7 Day Ecuador Explorer

$679 Land Only

$1189* Air & Land

Home : : November 2008 - March 2009

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Highlights Escorted Package Includes Flights Miami-Quito, Guayaquil-Miami Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices Airline fuel surcharges 6 nights First Class accommodations 2 nights Hilton Colon, Quito 1 night Abraspungo Hotel, Riobamba 2 nights El Dorado Hotel, Cuenca 1 night Grand Hotel Guayaquil, Guayaquil All transfers 8 meals: 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches Sightseeing per itinerary in a modern air-conditioned motor coach Services of English-speaking tour manager Entrance fees per itinerary Special Features City tours of Quito, Riobamba, Cuenca & Guayaquil Pan-American highway Inca fortress-temple ruins of Ingapirca Itinerary DAY 1, Thursday - Depart the USA Depart the USA for Ecuador. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment. Arrive in Quito and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure Overnight: Quito DAY 2, Friday - Quito City Tour This morning's tour of Quito begins with a view of the Congress Building, whose outside stone mural records Ecuador's history. Continue to Quito's colonial section to walk along the narrow cobblestone streets and feel the charm of 16th-century Quito. See the Independence Plaza, the Cathedral, Presidential Palace, and the Archbishop's Palace before visiting La Compañia Church and the Church of San Francisco. Afterward, see the Ecuadorian landscape from atop El Panecillo Hill. Balance of the day at leisure Optional: Middle of the World (PM) Overnight: Quito Meals: Breakfast DAY 3, Saturday - Tour Salasaca and Riobamba This morning, depart for the town of Salasaca via the Pan-American Highway. Also known as the "Avenue of the Volcanoes," the highway spans the valley between the Cordillera ranges and features 11 snowy peaks. As you arrive in the colorful town of Salasaca, enjoy a panoramic tour of the town before a visit to a local handicraft workshop. After lunch in Ambato, visit La Quinta de Juan Leon Mera with its Botanical Gardens before continuing to Riobamba, capital of the Chimborazo province. Your tour of the area includes a visit to the quaint town of Guano, famous for its handmade rugs Overnight: Riobamba Meals: Breakfast, Lunch DAY 4, Sunday - Visit the Inca Ruins of Ingapirca Today, depart for the ancient Inca ruins of Ingapirca, a northernmost fortress-temple whose massive fortifications are believed to have served as a religious and administrative complex. After lunch nearby, continue to the city of Cuenca, located in the Sierra highlands. Balance of the day at leisure Overnight: Cuenca Meals: Breakfast, Lunch DAY 5, Monday - Cuenca City Tour Enjoy a morning tour of Cuenca. Walk along the main plaza, Calderon Park, whose pink marbled construction and colorful stained-glass windows are utterly breathtaking. See the flower market outside El Carmen Church and the Tomebamba River, as it winds in and out of the city's center with old houses jutting over its banks. Visit the Ortega shop where you can see "Panama Hats" being made. Balance of the day at leisure Optional: Half Day Gualaceo and Chordeleg (PM) Overnight: Cuenca Meals: Breakfast DAY 6, Tuesday - Guayaquil City Tour This morning, drive through El Cajas National Park en route to Guayaquil. From the park highlands, enjoy spectacular views of the many lakes and rivers below, as well as a landscape dominated by paramo, a high-altitude, wet tropical grass. Upon arrival in Guayaquil, enjoy a tour of the city that includes a visit to the Centennial Park on Avenue 9 de Octubre. Continue to witness the city's regeneration, and visit the Seminario Park, also known as the "Park of the Iguanas." See the brightly-colored houses in Las Penas, the oldest neighborhood in Guayaquil, before checking in to your hotel. Evening at leisure Overnight: Guayaquil Meals: Breakfast DAY 7, Wednesday - Depart for the USA Transfer to the airport for your departure flight Optional: Parque Historico (AM) Meals: Breakfast Optionals Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, and save money. Tours purchased while traveling cost at least 10% more! Tours often sell out - avoid disappointment! Save your cash - many countries do not accept credit cards. Middle of the World 3:00 PM Day #2 01 Jan 2009 - 31 Dec 2009     $36 Your visit to the Middle of the World begins with a drive through the Ecuadorian countryside. The Equatorial Monument marks the exact Middle of the World at a latitude of 0º. Take time to stand in both hemispheres at once, or to stand on top of the equator. Afterwards, return to Quito. Details: Departs at 3:00 p.m. