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Andes-Amazon & Galapagos Expedition - 23 Day Tour

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• Departure Day: Upon Request
• Price for 23 days:USD 6,720.-
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Detailed Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in Quito - City tour
Arrival in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, which lies at 2.800m above sea level. We pick you up from the airport and take you into the hotel Mercure Alameda in the modern centre of the city. After a short break you get to explore this big city and learn about its turbulent history. You will get to experience the new section of the city in the North with its many parks and tall modern buildings and the Avenida Rio Amazonas as well as the Plazas Santo Domingo, Independencia and San Francisco which are in the colonial section in the South of the city. 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 part of town, where the 43m high monument of the Virgen of Quito stands, you have an impressing prospect. From here 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. Overnight at the hotel Mercure Alameda. -/L/-

Day 02: Equator monument and Pululahua Crater
You will drive approx. 25 km North of Quito to the Mitad del Mundo where the 30 m tall monument will tell you of the French-Spanish geodetic expedition of 1736-1744, which determined the position of the equator under the direction of Charles de la Condamine. Here you can stand with one leg on the northern and with the other leg on the southern Hemisphere of the earth and visit the ethnographical museum inside of the monument. Furthermore you visit the Museo de Sol, where you will learn about the culture of the country and its history dating back to the Incas. You are then driven to the nearby-protected area Reserva Geobotánica Pululahua, located in the crater of an extinct volcano. Here you have the opportunity to admire the beauty of fascination landscape. In the afternoon you return to Quito. Overnight at the Hotel Mercure Alameda. B/L/-

Day 03: Indio market in Otavalo
Today you take a trip to the Indio market of Otavalo, which is famous for its collection of richly coloured textiles. After exploring the colourful market quarters for arts and crafts and all kinds of souvenirs you eat in a typical restaurant in Otavalo at midday. Additionally you make a short stop at a beautiful sea-district, which is the homeland of the Otavaleños. You visit the Cuicocha Lake, which is in an extinct volcano that rise high above the town of Cotacachi, famous for its leatherwork. You will spend the night at the Hosteria Pinsaqui, where you will also have dinner. B/L/D

NB On Saturdays the market is the largest.

Day 04: Protected area El Angel
The journey continues towards the North of the country and on the Pan-American you drive by the valley Chota. You will see a fascinating mixture of tropical fruit plantations and wild terrain. This lagoon-rich high mountain landscape is the homeland of the metre-high endemic plant Frailejones Gigantes. The plant, which covers large surfaces of the area, means in the translation “the Giant Monk”. After visiting this wonderful landscape you return to the Hosteria Pinsaqui in the afternoon. B/L/D

Day 05: Pinsaqui – Andean landscapes - Quito
In the morning you drive from the Hacienda Pinsaqui to the north to Ibarra, the capital of the province Imbabura in 2100m altitude and on to the idyllic little village La Esperanza. This small village with its many adobe houses inhabited by Indio farmers and art craftsmen, lies in 2600m altitude and provides the starting point for a scenic ride on an old cobblestone road passing pastureland and fruitful fields. Clear mountain air and the wonderful sights on the landscape with the many small bird-rich side valleys as well as the enormous Cayambe in the background make this ride a genuine experience. Near the town Cayambe at the slopes of the majestic volcano Cayambe (5,790 m) you will eat dinner at the Hacienda Shungu Huasi. After a little stroll around the hacienda you continue your travel back to Quito. Accommodation at the hotel Mercure Alameda. B/L/-

Day 06: Pasochoa – Hacienda La Cienega
A trip into the protected Pasochoa Forest about 50 km South of Quito leads you into the Ecuadorian timber forest. The access is at approx. 2.700 m height. Here you get to see the giant bromeliads and the rare orchids and ascend to a height of ca. 3.100 m. More than 120 species of birds live here. This is the perfect opportunity to observe hummingbirds and the rare condor. In the afternoon the journey goes over the Pan-American to the 300 year old Hacienda La Cienega, which is surrounded with age-old trees and has a beautiful flower garden. In this nostalgic atmosphere you will eat dinner and have overnight B/L/D

Day 07: Cotopaxi National Park – Hacienda La Cienega
In the morning you will go to the Cotopaxi National Park towards the south on the Pan-American Highway through the famous avenue of the volcanoes until the entrance of the National Park where you will drive to the lagoon Limpiopungo as well as the Inca ruins ‘El Salitre’ located in the highlands of the park. Here you have a spectacular view of the gigantic volcanic cone of Cotopaxi. Later you will return to the Hacienda La Cienega where you will spend the night. B/L/D

