EXPEDITION TOURS
dare to experience
ECUADOR
Cathedral of the Inmaculada Concepcion Cuenca - Ecuador
www.expeditionsandtours.com
ECUADOR
Get ready for a fascinating adventure…. you are just about to discover the country which bears the name of the imaginary line that divides our planet in two hemispheres… a magic blend of landscapes, climates, ecosystems, ethnic groups and cultures, ancient and modern that coexist within the country’s Four Worlds: the Pacific Coast, the Andes, the Amazon rainforest and the unique Galapagos Islands.
ABOUT US Expedition Tours – was born out of passion of what we do best: deliver superb service for travelers seeking to expand their horizons and “dare to experience”… our personal approach and service oriented attitude is present in all we do, from the time we receive a request all the way to when we say farewell to our clients. Expedition Tours - a privately owned company based in Ecuador, founded in April 2002 specializes in solution oriented travel arrangements for groups or individual travelers in Ecuador. Although mainly focused on bringing to the market excursions in mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, throughout the years we have also built experience and contacts in Peru, Colombia, Panama, and Bolivia. Our local knowledge enables us to know immediately of new places interesting to visit, novel restaurants where to taste dishes made with Ecuadorian products, hotels recently open and in general what is the new offer in our country that will be of interest of our clients. We are ready to listen to your needs and translate them into the best possible solution for you to enjoy fully the wonders of Ecuador
Amazon
One of the earth’s hot spots of biological diversity, the perfect venue to discover and learn about the wonders of nature
Pacific Coast
The coastline is lined by small and picturesque colorful coastal villages nested in a never ending string of magnificent bays and coves.
Andes
A kaleidoscopic vision of all variations of green, golden and orange colored fields; valleys, flanked by awe-inspiring volcanoes a magical blend of vivid colors, culture & traditions.
Galápagos Island
One of the world’s most unique and extraordinary places, a natural paradise where you find yourself magically transported to eras far bygone….
Leisure Brief Trips Premium Tours Honeymoon Packages Fixed Departures Combinations Special Interest
MICE
Culture & Nature Active
Cruise Handling
Educational Travel Culture & Nature Active Learning Experiences
Culture & Nature EXP.EDU.01
Overview Itinerary DAY 01
DAY 06 morning
afternoon / Evening
Travel Riobamba - Alausí
Arrive Quito - Transfer to the hotel
Train ride Alausí-Sibambe-Alausi
overnight: Quito
overnight: Ingapirca
DAY 02 morning
Quito Colonial walking excursion afternoon / Evening
afternoon / Evening
Travel Alausí - Ingapirca
DAY 07
morning
Travel Ingapirca - Cuenca Visit: Ingapirca Fortress
Middle of the World & Museum of the Sun
afternoon / Evening
overnight: Quito
overnight: Cuenca
DAY 03 morning
Travel Quito - Antisana
Cuenca scenic excursions
DAY 08 morning
Cuenca - Guayaquil
Visit: Pujili town, Tigua painter & La Victoria ceramic artisan center
Overland transfer
afternoon / Evening
afternoon / Evening
Soft hike at Hacienda Guaytara
Visit Guayaquil
overnight: Hacienda Guaytara
overnight: Guayaquil
DAY 04
DAY 09
morning
Antisana - Pujili Visit: Pujili town, Tigua painter & La Victoria ceramic artisan center
afternoon / Evening
Travel Pujilí - Baños overnight: Baños
DAY 05 morning
Visit the waterfalls in Baños afternoon / Evening
Travel Baños-Riobamba Visit the acclimatization center of the Chimborazo
overnight: Riobamba
morning
Depart Guayaquil transfer to the airport
Highlights • Experience the best of Quito with its rich cultural and architectonic legacy. Quito which at 2850 m.a.s.l., is home to many colonial Churches and Monasteries built between late 1500s and early 1800s and the first city in the world to be declared by UNESCO in 1978 a World Cultural Heritage site. • Enjoy a visit to the Museum Temple of the Sun located at Latitud 0’0’0 also known as the Middle of the World. Learn about Ecuador´s ancient cultures and the 18th century French geodesic expedition, which main’s purpose was to measure the roundness of the Earth. • Explore the moorlands of the Central Highlands at la Mica Lagoon. Located in the Antisana ecological reserve at 3.900 m.a.s.l, is a place not to be missed for its beauty and the possibility to see many birds and mamals endemic of the area. • Hike at Hacienda Guaytara located at the Antisana ecological reserve. This reserve sits at the foothills of the volcano Antisana, which at 5705 m.a.s.l is the fourth largest in Ecuador. During this hike you might be able to see Llamas, curiquingues and if you are lucky the Condor of the Andes. • Stroll at Pujili town, which in Quichua means the ¨Town of Toys¨. This small town is known for its renaissance Cathedral and handmade ceramics • Discover the traditional Tigua paintings which are renown for their colorful images of rural life. These paintings represent delightful folk art, painted with chicken feather brushes on sheep hide, celebrating the mountain life of the inhabitants of this area full of festivals, legends, and traditions dating back centuries.
