private 18th Century hacienda in the foothills above Quito nestled at the edge of a rainforest
Roundtrip airport transfers
Full board
Use of the lodge’s swimming pool, sauna, Turkish bath and Jacuzzi
Trek into the Highland Tropical Rainforest with a naturalist guide who will explain the uses of medicinal plants
Visit to the 5 Sacred Waterfalls
Otovalo Indian market day for wool and alpaca products, weavings and crafts from the famous Latin American Indian market
Talk by a local village shaman discussing the villagers ancestral beliefs and secrets and his duties as the village healer
Participate in a cleansing ritual performed by the healer (if you wish)
Village school visit to see the children and donate school supplies
Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary day with 500 exotic birds hiking through a cloud forest filled with 40 species of orchids
Papallacta Natural Hot Springs day - drive up into the Andes to Papallacta Lake and thermal springs for a relaxing day of soaking in the thermal pool, exploring the local ecology and looking for condors.
VALIDITY: From January to November, 2010
AIR ADD-ONS:
JFK - $150 BOSTON OR CHICAGO - $250
LAX - $260 WASH DC - $200
SFO - $350
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $250 if traveling with at least 2 other people.
No single supplement available if traveling alone.
OPTIONAL ADD-ON: Galapagos cruise - 4 days/3 nights or 5 days/4 nights, or one week. Prices vary by season.
Taxes and Fuel surcharges - approximate $200 - $300 (subject to change)
HACIENDAS
Most haciendas (old colonial estates) are located near Otovalo or the Avenue of the Volcanoes. They are charming old homes that have been converted into hotels. The décor and furnishings are traditional. The setting is very picturesque. Horseback riding, hiking, visiting the local Indian market, enjoying fine cuisine, exploring nearby villages are just some of the specialties these haciendas offer. One or two nights in the countryside gives you totally different view of Ecuador. And these haciendas are reasonably priced.
Please take a look a few. If you are interested, contact us for details and pricing.
You fly out from Quito to Coca, and then navigate down stream on the Napo River .
You sail through various eco-systems, stop to meet the local indigenous people living by the river, view some of the 600 species of birds.
Parros, pigmy monkeys, black caimans, piranha fish, various flora and fauna, visits to the homes of locals, canoe trips into tributaries, walks and swimming all make for an exciting Amazon adventure.
LA CASA DEL SUIZO - www.casadelsuizo.com Amazon cultural and environmental exploration starting with 3 days/2 nights.
There are various lodges throughout the AMAZON. Most require flying into Coca.
Malaria medication is a must for an AMAZON trip.
ECUADOR Extensions
Day Trips
Cotopaxi National Park- Visit the highest active volcano in the world, with the country's most visited national park, and the Rose Plantation. Lunch included. Duration: 8 hours.
Double- $145 per person; Single- $257
Canopy and Cotopaxi Volcano (easy)- Canopy through high Andean moorlands, canyons and rivers. After lunch, visit Cotopaxi National Park. Lunch included. Duration: 8 hours.
Double $196 per person; Single- $299
Horseback riding and trekking in the Heights of the Rumiñahui Volcano (moderate)- Enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Rumiñahui Volcano. Boxed lunch included. Duration: 8 hours.
Double $196 per person; Single- $299
Overnight Trips
Papallacta Hot Springs and Ecological Reserve Antisana Day 1-Quito to Papallacta Hot Springs Day 2- Papallacta Hot Springs-Ecological Reserve Antisana; breakfast and boxed lunch included.
Double- $413 per person; Single-$621
Cuenca's Highlights: Culture, Nature & History Day 1- Cuenca – Gualaceo – Chordeleg -Cuenca Day 2- Cuenca –Ingapirca Inca Ruins – horseback riding in Paute -Cuenca; breakfast included.
Double- $371 per person; Single- $625
Pathway through the Andes and Baños Day 1- Quito - Cotopaxi National Park - Baños - Riobamba Day 2- Riobamba – Alausi – Devil's Nose Train – Ingapirca Ruins – Cuenca; breakfast and boxed lunch included. Day 3- Cuenca city tour; breakfast included.
Double- $774 per person; Single- $1354
Volcanoes, the Highest Andes & Indigenous Communities Day 1- Quito city tour- Peguche- Magdalena Community; breakfast and dinner included. Day 2- Magdalena – Train ride- Salinas- Cotacahi- Cuicocha- Magdalena; breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 3- Magdalena- Otavalo Market- Papallacta Hot Springs; breakfast included. Day 4- Papallacta- Reserve Antisana- Lasso; breakfast and lunch included. Day 5- Lasso- Quilotoa Lagoon- Baños; breakfast included. Day 6- Baños- Riobamba; breakfast included. Day 7- Riobamba- Alausi- Devil's Nose Train-Ingapirca Ruins- Cuenca; breakfast and boxed lunch included. Day 8- Cuenca city tour; breakfast included. Day 9 Cuenca- El Cajas National Park- Guayaquil; breakfast included.
Double- $2266 per person; Single- $3746
