Incentive Program Sample Ecuador and Galapagos

Transcription

1 Pure Ecuador Creator: Diego Zapata Creation date: Reference: 5 DAYS GPS Incentive Program Sample Ecuador and Galapagos Identity card Client: Start date: Duration: 9 days Validity prices: Visited countries Ecuador Ecuador may be relatively small, but in addition to its many giant volcanoes, Amazon destinations, beach towns and cloud forest resorts, the mainland offers exclusive access to a true natural wonder of the world: the unique Galápagos Islands. Train routes pass through the dramatic highlights of the Andes, including the impeccably preserved colonial centers of Quito and Cuenca, then descending thousands of feet towards the coastal metropolis of Guayaquil. Several points of access to the rainforest, and its mighty rivers, lead to the treasured Yasuni jungle reserve and its mega-biodiversity. Video of Ecuador

2 Regions to discover Quito & surroundings Quito, the capital of Ecuador, resides high in the Andes at 2,850m above sea level, tempting visitors with even higher peaks. It is flanked by the active Pichincha volcano, accessible via cable car. Its primary attraction is a beautifully preserved historic quarter, where grand colonial-era churches and the presidential palace are all situated within a dozen square blocks of narrow streets and various public squares. Further north are Quito's best parks and a new botanical garden, while to the east is the trendy, bohemian community of Guapulo and its spectacular views down to the other valley. Also within an hour of downtown is the Middle of the World monument, right on the international Equator line. Imbabura Imbabura province is famous for its beautiful collection of lagoons, the very best of Ecuador's northern Andes peaks, and towns full of diverse traditional culture. Climbing the inactive Imbabura Volcano, peaking at 4,600m above sea level, is a half-day effort rewarded by sweeping country views. Cotocachi Volcano, departing from the town of the same name, is another option. But perhaps the most spectacular sight is the Cuicocha lagoon, with peaks rising from its center, and great panoramic vistas appreciated from trails around the perimeter. Exploration on horseback is also highly recommended. Meanwhile, the capital of Ibarra and town of Otavalo offer indigenous textile markets and many culinary specialities, thanks to a large native Quechua population. Galapagos Islands The legendary Galápagos Islands are Ecuador's marquee attraction, accessible only via direct flights from two mainland cities. This vast archipelago of volcanic origin is home to abundant wildlife on land, in the air and underwater all carefully protected to showcase time capsule ecosystems, just as they were thousands of years ago! Giant tortoises, playful seals, blue-footed birds, turtles, penguins, flamingoes and iguanas are just some of the memorable highlights. Whether on an all-inclusive cruise, island hopping, or from the comfort of a hotel, visitors can enjoy magical experiences on any budget at their leisure. Retread the steps of Charles Darwin on his Beagle voyages, this time with digital photography and succulent lobster in all the restaurants. Guayaquil Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city, port and financial center, but also features charming cathedrals, cobbled hilly streets and seafront parks. The tropical Pacific climate is manageable during the day, and perfect for walks and open-air dining after sunset. Marketplaces and cafes offer a taste of the relaxed, flip-flops culture that seems a world away from lofty Andean cities (all accessible via a convenient train line). The mighty Guayas river provides an ideal backdrop for regular liquid refreshments. Take a stroll along the malecón boardwalk, or head to Iguana Park for reptile selfies. Visit the botanical gardens, flower markets, Santay Island, or the local mangroves by boat. And to round it all off, Guayaquil boasts excellent hotels and hospitality.

3 Itinerary map Travel summary Day 1 - Friday: Quito Airport (Mariscal Surcre) - Quito - Quito Historical Center Day 2 - Saturday: Quito Historical Center - Middle of the World - Quito Historical Center Day 3 - Sunday: Quito - Otavalo - Quito - Otavalo - Quito Historical Center Day 4 - Monday: Quito - Quito Airport (Mariscal Surcre) - Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) - Quito Airport (Mariscal Surcre) - Baltra Island - Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) Day 5 - Tuesday: Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) Day 6 - Wednesday: Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) Day 7 - Thursday: Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) Day 8 - Friday: Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) - Baltra Island - Guayaquil Airport - Guayaquil Center Day 9 - Saturday: Guayaquil Center - Guayaquil Airport

