Ecuador tours and Galapagos cruise extensions |
| From Quito, the capital, many wildly different places can be reached relatively easily, whether the nearby snow-capped volcano of Cotopaxi, the vibrant indian markets of Otavalo or Saquisili (to name just a couple), the cloudforest of Mindo, colonial-style haciendas perched on the slopes of the Andes, and even the Amazon just one hour's flight away. Also a perfect place for horse-riding and hiking. |
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A tour of the city with emphasis on the beauty and history of colonial Quito, including the churches, main squares, & Panecillo. |
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A drive 2 hours from Quito through attractive scenery to the biggest and most varied of all the Indian markets in the Ecuadorian Andes, followed by lunch at a hacienda. |
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This more extensive tour visits the small villages where Otavaleños are manufacturing products that will be sold in the market, as well as Otavalo market. Overnight in a hacienda. |
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A visit to Cotopaxi volcano, a snow-capped conical mountain that is the second highest mountain in Ecuador and the highest active volcano in the world, followed by Saquisili market, sometimes described as the best Indian Market in Ecuador. |
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Mindo is a birdwatcher's paradise and is located 2 hours to the west side of Quito in a deep valley surrounded by native Andean forest. Overnight stays also possible. |
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Experience the vastness of the Andean cordillera and towering Antisana Volcano, one of the most exclusive ecotourism sites in the Americas, a fascinating tundra-like habitat, home to a unique wildlife. |
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Cuenca
4 days/ 3 nts
from Quito |
Drive to Cuenca, visiting the Inca ruins of Ingapirca, and taking a train ride across the spectacular "Devil´s nose". Cuenca, a World Heritage Site, is famous for its colonial city, gold and silver jewelry and for authentic Panama Hats. The countryside around Cuenca is also very attractive. Return by air. |
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Ecuador encompasses environments as different as the Galapagos, the Andean highlands, and the Amazon, yet distances are quite manageable as Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in Latin America. We highly recommend you take advantage by spending an extra 3-5 nights in the Ecuadorian Amazon, before or after visiting the Galapagos. Just reaching these lodges by canoe after a short plane ride is an adventure in itself. Stay in a lodge, or cruise the River Napo on the Manatee Explorer. |
Cusco & Machu Picchu, Peru |
| Peru
Discover |
If you have made it as far as Ecuador, why not think of adding a few extra days and seeing Machu Picchu and Cuzco, the heart of the Inca empire? This really becomes a trip of a lifetime, and Peru is close enough for this to be a very feasible extension. See the various options on our Peru site |
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