Ecuador Suggested Itineraries Up & Down from the Andes to the Pacific Coast

Transcription

1 Ecuador Suggested Itineraries Up & Down from the Andes to the Pacific Coast Destinations: Quito, Riobamba, Cuenca, Guayaquil, Olon & Puerto López Length: 12 Days / 11 Nights Mix in a fabulous program the Andean Region with the warm tropical Pacific Coast. Combine great white volcanoes with green and tall beautiful palms, different kinds of potatoes and corns with splendid bananas plantations, cities with history as well as the most modern ones; join us in this perfect itinerary that takes you from the north to the south and from south to the west; including: Quito, Humboldt s Avenue of the Volcanoes, Cuenca, Guayaquil and the charming fisherman villages of the Ecuadorian coast. Detailed Itinerary: Day 1 Arrival to Quito (-) Arrival to Quito, assistance and transfer from hotel Mariscal Sucre to the hotel. Time to relax and adapt to the attitude. Quito is located at 2800 mts. Above sea level Page 1

2 Day 2 Quito Colonial & Ecuatorial Complex (B) This half a day sightseeing excursion offers the best of Quito with its rich cultural legacy, ornate facades, and dazzling gilt altars.visit the Independence Square, The Archbishop s palace, The Metropolitan Cathedral as well as other very representative samples of colonial art and architecture. Time permitting, drive to the hill of Panecillo for a panoramic view of the city. At the end drive few kilometres north of town and visit the famous Equatorial Monument, marked by geographers as latitude A visit to the museum could be included, this museum featuring Ecuador s ethnic groups from Galapagos to the Amazon. You will have the opportunity to stand-up at two hemispheres at the same time. Afternonn at leisure. Day 3 The Chapel of Men (B) The Chapel of Men is a unique architectonic cultural space of great dimensions. It is an interactive mural where master Guayasamin expresses in sculptures, murals and paintings the grief, song, furious, wail, tenderness, protest, dreams, struggle, heroism, sacrifice and victory of the Latin American men. This excursion is a great display of art and architecture that leaves to our judgment and observation the Latin-American history. Day 4 Quito / The Northern Highlands & Otavalo Market (B,L) An early start, to travel north of Quito to the province of Imbabura, a magical land of lakes. Just before arriving to the famous Otavalo market. The Otavalo Indian market, dates back to the pre-inca times and is famous for its textiles woven on back-strap and shuttle looms. The market is piled high with ponchos, hand made textiles, hats, Indian jewellery, and various handicrafts. Will have time to wonder around the market. Page 2

3 Lunch will be served at one of the Hosterias of the area in the basis of a fixed menu. Afternoon if time permits visit to Cotacachi an artisan s centre known for its leather woods or San Antonio de Ibarra where the highlights are the woodcarvings. In the afternoon, return to Quito Day 5 Quito / The Central Highlands and Antisana Ecological Reserve (B,L) Departure from Quito to the Antisana Ecological Reserve which lies in the Central Highlands, on the foothills of the 5705 meter glacier covered peak of the volcano Antisana. This reserve is privately owned and regulated, but its goal is the preservation of the native flora and fauna of the Andean páramo. Below approximately 3000 meters, the native flora is shrubs, orchids and other specially adapted plants. Above an altitude of 4800 meters very little vegetation exists, as this area is covered with snow year-round. Between 3600 & 4800 meters, however, we entered a habitat called the páramo, in which the plant and animal life are both highly adapted to the extreme conditions which are the norm here. Due to the high winds that regularly sweep this habitat, nothing taller than the grass and low lying succulents are found in the open. Even hardy, high altitude shrubs are found only in crevices and stream beds hidden from the wind. Plants in this habitat are pollinated by beetles or by birds, as the winds are too strong for flying insects. This trip to the Antisana Ecological Reserve includes a ride to approximately 4000 meters above the sea level where rolling meadows, occasional ravines with taller vegetation, and a meadow/marsh of pillow moss bordering a highland lake is found. The pillow moss is so named because it forms unbroken hump-like pillows of vegetation that may cover acres of land. Its bird life includes the Andean gull, Caracaras, ducks, several species of hummingbirds and, if lucky, the Andean condor. Lunch on a nearby restaurant or in one of the haciendas of the area in the basis of a fixed menu Continue driving south to the city of Riobamba located right in the heart of the Andes at the slopes of the highest mountain of Ecuador the Chimborazo (6300 mts). Situated in the heart of the country and best known as Sultana de los Andes, Riobamba is one of the most interesting cities of the Central Highlands. The museums, religious monuments, the simplicity and sympathy of its people, the extraordinary geographical location, its folklore and other factors, makes this city a most attractive place to visit. Overnight in Riobamba Page 3

