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Andes to Amazon
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A Group tour of Ecuador; Quito, Cotopaxi, Avenue of the Volcanoes and the Anaconda valley. |
Ref: EX-AAX
15 days
from £1599 (minimum 1 passengers)
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Destination:
Ecuador
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This trip explores all the rich variety of Ecuador's landscapes and wildlife. In and around Quito, its high Andean capital, we find remarkable colonial architecture, bustling Indian markets and nearby cloud forests with an amazing variety of orchids and Andean flora. Southwards, we follow the 'Avenue of the Volcanoes', pausing for a hike in the National Park of Cotopaxi, the second highest active volcano in the world, before boarding the small train that chugs from the Andes to the lowlands via the Devil's Nose, a remarkable and spectacular feat of railway engineering. At the foot of the Llanganati Mountains, where a vast hoard of Inca treasure is believed to be still hidden, we stay in a colonial hacienda. We then descend to the edge of the Amazon rainforest to explore the jungle and its secrets: the Anaconda Valley, mysterious petroglyphs and the rituals of the ancient shamans. The last days are spent on the coast, at Machalilla National Park and La Plata Island - a kind of a mini-Galapagos which is home to frigate birds, pelicans, blue and masked boobies and a small colony of sea lions.
Trip Profile
A busy trip which offers constant variety, although quite comfortable and with no long drives. There is a short flight from Quito to the coast and the famous Devil's Nose train journey. Optional walks in the Amazon and at Cotopaxi N.P.
Group & Staff
min. 6, max. 16, plus leader and appropriate local staff.
Accommodation
Good tourist class hotels, pleasant hosterias, a hacienda and a comfortable jungle lodge. On the coast we stay at a comfortable eco-lodge on the beach.
Food
All breakfasts, 10 lunches and 7 dinners included. |
Day 1 | Depart London. | Day 2 | Arrive Quito, free morning to relax. Afternoon city tour of Quito. | Day 3 | Visit equator line and then walk in cloud forest. | Day 4 | South along 'Avenue of the Volcanoes'; afternoon walk in Cotopaxi N.P. Drive on to Riobamba. | Day 5 | Breath-taking train ride from Riobamba to the 'Devil's Nose'. To hacienda at the foot of Llanganati. | Day 6 | Visit town of Banos famous for baths fed by natural hot springs.
| Day 7 | Free day to relax in Banos. Optional mountain biking, horse-riding or visit hot springs. | Day 8 | Along 'road of the waterfalls' with views of upper Amazon basin; overnight at lodge on Misahualli river. | Day 9 | Explore primary rainforest: canoe trip, hike (approx. 3 hours) and visit monkey beach. In the evening there is an opportunity to visit a shaman, who will show us his secret jungle medicines. | Day 10 | Morning to relax and swim; afternoon to Quito, cross the Andes on the Papallacta Pass (4,000m). | Day 11 | Short flight to Manta on Pacific coast; on to Machalilla N.P. Overnight near beach at Puerto Lopez. | Day 12 | Optional boat ride to La Plata Island. | Day 13 | Free morning at beach, afternoon to Guayaquil. | Day 14 | Depart Guayaquil. | Day 15 | Arrive London |
Departures Between | Price from | 20 Nov 04 | *£1599 | 12 Feb 05 | *£1635 | | *Prices subject to confirmation |
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FLIGHT INCLUSIVE PRICE
Local payment US$180 (approx. £115)
Optional single supplement £185
Insurance £77
WHAT THE PRICE INCLUDES
In all the items below, “included” means either in the price or in a specified “local payment”.
Flights
The prices include flights from a UK airport to the destination airport and back, UK departure tax, all necessary domestic flights on the trip itinerary and all airport transfers. Where this is not the case it is specifically mentioned in the Dates & Prices box for the individual trip. If you book at the “land only” price, international flights and related airport transfers are not included, but domestic flights generally are, except where tickets for these have to be issued in conjunction with your international ticket. If you do not need our group flights, please ask for the “land only” price.
Accommodation
This is included in the price. If you’re camping, we provide sturdy two-person tents and all necessary communal camping and cooking gear, so you will just need to bring a sleeping bag and, on most trips, a sleeping mat.
Single rooms or tents
Our prices are based on twin share accommodation. If you book on your own (many people do), we arrange for you to share with a person of the same sex. We do not charge a single supplement except on extensions. Where it is operationally possible to do so, we offer an optional single supplement in the price list. On some trips it is not possible to do so, we offer an optional single supplement in the price list. On some trips it is not possible to guarantee single accommodation for the whole tour; where this is the case further information and prices can be found in the Trip Notes. If you would like a single room or tent on a particular holiday you should contact the office for details. Where we are unable to guarantee single accommodation you may be able to arrange and pay for it locally. If you are a smoker we ask you not to smoke in your room or tent if sharing. Please note on certain trips single accommodation is not available due to local operational conditions.
Food
Meal plans vary according to area and circumstances: for every trip, details of what is included are shown in the Food section of each trip, and in the Trip Notes.
Transport
All necessary transport during the trip is included, whether private or public.
Sightseeing
Included wherever it is part of the itinerary (as stated in the Trip Notes). There are usually optional trips too.
Staff
On all trips we provide a leader or local representative, assisted by local guides, drivers and any other staff as appropriate. Leaders usually meet the group locally.
Permits, taxes, and entrance fees
We include in the cost of the holiday or in the stated local payment all necessary local permits, taxes, and entrance fees to National Parks or sites that are part of the itinerary, except for the Kilimanjaro Government Tax, Gorilla Permits and certain Galapagos taxes.
NOT INCLUDED
Any meals and other food not included in the meal plan, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, foreign airport taxes where not included in the price of the ticket, sleeping bags and other personal equipment, sleeping mats on most camping trips, entrance to historical sites if not specified in the Trip Notes, extra optional excursions and any personal expenditure such as laundry, drinks and tips.
This holiday is operated by Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582.
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Andes to Amazon
A Group tour of Ecuador; Quito, Cotopaxi, Avenue of the Volcanoes and the Anaconda valley.
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