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time. Pick up and drop off from the hotel. Gualaceo & Chordeleg 3:00 PM Day #5 01 Jan 2009 - 31 Dec 2009     $42 Enjoy an optional half day tour of Gualaceo and Chordeleg. As you leave Cuenca, appreciate the beauty of the Gualaceo Valley. En route to Chordeleg, a town known for its unique filigree jewelry, visit Ecuagenera Orchid Farm. With nearly 4000 orchid species surviving in the wild, Ecuador is home to the highest recorded number of orchids in the world. Ecuagenera has specialized in the protection, cultivation, and distribution of these precious and mysteriously beautiful flowers since its founding more than 50 years ago. Continue to Chordeleg and visit the goldsmiths, weaving workshops, and local shops around town before returning to Cuenca. Parque Historico 9:00 AM Day #7 01 Jan 2009 - 31 Dec 2009     $46 Tour the Parque Historico Guayaquil (Historic Park), an institutional project regarding the physical transformation of the city from the 19th to 20th century. Its three zones -- Traditions, Urban Architectural, and Wildlife -- each features unique settings. See the Traditions Zone and go back to the 19th and 20th centuries where you will be able to see how life depended on banana, coffee, and rice plantations. Next, the Urban Architectural Zone recreates two blocks of old Guayaquil, showing architecture from the 19th Century. Lastly, see the connection between man and nature in the Wildlife Zone. Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, and save money. Tours purchased while traveling cost at least 10% more! Tours often sell out - avoid disappointment! Save your cash - many countries do not accept credit cards. Rates & Hotels Click On A Date To Book Online * All Prices are in USD 2009 Land Only Air & Land   Book By Jun 30 Book After Jun 30 Book By Jun 30 Book After Jun 30 Jan 29 699 749 1189 1239 Feb 12 699 759 1189 1249 Feb 26 699 759 1199 1259 Mar 12; Apr 23; May 7; 21 699 749 1229 1279 Jun 4 679 749 1229 1299 Jun 25; Jul 16; Aug 13 679 769 1339 1429 Sep 3; Oct 8; Nov 12; 26 679 749 1229 1299 Dec 10 699 759 1239 1299 *Not included: airport taxes, fees & September 11th Security Fee, optional tours, Ecuador departure taxes, tips to local guides, drivers and tour manager (see Terms & Conditions). Land only price does not include arrival/departures transfers. Hotel Plans 7 Day Ecuador Explorer - [details] Hilton Colon Quito   Quito This deluxe hotel is located in the heart of Ecuador's capital, in the financial district with easy access to the colonial sector of the city. [more] Abraspungo Hotel   Riobamba This tourist class hotel is located a few minutes from the center of Riobamba, at the heart of the Avenue of the Volcanoes. [more] El Dorado Hotel   Cuenca This first class hotel is located in the center of the colonial historic Cuenca, one block from the main square. [more] Grand Hotel Guayaquil   Guayaquil This first class hotel is situated on a city block next to the Cathedral in Guayaquil. [more] Package Date: Select Date   Pre/Post Accommodations Pre-Accommodations: Nights   Post-Accommodations: Nights   Include Flight? Yes No Inner Air Departure City Departure Date   Return Date   Preferred Airline [Any] Accesrail Aces Airlines Aegean Airlines Aer Lingus Aero California Aerocontinente Aeroflot Russian Airlines Aerolineas Argentinas Aerolineas Internacionales Aeromar Aeromexico Aeropostal Airlines Aerosvit Airlines Afrinat International Airlines