Seat-in-Coach Tour

Explorer Line – Ecuador´s Colorful Variety

Quito – Otavalo – Papallacta – Cotopaxi – Riobamba – Cuenca – Guayaquil

• Guaranteed departures
• Minimum: 04 Participants
• Maximum: 16 Participants
• With local English speaking guides

Duration: 10 Days

Thursday–Saturday

 

 

plus optional extension Galápagos

 

 

GUARANTEED DEPARTURE DATES January until November 2015:

 

Booking Code: UIO001-15E#(tour no.)
#01:	14.03.2015-23.03.2015	#07:	15.08.2015-24.08.2015
#02:	04.04.2015-13.04.2015*	#08:	12.09.2015-21.09.2015
#03:	02.05.2015-11.05.2015*	#9:	19.09.2015-28.09.2015*
#04:	23.05.2015-01.06.2015	#10:	17.10.2015-26.10.2015*
#05:	11.07.2015-20.07.2015*	#11:	21.11.2015-30.11.2015
#06:	01.08.2015-10.08.2015

*Santa Cruz or Isabela II cruise extension not possible

 

Day 01 – Saturday                                                                                                             Quito

• Transfer airport-hotel

Upon arrival at the international airport of Quito transfer from the airport to the hotel.

 

Middle Class:

Overnight at Alameda Hotel Mercure 4* or similar (standard room)

Comfort Class:

Overnight at Hotel Hilton Colon 5* or similar (deluxe room)

 

Day 02                                                        – Sunday                                                                              Quito

• Meals: Breakfast
• Half day city tour incl. Equatorial monument (5h 30min)

Today you will enjoy a sightseeing-tour of the city of Quito which leads you through the historical centre of Quito for a walk through the culturally diverse history of this city.

We will pass the church of La Compañia, which has the most ornate and richly sculptured façade and interior, the Independence Square with the Government Palace and the Cathedral including a visit. Afterwards, we will visit the famous hill of the old town, Panecillo (little bread) where you will see the angel statue “Virgen de Quito”.

Afterwards visit of the Equatorial Line Monument called “Middle of the World” where you get a truly rare experience to stand in both, the Northern and Southern Hemi­spheres simultaneously. The Equatorial Monument marks the spot where an 18th century French scientific expedition established the exact position of the Equator. The area has been built as a typical colonial town, with restaurants, gift shops and Post Office with philatelic sales. Visit the monument and Ethnographical Museum, which shows the history of the Indian cultures of Ecuador.

Return to the hotel.

 

Middle Class:

Overnight at Alameda Hotel Mercure 4* or similar (standard room)

Comfort Class:

Overnight at Hotel Hilton Colon 5* or similar (deluxe room)

 

Day 03            – Monday                                                                                                Quito – Otavalo

• Meals: Breakfast
• Transfer to Otavalo and visit of a school project in Peguche
• Visit of the Indian market

In the morning continue to Otavalo and visit of a school project in Peguche. This project arose out of the German association “We help children in Ecuador” and looks after the education and adequate care of children in need in Ecuador. In 1997 the association started to renovate an old and tumbled-down Hacienda to make it a social centre for children – the »Casa del Niños«. This house contains today a kindergarden for all age groups, a school, and the opportunity to be trained as a carpenter in the own carpenter’s shop.

Additionally, the Casa del Niños provides children with medical health care.  In 2010 the social centre accommodates approximately 260 children.

Note: Not possible on public holidays. During summer holidays in July, August and September there are no children at the school. In this period the installations will be visited only.

In the afternoon you will discover the worldwide known Indian handcrafts market Otavalo. The town consists of rather functional buildings with the Plaza de los Ponchos as the centre. The local Indians have achieved economic prosperity as a result of their skill in weaving a tremendous variety of designs in belts, tapestries, ponchos and other clothing items. Here you will enjoy the unique variety of handicrafts and textiles that offer this giant colourful market and certainly, you will be able to carry some new souvenirs with you.