Day 08: Crater lagoon Quilotoa – Hacienda La Cienega
Today you will go into the area of the western Andean range in a 6-hour round trip, which is geographically one of the most impressive in Ecuador. First you will drive south to Latacunga and on to Zumbahua, a small colourful village inhabited by 40 native families. The crater lagoon of Quilotoa is only about 10 km away. This lake is one of the most beautiful volcanic chilled water lakes of the Ecuadorian Andean. From the crater edge one can see different snow-capped volcanoes in the distance. After a short walk you return to the hacienda. Overnight accommodation in the Hacienda La Cienega. B/L/D

Day 09: La Cienega - Papallacta
In the morning you will drive from the hacienda to the northeast crossing the eastern Andean Cordillera to Papallacta. This village is situated at 3.700m in the midst of an evergreen Páramo landscape and the area is renowned for its hot springs. After a short break you will do a hike for about one hour along the river. Afterwards you can relax in the scenic pools and see if you can spot the ice giant Antisana (5.758 m). You will stay overnight in the hotel Thermas de Papallacta. B/L/D

Day 10: Papallacta –Jungle - Eco Lodge Las Cascadas
Today you will continue your journey along a scenic stretch of road which takes you out of the majestic Andean highlands and down into the “Oriente”, or Amazon region. Along the way there will be several opportunities to stop for photographs, overlooking lush green valleys and beautiful sparkling waterfalls. You will drive east to the Lodge Las Cascadas. Overnight accommodation and dinner in the lodge. B/L/D

Day 11: Las Cascadas
You begin the day with a good breakfast rich with local’s fruits. After that you will undertake a trip to the charming waterfalls of Las Cascadas accompanied by your native nature leader. On your way you will get the chance to learn about the animal and plant world in this natural landscape and hopefully get to see hummingbirds, parrots and armadillos. Back from the trip into the jungle you can relax in a hammock on the veranda of the lodge and enjoy a tropical cocktail. B/L/D

Day 12: Las Cascadas
Today there is the opportunity to explore the tropical rainforest at your leisure and become familiar with the local plant life with giant buttressed trees, lianas, bromeliads and helicons as well as beautiful rare orchids. This is an area that attracts a lot of birds and butterflies. If you are lucky you are able to see tapirs, hummingbirds, pepper birds and even the odd curious monkey around the lodge! In the late evening there is a walk in the rain forest around the lodge, in order to be able to observe the nocturnal inhabitants of the jungle. Back at the lodge there will be a traditional Ecuadorian barbecue. B/L/D

Day 13: Las Cascadas - Baños
The first visit after leaving the jungle lodge is the exquisite orchid farm just outside Puyo. Here you can see over 400 different orchid species and many other exotic rain forest plants like bromeliads, helicons and atriums. After lunch in Puyo you continue your drive to the village of Rio Verde, named after the river that runs through it. Here you will visit the well-known waterfall ‘Pailon de Diablo’.  In the afternoon you will arrive in the charming town of Baños at the foot of Vulcan Tungurahua, which is still active and the source of the hot springs for which Baños is famous. You will have a short walk through the town before you continue to the valley of Patate. Overnight at the Hacienda Leito directly at the edge of the Llanganatis national park. B/L/D

Day 14: Relaxing day – Hosteria Abraspungo
In the morning you can relax at the Hacienda Leito. They have a Spa area where you can enjoy the free morning. Of course if you like to be a bit more active you can have a hike around the Hacienda and through the surrounding cultivation areas and the paste lands of the Patate valley to a flower farm, where you can admire the colours and the smell of the fields of flowers. After lunch you drive to Riobamba, where you will stay overnight in the Hosteria Abraspungo. B/L/D

Day 15: Travel with the spectacular Andes train - Cuenca
After a good breakfast you go to the train station for the breathtaking journey through the mountains. The line was completed in 1902 and is the steepest railroad in the world, a true technical masterpiece! The train weaves down the track and down the stretch known as ‘Nariz del Diablo’ (the Devil’s Nose) 100m high at a walking pace. From Alausi you continue in private transportation to the beautiful city of Cuenca. On the way you stop at ‘Ingapirca’ (Quechua for “wall rocks of the Inca”) the most important and well preserved Inca ruins in Ecuador where you can wander around the beautiful site and visit the museum. The last stage to Cuenca takes 2 hours and leads you to the Hotel El Dorado. B/L/-

NB Please note that the train runs only on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. In case the train does not operate e.g. due to technical reasons or strike etc. you will go all the way in private transportation without visiting the Devils Nose.