4 Day by day Day 1: Friday, Quito Airport (Mariscal Surcre) - Quito - Quito Historical Center Private transfer from the airport to your selected hotel in Quito and/or surroundings. Please be aware of the sign with your name on it. English speaking guide included Quito city tour On this tour you will enjoy driving through diverse neighborhoods to take a look at both colonial and modern Quito. The tour will start through the colonial part of the city with a breathtaking site of the illuminated colonial churches and convents. This evening you will visit Quito attractions such as Independence Plaza and the Presidential Palace. You ll be amazed by panoramic views throughout your tour, accompanied by informative commentary from your guide about the history and culture of Ecuador's capital. (3 hours) This tour is with English speaking guide. You will have dinner at restaurant Pims, located at the Panecillo viewpoint. Note: you have included 2 glasses of wine and 2 glasses of beer per person at your dinner Night at Hotel Patio Andaluz (Standard Room) Included: arrival transfer, english speaking guide, transport, dinner, entrance fees, breakfast buffet, room Day 2: Saturday, Quito Historical Center -Middle of the World - Quito Historical Center Quito City tour & Mitad del Mundo This interesting city tour goes through diverse neighborhoods for a look at both colonial and modern Quito, and visit top Quito attractions such as historic plazas, churches and colonial buildings, like the Independence Square, the Presidential Palace, the Archbishop Palace, the Municipal Building (City Hall), and the Cathedral. The visit to Compañia church cannot be missed, one of the most impressive of Latin America, then visit San Francisco Church, one the of great religious buildings of the New World. Finally, head to the most famous hill in Quito, Panecillo viewpoint, where you'll notice the contrast between colonial and modern Quito. In the afternoon we continue to the middle of the world, the origins of this place goes back to the First Geodesic Mission which came to our country for the purpose of study and determine the exact curvature of the planet. This mission, managed by the French scientist Charles Marie de la Condamine and the Ecuadorian scientist Pedro Vicente Maldonado, determined where the equator crossed. We have the opportunity to visit Intiñan museum just 200 meters north of the Mitad del Mundo monument, here is the actual middle of the world," marked. This museum showcases what modern-day GPS has proven to be the true site of the equator line. Here your device will actually read zero degrees latitude and zero degrees longitude. (6-7 hours) Entrance to Museum Intinan (Mitad del Mundo) included. Entrance to Panecillo viewpoint included. Entrance to La Compañía church included. Entrance to Mitad del Mundo monument included. Lunch at Crater Restaurant included Middle of the World certificate included Dinner set menu at local restaurant Note: you have included 2 glasses of wine and 2 glasses of beer per person at your lunch and at your dinner

5 Night at Hotel Patio Andaluz (Standard Room) Included: transport, entrance fees, lunch, dinner, breakfast buffet, room Day 3: Sunday, Quito - Otavalo - Quito -Otavalo - Quito Historical Center Visit Otavalo & surroundings You ll be picked up from your hotel to head towards Imbabura known as The Province of the Lakes. The highway offers a lovely view passing through Calderón and Guayllabamba valleys. We will make short stop here to get to know more about local culture. Passing through Cayambe we can get a sight of the snow-capped volcano (5,790m.), the world s highest point crossed by the Equator Line. This small town is also famous for its salt biscuits with leaf cheese and manjar. We can make a stop here to try this delacy, before we continue to the Imbabura province, named after the Imbabura Volcanoe, where we will first head to the largest lake in Ecuador, the San Pablo. We will then enter Otavalo City that holds the Indian Market every day, the biggest are on Wednesdays and Saturdays, an ancient tradition and cultural exchange site among the Otavalo community. Furthermore we visit the peaceful Cotacachi Village, famous for its leather, and meet the local craftsmen. After a last visit to the charming Cuicocha Crater Lake we will head back to Quito in the late afternoon. (8-9 hours) This tour is with English speaking guide. Lunch at Hacienda Pinsaqui included For dinner you will have a 5 course tasting menu at restaurant Theatrum. Note: you have included 2 glasses of wine and 2 glasses of beer per person at your lunch and at your dinner Night at Hotel Patio Andaluz (Standard Room) Included: transport, english speaking guide, lunch, entrance fees, dinner, breakfast buffet, room Day 4: Monday, Quito - Quito Airport (Mariscal Surcre) - Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) - Quito Airport (Mariscal Surcre) - Baltra Island - Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) Private transfer from your hotel to the airport. English speaking guide included Today you will fly from from Quito to Baltra (Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands). The air ticket is included. Transfer & activity Today you will arrive at Royal Palm hotel. A transfer will pick you up at the airport to get here. At arrival you can decide your activity for the day. You can choose among several activities like biking, horseback riding, a visit to Charles Darwin station, a visit to the highlands, snorkeling etc. You can also decide to relax and stay at the hotel to enjoy the pools and play tennis. Note: you have included open bar for alcoholic beverages during your stay at the Royal Palm, this includes just the following cocktails and beverages: national and imported beer, mojito, daiquiri, Cuba libre & margaritas. Wine is not included and will have an extra surcharge that you will have to pay directly in your hotel. Night at Hotel Royal Palm (Standard Room) Included: transfer departure, english speaking guide, domestic flight, arrival transfer, room, lunch, dinner, entrance fees Day 5: Tuesday, Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz)