 

Middle Class:

Overnight at Hacienda Pinsaqui 3* or similar (standard room)

Comfort Class:

Overnight at Hacienda La Mirage 4* or similar (standard room)

 

Day 04            – Tuesday                                                                                      Otavalo – Papallacta

• Meals: Breakfast
• Visit of lagoon Cuicocha and Cotacachi
• Transfer Otavalo – Papallacta

Today, you will go on to visit Laguna Cuicocha, a crater lake at an altitude of 3000m with a diameter of about 3 kms. Two islands emerge from the centre, both of volcanic origin, covered with vegetation and rimmed with totora, a type of reed. The small town Cotacachi itself is Ecuador’s centre of leatherworks. Here you can stroll along the small streets choosing one of the various shops as your favourite.

Afterwards transfer to the small Andean village Papallacta, which is famous for its thermal baths. Upon arrival in Papallacta you will visit the baths of the Hotel „Termas de Papallacta“, which are located 3,220 m above sea level. Enjoy the pleasant effect of the warm, odourless thermal water surrounded by a wonderful landscape. After enjoying the pools you may go for a walk to get to know the typical flora and fauna of this region.

 

Middle Class:

Overnight at Hotel Termas de Papallacta 3* or similar (standard room)

Comfort Class:

Overnight at Hotel Termas de Papallacta 3* or similar (standard room with Jacuzzi)

 

Day 05            – Wednesday                                                                              Papallacta – Cotopaxi 

• Meals: Breakfast
• Transfer Papallacta – Cotopaxi
• Visit of the Cotopaxi National Park and of a flower plantation

After breakfast you will drive to “Cotopaxi National Park”. The highland zone, protected since 1975, belongs with its 33.000 ha wide area to one of the most attractive ecological reserves of the country. On a walk near the shallow lake „Laguna de Limpiopungo” at an altitude of almost 4.000 m, you will have the chance to learn about the typical vegetation of the so-called “Páramo” and will gaze in wonder at the beautiful view of Cotopaxi (5897m) in the background. To take a picture here makes photographers’ hearts beat faster.

Today you will also visit a beautiful flower plantation where the friendly staff will explain you everything about their work. The plantation shows a great variety of flowers.

 

Middle Class:

Overnight at Hacienda La Ciénega 2-3* or similar (standard room)

Comfort Class:

Overnight at Hacienda Hato Verde 3*+ or similar (standard room)

Day 06            – Thursday                                                                                    Cotopaxi – Riobamba

• Meals: Breakfast
• Visit of an Indian market and the volcanic lake of Quilotoa
• Transfer Cotopaxi – Riobamba

After breakfast you will visit a colourful and original Indian market.

Continue about 14 km on to Quilotoa, the famous volcanic lake with beautiful views. In the late afternoon you will continue on to Riobamba, which is the capital of the province of Chimborazo, where a great number of indigenous communities live. Close to Chimborazo, the highest mountain of Ecuador, you will spend the night in one of the atmospheric Hosterías this region offers.

 

Middle Class:

Overnight at Hosteria Abraspungo 3* or similar (standard room)

Comfort Class:

Overnight at Hosteria Abraspungo 3* or similar (suite)

 

Day 07            – Friday                                                                                          Riobamba – Cuenca

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunchbox
• Train ride
• Transfer to Cuenca visit of Ingapirca

After an early breakfast you will be taken to the train-station in Alausí to board the train for the famous Devil’s Nose ride.

Enjoy the fascinating landscape of the Andes. This is for sure a very special way to know the country! Lunchbox is included.

Note: Due to weather conditions or technical problems of the train, train ride is subject to reconfirmation!

You will start the approximately 2 hours drive to the City of Cuenca.

On your way you will stop at the Inca ruin site of Ingapirca, the most important monument of pre-Spanish culture in Ecuador. The ruins are located on a grass-covered hill at an altitude of about 3.100 m. On a walk through the former place where the Incas lived and hold their ceremonies, you will learn about their beliefs and rituals as well as about the way they constructed this ordination place, which has the shape of a puma.

After arriving in Cuenca, you will check in at your hotel.