Day 16: Cuenca
This morning you will explore the colonial part of the city where you will find churches, many art and craft shops and a flower market. All this is located amongst beautiful old houses in an area that was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1999. Cuenca is considered as the cultural metropolis and the arts and crafts centre of Ecuador. The city itself and the surrounding countryside is a fantastic place to buy ceramics, embroidery, leather goods and baskets. At midday you will eat in a typical restaurant in Cuenca. The rest of the day is at your own disposal. Overnight at the Hotel El Dorado. B/L/-

Day 17 Cuenca - Guayaquil
After breakfast you continue by automobile and drive down the Andean Mountains and through the Pacific lowlands to Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city, which is also the financial, commercial and industrial centre of the country. After a short break at the hotel Oro Verde you will start of to a city tour. First you visit the Seminario park, which is a very popular meeting point for young people in love. Furthermore this little park is well known for its land iguanas that are resting in the trees. Then you visit the Cathedral, built in the classic gothic style. Afterwards the tour leads you to Guayaquil’s famous wide, tree-lined waterfront Riverfront Avenue „el Malecon“ that runs alongside the river Guayas. You visit the municipality, the “Palacio Municipal” and the “Palacio de Gobernacion” (the Government Palace). Right in front of the Palace is the Moorish clock tower La Torre Morisca, which was constructed in the year 1843. The sights from the top make it worth the effort to climb its steep stairs. La Rotonda is a statue that marks the meeting between Simon Bolivar and Jose San Martin in 1822. Overnight accommodation in Guayaquil at the Hotel Oro Verde. B/L/D

Day 18 Flight Guayaquil – Baltra; beginning of the cruise on Island Bartholome
After breakfast we will take you to the airport in Guayaquil, from where you fly to Galapagos. Transfer from the airport to the harbour, where your cruise begins to the amazing island world of the Galápagos. On a first class yacht you will travel to the small island of Bartolomé, which has an interesting collection of lava formations, tunnels and a cinder cone. From the highest point of Bartolomé one has a marvellous view over the island of San Salvador and the Pinnacle Rock, which has a bizarre rock formation. The island also offers very beautiful sandy beaches. B/L/D

Day 19 Island Fernandina
After sailing around the Island Isabela, you reach the third biggest and furthest West Galápagos Island, Island Fernandina. It is the youngest and most volcanically active island in the archipelago. The main attractions of Fernandina are the numerous sea lion colonies, penguins, flight-incapable Cormorant and the huge sea lizard colonies (the largest of the Galápagos). B/L/D

Day 20 Island Isabela
Today you have the Island Isabela on the program, which consists of five cohering active volcanoes. First you visit Bahía Urbina where you can admire extra large sea lizards, cormorants and even the rare mangrove finch. In the afternoon you explore the mangroves bay Bahía Elizabeth. Here live Mangrove sharks, water turtles and rays. B/L/D

Day 21: Island Isabela
You will visit Puerto Villamil, which is at the South coast of the island. Here you find the flamingo lagoon and a wonderful fine sandy beach, which is surrounded by coconut palms trees. B/L/D

Day 22: Island Santa Cruz
Visit to the island of Santa Cruz to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, which is a special highlight of the journey. At the station you become acquainted with Lonesome George, the only survivor of a species of the giant turtle.  Subsequently, you move to an endemic forest of full fig and Kandelabercactee, hairy Muyuyo trees, poisonous Manzanillo trees and many other plants that thrive on Galápagos. Here is also the volcanic crater of Los Gemelos. From here we go back to Baltra. Later on you will fly back to Quito where your transfer to the hotel awaits you. Overnight at the Hotel Mercure Alameda. B/-/-

Day 23: Return flight home
After a last day in Quito we accompany you to the airport and say goodbye. But only until our next meeting! B/-/-

B= breakfast; L= Lunch; D= Dinner

Price 2010: 4-5 participants USD 5,755.- per person 3 participants USD 5,955. - per person 2 participants USD 6,720. - per person 1 participant USD 11,475.- (incl. all single supplements) Group prices upon requestSingle Supplement during land tour: USD 655.- Single Supplement during Cruise: USD 1,814.-

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Included in the price :
All transfers in private transportation, excursions and overland tours as mentioned above, Accommodation based on double rooms at first class hotels and haciendas in the country site, flights Guayaquil-Galapagos-Quito, meals according to the itinerary description (B: breakfast, L: Lunch; D: Dinner), National Park entrance fees (Galapagos excluded). English speaking guide and native guide in the jungle, rubber boots, rain poncho. 5-days tour on a first class yacht in Galapagos with accommodation in double cabins or shared double cabin and private bathroom (itinerary according to the ship), Spanish/English speaking naturalist guide on Galapagos.

Not included in the price:
International flight, beverages, extra charge for single rooms/single cabin, Galapagos National Park fee ( USD 100.-), migration card USD 10.- per person, international airport tax from Guayaquil (USD 27.-), personal items, tips, travel insurance and luggage.

NB The itinerary can change due to security reasons or due to regulations of the national park authorities. The security and the interest of the clients are always considered in these decisions. The itinerary on the Galapagos Islands depends on the available/chosen ship.

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