4 Day 6 Riobamba / Alausí / Cuenca (B,L) Picturesque villages, colorful markets and the ethnic cultures with their rich display of popular art, handicrafts, traditional festivities, music and gastronomy mix here with dramatic landscapes, roaring rivers, small lakes and rocky hills. You can enjoy these views either by road or train, or a combination of both In this area of the Andes you find the awesome Devil s Nose, where the train negotiates its way down a steep 300 meter cliff in a series of ingenious switchbacks. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon your will continue your trip to the city of Cuenca located in southern Ecuador. Overnight in Cuenca Day 7 Cuenca Scenic / Guayaquil (B,L) Stroll through history on narrow streets surrounded by houses with coquettish balconies, visit monuments that show centuries of pre-columbian and colonial treasures. Cuenca is re-known for its high quality handicrafts like: embroidery, jewellery, ceramics and the famous Panama hats. At the end enjoy a full served lunch at typical restaurant After lunch, overland transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil. In this trip, you will admire the change of vegetation we have between the Coast and the Highlands. Arrive to Guayaquil Guayaquil is strategically located alongside the majestic and mythical Guayas River and flanked on the west by meanders of mangrove-lined salt water channels from the Pacific Ocean, penetrating deep into the Gulf of Guayaquil, the namesake city is Ecuador s largest and the most important seaport in the South American Pacific coast The city surroundings offer superb ecotourism venues, great bird-watching and tropical nature. A short drive west leads you to the Pacific coast with its pristine sandy beaches, tourist resorts, all kinds of water sports and activities and lots of fun and fine gastronomy along the Ruta del Sol, the Route of Sunshine. Overnight in Guayaquil Page 4

5 Day 8 Guayaquil / El Morro / Olón (B,L) Your tour begins with the transfer from the port to El Morro. El Morro is located at the south west in the Guayas province. Its principal attractive is the Isla de los Pajaros (Birds Island) and, if the sea level is right, we might see a variety of dolphins searching for food in the channels of the islands. Enjoy the spectacular mangroves landscape and the dense activity of birds. Watch the magnificent Frigate birds nesting around the shrimp pools, or check out the more than fifty species of migratory birds resting and feeding in the area. Then continue to Olón, a town situated in the heart of the already known Ruta Del Sol. Lunch included in route in local restaurant in the basis of a fixed menu Overnight in Olon Day 9 Olón / Cantalapiedra / Puerto López / Olón (B,L) Cantalapiedra is located in the heart of Ayampe s River basin and is one of the best Tropical Humid Forests of the Chongón-Colonche Coastal Range. This wild life sanctuary is the perfect opportunity to see many animals as the howl monkey, ant-eaters bears, yaguarundis, trigillos, between others and more than 200 species of birds. Puerto López is a small fishing village bordering the Pacific Ocean and it is the nearest town from where you can visit the Machalilla National Park. The town offers many different attractions like whale watching tours during June and Septembers, trekking to the Machalilla National Park, tours to La Isla de la Plata, ect. Lunch included in route. Overnight in Puerto Lopez Day 10 Puerto Lopez Full day Isla de la Plata (B,L) Depart by boat from Puerto López, located in the Manabi Province to visit La Plata Island offers a small showcase of some Galapagos species of seabirds together with great diving and snorkel chances. Also, superb whale watching on certain seasons. Overnight in Puerto Lopez Page 5

6 Day 11 Puerto Lopez /Olón / Guayaquil (B,L) This day will depend on clients interests, you can visit the Church in Olón, museums, spend the day in the beach, etc Lunch included in local restaurant in the basis of a fixed menu. In the afternoon, return to Guayaquil Overnight in Guayaquil Day 12 Guayaquil Scenic Excursion / International Departure (B) This cosmopolitan city is the largest port in Ecuador and offers what any major city on the world can. Rich Historical background, wonderful museums, a handsome modern district with great shopping and good restaurants. A prosperous city leading the economy of the country, which displays great pride. Has also a number of historical places either by car like the Centenario or Las Penas neighborhood and the riverfront or Malecon. Another great place to discover! At proper time, assistance and transfer to the airport in order to take your international flight back home. End of our services. Page 6