With the rhythm of the sun - 15 Days | 14 nights
Ecuador is a beauty everywhere; it is an exciting and unpredictable land!
Arrival at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport of Quito, and after custom procedures luggage pick up, your tour guide will be waiting for you at the international exit with your name written in a banner. The transfer to the hotel will be around 45 minutes. Dinner is not included, accommodation
BREAKFAST
This visit to Ecuador’s capital will take us from the modern residential area of Quito, situated in the north part of the city to the colonial part or old city. In 1978, the colonial part of the city was declared World Heritage, where you can enjoy several religious monuments are great examples of the famous "Quito School” from the XVI, XVII and XVIII centuries, considered the most important and well preserved colonial city in South America.
While walking through the narrow streets of downtown, where we will see: the Independence Square, also called "Plaza Grande", located in the heart of Colonial Quito; you will also find the political, municipal, and religious powers and monuments at each side of the Independence Square, such as: the Presidential Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, the Major City Hall, and the Cathedral Church. These monuments have been restored preserving the original architectural that have been integrated through centuries. This tour throughout the Colonial Quito also includes a visit to San Francisco Church, known as "The Escorial of America", and The Company of Jesus Church with its sumptuous decoration and beautiful gold leaf interior, as well as its volcanic carved stone façade. Lunch is not included
BREAKFAST
Otavalo is located at 54 miles north of Quito, in a valley at 2530 m | 8.300 ft and dominated by Imbabura Volcano (4.630 m | 15.190 ft). The traditional market takes place every day at the square called “Plaza de los Ponchos”, a plaza full of colors and traditions. It's one of the most important craft market in South America. The market is composed by three well-identified sectors: the animal market, which is located outside of downtown (that market can be seen only on Saturdays), the food market, where you can see the richness of our land, and the craft market. Lunch is not included
After visiting the market, we’ll drive to Cuicocha Crater Lake, located at the foot of Cotacachi Volcano (4.944 m |16.220 ft). After that, we willvisit the town of Cotacachi, where we can find leather goods of excellent quality. The visit also includes a tour of the town of Peguche, where you can see and learn about the work of wool and the manufacture of tapestries, along with the natural colors that are used to dye the wool. Also, we will visit a workshop of musical instruments. At the end of the day, return to the hotel. Dinner is not included, accommodation
BREAKFAST
A walk with your tour guide around Limpiopungo Lake at 3,800 m | 12.467 ft, will explain the formation of these wonderful landscapes shaped over the time by different eruptions of this volcano. These lands are home of: some species of birds, the Andean wolf, deers, rabbits among others.Don't stop looking at the sky, we may see the majestic condor! At the end of the day arrival to the hotel. Dinner is not included, accommodation
BREAKFAST
We will leave early in the morning, to take the route towards the west. The road passes up to 4.000 m | 13.123 ft height that will give us on the way a composition of wonderful landscapes and we can admire the patch-work formed by the agriculture in the mountains. We will have also de opportunity to appreciate the hard work of the Ecuadorian indigenous communities that inhabit these highlands. The scenery is wonderful to take pictures at every step! On the way, we will stop to visit the naïf art workshop. The handcrafts and paintings are full of colors and they capture stories, legends and traditions. Lunch is not included
We will continue to Quilotoa lake, crossing the little town of Zumbahua (market day on Saturdays). Quilotoa is a lake formed inside of the crater of an active volcano, which will surprise us with its colors, its reflections of clouds, sky and the sun. After driving for some minutes, we will reach the viewpoint at 3.800 m | 12500 ft. There is a difference of level of 400 m | 1.312 ft between the view point and the lake. If we have enough energy, we will walk downhill and comeback. To do the climbing it s possible to have a mule ride with a supplement of US$ 10 per mule (to be paid directly to the owners of the animals). Once we meet back at the viewpoint, we will continue our driving route to Baños. Dinner is not included, accommodation
