Day 1 (Sunday – Tuesday - Thursday) QUITO TRANSFER IN
Airport Assistance and transfer to the hotel
Accommodations with breakfast at Mercure Accor
Day 2 SITE LECTURE OH HISPANIC ART OF QUITO (snack lunch en route)
A Site lecture on Hispanic art of the first UNESCO cultural heritage site to admire Flemish school paintings, Spanish baroque style sculptures and monuments designed by the best masters of the Italian Renaissance – Baroque periods. Program includes Plaza del Teatro, San Agustín (1581) and the famous “ Chapter Room ” where independence was signed, Presidential palace, Independence Square, the Metropolitan Cathedral with the treasures of the Archbishop (1550), the golden masterpiece of the baroque La Compañía (1605) holding Ecuador's best series of colonial paintings and relics like our lady saint Mariana de Jesus and the image of our Lady of the Sorrow which cried tears of blood in 1906. End up at San Francisco (1535), the biggest Latin America religious art museum and as contrast we end up the day at modern CAPILLA DEL HOMBRE, the bleeding heart of America and priority project for world culture (Sr. Federico Mayor Zaragoza, General Secretary of UNESCO)
Accommodations with breakfast and Dinner at Mercure Accor
Day 3 OTAVALO handcraft centers (Country style lunch)
A rare Otavalo Experience where you will be able to see the famous handcraft market but also you will have the opportunity to meet the artisans at their working places. Remember our textile Industry supported Spanish kingdom for about 300 years. Visits will include the market and the handcraft centers of Calderon, San Antonio and Cotacachi. If time permits, we might even visit a pedal loom workshop.
Accommodations with breakfast and Dinner at Mercure Accor
Day 4 QUITO / INDIAN MARKET OR COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK / RIOBAMBA (Lunch)
A day at the Avenue of the Volcanoes following the steps of Humboldt, on certain week days there are traditional Indian villages with markets, this is the best place to learn the culture of the Andes far away from tourists. If your prefer nature, we will be pleased to share with you our knowledge of the Andean Paramo at the Cotopaxi National Park or maybe even at the mighty Chimborazo . Let us introduce you to the land that saw only famous explorers like Humboldt and Whimper. Lunch at Historical monument hacienda.
Accommodations with menu dinner & breakfast at the hostería Andaluza
Day 5 RIOBAMBA / INGAPIRCA / CUENCA TRAIN if available
The ride on the small train of the Andes through the Devil's Nose is a must since it has became one of the famous railways of the world. In the afternoon visit of the Ingapirca Inca –Cañari Archaeological complex. This is a place where you can see how native cultures blend with the Incas and then how all of them together survived the Spanish conquest. Lunch at the Ruins at antique farm house.
Accommodations with breakfast and Dinner El Dorado or Santa Lucía
Day 6 CUENCA + GUALACEO & CHORDELEG (Lunch)
Cuenca is the newest UNESCO heritage site. The handsome sunlit domes of the cathedral, the quiet convents and museums, the city's romantic Tomebamba river flanked by overhanging houses are part of an experience that no one should miss. We offer an Afternoon visit of the Traditional villages of Gualaceo & Chordeleg to see jewelry Panama Huts and other crafts.
Accommodations with breakfast and Dinner El Dorado / or Santa Lucía
this is the way Humboldt saw the “ Monument Peruvien du Cañar ”
Day 7 CUENCA / GUAYAQUIL / THROUGH CAJAS NATIONAL PARK (Lunch)
Crossing the Andes is always an experience, more if it is through a National Park like the Cajas to us going down into the coast is the challenge and to see the costal plains as we approach them. Plantations of Cacao, Bananas and sugar cane remind us of the Banana Republic stories; these stories will be brought back to you at the newly opened Historical Garden of Guayaquil. Visit the new promenade and Santa Ana hill.
Accommodations with breakfast Grand Hotel Guayaquil and Farewell diner at Blue Crab
Day 8 TRANSFER OUT
Program includes:
- Run of the house Breakfast
- Menu style lunch and dinner (special diets are available)
- Accommodations in double rooms
- Private Transportation
- Certified National bilingual guide
- Entrance fees to all sites of interest
- Prominent lectures and briefings on visitor sites.
FlashTravel Operation Level Standards
Luxury:
Specialists design your itinerary with comprehensive sightseeing, all-inclusive a la carte meals at the best restaurants, entertainment, folk shows, cocktail parties and personal service. Accommodations only at 5 star hotels, all gratuities included, a recognized travel gift.
Deluxe:
For discerning travelers that want a tour that is not the common tour. Accommodations are at smaller quaint lodges with all modern features. Include most meals at fine restaurants with set menus.
First Class:
For travelers that wish to have preplanned activities and prepaid services, include essential meals.
Budget:
Programs suited for travelers that need an introduction to Latin America, meals are not included and accommodations will be at the most convenient hotel or hostel.