 

Middle Class:

Overnight at Hotel Carvallo 3* or similar (standard room)

Comfort Class:

Overnight at Hotel Mansion Alcazar 4* or similar (standard room)

Day 08            – Saturday                                                                                                           Cuenca

• Meals: Breakfast
• Half day city tour

After breakfast, you will visit the sights of Cuenca, the third largest city of Ecuador. In Cuenca, founded in 1557 on an Inca settlement valley, you still breathe the colonial air of Ecuadorian history. For most Ecuadorian inhabitants – and also for travellers – this centre of art, ceramic, panama hats as well as products of silver and gold is the most beautiful city in Ecuador. Due to the special atmosphere and early 19^th century architecture Cuenca was declared “Cultural Patrimony

of Mankind” in November 1999. During the city tour you will see the historical buildings, located along the Tomebamba River, the “Todos los Santos” ruins, the flowers market and the main square with the old and new Cathedral. Furthermore, you will be led to a Panama hat factory.

The afternoon will be at leisure. You may walk around the narrow cobble stoned streets with the whitewashed houses and noble façades to explore the beauty of this town on your own.

 

Middle Class:

Overnight at Hotel Carvallo 3* or similar (standard room)

Comfort Class:

Overnight at Hotel Mansion Alcazar 4* or similar (standard room)

 

Day 09            – Sunday                                                                                        Cuenca – Guayaquil

• Meals: Breakfast
• Overland transfer to Guayaquil (approx. 5h) including visit of a cacao project enroute
• Short city tour

This day we will travel on to Ecuador’s largest city Guayaquil, which is the industrial and commercial centre of the country. It lies on the western banks of the Río Guayas, about 56 km from its outflow into the Gulf of Guayaquil. Towards the coastal area the road loses height and the land is more intensively farmed. The Guayas lowlands are characterized by mangroves and ever increasing banana plantations.

Enroute visit of a cacao project. During a guided tour through the cacao plantations visitors can learn everything about the cultivation of the cacao fruit, the process of harvesting and the cacao bean treatment. The Ecuadorian cacao is famous and popular for its very high quality.

Upon arrival in Guayaquil short sightseeing tour of the city.

 

Middle Class:

Overnight at Hotel Unipark 4* or similar (standard room)

Comfort Class:

Overnight at Hotel Oro Verde 5* or similar (standard room)

 

Day 10            – Monday                                                                                                        Guayaquil

• Meals: Breakfast
• Transfer hotel – airport

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight to your country or extension flight to the Galápagos Islands.

 

End of our Services

 

 

We offer you the following individual pre stay-tour:

• 6 days Amazon package Sacha Lodge

 

We offer you the following individual Galapagos post-tours:

 

Option I: Island Hopping Programme

• 6-day Island Hopping Programme
• Including half board + 2 dinner
• Daily excursions on Galápagos
• With 5 overnights in basic middle class hotels on 3 different islands
• 4 pax

 

Option II: Galapagos Cruise on Santa Cruz or Isabela II

• 5 day/4 night Cruise with Santa Cruz or Isabela II
• Including full board
• Daily excursions together with other travellers

Option III: Hotel Silberstein

• 5 day/4 night or 4 day/3 night package
• Complete stay at Hotel Silberstein on Island Santa Cruz
• Including full board
• Daily excursions together with other travellers

 

Price Information

 

with accommodation in (room)                                              Double                    Single

Seat-in-coach rate for land programme only (day 01/10) from 4 pax on:

Valid from November 2014 until November 2015:

Middle Class hotels

per person  in USD                                                                              1.658,00               2.174,00

Comfort Class hotels

Double room per person in USD                                                           2.293,00               2.974,00

 

You can book this tour on private basis (from 1 pax on):

Valid from November 2014 until November 2015:

with accommodation in (room)                                          Double                    Single

Middle Class hotels

Basis 1 pax: per person  in USD                                                                                       5.121,00

Basis 2 pax: per person  in USD                                                        2.969,00              3.525,00

Comfort Class hotels

Basis 1 pax: per person  in USD                                                                                       5.669,00

Basis 2 pax: per person  inUSD                                                         3.418,00              4.190,00

 

*Rates are not valid during Carnival, Easter, Christmas, New Year, public holidays, congresses and events!

 

Important: The Galápagos Portion is NOT included in the above package rate. Please see separate documents for the Galápagos programmes.