Rio Verde is the name of the town and also of the river because of the color of the water, rio verde means green river. The precipitation of this river gives rise to the waterfall of Pailon del Diablo. When we get to the town we will walk 1 km | 0,62 miles downhill (round trip approximately 1 hour) until we get the view of the waterfall, just in front of us. After the walk, we will return to our car that will drive us back to Baños. There, we will have a short visit of the town and of a “Tagua” (vegetable ivory) workshop. At the end of the day, we’ll be back at the hotel. Dinner is not included, accommodation
We will see plots that draw landscapes and mountains dressing them with a "Patchwork" of different colors and designs for the crops growing there. We will arrive at the Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve, which is the natural habitat of the vicuñas (Vicugna Vicugna). We will reach up to 4,800 m | 15.748 ft and if we have the necessary energy, we can climb up to 5,000 m | 16.404 ft to see the Chimborazo volcano of eternal snow (6,268 m | 20.564 ft), and the highest point in the world from the center of the earth. After this mountain experience, we’ll come down to the parish of Calpi, where we will visit a small community that has been developing a project of sustainable tourism during lasts years. That community has been working on llama raising and women are guiding, cooking (lama meat) and doing crafts with the wool. We’ll learn about llama, by visiting the museum at the indigenous community of Palacio Real. Lunch is not included
At the end of the day, we’ll continue our route to the south, to the town of Alausi. On the midway, we will make a short stop in the Church of Our Lady of La Balbanera. That was the first Catholic Church built in Ecuador, on August 15-1534. It will take around two hours to get from the parish of Calpi to Alausi. Dinner is not included, accommodation
BREAKFAST
The station of the legendary “Train of the Andes,” is in Alausí. During our train journey, we will pass by the famous "Nariz del Diablo" (Devil’s Nose), an abrupt abyss of 765 m | 2510 ft. This railway was built at the beginning of the 20th century and joined Quito in the highlands with Guayaquil in the coastal region. At that time, it was the main transportation system for merchants for both: the mountains and the coastal areas. (this is a 2 ½ , round trip: Alausí – Sibambe - Alausí). Lunch is not included
NOTE: The “Devil’s Nose Train” does not leaves on Monday
BREAKFAST
In the morning, after breakfast, we will go to meet the beautiful colonial city of Cuenca, which will open the doors to discover some of the most important colonial monuments and buildings. The city of Cuenca was founded in the sixteenth century by the spanish, who established the city over the ancient ruins of a city of the Incas, called Tumipamba. Some of the stones with indubitable Inca cuts, can be observed in the walls of some buildings in downtown. Lunch is not included
We will make an interesting city tour visiting the Cathedral, the Park Calderon, the flower market, and the "Calle Larga" with its neighborhood called "El Barranco." There, we can see houses built on the edge of the Tomebamba River. The visit also includes a tour to a "Panama hat" famous around the world with this name, but that are made in Ecuador.
BREAKFAST
During morning, we will go towards Guayaquil, one of the most important coastal cities of Ecuador. We will see wonderful views due to the change of altitudes. On our way, we’ll cross the Cajas National Park, a glacial ecosystem that collects around 260 lakes. This area provides to Cuenca with the 60% of drinkable water. We will do a short, buy interesting, and not difficult walk around Toreadora Lake. Afterwards, we’ll take our car to continue the route. We will cross the western mountain range at the pass called "Las Tres Cruces" at 4,164 m | 13.662 ft. This route will take us towards the coastal region. This dropping in altitude, will give us the great opportunity to appreciate the changes on vegetation that progressively shows us the highlands with short plants and grassed, the cloud forest wiht taller trees and bigger plants till, the large plantations of bananas, cocoa, rice, sugar cane, and so on. Lunch is not included