6 Full day excursion Today you can chose to visit one of the following islands: North Seymour, Santa Fe, Bartolome or South Plaza: Bartolome Island: Home of the iconic Pinnacle Rock. Climbing to the topof this island rewards visitors with panoramic views of varied lava formations,volcanic peaks and surreal landscapes. Bartolome also provides the opportunityto swim with the unique Galapagos penguins. Santa Fe Island: Land iguanashere can grow over five feet long, and the Opuntia cactus, a favorite food ofthe land iguana, grows up to 33 feet high! Manta rays and sea turtles areabundant in these parts. SouthPlazas: Thissmall, steep-cliffed island was formed by uplifted lava and is full of Opuntiacacti. It is also home to one of the largest sea lion colonies, and colorfulyellow and red land iguanas. Seymour:This tinyisland is also packed with sea lions, and one of the most popular breedinggrounds for seabirds. A large colony of frigate birds nest here, and you reguaranteed to see a few males proudly displaying their inflated red pouches toimpress a mate. The tours to all islands listed below are subject toavailability depending on the operational day of each destination. Note: the open bar will applies just at the hotel so during the wet tour you won't be allowed to drink alcoholic drinks due teh National Park restriction. Night at Hotel Royal Palm (Standard Room) Included: breakfast buffet, english speaking guide, lunch, dinner, entrance fees Day 6: Wednesday, Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) Activity In the morning you can decide your activity for the day. You can choose among several activities like biking, horseback riding, a visit to Charles Darwin station, a visit to the highlands, snorkeling etc. You can also decide to relax and stay at the hotel to enjoy the pools and play tennis. Note: you have included open bar for alcoholic beverages during your stay at the Royal Palm, this includes just the following cocktails and beverages: national and imported beer, mojito, daiquiri, Cuba libre & margaritas. Wine is not included and will have an extra surcharge that you will have to pay directly in your hotel. Night at Hotel Royal Palm (Standard Room) Included: english speaking guide, room, lunch, dinner, breakfast, entrance fees Day 7: Thursday, Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) Full day excursion Today you can chose to visit one of the following islands: North Seymour, Santa Fe, Bartolome or South Plaza: Bartolome Island: Home of the iconic Pinnacle Rock. Climbing to the topof this island rewards visitors with panoramic views of varied lava formations,volcanic peaks and surreal landscapes. Bartolome also provides the opportunityto swim with the unique Galapagos penguins. Santa Fe Island: Land iguanashere can grow over five feet long, and the Opuntia cactus, a favorite food ofthe land iguana, grows up to 33 feet high! Manta rays and sea turtles areabundant in these parts. SouthPlazas: Thissmall, steep-cliffed island was formed by uplifted lava and is full of Opuntiacacti. It is also home to one of the largest sea lion colonies, and colorfulyellow and red land iguanas. Seymour:This tinyisland is also packed with sea lions, and one of the most popular breedinggrounds for seabirds. A large colony of frigate birds nest here, and you reguaranteed to see a few males proudly displaying their inflated red pouches toimpress a mate.

7 The tours to all islands listed below are subject toavailability depending on the operational day of each destination. Note: the open bar will applies just at the hotel so during the wet tour you won't be allowed to drink alcoholic drinks due teh National Park restriction. Night at Hotel Royal Palm (Standard Room) Included: breakfast buffet, english speaking guide, lunch, dinner, entrance fees Day 8: Friday, Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) -Baltra Island - Guayaquil Airport - Guayaquil Center Departure In the morning, after breakfast, private transport will take you to the aiport where you can catch your flight back to Guayaquil or Quito. Today you will fly from Baltra (Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands) to Guayaquil. The air ticket is included. Private transfer from the airport to your selected hotel in Guayaquil and/or surroundings. Please be aware of the sign with your name on it. English speaking guide included Lunch set menu at a local restaurant Guayaquil city tour Guayaquil is the main port of the country and is considered one of the most important because its location and infrastructure provides facilities for international maritime trade. Guayaquil is situated on the river Guayas that connect to the Pacific Ocean. This tour will be with English speaking guide and private transport. Pick up and drop off at your hotel. The Malecon is a historic city pillar, since the beginnings during his growth played the city a major role in its development and beautification. The Malecon 2000 is one of the new magnets in the city which attracts thousands of people, especially on weekends. We continue to Las Peñas Neighborhood declared as a Cultural Heritage in 1982 and is situated surrounding the Cerro Santa Ana. Above here you will obtain an amazing panoramic view on the city and the Guayas River. The neighborhood is a reminder of the 16th century colonial Guayaquil. It is the most traditional district; each of the houses has its own history. In this colonial neighborhood lived important cultural and political figures from the country. Including Ernesto "che" Guevara has passed through this district. It was also the birthplace of fishermen and sailors, truly characters of the city. On the way back to the hotel is located Seminario Park exactly where 300 years ago was the heart of Colonial Guayaquil, it maintains that classical atmosphere that makes it so special. It is currently known as the Park of the iguanas, because of the lizards that live in it. You are invited to learn more about this park and the many names it has been given. It was born as Arms Square in 1695 and it was in front of the main church until the latter becomes the Cathedral in 1838, year when some changes were made. (3-4 hours) This is tour is with English speaking guide. You will have dinner at restaurant Lo Nuestro. Note: you have included 2 glasses of wine and 2 glasses of beer per person at your lunch and at your dinner Night at Hotel Wyndham (Deluxe Room) Included: transfer departure, breakfast, domestic flight, arrival transfer, english speaking guide, lunch, entrance fees, transport, breakfast buffet, room Day 9: Saturday, Guayaquil Center - Cocoa & Mango farm - Guayaquil Airport

