Best of Ecuador
8 Nights Escorted Tour from £2,039 per Person Including Flights
- Included:
- Flights & taxes
- Accommodation
- Transfers
- Checked baggage
- ATOL protection
- In resort assistance & 24 hour contact centre
Overview
Known for its incredible cacao, phenomenal views of volcano, mountain and lake, and lively cities full of history, Ecuador evokes a sense of adventure. This eight-night, small group tour gives you an insight into this eclectic country, offering plenty of amazing sights and activities that you’ll struggle to find anywhere else.
Starting in Quito and ending in Guayaquil, each day on this tour is a memorable one. Stand on two hemispheres simultaneously at the Equatorial Line Monument, sneak a taste of incredibly rich cacao at a local plantation, discover beautiful volcanic lakes, and enjoy a stunning train ride on this epic adventure (SAT).
Highlights
- Discover the history of Quito
- Visit the Equatorial Line Monument to stand in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres simultaneously
- Explore Cotopaxi National Park
- Witness Quilotoa, a beautiful volcanic lake
- Enjoy the Devil’s Nose section of Ecuador’s railway
- Wander through the bustling city of Cuenca
- Visit a cacao project for your chance to taste this divine product
Details
Day 1 (Sunday)
Quito
Once you’ve arrived in Quito, you will be transferred to your hotel for the night.
Overnight: Classic – Alameda Hotel Mercure 4* (Standard Room)
Superior– Hotel Hilton Colon 5* (Deluxe Room)
Day 2
Quito
Today you’ll explore Quito and delve into its history on a fascinating half day tour. The excursion includes visiting La Compania - an intricate church with an incredibly ornate interior and exterior, the 16th century Roman Catholic San Francisco Church and more.
Next up is the Equatorial Line Monument, an amazing site aptly nicknamed ‘Middle of the World’ as it presents a rare experience of standing in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres at the same time. Marking the spot where an 18th century French scientific expedition established the exact position of the equator; the monument is now surrounded by a small colonial town.
Breakfast included.
Overnight: Classic – Alameda Hotel Mercure 4* (Standard Room)
Superior– Hotel Hilton Colon 5* (Deluxe Room)
Day 3
Quito – Otavalo – Quito
This day is free for you to enjoy at your own leisure. We’d suggest joining in with the optional excursion to Otavalo, a colourful market selling Indian handcrafts and textiles.
Breakfast included.
Overnight: Classic – Alameda Hotel Mercure 4* (Standard Room)
Superior– Hotel Hilton Colon 5* (Deluxe Room)
Day 4
Quito – Cotopaxi
Once you’ve had breakfast, you’ll be driven to Cotopaxi National Park – one of Ecuador’s most beautiful ecological reserves. Your visit includes a walk along lake Laguna de Limpiopungo at an altitude of almost 4.000m, where you’ll learn more about the alpine tundra ecosystems (Páramo) and take in fabulous views of Cotopaxi. You’ll also discover a picturesque flower plantation on your tour.
Breakfast included.
Overnight: Classic – Hacienda El Porvenir (Standard Room)
Superior – Hacienda El Porvenir 2-3* (Suite)
Day 5
Cotopaxi – Riobamba
This morning you will visit a bustling Indian market, before continuing on to Quilotoa, Ecuador’s famous and beautiful volcanic lake. In the afternoon, you’ll drive on to Riobamba, capital of the province of Chimborazo, a fascinating area where many indigenous communities reside.
Breakfast included,
Overnight: Classic – Hacienda Abraspungo 3* (Standard Room)
Superior - Hacienda Abraspungo 3* (Suite)
Day 6
Riobamba – Cuenca
It’s an early start today, heading to the train station in Alausí for a journey on the famous Devil’s Nose ride. This magnificent section of the railway offers impressive views of the Andes and Ecuador’s naturally beautiful scenery, providing you with a unique way to discover the country. A lunchbox is included.
After your train ride, you’ll drive two hours to Cuenca, with a sensational stop-off at the Inca ruin site of Ingapirca - the most important monument of pre-Spanish culture in Ecuador.
Breakfast and lunch included.
Overnight: Classic – Hotel San Juan 3-4* (Standard Room)
Superior – Hotel Mansion Alcazar 4* (Standard Room)
Day 7
Cuenca
Today is your chance to explore Cuenca with a half day city tour. The third largest city in Ecuador, Cuenca is well-known for its vibrant art scene, and products of silver and gold. Your tour involves exploring the historical architecture, walking along the Tomebamba River, seeing the Todos los Santos ruins, and visiting the flower market and main square.
You’ll have the afternoon to enjoy as you wish.
Breakfast included.
Overnight: Classic – Hotel San Juan 3-4* (Standard Room)
Superior – Hotel Mansion Alcazar 4* (Standard Room)
Day 8
Cuenca – Guayaquil
Today you’ll be able to explore the country’s largest city, Guayaquil. Lying on the western banks of the Río Guayas, the trip here includes a stop-off at a cacao project for a guided tour to learn about the cacao fruit and how it’s harvested.
Once you’ve arrived at Guayaquil, you’ll enjoy a short sightseeing tour of the city, discovering the picturesque waterfront, the colourful houses, and charming neighbourhoods adorned with cafes and art galleries.
Breakfast included.
Overnight: Classic – Hotel Unipark 4* (Standard Room)
Superior – Hotel Oro Verde 5* (Standard Room)
Day 9
Guayaquil
Today marks the end of your tour. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your ongoing flight.
- International flights
- 8 breakfasts, 1 lunchbox
- 8 nights of accommodation
- Internal transfers
- Small group tour with max of 16 travellers
- English speaking local guides
- Activities: Half day city tour of Quito and a trip to the Equatorial Line Monument, Cotopoxi National Park, flower plantation in Cotopoxi, Indian market and volcanic lake of Quilotoa in Riobamba, Devil’s Nose ride on the railway, visit to Ingapirca, half day city tour of Cuenca, visit of a cacao project.
What’s Not Included
- Optional excursions: Visiting the Indian market Otavalo
Local 2019 Departure Dates
27 Jan, 10 Feb, 10 Mar, 31 Mar, 5 May, 2 Jun, 16 Jun, 30 Jun, 7 Jul, 20 Oct, 17 Nov and 1 Dec
Local 2020 Departure Dates
19 Jan, 9 Feb, 8 Mar, 19 Apr, 24 May, 14 Jun, 12 Jul, 16 Aug, 30 Aug, 27 Sep, 18 Oct, 15 Nov, 29 Nov
Please note that for 2020 departures one hotel will differ slightly from the 2019 itinerary, please see the changes bellow:
- Small group tour with max of 12 travellers
- Day 2 – during the city tour of Quito you will now visit the San Francisco Church instead of the cathedral.
- Day 4 on both the classic and superior tour you will stay at Hacienda El Porvenir
The weather information shown below refers to the first stop on the tour, call us and speak to one of our travel experts for the most up-to-date forecasts and weather details for your tour.
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