Toll-free number: 00-1-866-978-7398
Active Incentive - 6 days
Important Information
Departure Days:
upon request
Price for 6 days starting from:
USD 1,055.-
| Overview Itinerary |
| Day 01: |
Arrival in Quito |
| Day 02: |
City Tour - Cloud Forest |
| Day 03: |
Cloud Forest Mindo |
| Day 04: |
Cotopaxi Downhill Biking |
| Day 05: |
Papallacta Hot Springs |
| Day 06: |
Quito - International Flight |
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Quito
Today you arrive in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, which lies at 2.800 m above sea level. We pick you up from the airport and take you into the Swissôtel in the modern centre of the city. The rest of the day is at your own disposal to acclimatise to the altitude. In the evening you will enjoy a cocktail in the hotel bar while your guide will go over the plans for the journey. Overnight at the Swissotel. -/-/-
Day 02: City Tour – Cloud Forest Mindo
In the morning you get to explore this big city and learn something about its turbulent history. You will get to experience the historic center with the Plazas Santo Domingo, Independencia and San Francisco. Due to its many historical architectural monuments the UNESCO declared the old part of town a world heritage site in 1978. From the Panecillo hill in the South of the old town, where the high monument of the Virgen of Quito stands at with 43 m, you have an impressing prospect. You have wonderful views over the red clay tile roves of the old part of town, the skyline of Quito in the North, as well as the surrounding Andean cordilleras range with its outstanding snow-covered mountain giants. Then this tour will lead you to Mindo which is famous for its biodiversity especially all the different bird species. Here you will stay at the Resort & Spa Arasha. With its ecologically sensitive bungalows, ARASHÁ offers a glimpse at the richness and tranquillity of this most fragile region combined with the finest in tropical comfort. B/L/D
Day 03: Canopy - Waterfalls
In the morning you will be going to the canopy garden where you have 13 cables with a total length of 2.500 m. Here you can try different ways to slide down the ropes and see the cloud forest from above. After this adventure you will be taken to a cable car in order to cross a canyon. From there you have the choice between two ways. Each way leads to different waterfalls. At the end you will be rewarded by a refreshing bath. In the afternoon you will return to the Resort & Spa Arasha where you can relax. B/L/D
Day 04: Cotopaxi Downhill Biking
Early in the morning you will leave Mindo and after driving south for 2,5 hours you will reach the park entrance of the Cotopaxi National Park. You drive through pine forest and soon reach the museum of the park. From here you continue the ascent in until you reach the highest point of the tour, 4.500 meters/15.000 feet. The view from this point is stunning and on a clear day you are able to see 8 volcanoes. Then you put on the helmets, gloves and protection pads and the bike adventure on the world's highest active volcano can begin. The first 8 km will take you down about 700 m on dirt roads through volcanic ash and páramo landscape. At 3.800 m you actually have to do some pedalling heading down another 8 km to the lunch spot by a view point where have been Inca ruins in former times at 3.700 m. With some luck you might see a condor or a caracara. You put the bikes back on the jeep and head to the lake of Limpiopungo at 3.800 m. where you start the 16 km downhill biking on dirt roads through pine forest. After another 2 km on a beautiful single track the bike adventure is over for this time and you will be taken to the 300-years old Hacienda La Cienega. Hosteria La Cienega is one of Ecuador's oldest colonial haciendas. This mansion has been the scene of important events in the scientific and social history of the country.
Among the important celebrities that have resided at La Cienega are Charles Marie de la Condamine, a French scientist who participated in the Geodesic Mission (1736-44) that determined the true shape of the earth and laid the path towards the development of a universal system of measure - the meter; and Alexander Von Humboldt, German naturalist who studied Cotopaxi's volcanic activity (1802) as well as its unique alpine flora. You will have dinner in this atmosphere. B/L/D
Day 05: Papallacta hot springs
In the morning you will start your trip northwards to the small Andean town of Papallacta. This village is situated at 3.700 m in the midst of an evergreen Páramo landscape. The area is renowned for its hot springs. When you have reached the pass at 4.000 m you will get off the bus and start your hike to your hotel Termas de Papallacta. This trek will lead you through the Paramo vegetation and in about 3-4 hours you will reach the hotel. The rest of the day is for relaxation in the scenic pools and if you can spot the ice giant Antisana (5.758 m). Overnight in the hotel Thermas de Papallacta.
B/L/D
Day 06: Papallacta - Quito
The morning is free to relax in the pools or to do a hike in the surroundings of the lodge. In the late morning you will return to Quito. There you will be taken to the airport in order to catch your international flight. B/-/-
B= Breakfast L= Lunch/Box lunch D= Dinner
| Prices 2010 |
| 21 – 35 Participants |
USD 1,055.- per person |
| 10 – 20 Participants |
USD 1,140.- per person |
| 04 – 09 Participants |
USD 1,340.- per person |
|
|
| Single supplement |
USD 290.- |
Included in the price:
Private transportation, accommodation in the mentioned hotels above or hotels of the same category (double room with private bath), English speaking guide, meals as mentioned above, entrance fees, all visits mentioned in the Itinerary.
Not included in the price:
Flights, beverages, international airport tax Quito (USD 43.- per person), single supplement, personal expenses, tips, travel insurance.
If you need any additional information please write us:
Home
South America 
Ask our agents
Design by Graphus 2010