Compare Complete Ecuador by Gray Line Ecuador vs Cultural Ecuador: Mountains to the Sea by Audley Travel
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 11 days |
| Price From | $ 1,710 | $ 5,694 |
| Price Per Day | $ 214 | $ 518 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
7 Breakfasts |
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| Description |
Visit the largest and best preserved Historic Center of South America. Experience the adrenaline as you climb the “End of the World Swing”. Enjoy a city tour of Cuenca and its cultural and architectural diversity. |
Ecuador may be slightly dwarfed by other South American countries, but it punches well above its weight. It’s tempting to pass through only the mainland en route to the celebrated Galapagos Islands, but our specialists would urge you to holiday in continental Ecuador, too. They’re able to help you experience all the country’s beguiling variety in a tailor-made Ecuador itinerary. |
Day 1:
Transfer Airport / Hotel in Quito
Day 2:
Meals: Breakfast
1914 Original trolley city tour of Quito + Northern and south Hemisphere Experience in the Middle of the World
We will visit the historic center, the largest and best preserved in South America, in one of our original trolleys, which are a replica of the trams that circulated in Quito in the last century.
Visit to the Basilica del Voto Nacional Church, where we will make a brief stop for an explanation of its facade, to later move towards the Panecillo viewpoint, an iconic place in the city, renowned for its beauty, and where is a giant statue of the ""Winged Virgin"", where you can admire a beautiful landscape of colonial and modern Quito. Later we will continue to the Plaza de San Francisco, one of the representative places of the city and full of history, from where we will walk to the Plaza Grande, historical and political center of the city, surrounded by innumerable attractions including: the Cathedral, the Palace of Government, the Archbishop's Palace and the La Compañía church.
We continue our tour meeting the traditional La Ronda neighborhood, in whose romantic setting we can find workshops where our visitors will learn with a group of authentic artisans, how their works are elaborated, and trades of yesteryear that keep alive the cultural traditions of this charming city. (Entrance to churches are not included).
We will stop at the “Zona Rosa” of the city, approximately an hour and a half to have free time for lunch (not included), and later we continue with our excursion “Northern and south Hemisphere Experience in the Middle of the World”.
We go to the ""Middle of the World City"", where you can see the monument that divides the northern hemisphere from the southern hemisphere of the planet. It was built during the XVII century when a French Expedition defined the precise location of the equatorial line that divides the world and it is a must-see place for those who visit Quito. Includes entrance to the Middle of the World complex ,where you can live experiences that defy the laws of physics and occur only in this part of the world. After visiting this privileged place and registering it in your passport, you will always see Ecuador and the Middle of the World in a different way.
Day 3:
Meals: Breakfast
Discover Baños, Fun and Adventure at the Edge Of the Amazon Jungle - 2 days
Departure from Quito through the avenue of ""Volcanoes"" (Panamericana Sur), en route to visit a flower plantation in the area, where we will have the opportunity to see the world-renowned Ecuadorian roses. We continue the journey to reach the city of Baños, where we will visit the spectacular viewpoint ""The Tree House"" to experience the adrenaline boarding the ""End of the World Swing"" admiring an extraordinary view of the Tungurahua volcano.
Later we will have a panoramic tour of the city with its streets sweetened with the development of traditional ""Melcocha"", a candy made by hand in a log, an absolutely delight just to watch.
Free time for lunch (not included). And in the evening we enjoy the route of the waterfalls, rainforest and mixed crystal clear rivers, a unique place for nature lovers. Accommodation.
Day 4:
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, you can choose from the following activities during the morning: rafting / canopy / bike ride, bike, quads, buggies or 4X4 jeeps. Free time for lunch (not included). During the afternoon departure towards Riobamba. Lodging in a Typical Hacienda.
Note: Entrance fees and optional activities must be paid directly by passengers.
Day 5:
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast departure to the train station located in Alausí. From her we´ll enjoy a train ride towards the famous “Devil’s Nose”, a magnificent work incrusted in the Andes, (train ride takes approx. 2 hours). After the train ride visit to the Ingapirca Inca Ruins, the biggest Inca archaeological complex in Ecuador from the XV and XVI centuries, (ticket to the complex not included). Arrive to the City of Cuenca to spend the night.
** Train Operation is subject to change
Day 6:
Meals: Breakfast
City Tour Cuenca.
We will travel through the city visiting the Calderon Park, the New and the Old Cathedral, the Flower Market, Modern Arts Museum. We continue the tour to the Homero Ortega Panama Hat factory to observe the complete process of manufacturing. We will also observe the “broken bridge” and finally visit the tourist balcony of “Turi” where we can see a panoramic view of the whole city of Cuenca. Lodging.
Day 7:
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer Cuenca / Guayaquil.
We leave from Cuenca to “Cajas National Park” known for its glacial lakes and high mountain vegetation. Here we will walk through this beautiful place to see some of the lakes and primary forest. We will also visit “3 Cruses” which forms the continental water division. We will walk to observe this curious place. From this point we will begin a dramatic decline to reach the coast of Ecuador. Starting we will begin observing the Andean mountain scenery and then ending up seeing totally different vegetation of the Ecuadorian Coast with large plantations of bananas and cocoa beans. Arrive to Guayaquil.
Day 8:
Meals: Breakfast
City Tour Guayaquil.
Transfer Hotel / Airport
Day 1 : Quito
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Quito. You'll be met at the airport and transferred to Casona de la Ronda, where you'll stay for two nights. In the afternoon you'll stretch your legs with a private walking tour of Quito's historic colonial center.
Day 2 : Quito
Today you'll drive north with your guide for a visit to Otavalo where you'll visit the indigenous market as well as several nearby towns famous for their exceptional artisans.
Day 3 : Riobamba
From Quito your guide will drive you south, following the beautiful scenery of the Andes and visiting a local market along the way. In Riobamba you'll spend two nights at Hosteria Abraspungo.
Day 4 : Riobamba
Today you'll visit San Rafael, an indigenous community high in the mountains, where you'll see the Alpaca project, which introduces a sustainable source of income to this remote community.
Day 5 : Cuenca
You'll continue by car and then by train through the Volcano route of Ecuador to Cuenca where you'll stay three nights at Mansion Alcazar.
Day 6 : Cuenca
Your guide will give you a private tour of charming Cuenca, including stops at Plaza San Sebastian and El Carmen de la Asuncion.
Day 7 : Cuenca
Today's tour will focus on the numerous handicrafts made in Cuenca and the surrounding villages with visits to their workshops and galleries.
Day 8 : Hacienda La Danesa
From Cuenca you'll be driven to Hacienda La Danesa, where you'll relax at this authentic farmhouse in the countryside, enjoying activities at the property.
Day 9 : Hacienda La Danesa
Excursions from the hacienda can include horseback riding, bicycling, tubing and demonstrations of farm work, while you'll enjoy delicious meals made from ingredients sourced on site.
Day 10 : International return flight
You'll have the morning to relax before heading to the airport in Guayaquil for your flight home.
Day 11 : International return flight
Arrive home today to complete your journey.