Air Alm Air Canada Air Caraibes Air China International Air D'ayiti Air Europa Air France Air India Air Jamaica Air Liberte/Aom Air Malta Air New Zealand Air Pacific Air Santo Domingo Air Tahiti Nui Air Transat Airtran Airways Alaska Airlines Alitalia Airlines All Nippon Airways Allegro Airlines Aloha Airlines America West Airlines American Airlines American Trans Air Amtrak Asiana Airlines Austrian Airlines Aviacsa Avianca Azteca Airlines Bahamasair Big Sky Airlines British Airways British Midland Airways Bwia Intl Airways Caribbean Star Airlines Caribbean Sun Airlines Cathay Pacific Airways Cayman Airways China Airlines China Eastern Airlines China Southern Airlines Continental Airlines Copa Croatia Airlines Crossair Dba Swiss Csa Czech Airlines Delta Airlines Deutsche Ba Dutch Caribbean Airlines Egyptair El Al Israel Airlines Emirates Era Aviation Ethiopian Airlines Eva Airways Finnair Oy Frontier Airlines Garuda Indonesian Airways Ghana Airways GOL Linhas Aereas Great Lakes Aviation Great Plains Airlines Gulf Air Hahn Air Hawaiian Airlines Iberia Icelandair Indigo Airlines Isair Japan Air Lines Jet Airways Klm Royal Dutch Airlines Korean Air Kuwait Airways Lacsa Airlines Lan Argentina Lan Chile Airlines Lanecuador Lanperu Lapa Lin Aer Privadas Liat (1974) Lloyd Aereo Boliviano Lot Polish Airlines Ltu International Airways Lufthansa Airlines Malaysia Airlines System Malev Hungarian Airlines Martinair Holland Meridiana Mesa Air Lines Mexicana Airlines Middle East Airlines Midwest Express Airlines National Airlines North American Airlines Northwest Airlines Olympic Airways Pakistan Intl Airlines Penair Philippine Airlines Pluna Lineas Polynesian Airlines Qantas Airways Qatar Airways Royal Air Maroc Royal Jordanian Airlines Saudi Arabian Airlines Scandinavian Airlines Singapore Airlines Sn Brussels Airlines Solair South African Airways Southern Winds Southwest Airlines Spanair Spirit Airlines Sun Country Airlines Surinam Airways Swisswings Ag Taca International Airlines Tam Airlines Tam Mercosur Tap Air Portugal Tarom Romanian Air Transport Thai Airways Turkish Airlines Ukraine International Airlines United Airlines Universal Airlines US Airways Varig Airlines Vasp Brazilian Airlines Via Rail Canada Virgin Atlantic Airways Virgin Blue Virgin Express # of Adults # of Children 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 -- 1 2 3 Preferred Class Economy Business What is Airfare Type? Gate 1 Travel Airfare - These are Gate 1 Travel fares which allow you to book your trip while paying a minimal deposit at time of booking. Instant Purchase/Published Airfare - These are fares that airlines have published which require payment in full at time of purchase. In some cases, these fares may be displayed as Gate 1 Airfare with Instant Purchase Requirement. To find the lowest available airfare, select [ANY] and you will get results for both kinds of airfare. Each of these fare types has its own set of restrictions which cover changes, cancellations, fuel surcharges, etc. Please refer to our terms and conditions for full details. Airfare Type [Any] Gate 1 Travel Airfare Only Published Airfare Only We are unable to reserve airline seats for you until 11 months prior to your date of travel. Until then, we offer a choice of airfares from major US cities which you may select for your reservation. Your final flight details, airfare, airport taxes and fees will be advised 11 months prior to travel. Airfares are subject to change. Air reservations may be completed no more than 11 months prior to the date of travel. For travel more than 11 months prior, please call Gate 1 at (800) 682-3333. Accommodations Select Number of Rooms   1 2 3 4 Room 1 # of Adults 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 # of Children -- 1 2 3 First Child Age -- 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Second Child Age -- 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Third Child Age -- 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Room 2 # of Adults -- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 # of Children