Expedition Tours

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.

info@expeditionsandtours.com

+593 2 2261875 | +593 2 3319696 +593 9 97515585 Lallement Oe5-74 y Pedregal www.expeditionsandtours.com

Quito - Ecuador