: the Ecuadorian flight safety regulations do NOT allow people using wheelchairs, crutches or walking sticks/poles on the aircraft manoeuvring areas (i.e. ramps) within their airbase(s). Enthusiasts with a walking impediment must be able to walk a good distance unaided, and sometimes at a quick pace, otherwise they will not be allowed air-side access by the military or civilian authorities. Flexible Itinerary We are very happy for enthusiasts to take time away from the printed itinerary to pursue their own interests so long as they inform the Tour Manager. It will be the individual s responsibility to ensure that they re-join the group in the hotel at the stated time on the day of departure. Land Only Price For enthusiasts who would prefer to join the tour in Amsterdam or Quito (instead of flying from London s Heathrow Airport with the main group), we will be very pleased to provide a Land Only price. You are strongly advised to contact us before making your own flight arrangements in the event that there has been a change to the published itinerary. Please note that the Land only price is based on you meeting up with the group at the hotel in Quito and does not include the transfer from Quito Airport on our arrival. However, should your arrival coincide with that of the group, a seat will be offered on the coach at a supplement of The transfer to the airport on Day 8, at the end of the tour, is included in the tour price. Flight Timings & Connecting Travel Arrangements to Departure Airport All flight departure and arrival times are correct at the time of preparing each itinerary; however, airlines may change these times with little or no prior warning. In practice such changes are only a few minutes either way and the final itinerary will show the actual times. Clients making their own arrangements to get to the departure airport by air, rail, coach etc., should bare the above in mind if purchasing nonrefundable or non-changeable tickets. cannot be held responsible for any changes to flight times and any privately arranged travel tickets to the airport becoming invalid. Pre-departure For connecting flights from UK regional airports - please call on for the latest special offers available. Airport Hotel and/or Car Parking: we can offer special rates for the above at most UK airports, please ask for details. Pleasure Flights Disclaimer Should you decide to undertake any pleasure/sightseeing flights which have not been offered or sanctioned by us, will not be held liable for any injuries or death resulting thereon. Tour Ecuador - Provisional Itinerary - Issue 1 Page 9 of 10

10 Tours Affected by World Events or Unforeseen/Unplanned Circumstances In an ever-changing world, events may occur immediately before or during a tour that result in cancellations or changes to the tour itinerary. For example, an increase in security may result in an approved visit being cancelled by the host, etc.. cannot be held responsible for any tour being cancelled, or itineraries affected, due to world events or circumstances beyond our control. * * * Tour Ecuador - Provisional Itinerary - Issue 1 Page 10 of 10