ECUADOR JOURNEYS Effort: Easy to moderate. No experience required. Activities: Walking, community interaction, and foodie experience. Travel with us on a Magical Train Journey through amazing landscapes. This four day adventure takes you from the Andes Mountain Range to the Pacific coast, along impressive climatic transition of fertile green valleys, yellow dry forests, magnificent paramos and of course, gorgeous haciendas. Travel in train wagons, traversing the Avenue of the Volcanoes, spotting endemic species of wildlife and flora, indigenous cultures as well as archaeological and historical remains. The landscape changes as the steam engine whistles its way towards the Pacific. Through the windows you see rice, banana, cocoa, pineapple and sugarcane plantations before reaching the last station of our dream trip. TRIP HIGHLIGHTS: Bargain for beautiful handicrafts, ponchos, and tapestries at Ecuador s most famous markets. Learn the history of the Otavaleños and Ecuador s northern Andes from your guide. A unique visit to the last Ice harvester up in the highlands of Chimborazo volcano. Devil s nose pass crossing. Cotopaxi National Park. Cacao and chocolate tasting. 1
ITINERARY: QUITO GUAYAQUIL /3 NIGHTS TUESDAY TO FRIDAY DAY 1: VISIT THE GREAT OTAVALO MARKET STEAM LOCOMOTIVE ACROSS THE NORTHERN VALLEYS Check in at Swissôtel lobby from 06:30 am. At 07:30 am, departure by bus to Otavalo. The stretch Otavalo to Ibarra is operated with a steam locomotive across the northern valleys. Visit to woodcarving workshops at San Antonio, discovery of local traditional food in Andrade Marin and a show of local music and textile weaving at San Roque train station. Overnight in Quito. (L, D) 2
DAY 2: JOURNEY BY TRAIN ACROSS THE AVENUE OF THE VOLCANOES: QUITO BOLICHE AMBATO URBINA Journey across the Avenue of the Volcanoes, exploration of Andean woods an ecosystems at El Boliche area, in Cotopaxi National Park, amazing views of Yambo lake and visit to Baltasar, the last ice-harvester in the Chimborazo slopes. Overnight in Riobamba. (B, L, D) 3
DAY 3: : DEVIL S NOSE CROSSING RIOBAMBA ALAUSI BUCAY With team engine, visit to one of the very last Andean indigenous market: Guamote. Devil s nose crossing and the impressive climatic transition while traveling from the Andes Mountain Range to the Pacific coast. Overnight in Bucay. (B, L, D) 4
DAY 4: COASTAL HACIENDA RIDE BUCAY GUAYAQUIL Cacao and chocolates tasting at Naranjito in a Coastal Hacienda. Yaguachi to Duran (Guayaquil) with steam engine. Arrival to Duran train station at 16:45. Complimentary shuttle to selected hotels in Guayaquil. (B, L) 5
INCLUDED Alcoholic drinks (wine, beer and whisky are available on the train s bar), meals or visits not detailed in the itinerary, personal expenses, tips or shuttles/transfers to non-specified hotels. We strongly suggest to all customers to separately purchase a travel insurance. NOT INCLUDED Alcoholic drinks (wine, beer and whisky are available on the train s bar), meals or visits not detailed In the itinerary, personal expenses, tips or shuttles/transfers to non-specified hotels. We strongly suggest to all customers to separately purchase a travel insurance. IMPORTANT INFORMATION TRAVEL TIME: 3-6 hours per day SEASON: Year round ALTITUDE: 1,600 to 4,000 meters 5,300 to 13,300 ft.) AVERAGE TEMPERATURE: Day 14-31 C / 57 F - 88F SUGGESTED: Warm layered clothing, rain shell, sunglasses, hat, and sunblock, mosquito repellent. 6 Revised October 14/2016