 

The following entrance fees are included and subject to change without prior notice:

Ingapirca entrance fee                                              USD     6,00 per person

Price Information – Additional Nights

Pre-night and transfer in Quito:

Valid from November 2014 until December 2015:

Middle Class Hotel Alameda Hotel Mercure 1 overnight/breakfast, standard room per person in double room            USD   75,00 per person in single room              USD 144,00

Comfort Class Hotel Hilton Colón 1 overnight/breakfast, deluxe room per person in double            USD     93,00 per person in single             USD    166,00

 

When the additional night(s) are booked via PR, the transfer on arrival day is included in the roundtrip rate from 2 persons on. In case further transfers are needed, the following costs will apply:

 

Transfer airport UIO/Hotel or Hotel/airport UIO (one way):

Basis 1                  USD 155,00

Basis 2                  USD   80,00

Basis 3                  USD   65,00

Basis 4                  USD   50,00

 

 

Post-night and transfer in Guayaquil:

 

Valid from November 2014 until December 2015:

 

Middle Class Hotel Unipark 1 overnight/breakfast, standard room per person in double room            USD   71,00 per person in single room              USD 141,00

Comfort Class Hotel Oro Verde 1 overnight/breakfast, standard room per person in double            USD      94,00 per person in single             USD    176,00

 

When the additional night(s) are booked via PR, the transfer on departure day is included in the roundtrip rate from 2 persons on. In case further transfers are needed, the following costs will apply:

 

Transfer airport GYE/Hotel or Hotel/airport GYE (one way):

Basis 1                  USD 69,00

Basis 2                  USD 35,00

Basis 3                  USD 29,00

Basis 4                  USD 25,00

 

 General Conditions

for land programme without Galapagos

1. Departure is guaranteed with a minimum of 04 participants. The operation of the Ecuador land programme can only be guaranteed by the end of cancellation deadline 35 days prior departure.
2. The transfers on arrival and departure day are included in the roundtrip rate from 02 persons on; in case 01 pax arrives/departs separately, surcharges for extra transfers will apply.
3. All transfers and excursions are on PR-seat-in-service and include local English speaking guide throughout from Quito to Guayaquil.
   Transfers and excursions are provided together for middle and comfort class passengers.
4. PR is not responsible for any belongings of the passengers carried during any services rendered by PR, such as transfers or tours.
5. In case of early transfers breakfast at the hotel cannot be guaranteed.
6. In case of a Galápagos extension, PR books the flights GYE/GPS/UIO. The flight tickets are being charged to you by PR. PR is also responsible for the issuing of the tickets which will be delivered to the clients locally.
7. Our prices include taxes, entrance fees, tax & service charge in the hotels and the obligatory luggage fees at the airports and in the hotels based on one piece per passenger. Meals are included as and when mentioned in our programme (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner).
8. Our prices do not include: airport taxes, airfares, personal expenses, extras in the hotels, tips to guides and drivers and beverages.
9. PR has the right to sell this tour to other clients without any exception.

• The above mentioned rates for pre- and post-nights at the group hotels are subject to availability and valid for max. 3 nights. From the 4th night on, a higher rate could apply.
• Optional tours can only be booked through our local PR-office or PR-guides. PR cannot be held responsible for tours booked via any other supplier. Tours have to be paid on the spot. Payment by credit card is not always accepted.
• 8 weeks prior to arrival a complete passenger list including names, passport number, nationality, profession and date of birth is required.
• Flights not booked via PR can only be reconfirmed by PR with the correct and complete file key.

14. Cancellation Policy:

• Until 35 days prior departure no cancellation fee
• From 34 until 20 days prior departure maximum 50% cancellation fee
• From 19 days until 1 day prior departure maximum 80% cancellation fee.
• Cancellation on arrival day 95% cancellation fee.
• Cancellation fees for flights are subject to separate cancellation conditions depending on airline
• Please inquire at the competent authorities about the actual entry permit, validity of passports and the vaccination regulations.
• Our general conditions apply.
• PR liability will be limited to the reimbursement of services supplied for failure of services contracted by us. SAT cannot be held liable for any injury, loss, accident, delay or irregularity occasioned by air-carriers or third-party suppliers and by natural phenomena, sickness, war, quarantine, strike, or any other kind of force major or by attendance to Federal Police, customs and Health Authorities regulations.

Conditions of Payment:

Unless otherwise agreed, the full payment is due 40 days prior to arrival.