Arrival in Guayaquil, room distribution and inmediatetly we'll leave leave the hotel to visit Guayaquil, the city known as the "Pearl of the Pacific", Guayaquil city tour consists of an interesting walk by the “Malecón Simón Bolívar,” which is a boulevard of approximately 3 km long on the edge of the great Rio Guayas. On the way, we will see the famous Moorish Tower or also called the Clock Tower, as well as the City Hall, the Government House, until we reach to the neighborhood of Las Peñas. If we have the energy, we will get up to the lighthouse on the top of hill, to get a panoramic view of Guayaquil city. Dinner is not included, accommodation
- PLEASE CHECK OUR ITINERARIES ACCORDING TO THE TOUR YOU WANT TO DO. PRICES ARE BASED ON FRAGATA YATCH (Tourist superior class) OR LEGEND ITINERARIES (luxury cruise), THOUGH WE CAN ORGANISE CHEEPER WITH THE ISLAND HOPPING TOURS:
https://www.pachajourneys.com/index.php/en/experiences/galapagos-tours/cruises/659-fragata-yatch
https://www.pachajourneys.com/index.php/en/experiences/galapagos-tours/cruises/143-galapagos-legend
https://www.pachajourneys.com/index.php/en/experiences/galapagos-tours/island-hopping-tours
FRAGATA DEPARTURES: Friday or Monday LEGEND DEPARTURES: Thursday 
- PLEASE CHECK OUR ITINERARIES ACCORDING TO THE TOUR YOU WANT TO DO. PRICES ARE BASED ON FRAGATA YATCH (Tourist superior class) OR LEGEND ITINERARIES (luxury cruise), THOUGH WE CAN ORGANISE CHEEPER WITH THE ISLAND HOPPING TOURS:
FRAGATA DEPARTURES: Friday or Monday LEGEND DEPARTURES: Thursday
- PLEASE CHECK OUR ITINERARIES ACCORDING TO THE TOUR YOU WANT TO DO. PRICES ARE BASED ON FRAGATA YATCH (Tourist superior class) OR LEGEND ITINERARIES (luxury cruise), THOUGH WE CAN ORGANISE CHEEPER WITH THE ISLAND HOPPING TOURS:
FRAGATA DEPARTURES: Friday or Monday LEGEND DEPARTURES: Thursday
FRAGATA DEPARTURES: Friday or Monday LEGEND DEPARTURES: Thursday
With any tour to Galapagos you have decide to go, this is the end of our services. You have a short visit in the morning and your transfer to Baltra airport to take a flight to the continent and inmediate transfer at the same airport to take your international flight (not included)
This is the end of the trip.
NOTE: The Captain reserves the right to change the Itinerary if circumstances are beyond of his control, as weather conditions or Galápagos National Park regulations.
NOTE: According to your international flight schedule we can add one night in Guayaquil or Quito
RATES PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE ROOM
-
Comfort 3* US$ 5.100 Superior 4* US$ 5.580
2-3 people
-
Comfort 3* US$ 4.760 Superior 4* US$ 5.235
4-6 people
-
Comfort 3* US$ 4.255 Superior 4* US$ 4.735
7-10 people
-
Comfort 3* US$ 4.070 Superior 4* US$ 4.550
11-15 people
- 1
SUPPLEMENT IN SINGLE ROOM:
COMFORT: US$ 1.690
SUPERIOR: US$ 2.055
- Accommodation according to client selection. Two hotel categories: Comfort 3* or Superior 4*
- Breakfasts in hotels
- Bilingual tour guide English/ Spanish. Other languages available upon request
- All the transportation according to what is described on the program
- We offer a driver/guide for fits on a private tour, 2-4 people
- Entrance fees to sites that are scheduled on the itinerary
- All PACHA JOURNEYS permissions and licenses
GALAPAGOS:
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner, while the tour is in progress
- Bilingual naturalist guide (English/Spanish)
- All excursions and visits detailed in the program (subject to change in case of force majeure)
- Snacks after visits
- Unlimited drinking water, tea, coffee
- Shuttle services in Galápagos: Airport-Dock and Airport-Itabaca (round trip) - Included only during the operation
- International on national flights
- Any visit described as *optional
- Entrance fees to sites that are not described on the itinerary
- Drinks of any type
- Meals
- Tips and personal expenses
GALAPAGOS:
- Airfare from Quito or Guayaquil
- Quito -Galapagos - Quito: US$ 490 (foreigners)
- Ecuadorians: US$ 280
- Entrance to the Galapagos National Park
- Ecuadorians adult US$ 6 | child US$ 3
- South america accords US$ 50
- Foreigners US$ 100
- Traffic Control Card US$ 20 per person
- Alcoholic drinks
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Insurance coverage of any type
The operator reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to National Park regulations, weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.
