See, Si Ecuador
| March 24 - 31, 2012 | |||
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| Quito | Day 1 |
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Arrive Quito - Checkin Hotel Mercure Alameda |
Imbabura Province |
Day 2 |
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Located north of Quito, the 2-hour drive to this exciting province offers a unique blend of natural history, dramatic mountain scenery, local culture, and handicrafts - and probably it is the most popular of the tours in Ecuador. Your first stop will be at the village of Calderon (noted for its bread dough figurines) and then through the Guallabamba Valley, where you will have the opportunity of tasting the exotic fruit of the region - the chirimoya (seasonal). Continuing on, you will cross the Equator at the city of Cayambe - on the foothills of the imposing (19,000 ft) Mt. Cayambe. Ecuador is noted for its native markets, a tradition that predates even the Incas, to a time when agricultural products were first carried down from the Andean Highlands on the backs of llamas and traded for goods from the Amazon region, which were also transported to the "marketplace." Of these markets, none is more famous than the one at Otavalo, your next stop on this tour. The Otavalo region is known for its skilled weavers, and the most popular items at the Market are ponchos, blankets, scarves, sweaters, belts, tapestries, and rugs. Bargaining is the rule, and transactions are in cash. |
Day 3 |
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Also on the itinerary is the village of Peguche (where the best weavings of the Otavalo Indians are actually made). Visit the villages of Cotacachi, where you will find excellent leather work, and San Antonio de Ibarra, known for its artistic wood carvings. (Optional extra activities). |
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| Cotopaxi National Park | Day 4 |
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Cotopaxi (an Indian word meaning "Throne ofthe Moon"), at 19,700 ft, is the world's highest active volcano and is considered one of the most important ecologic reserves in Ecuador. The Park, established in 1975, offers spectacular views of lava fields, colorful highland flora, llamas, deer, wild horses, and mountain birds, including an occasional glimpse of an Andean condor. If the clouds decide to part, you will be treated to a beautiful sight . Following breakfast at the hotel in Quito your guide and driver will drive you to the Cotopaxi National Park ($10 per person entrance fee not included) and its beautiful area surrounding it. Weather permitting, you will be rewarded for your trip with spectacular views of this perfect snow-capped cone. A favorite stop in the park will likely be Lago Limpiopungo, located at an elevation of 12,000 feet where there are some nice opportunities for short hikes. The area offers spectacular views, seldom seen by most tourists. Overnight Hotel Sangay |
| Banos |
Day 5 |
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Banos is known for its beautiful scenery, waterfalls and hot springs, plus the Basilica (painted black for some unknown reason) and the Virgin of the Holy Water, and the many miracles attributed to her. The murals ofthe Basilica will tell many of the more interesting local tales. |
| Day 6 March 29 |
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Overnight Hotel Sangay |
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| Colonial Quito Tour | Day 7 March 30 |
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Following breakfast at the hotel your private guide and driver for the day will meet you for a half day tour of Colonial Quito. Visits include the Plaza de Independencia and the surrounding buildings, the Church of San Francisco, La Compañia Church, the Basilica. |
| Depart Quito | Day 8 |
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Arive Sky Harbour International Airport, Phoenix, AZ |