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Peregrine Travel Centre

PSQL Ecuador Section

PSQL Ecuador Section

From $ 2,185 AUD

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Description

A continent of astounding natural beauty, vibrant culture and momentous history, South America never fails to enchant. Commencing the journey in atmospheric Quito, take in the breadth of Ecuador’s landscapes – lake-topped volcanoes, Andean highlands and hamlets hemmed in by forest – before crossing into Peru. Become acquainted with the cultural riches of Lima, then enter the wilds of the Amazon with a two-night stay in Puerto Maldonado. Be awed by the grandeur of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, meet the Uros people of Lake Titicaca and tour the Witches Market regular tourists miss with your expert local leader.

Optional Hike Add-on:

On this trip you can opt to hike the 1-day Inca Trail. More information on this trek can be found in the itinerary section your trip notes. Please contact us if you are interested in this option.

Trip Name
PSQL Ecuador Section
Last Updated
2020-02-12
Days
8
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • While Quito's main cathedral is perhaps more famous, the baroque masterpiece of La Compania de Jesus rivals any church in the world for beauty and architecture
  • Enjoy a 1 night 'feature stay' in a converted 16th century residence in Quito's historical centre
  • Take a tour of Quito with our specialist historian guide and discover places of the standard tourist trail
  • The active volcano of Cotopaxi is the highest in the world. Hike through Cotopaxi National Park towards the volcano's perfectly cone-shaped peak, looking out for wildlife along the way
  • Enjoy a 2 night feature stay in a restored Hacienda nearby Cotopaxi volcano
  • Explore Cuenca from a different perspective while taking a tour with a true Ceuncano, you will discover parts of Cuenca not many other travellers have the opportunity to see

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES: Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you print and review a final copy prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travellers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any changes once on tour. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and may be on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your leader know you are interested and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and leaders are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk. DEMONSTRATIONS AND PROTESTS: Demonstrations and protests, often in response to local labour or social issues, occur regularly throughout South America, however Peru in particular. National strikes can be called at short notice and can cause disruption to road networks leading to inevitable itinerary changes. We will do everything possible for these changes to be at little or no extra cost; however in such circumstances we find that travellers need to access part of, or the entire, emergency fund. Please read below for more information on this trip's emergency fund.