• Tour at the small town of La Victoria where about 70% of their population dedicates to make pottery items as: planters, pots,vases, etc.. • Visit Baños located at the foothills of the Tungurahua volcano and surrounded by beautiful waterfalls, the area has been called the gateway to the Amazon rainforest • Hike at one of the nearby waterfalls and learn about this fascinating ecosystem • Learn at the acclimatization center about the Chimborazo, which at 6.263 mts makes it the highest mountain in Ecuador, and the highest elevation in the world, if measured from the center of the earth. • Take the¨Devil´s Nose¨ train from Alausí to Sibambe This train is part of the Trans-Andean railroad, and up till now still remains an impressive piece of engineering, climbing more than 500 mts in less than 12 km in a zigzag. • Encounter with the past when visiting the Inca Fortress of Ingapirca, the largest structure left by the Incas in ecuadorian territory • Walk around Cuenca which at 2.560 m.a.s.l is the jewel of the southern highlands and the country’s third largest in size and population. Cuenca has preserved its rich colonial past, beautifully shown on its narrow streets, white houses with flower-pot balconies. For all its beauty and well preserved historical buildings, Cuenca was also declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. • Taste the Ecuadorian cuisine from the Southern highlands while visiting Cuenca • Travel from the highlands to the lowlands and admire the changes in panoramic views and vegetation
Culture & Nature EXP.EDU.02
Overview Itinerary DAY 01
DAY 05
afternoon / Evening
full day
Arrive Quito - Transfer to the hotel
Navigation excursion to a nearby island
overnight: Quito
overnight: Galapagos
DAY 02
DAY 06
morning
Quito Colonial walking excursion afternoon / Evening
Middle of the World & Museum of the Sun
full day
Navigation excursion to a nearby island
overnight: Quito
overnight: Galapagos
DAY 03
DAY 07
full day
The Northern Highlands Otavalo Market & Peguche indian community
morning
Depart Galapagos-Transfer to the airport afternoon / Evening
Arrive Quito - Transfer to the airport
overnight: Quito
overnight: Quito
DAY 04
DAY 08
morning
Depart Quito - transfer to the airport afternoon / Evening
Arrive to Galapagos | Visit the Highlands of Santa Cruz Island overnight: Galapagos
morning
Depart Quito - transfer to the airport
Highlights • Experience the best of Quito with its rich cultural and architectonic legacy. Quito which at 2850 m.a.s.l, is home to many colonial Churches and Monasteries built between late 1500s and early 1800s and the first city in the world to be declared by UNESCO in 1978 a World Cultural Heritage site. • Enjoy a visit to the Equatorial line at Latitud 0’0’0 also known as the Middle of the World. Learn about Ecuador´s ancient cultures and the 18th century French geodesic expedition, which main’s purpose was to measure the roundness of the Earth. • Travel to the Northern highlands & visit the Otavalo Indian Market, one of the most renowned indigenous markets of South America, which has existed since Inca times. • Meet the Otavalos at their home town ¨Peguche¨ who will share their ancient secrets of how to make their weavings • Discover the unique Galápagos Islands, volcanic in nature, located at 1.000 kms from mainland Ecuador. This
Archipelago, made of 14 major 60 smaller islands and islets, is Reserve, the world´s second diversity of species is known as ¨Showcase of Evolution¨.
