Departure: Tuesdays

01.- QUITO - LATACUNGA – (INDIGENOUS MARKET) - AMBATO – RIOBAMBA.- We start out by following the Pan-American Highway south along the “Avenue of the Volcanoes” as it was called by Humboldt. Weather permitting, we will be able to see more than one of these giants: Cotopaxi, Antisana and Tungurahua. We will pass through Latacunga and Ambato (indigenous centers) where we will visit the local indian market. Then we will continue on to Riobamba , a very important city in Ecuadorian history, seated at the feet of the Chimborazo volcano. Lodging. Dinner.

02.- RIOBAMBA – (ANDEAN TRAIN – ALAUSI) - INGAPIRCA – CUENCA.- Departure very early in the morning to the train station to board the Andean Train and see why at its time it was a monumental feat of engineering: the “Devil's Nose”. It is a great experience to travel on top of the train car with its impressive views. (1) We will get picked up in Alausi and leave for the ruins of Ingapirca, the vestiges of the Ecuador of the Tahuantinsuyo, which recent archeological research classifies as a “Tambo” where we will stop to visit the ruins of stone walls that fit perfectly together (without mortar): The Temple of the Sun, the Inca Face, animal carvings and the museum of the site. Lunch. Continue on to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Rocio, in Biblian (2) and then on to Cuenca . Lodging.

03.- CUENCA (GUALACEO AND CHORDELEG).- In the morning, leave for a full day trip to the enchanting towns of Gualaceo and Chordeleg, important artisan centers, primarily known for gold work. Lodging.

04.- CUENCA (CITY TOUR) – SARAGURO – LOJA.- At 8:00 a.m., tour of the city named “Cultural Heritage of Humanity”: churches full of magic in their paintings, altars of different tendencies and styles, including the New Cathedral which is recognized as one of the largest and most important in South America . Parks, plazas, monuments, cobblestone streets which bring the Republican and Colonial eras to life. The Turi lookout, a must-visit location from which to see the old and new city divided by one of its four rivers. Also, a visit to the inaccurately named Panama Hats, which are recognized around the world, the Rotary plaza, to look at and/or buy the different forms that craftsmen and women give to wood, ceramics, and woven straw. In the afternoon, we travel to the south, full of large pastures, dairy farms and cropland, mountains and hills. Saraguro, whose inhabitants are believed to be direct descendants of the Incas who came after Tupac Yupanqui; with still unexplored archeological remains. Their clothing is made of black and dark blue wool, a sign of mourning for the death of the last King of the Incas, Atahualpa, who was originally from Quito . Especially stunning are the jewels that the women use to fasten their clothing or their necklaces made of rows of small beads made of seeds strung in a zigzag pattern; the colors, the beads and the number of rows indicate what community the women belongs to. Arrival in Loja in the late afternoon, a town nestled in a valley of the high plans at 2,100 meters above sea level which in 2001 was named the third ecological city in the world. Lodging.

05.- LOJA – (PUYANGO PETRIFIED FOREST) – MACHALA.- At 8:00 a.m., begin a tour of the city: The Cathedral, decorated with interesting sculptures; the churches of San Francisco, San Agustin, Santo Domingo, San Sebastian and Fatima featuring religious works of art; the Bernardo Valdivieso Theater; the Hill of the Virgin with a view of the entire city, plazas, museums and parks like the “Jipiro.” At noon, we will depart for the Puyango Petrified Forest, an area with altitudes of between 360 and 500 m.o.s.l., and an average temperature of 22 .5º C. There are two parks in one, depending on the time of year when one is visiting. It was previously an ocean that dried up, and became populated with plants and animals, and after hundreds of years, due to huge natural cataclysms, remained buried underground. Finally, as a result of geological movements, they emerged to the surface, forming an invaluable example of the planet's remote past. The most recent fossils found date back 500 million years. The main attraction are the fossilized tress which are approximately 100 million years old. According to Shoemaker, the quantity of petrified trunks existing in such a small area represents one of the largest collections of this type in the world. At the end of the day, we will travel to Machala , known as the “World Banana Capital,” since from that city this desired fruit is exported throughout the world. Lodging.

06.- MACHALA (CITY TOUR) – ZARUMA – GUAYAQUIL. - Depart at 8:00 a.m. to visit the picturesque spots of this city; the Abdon Calderon central plaza with its cathedral, residential areas, the Puerto Bolivar (center for exports). The cuisine is spectacular, based on seafood such as shrimps, lobster, squid, or mussels. Nearby is the town of Zaruma, national heritage, famous for its narrow raised streets, full of houses made featuring colonial architecture and beautiful wood-carved balconies that have been conserved over time, with the shapes and forms of a unique architecture that has made it into an attraction for artists, painters, photographers, tourists and aficionados of this rich art form. We will leave in the after noon for Guayaquil , founded in 1538, the main port and economic capital of Ecuador . Arrival in the late afternoon. Lodging.

07.- GUAYAQUIL (CITY TOUR).- In the morning, we will tour this city where Simon Bolivar and San Martin met. Bordering the Guayas River , we will admire the new Malecon 2000 (Boardwalk 2000), the Las Peñas neighborhood, with its enchanting colonial style of houses built in wood and forged iron window frames. The Centenario Park , with its characteristic tree iguanas. The Clock Tower, the Old Lighthouse, the Santa Ana hill, etc., and the northern modern and dynamic zone. Afternoon free.

08.- GUAYAQUIL.- Free day for personal activities or to take an optional excursion (Botanical Garden, the Historical Park , the Cerro Blanco Protective Forest , full day tropical hacienda tour, yacht trip on the Guayas River , etc.

09.- GUAYAQUIL – SANTO DOMINGO DE LOS COLORADOS – QUITO. - D eparture from the hotel from where we will head toward the interior of the country with its low coastal areas and tropical crops. We will arrive in Santo Domingo de los Colorados, the home of famous shamans (indigenous holy men), which got its name (los Colorados, the “colored ones”) from the distinctive “hat” that the natives make with their own hair and a mixture of plant extracts. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon, we will continue our journey up the Andes and arrive in Quito in the evening.

PRICES PER PERSON IN $ USA (Group: minimum 25 pax)

PRICES INCLUDES (General Conditions)

• • Bus for the entire journey
• • Bilingual Courier Guide
• • Sightseeing's and excursions as per itinerary
• • Site's Guide at: Ingapirca and Puyango
• • Local Guides at: Gualaceo y Chordeleg, Cuenca , Loja, Machala , Guayaquil
• • Food: 01 lunch + 01 dinner
• • Admissions to: Ingapirca, Puyango and Andean Train
• • Luggage Handling: hotels (Superior Category)
• • Permanente Assistance
• • Accommodation, private bathroom basis. Daily Breakfast
• • Hotel's local Tax: 22%

NOT INCLUDED:

• • Tips to Guides nor Chauffeur
• • Not mentioned foods
• • Sightseeing's and excursions mentioned as optional
• • Personal expenses: Laundry, telephone callas, Travel Insurance, etc
• Pre and/or post staying

NOTES:

• (1) Subject to authorization
• (2) If weather permits
• (3) On winter, may change for Portovelo's miners town
• (4) Semi-private (Without Guide).