Day 1 - Quito
Welcome to Quito, Ecuador! Your tour will begin with a welcome meeting at 6pm. You can arrive at any time during the day as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. Please check with hotel reception or look on the reception noticeboard for where and when the meeting will take place. If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader. Quito is one of the most beautiful cities in South America, sitting at 2,850 metres above sea level, beneath the snow capped Volcan Pichincha. As we don't spend much time in Quito during the trip, why not arrive early and make the most of your time here? You'll be taken on a guided tour of Old Town and some of the famous sites tomorrow, but perhaps you'd like to explore Cotopaxi National Park, home to the country's famous volcano, or visit the Papallacta hot springs just outside of Quito. Notes: Due to the high altitude of many of places we visit including Quito, Lima and Cusco, some people can suffer altitude sickness regardless of age, gender or fitness. Please see the 'Fitness' sectionin the trip notes for detailed information.
Day 2 - Cotopaxi
This morning at approximately 9am you'll set out on a city tour. In addition to your tour leader you'll be accompanied by a specialist Historian guide for the old town tour, who will provide you with an in-depth and unique perspective of this city and its rich colonial history. As well as visiting the popular sites of Quito, our expert guide will point out the otherwise unnoticed features and take you off the standard tourist trail to explore places not easily discoverable. First you'll explore Quito's Old Town with its countless churches, engrossing history and wonderful museums. Along the way you'll see La Compania de Jesus, the most beautiful church in the Americas, and Calle La Ronda, Quito's oldest street. Next, head north of the city for about 45 minutes to reach the Middle of the World monument, which was built by the French in the 17th century at the precise location of the equator. You'll enter the monument and then visit the local Inti Nan museum, where you can see different experiments to prove that you're at the Centre of the Earth. After visiting the Equator line you will make a quick stop at a local sorbet shop. 'Helados de paila’ a sorbet prepared in large copper pans (pailas) kept cool on a bed of straw and ice, into which fruit, sugar and water is stirred. You will observe a demonstration of how the sorbet is made. Following this, you’ll have the opportunity to try some! Later in the afternoon, travel past the Avenue of Volcanoes (approximately 2 hours) to a lodge in the Cotopaxi area. We will arrive around 5pm and settle in for the night.
Day 3 - Cotopaxi
Today after breakfast at about 8am you will travel approximately 2.5 hours (including a stop) to Quilotoa, a lake-filled dormant volcano. Although this stunning lagoon looks like a crater-lake, it's technically a caldera formed by the collapse of a volcano. Quilotoa is located at an altitude of 3,900 metres. Be prepared with warm clothes as it can get quite cold! You'll have the option to hike down to the lake. The walk down hill takes approximately 40 minutes. The walk back up to the top can take up to 1.5 hours and is quite strenuous, mainly due to the sandy and steep path. Please speak to your leader if you're concerned about this as you may decide to stay at the top, go for a walk along the crater or simply relax and take in the stunning views. After exploring Quilotoa, drive back to the lodge (approximately 2.5 hours) You will get back to the lodge at about 4pm, enjoy some free time before dinner.
Day 4 - Banos
This morning at about 8am you'll depart the lodge and drive approximately 1 hour before reaching Cotopaxi National Park. Here you'll visit the highest active volcano on earth, Cotopaxi. Entering the park you are at an altitude of approximately 3600mts above sea level. You will ascend a further 200 metres by car before reaching your destination, Limpiopungo lagoon. Soak in the incredible scenery of the area under formidable snow-capped peak. Keep an eye out for park wildlife, including condors, foxes, deer, spectacled bears, and more. You will spend approximately 1-2 hours in the National Park. Your next destination is Banos. From Cotopaxi National Park the drive will take approximately 1.5 hours, including a stop. This town is a traveller's secret delight. It sits in a beautiful valley surrounded by green mountains, filled with waterfalls and hot springs. Arriving at approximately 4pm you'll have some free time, perhaps head to the hot springs for a soak.
Day 5 - Banos
This morning at about 9am you'll have an included visit to the Devil's Cauldron waterfall. The drive up to the waterfall is approximately 40 minutes. The walk to the waterfall takes approximately one hour each way, is reasonably easy and can be done at your own pace. Once you reach the waterfall, there's a platform that takes you quite close. It's quite popular to have a picture taken here and we do recommend doing so, however please make sure you bring a rain jacket or poncho and a waterproof case or water tight snap-lock bag to keep your camera dry and any valuables dry. Afterwards you will head back to Banos town, just in time for some lunch at your own leisure. Of course your tour leader will recommend some great places to eat. Soon after lunch you'll drive approximately 30 minutes to Casa del Arbol, a treehouse on the edge of a canyon. Here on a clear day you will have views of Mt. Tungurahua, a nearby active volcano from its precarious perch. You'll head back down to Banos Town, arriving around 4pm. This afternoon you'll have some free time. On weekdays, experience peace and tranquillity as you stroll through the town and its neighbouring hills. For those who like to get active, Banos also has plenty of adventure sports available. Notes: Due to Peregrine's safety policy our leaders are only allowed to recommend or assist with activities that have been through our safety assessment.
Day 6 - Cuenca
Leaving Banos today at about 9am, you'll head to Cuenca, widely considered the most beautiful city in Ecuador. The drive takes approximately 7-8 hours, (including stops) arriving in the late afternoon. Cuenca has an old-world ambience with historical streets, 16th and 17th century buildings, and a Cathedral erected by the Spanish in 1557. The area was conquered by the Inca well before Spanish times and was said to be so beautiful that it rivalled Peru's Cusco. It's now a UNESCO world heritage site.
Day 7 - Cuenca
This morning starts at about 9am with a visit to Ingapirca ruins, Located around 40 minutes to an hour away from Cuenca, Ingapirca are the largest known Inca ruins in Ecuador. Wander around the site and see the famous Temple of the Sun before returning to Cuenca. Later in the afternoon, set off to discover Cuenca from a different perspective…from Genaro’s perspective! Genaros is a local “Cuencano” whose passion for Cuenca’s history, art and architecture is contagious. Let him show you some of Cuenca’s main attractions, but also be prepared to witness a side of this town that not many travellers have the opportunity to see. The walking tour will go for around 3 hours. Later your leader will offer the group an optional visit to Turi viewpoint, where you will see spectacular views of Cuenca city.
Day 8 - Tumbes / Lima
Today begins nice an early. You will depart at approximately 5am or earlier depending on your flight departure time to Lima. Drive through the mountains (approximately 5-6 hours, including stops) until you reach the border with Peru. You'll farewell your Ecuadorian leader. The border crossing can take up to an hour. Once in Peru you'll be transferred to Tumbes Airport from where you will take an included flight to Lima. Please note this flight will be unescorted, however you will be met by our Peruvian representative upon arrival at Lima airport. The rest of the day will be free for you to relax or step out into this brand new city.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
04-04-202011-04-2020AUD $ 2,185-
25-04-202002-05-2020AUD $ 2,205-
09-05-202016-05-2020AUD $ 2,250-
22-08-202029-08-2020AUD $ 2,185-
05-09-202012-09-2020AUD $ 2,185-
19-09-202026-09-2020AUD $ 2,185-
03-10-202010-10-2020AUD $ 2,185-
14-11-202021-11-2020AUD $ 2,185-
12-12-202019-12-2020AUD $ 2,185-
16-01-202123-01-2021AUD $ 2,185-
03-04-202110-04-2021AUD $ 2,185-
24-04-202101-05-2021AUD $ 2,185-
08-05-202115-05-2021AUD $ 2,185-
12-06-202119-06-2021AUD $ 2,185-
21-08-202128-08-2021AUD $ 2,185-
04-09-202111-09-2021AUD $ 2,185-
18-09-202125-09-2021AUD $ 2,185-
02-10-202109-10-2021AUD $ 2,185-
13-11-202120-11-2021AUD $ 2,185-
11-12-202118-12-2021AUD $ 2,185-

Accommodation

Hacienda (2 nts),Hotel (5 nts)

Transport

Bus,Plane,Private vehicle,Train,Motorised Canoe

Map

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