NOTE: Air fares are subject to be modified
- Hotels, "COMFORT" category, type 3 * are comfortable, clean and with all the basics you need. These hotels are adapted to customers of different nationalities.
- Hotels "SUPERIOR" category 4 * are high-standard hotels or haciendas that offer a high quality and personalized service
- Galapagos also in two categories: YATCH FRAGATA - for the comfort cathegory and Galapagos Legend for the Superior Cathegory
NOTE: Hotels and ships for the Galapagos - reservation is subject to availability upon confirmation of booking.
PACHA JOURNEYS reserves the right to choose another hotel/ship in the same category if there is no availability.
- From day 1 to day 10, the land-continent tour is accompanied by a professional tour guide. We work with tour guides who speak different languages (upon request and confirmed reservation)
- The Time table for waking and transportation is not totally accurate, is only a guide. Walking depends on personal training and energy; transportation also depends on the road conditions.
- National tour guides from mainland cannot lead in the Galapagos; for this reason, we have native guides, naturalists, professionals, and experts of the Galapagos Islands (english/spanish, other languges with a supplement of US$ 250 per day | per group)
- On the day 11 of our itinerary, your tour guide will drop you at the Guayaquil airport. He or she will assist you for the check in for the flight to Galapagos and you will be attended in the same way at Galapagos airport by a naturalist tour guide.
- The description of the Galapagos tour is based on a 5 days/4 nights cruise starting on a Friday or Monday for Fragata Yatch (check itineraries on: https://www.pachajourneys.com/index.php/en/experiences/galapagos-tours/cruises/659-fragata-yatch and for the Legend with departures on thursdays, check itineraies on: https://www.pachajourneys.com/index.php/en/experiences/galapagos-tours/cruises/143-galapagos-legend.
- We will adapt the program according to your international flights.
- At the moment you book the trip, we ask for a first payment of 50% of the total price
- Regarding the local flights (Galapagos), we will ask for the total payment at the moment you book, in addition to the 50% for the tour.
- The rest must be paid in full 60 days before the tour starts
- If the reservation is made with less than 30 days in advance, we will require full payment for the trip
- Conditions for Galapagos tours may vary according to the different operators
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM THE GALAPAGOS OPERATOR:
- All reservations must be sent by e-mail and are valid only with our confirmation
- Air tickets UIO/GYE - Galápagos (Round Trip), must be compulsorily acquired by us, otherwise there's a penalty of US$ 50 + tax per person
- Reservations should be made 90 or more days prior to the departure and have 10 days to confirm with deposit of 50% of the amount per person
- Reservations made between 89 to 60 days prior the departure have 5 days to confirm with deposit 50% of the amount per person
- Reservations made between 59 or less days prior to the departure have to pay immediately the deposit of 50% of the amount per person
- Balance due must be paid 60 days prior to the departure date
- Reservations made 30 or less days prior to the departure date have to pay total amount immediately
PAYMENT METHODS
- Cash (Offices – Quito)
- Wire Transfer
- Bank Deposit
- Credit Cards
- If the cancellation of the trip occurs one month in advance to the departure date, 50% deposit will not be refundable
- Cancellation with more than 30 days in advance will have a penalty of 20% for operative expenses
Net prices in USD$ per person in double or triple room
Note: Prices are subjet to be modified
Departures any day, according to Fragata itineraries (Friday or Monday)
According to flight itineraries, eventually could be required additional nights/days.
RATES PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE ROOM | SUPERIOR HOTELS | LEGEND CRUISE - LUXURY CLASS
Note: Prices are subjet to be modified
Departures any day, according to Galápagos itineraries (Thursday)
According to flight itineraries, eventually could be required additional nights/days.
Net prices in US$ per person in double or triple room
Valid until December 31st. 2020HIGHLIGHTS
- Quito, World Heritage - 1978
- Otavalo and indigenous communities
- Cotopaxi, the highgest snowcaped active volcano in the world
- Chimborazo, the closest point to the sun
- The “Devil’s Nose Train”
- Cuenca
- The paradise of the Galapagos Islands