8 After breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel to go ahead to visit a local Cacao & Mango Farm where we ll tour the fields and orchards of a lovely family-owned farm. The family has not only created an abundance of cacao and mangos, but also other crops like dragon fruit, plantains, lemon grass and spices. After learning everything about growing cacao plants, you will skin and roast cacao beans and then grind them up to enjoy your self-made chocolate. Before going back to Guayaquil or coming back to Cuenca, you will be sharing a meal at the farm with a delicious dessert. Hacienda of Cocoa & Mango farm entrance fee + lunch included. Note: you have included 2 glasses of beer per person at your lunch Private transfer from your hotel to Guayaquil airport. English speaking guide included Included: transport, entrance fees, transfer departure, english speaking guide Hotels Hotel Patio Andaluz dates: 17/11-18/11-19/11 Quito Historical Center Category: First Class Garcia Moreno N6-52 e/ Olmedo y Mejia, Quito, Ecuador Constructed in the 16th century, this distinguished colonial property in the heart of the Historic Quarter features a magnificent vaulted restaurant atrium, with arches over a succession of stone pillars. The diverse rooms feature air-con, fine woodwork and classical elegance. A top floor solarium lounge complements multi-level balcony seating and a smaller atrium with variety of plants, while a cozy, candlelit bar set within original stone walls is ideal for late-night reunions. Hotel Royal Palm Galapagos dates: 20/11 Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) Category: Luxury Class Km. 18 Via Puerto Ayora-Baltra, Puerto Ayora, Ecuador The Royal Palm is a spacious and exclusive private estate, only 20 minutes-drive from the bustling port town of Puerto Ayora. With just 8 Casitas (little houses) and 13 exclusive villas, you can enjoy privacy, space and quiet seclusion. Designed and crafted to complement our natural environment, this is as close to nature as you can get! Take the journey of a lifetime and discover the unrivalled uniqueness of these Enchanted Islands and their endemic species.

9 Hotel Wyndham dates: 24/11 Guayaquil Center Category: First Class Calle Numa Pompillo Llopna, Puerto Santa Ana, Guayaquil, Ecuador Situated just steps from the historic Santa Ana Hill and its famous Lighthouse, as well as mere minutes to the impressive Malecon 2000 and near Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport, the Wyndham Guayaquil hotel is ideal for business and leisure travelers alike. Boasting easy access to all of Guayaquil s many delights and a host of thoughtful amenities, guests will enjoy easy access to Las Peñas Neighborhood, the World Trade Center Guayaquil and Simon Bolivar Convention Center. All services you can wish for are here, swimming pools, spa, gym, and restaurant.

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11 Rates notes Included Accommodation based on standard double room including breakfast Private transportation with English speaking driver Daily excursions as mentioned on the itinerary including just the entrance fees detailed above 2 glasses of wine and 2 glasses of beer per person at your lunch and at your dinner(just on days mentioned) Flights Quito - Baltra (Galapagos) - Guayaquil 5D/4N Galapagos program at the Royal Palm: transfers, full board including soft drinks, yourchosen activities & excursions and taxes. (Alcoholic beverages areavailable and are charged separately.) ONE TOUR LEADER FREE OF CHARGES DURING THE TOUR (TL from Be Alive Poland) ACE Insurance (liability insurance) Not included Excursions and meals not mentioned in the program Drinks, tips and personal expenses International flight Galapagos National Park entrance fee $100 per person Galapagos Migratory Control Card fee $20 per person Price Policy Prices are per person in USD Notes Hotels are subject to availability and to change Pure Ecuador Validity prices: 18/04/2017 Diego Zapata info@pure-ecuador.com pureecuador