islands and more than surrounded by a Marine largest. For its unique a ¨Living Laboratory¨ or
• See the “Galapagos” the Giant Tortoise in their natural habitat at the Highlands of Santa Cruz Island. These tortoises are the longest lived vertebrate with averages that surpases the 100 years. The oldest known lived approximately 152 years. • During this visit to the Galapagos Islands have the opportunity to ride in small boats to reach two of the islands nearby and be amazed with the unique wildlife • The Galapagos Islands and its surrounding waters are one of the riches biodiversity areas in the world. The Galapagos Marine Reserve named World Heritage site by UNESCO invites visitors to swim & snorkel and discover the unique underwater world. • Taste the Ecuadorian cuisine
Active EXP.EDUAC.02
Overview Itinerary DAY 01 afternoon / Evening
Arrive Quito - Transfer to the hotel
DAY 06 morning
Activities on the river afternoon / Evening
Cultural encounters
overnight: Quito
overnight: Eco-Lodges Rainforest
DAY 02
DAY 07
morning
full day
afternoon / Evening
Travel AmazonĂa - Papallacta - Quito
overnight: Quito
overnight: Quito
DAY 03
DAY 08
Quito Colonial & Cable car ride Cooking class Ecuadorian dishes
morning
Soft hike at the Pululahua Geobotanic Reserve
full day
afternoon / Evening
Rafting at Valle Hermoso or Mindo
overnight: Quito
overnight: Quito
DAY 04
DAY 09
full day
morning
The Middle of the World & Artesanal Chocolate
Biking in the Ecuatorial Andes Salsa & Cumbia lessons overnight: Quito
DAY 05 morning
Travel to Amazonia afternoon / Evening
Soft trekking at the Rainforest overnight: Eco-Lodge Rainforest
Depart Quito transfer to the airport
Highlights • Stroll through Quito, also called the Florence of América, with more than 70 blocks of colonial monuments.Walk around the Old Colonial Quito which at 2850 m.a.s.l, is home to many colonial Churches and Monasteries built between late 1500s and early 1800s and the first city in the world to be declared by UNESCO in 1978 a World Cultural Heritage site.
• Travel from the highlands to the Amazon Rainforest overland and admire the beautiful changes of panoramic views. The Amazon Rainforest is the largest region of Ecuador. In this region, the concentration per hectare of trees and animals is one of the highest in the world. To name a few there are more than 110 species of reptiles and more than 500 species of birds!
• Ride the highest cable car in South América which takes you from 2950 m.a.s.l. to 4050 m.a.s.l. up the slopes of the active Rucu Pichincha volcano( (4784 m.a.s.l). Admire the spectacular panoramic views of Quito. The first to climb this impressive mountain was Alexander von Humboldt.
• Trek at primerary & secondary forest trails learning about the fauna and flora of the Amazonia
• Join a cooking class & learn how to make one of the Ecuadorian dishes.
• Learn about the Medicinal plants of the Rainforest
• Hike at the Pululahua Geobotanic Reserve located at the caldera of a collapsed volcano near the Middle of the World, Latitud 0’0’0’, and experience a walk in one of the few inhabited volcanoes. • Discover the importance of the Equatorial line visiting the Middle of the World • Bike in the Ecuatorian Andes and enjoy of beatiful panoramic views of the mountains • Enjoy a class of Salsa or Cumbia
• Learn to built a traditional raft and test it on the river • Participate in glowgun target shooting contest with the natives, the winner will receive a prize • Enjoy the healing properties of the Papallacta volcanic Hot Springs, located at 3.250 m.a.s.l. The hydro-thermal properties of the waters come from the volcanic complex with more than 3 million years of constant activity. • Test your skills on the white water rafting at Valle Hermoso or Mindo. The beauty of the locations where rafting happens is given by the interaction of the Andes Mountains with the Amazon basin or the plains of the Pacific coast.
