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Journey to visit Cuenca, the most interesting Colinial Spanish style city in Ecuador. Along the way we visit the highest active Volcano, Cotopaxi, the historic town of Riobamba, the first catholic building in Ecuador and take a trainride up the Devil's Nose before visiting Ingapirca, the Inka ruins close to Cuenca. We travel to Guayaquil via Parque Nacional Cajas and pay a visit to a banana plantation... A real unique journey!
Day 1:
After an early departure, driving south of Quito, we visit the first Ecuadorian mainland national park, where we can appreciate via the Andes moorlands paramos the highest active volcano, the Cotopaxi. After lunch in a local traditional Hacienda, we continue south to Riobamba and visit a local Indian market at the foothills of Ecuador's highest snow capped mountain, the Chimborazo. Riobamba is the birthplace of Ecuador's first constitution in 1830. A panoramic tour of Riobamba includes its French-influenced plazas and the cathedral. Admire the city from Quito Hill and learn about Ecuador's history from its murals. Accommodation at one of Riobamba country inns.
Day 2 :
After breakfast, an enchanting drive through some of the most picture framing areas of the country, where hundreds of green small patches cover the hills with the most vivid carpet you can imagine. The church of Our Lady Balbanera, the first catholic building in the country, Colta lake and the Indian town of Guamote are just a few sites you will see until you reach Alausi train station. From here you experience the adventure of going from the high Andes to lower elevations by train through the Devil's Nose. In the afternoon, we go to Ingapirca at 3100m/10168 ft above sea level, which is the most important religious and military monument left by the Incas in Ecuador. After an interesting visit, we drive to Cuenca for the night. (B)
Day 3:
To most visitors, Cuenca is the prettiest colonial city in the country. After breakfast, let its cobblestone streets, graceful wrought iron balconies and flowers captivate you. Its market places and handicrafts are a living testimony to the region's rich Indian and artistic heritage. 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. A visit to a straw hat export enterprise is scheduled. Afternoon free to roam Cuenca on your own or just to relax.(B)
Day 4 :
We leave Cuenca to the famous Parque Nacional Cajas, where we enjoy lagoons, many species of birds and highland vegetation. We descend the Cordillera and visit a banana plantation from where we contionue to Guayaquil.(B)
General Information
Rated: Easy
Note : due to operational reasons the train might not always be available. In such event, we would have to do all our travelling in our own transportation.
Fixed Departure dates
Departure every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
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| Tour Tariff | |||||
| Fixed Departure | Private Departure | ||||
| N° of participants | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| USD | $ 578 | $ 997 | $ 790 | $ 636 | |
| EUR | € 480 | € 827 | € 656 | € 528 | |
| GBP | £ 324 | £ 558 | £ 442 | £ 356 | |
Included:
Private transport, double room accommodation with private facilities, bilingual guiding services, meals as indicated, and all entrances fees.
Not included:
Other meals, personal expenses, tips, beverages, extras.
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