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Tours for Independent Travellers
Essential Ecuador
10 Days from £819 (excludes flights)
Quito (2 nights), Riobamba (1 night), Cuenca (1 night), Quito (1 night) The Ecuadorian Amazon (3 nights) & Quito (1 night) Highlights Include · Discover Ecuador's historical capital, Quito, on a morning guided tour · Visit the impressive Mount Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest peak · Travel through the magnificent Avenue of the Volcanoes · Admire the famous Inca ruins of Ingapirca · Ride the Chiva Express through remote villages and majestic scenery · Travel by rail up 'The Devil's Nose' · Enjoy one night in the beautiful city of Cuenca · Spend three nights in the unspoilt wilderness of the Ecuadorian Amazon
Departures: Mon, Wed & Sat. Day 1: Arrive Quito On arrival at Quito Airport you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel for a two-night stay. Standard: Dann Carlton Deluxe: Swissôtel Quito Day 2: Quito City & The Middle of the Earth This morning explore this fascinating city on a guided tour. Start with the main square, La Plaza de la Independencia, and marvel at its impressive colonial buildings. Continue through the cobbled streets of the old town and visit the Monastery of San Francisco, one of the great religious buildings of the New World. After your tour of the city, drive to the Equatorial Monument which marks the exact middle of the earth! Have your photograph taken with one foot in each hemisphere. (B) Day 3: Quito Riobamba From Quito you will travel on the Chiva Express (a bus that runs on metal wheels along the train tracks); ride on the roof and enjoy the ever-changing scenery and breathtaking views of the Andes. The Chiva advances along the Avenue of Volcanoes, up and down the slopes of Cotopaxi Volcano and through the fertile Valley of Latacunga, where you will stop for a visit to a rose plantation. Continue by road to Riobamba, located at the foot of the impressive Mount Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest peak. Here you will visit a Tagua workshop and see artisans carving jewellery, boxes and figurines from the Tagua nut. (BLD) Standard & Deluxe: Local hotel in the Riobamba area
Rail Land Air Mountain PERU COLOMBIA
Equator
Quito
45mins
40mins
El Boliche
Cotopaxi
Coca
Chimborazo
Riobamba Alausi
Cuenca
ECUADOR
Quito
Day 4: The Devil's Nose and Cuenca After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the Chiva Express for an exhilarating ride through remote villages and majestic scenery. Short stop at the Indigenous town of Guamote before you reach Alausi where the Chiva will zigzag its way down `The Devil's Nose' switch backs, one of the most impressive feats of rail engineering in the world. Return back up the near perpendicular rock wall to Alausi where you will disembark and travel by road to the famous Inca ruins of Ingapirca. Explore the ruins and enjoy a picnic lunch before continuing to your chosen hotel in Cuenca for dinner and an overnight stay. (BLD) Standard: Hotel Santa Lucia Deluxe: Mansion Alcazar Day 5: Cuenca Quito Today enjoy a guided walking tour of the city and discover the beauty and charm for which Cuenca has been recognised as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Visit parks, colonial plazas and religious monuments, and learn about Cuenca's fascinating history. Lunch will be served at a charming local restaurant. In the afternoon, take a transfer to the airport for your flight (not included) back to Quito. (BL) Standard: Dann Carlton Deluxe: Swissôtel Quito
Galapagos Islands Optional Extension
Day 6: Quito The Amazon A 40-minute scenic flight (not included) from Quito will take you over the Andes and into the tropical lowlands to the port town of Puerto Francisco de Orellana, locally referred to as Coca. Here, you will be met by a guide and transferred to the dock, where you board a covered motorised canoe for a two-hour trip down the River Napo, followed by a 1.5hrs paddled canoe ride (or if you prefer, a 2.5km walk). Your Amazon adventure awaits! (BLD) Standard & Deluxe: Napo Wildlife Centre Days 7-8: The Amazon, Napo Wildlife Centre The Napo Wildlife Centre is located in the heart of the Amazon Basin, the largest tropical rainforest on the planet. Over the next two days enjoy guided nature walks and canoeing through the backwaters in search of exotic flora and fauna. The Lodge's estate is home to 14 varieties of monkeys, 600 species of birds, 4,000 species, of fish and over 15,000 species of plants. You may want to climb the observation tower into the canopy for an unobstructed view of seemingly endless and intact rainforest. (BLD) Day 9: The Amazon Quito Today, depart the tranquillity of Napo Wildlife Centre for the return flight (not included) to Quito. (B) Standard: Dann Carlton Deluxe: Swissôtel Quito Day 10: Depart Quito Transfer back to the airport for your onward flight. (B)
Prices Include
· 9 nights accommodation as shown · Meals as detailed in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner) · Transfers and tours as specified in the itinerary · All activities at Napo Wildlife Centre, please see page 53 for full details
Prices Exclude
Discover the sealions on the enchanted Galapagos Islands
A trip to Ecuador is not complete without visiting one of the world's greatest wildlife locations. Extend your stay and experience the unique and enchanting Galapagos Islands. 3, 4 & 7 nights cruises are available from £592 based on a twin share cabin (excluding flights).
For more information on our Galapagos trips see pages 54-58.
Amazon River
· Airfares and local airport taxes · Meals and sightseeing not specified · Drinks, gratuities and items of a personal nature
Tour Prices
Prices per person, in £'s from
Standard 01Jan08-31Mar09 Twin 819 Single 1042
Essential Ecuador
Deluxe Twin 987 Single 1318
Brochure prices may change. See booking conditions.
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