Active EXP.EDUAC.03
Overview Itinerary DAY 01
DAY 06
afternoon / Evening
full day
Arrive Quito - Transfer to the hotel
Excursion to a nearby Island fauna, flora, swimming & snorkeling
overnight: Quito
overnight: Galapagos
DAY 02
DAY 07
morning
morning
afternoon / Evening
afternoon / Evening
overnight: Quito
overnight: Galapagos
DAY 03
DAY 08
Quito Colonial Middle of the World & Museum of the Sun
full day
Rafting at Santo Domingo de los Colorados or Mindo
Bay tour: Snorkeling with Sea lions Charles Darwin Research Station
morning
Depart Galapagos afternoon / Evening
Arrive Guayaquil Transfer to hotel & Guayaquil panoramic tour
overnight: Quito
overnight: Guayaquil
DAY 04
DAY 09
full day
Hiking at Cuicocha lake & visit the Otavalo Indian Community of Peguche evening
Conference about the Galรกpagos Islands overnight: Quito
DAY 05 morning
Depart Quito - transfer to the airport afternoon / Evening
Arrive to Galรกpagos Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island at Cerro Mesa
overnight: Galapagos
morning
Depart Guayaquil transfer to the airport
Highlights • Walk around the Old Colonial Quito also known as the cloister of América & discover the beautiful convents, churches, houses and plaza.Quito which at 2850 m.a.s.l, is home to many colonial Churches and Monasteries built between late 1500s and early 1800s and the first city in the world to be declared by UNESCO in 1978 a World Cultural Heritage site. • Enjoy a visit to the Equatorial line at Latitud 0’0’0 also known as the Middle of the World. Learn about Ecuador´s ancient cultures and the 18th century French geodesic expedition, which main’s purpose was to measure the roundness of the Earth. • Test your skills on the white water rafting at Santo Domingo de los Colorados or Mindo. The beauty of the locations where rafting happens is given by the interaction of the Andes Mountains with the Amazon basin or the plains of the Pacific coast. • Meet the Otavalos at their home town ¨Peguche¨ who will share their ancient secrets of how to make their weavings
• Learn about the Galápagos Islands during the Conference given by an expert Guide • Discover the unique Galápagos Islands, volcanic in nature, located at 1.000 kms from mainland Ecuador. This Archipelago, made of 14 major islands and more than 60 smaller islands and islets, surrounded by a Marine Reserve, the world’s second largest, is known as a “Living Laboratory” or “Showcase of Evolution”… • Participate in one of the restoration projects at Cerro Mesa as: Reforestation, turtle monitoring and others at the highlands of Santa Cruz • The Galapagos Islands and its surrounding waters are one of the riches biodiversity areas in the world. The Galapagos Marine Reserve named World Heritage site by UNESCO invites visitors to swim & snorkel and discover the unique underwater world. • Ride in a small boat to reach one of the nearby islands and be amazed with the unique wildlife. • Visit the Charles Darwin Research station and learn about the Conservation Project of the Giant Turtles
LEARNING EXPERIENCES EXP.EDULE.01
Overview Itinerary DAY 01
DAY 06
afternoon / Evening
full day
Arrive Quito - Transfer to the hotel
Excursion to Isla de la Plaza
overnight: Quito
overnight: Manta
DAY 02
DAY 07
morning
full day
Volunteering at Local School afternoon / Evening
Montecristi, La Pila & Pile artisan villages Learn about the process of the Straw Hat
Quito Colonial walking excursion overnight: Quito
overnight: Manta
DAY 03
DAY 08
full day
Travel Quito - Antisana - Riobamba Enviromental activities
morning
Time at the beach afternoon / Evening
Travel Manta - Guayaquil
overnight: Riobamba
overnight: Guayaquil
DAY 04
DAY 09
full day
morning
Riobamba-Alausí- Devil´s Nose Train ride- Alausí-Guayaquil overnight: Guayaquil
DAY 05 full day
The route of the sun Visit a Coastal hacienda-Learn about the process of Cacao
overnight: Puerto Lopez
Depart Guayaquil transfer to the airport
Highlights • Volunteer at a local school, just outside of Quito. Bring some didactic materials to teach the children some basic English words. Enjoy playing games with them and help improve their creativity and math skills. • Walk through Old Colonial Quito, the largest, least altered and best preserved in America for which was declared by UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1978. Experience the best of Quito with its rich cultural and architectonic legacy. During this stroll you will be transported to a different time where the “Churches and Monasteries” built as of late 1500s will tell the story of the merge of cultures. • Hike at Hacienda Guaytara located near the Antisana ecological reserve. This reserve sits at the foothills of the volcano Antisana, which at 5705 m.a.s.l is the fourth largest in Ecuador. During this hike you might be able to see Llamas, curiquingues and if you are lucky the Condor of the Andes. When visiting this Hacienda you will not only be experiencing the beauty and the silence of the moorlands but you will also be supporting a private Conservation project to protect the Condor of the Andes • Take the¨Devil´s Nose¨ train from Alausí to Sibambe This train is part of the Trans-Andean railroad system which started to be built in 1899 and was finished in 1908, and up till now still remains an impressive piece of engineering, climbing more than 500 mts in less than 12 km in a zigzag. • Witness the drastic changes of panoramic views when travelling from the highlands to Guayaquil and learn
about the different climate zones and the vegetation and fruits associated with these different ecosystems. • Learn about the process of the Cacao from bean to a delicious chocolate bar; try the tasty cacao juice, when visiting one of the Coastal haciendas nearby Guayaquil • Travel on what has been denominated the “Route of the Sun”, a coastal road that goes alongside the sea presenting beautiful panoramic views and typical small fishing towns. • Hike at Isla de la Plata and discover the amazing wildlife that resembles the one in the Galápagos Islands. Here we can encounter blue footed boobies, great magnificent frigate birds, an small but stable colony of waved albatrosses. Pelicans, several species of gulls, a colony of sea lions and smaller land birds also form part of the wildlife of this magnificent Island. From May to September it can also be spotted the mighty humpback whales. • Visit the artisan villages of Montecristi & Pile where you will learn about the weaving process of the famous straw hat also called ¨Panama hat¨. After that enjoy your visit to the small town La Pila famous for its work in ceramics. • Although Ecuador is most famous for the Galapagos Islands, the beaches at the shores of the Pacific coast offer memorable sunsets and a wide variety of adventure sports. Enjoy the Pacific Ocean by relaxing in a quiet, wide volcanic beach.
LEARNING EXPERIENCES EXP.EDULE.02
Overview Itinerary DAY 01
DAY 06
afternoon / Evening
full day
Arrive Quito - Transfer to the hotel
Sig-Sig - Social Project
overnight: Quito
overnight: Cuenca
DAY 02
DAY 07
morning
morning
afternoon / Evening
afternoon / Evening
overnight: Quito
overnight: Cuenca
DAY 03
DAY 08
Volunteering at Local Nursery Quito Colonial walking excursion
full day
Travel Quito - Baños - Riobamba
Gualaceo & San Bartolomé - Learning experiences
Cuenca walking tour at leisure
morning
Cuenca - Guavidula - Guayaquil afternoon / Evening
Guayaquil scenic tour
overnight: Riobamba
overnight: Guayaquil
DAY 04
DAY 09
full day
morning
Riobamba - Guamote - Riobamba Volunteering at local School overnight: Riobamba
DAY 05 full day
Riobamba - Ingapirca - Cuenca overnight: Cuenca
Depart Guayaquil transfer to the airport
Highlights • During this social responsibility oriented stop, visit a little local nursery and childcare place which provides services to single mothers when they go to work. During the visit there will be plenty of opportunities to interact with the little children by playing some games, help with the feeding and other activities. • Walk through the old Colonial Quito, Ecuador’s magnificent and historical capital located at 2.850 m.a.s.l. Explore from privileged outlook posts to some of the most representative monuments of its Colonial Center which will readily show the visitor why the city was the first in the world to be declared by UNESCO in 1978 a World Cultural Heritage Site. • Travel south of Quito on the Avenue of the volcanos from Quito to Baños (known for natural thermal baths and adventure sports) located at the gateway of the Amazon rainforest and at the foothills of the Tungurahua (5.023 m.a.s.l) active volcano. Enjoy a hike to one of the many waterfalls around the area and then travel to Riobamba located in the center of the Andean highlands • Spend a day in the vecinity of Guamote volunteering at a local School located at 3.600 m.a.s.l. teaching the children a few words in English, playing with them soccer or let the children teach you one of their local games. (If this day is a Thursday there will be also the opportunity to visit one of the most authentic & colorful indian makets of the highlands - GUAMOTE)
• Learn about the presence of the INCAS in Ecuador when visiting the INGAPIRCA complex, the most important Inca archaeological site in Ecuador. • Witness the art of making the ¨Toquilla hat¨ also called ¨Panama hat¨at Sig-Sig, the ¨macanas¨ or shawls in Gualaceo and the guitars at San Bartolomé • Stroll through Cuenca, also called the jewel of the Southern Highlands due to its 16th and 17th century era Spanish architecture. Discover the colonial beauty of its Convents, Churches and houses for which UNESCO also declared it as a World Cultural Heritage Site. • Overland transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil with an intermediate stop at the small Indian town of GUAVIDULA which still preserves the history of the ancient travelers. During this trip learn about the different climate zones, the vegetation and fruits associated with these different ecosystems. • Sightseeing tour of Guayaquil, the largest city of Ecuador as well as the largest port of the country. Guayaquil founded in 1538, holds many stories to tell in its different neighbourhoods and monuments. The visit around the city includes, Barrio Las Peñas (Las Penas neighbourhood) where it can be seen the typical house constructions of the coastal area as well as the most important monuments of the city.
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Quito - Ecuador