Compare Avenue of the Volcanoes: Ecuador by Travcoa vs Ecuador & Galapagos - Roundtrip and Photography Tour by Andean summit adventure
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| Trip |
0 | Poor
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 17 days |
| Price From | $ 5,895 | $ 5,295 |
| Price Per Day | $ 842 | $ 311 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Luxury | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included |
6 Breakfast, 4 Lunch & 2 Dinner |
16 Breakfasts, 13 Lunches and 3 Dinners |
| Description |
Discover artistic Ecuador with a visit to the Art Workshop School, and meet famed Ecuadorean painter Oswaldo Viteri to discuss his work. Then, uncover the source of the inspiration of so many local artists as you explore the country's natural beauty: high Andes habitats and volcanic mountains painted with verdant forests, and aquamarine crater lakes. Travel the Avenue of the Volcanoes, walk amid the cloud forest, and hike beside waterfalls. Keep an eye out for puma, spectacled bear, and the magnificent Andean condor. Visit the vast Inca Ruins of Ingapirca and the colonial cities of Quito and Cuenca, and complete your picture at colorful Indian markets and a private hacienda. |
We combine our passion for photography with our enthusiasm for nature and will discover the diversity of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands during a 17-day loop. Wildlife, indigenous traditions, highlands, amazing landscapes, national parks, colonial cities, typical towns as well as the famous Galapagos Islands - all included in this emotional trip through the country. We start off in Quito, make a loop to the north, visiting Otavalo and its surroundings, before we head to the National Parks with impressive volcanos. An exciting stopover in Baños concludes the part on the continent, as we fly to Galapagos afterwards. The tour is designed for everyone who loves nature and stunning landscapes as well as photography beginners and enthusiasts. We will visit the most beautiful photo spots where you can master your photography level under the eye of our professional photo coach. Our national guide will give you all the insights on the country and local traditions during our tour. Not only will you learn how to boost your creativity, you will enjoy a wonderful country, taste delicious food and have an unforgettable experience. You will return home with lots of great memories, breathtaking photos and most probably you will find new friends. |
Day 1 – 2: Quito, Ecuador
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Casa Gangotena
Upon arrival you will be escorted to your hotel in Quito, a capital city nestled deep within the valley of towering Andean volcanoes, 10,000 feet above sea level. The next day, your full-day tour starts in the colonial center of the city. Visit the Escuela Taller Quito, where young people aged 16 to 22 years are trained in traditional skills and techniques, such as carpentry, stone carving, painting, gold leaf, and metalworking. The aim of workshop is to educate young people from poor families while also promoting the restoration, rehabilitation and conservation of Quito. Next, tour lively Calle La Ronda, and see the baroque Iglesia de San Francisco the first church to be built by the Spanish in the city, and Plaza de la Independencia (also known as Plaza Grande). After lunch, enjoy a private visit with noted neo-figurative artist Oswaldo Viteri, who will take you on a tour of his magnificent private art collection. This evening, relax with champagne and canaps at Casa Gangotena before a private visit to the baroque La Iglesia de la Compaa de Jess.
Day 3: Cotopaxi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hacienda San Agustin de Callo
Today, take a short drive along the Cinnamon Trail, the route that Spanish conquistador Francisco de Orellana took in 1542 which lead to his discovery of the Amazon river, to visit a private hacienda and 1,200-acre sanctuary for endangered species including the Andean condor, spectacled bear, puma, and the Andean fox. Spend the morning hiking, horseback riding, or fishing amid the magnificent landscape of this pristine pramo (highland moor). Enjoy lunch before taking a scenic drive through the famous "Avenue of the Volcanoes," viewing snow-capped mountains and verdant forests, to Cotopaxi. Stay in the 15th century Hacienda San Agustn de Callo, built on the site of an Inca palace, and one of the two most important Inca archaeological sites in Ecuador.
Day 4: Baños & Riobamba
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hacienda Abraspungo
This morning travel to Baos, the entrance to the Amazon basin and home to the El Otro Lado cloud forest reserve. A short hike reveals majestic cliffs, magnificent waterfalls, archaic thermal baths and diverse plant and animal life. View El Paln del Diablo waterfall, then visit the picturesque village of Baos. Enjoy lunch at the home of a local rock-climbing legend, and continue to the 15th century city of Riobamba. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of this charming village filled with heritage houses set along cobblestone streets.
Day 5 & 6: Ingapirca & Cuenca
Meals: 2 Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Mansion Alcazar
On Day 5, rise early to board the train for an exciting ride down El Nariz del Diablo your spectacularly steep descent passes amazing landscapes and colorful towns. The train stops en route to visit some of the local Indian markets of the Central Andes. Disembark in the early afternoon, and continue by car to Cuenca, stopping along the way to explore the massive Inca ruins at Ingapirca.
On Day 6, enjoy a morning tour of Cuenca; visit the 19th-century blue-domed cathedral, the colonial cathedral museum, the flower market and a Panama hat factory.
Day 7: Cuenca, Quito & Depart for Home
Meals: Breakfast
This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Quito where you will catch your flight home or on to your next destination.
Day 1: Arrival in Quito
Transfer to the hotel. Meet and greet your photo coach & guide in the evening. Hotel Vieja Cuba, Quito.
Day 2:
We start early and dive into Quito’s historic center. We visit magic squares, stroll through the streets, and admire colonial style buildings. We check out the best view points: the towers of Basilica del Voto Nacional & El Panecillo. At night we visit El Ventanal for breathtaking views and an optional dinner. Hotel Vieja Cuba, Quito.
Day 3:
Time to leave Quito, but not without having visited the Middle of the World, the Equator. In the afternoon we arrive in the indigenous town of Otavalo and visit the Plaza de Ponchos (handicraft market). Hotel Indio Inn, Otavalo.
Day 4:
After breakfast we drive up to the Lagunas de Mojanda, surrounded by the famous “Paramo” grass lands, below mystic FuyaFuya summit. In the afternoon we continue to Ibarra, the white city. Hacienda Hosteria Chorlavi.
Day 5:
Breath-taking nature awaits us today in the National Park El Angel, close to the Colombian border. Landscape and flora will make us feel like in a fairy-tale. We spend the night in Ibarra. Hacienda Hosteria Chorlavi.
Day 6:
Today we head south, towards Cotopaxi National Park. In the afternoon we’ll try to get the mirror of Cotopaxi volcano in Limpiopungo Lake. We spend the night in the park. From the lodge we enjoy amazing views of the surrounding volcanos. Tambopaxi Lodge.
Day 7:
Let’s take it easy today – Cotopaxi Park has plenty of options for great pics. According to weather and conditions we decide what’s the best option for a productive day: a visit of owls caves, the Refuge José Ribas & glacier or some Inka ruins. Tambopaxi Lodge.
Day 8:
We leave Cotopaxi park after breakfast and head to the next hot spot: Quilotoa crater lake. We appreciate typical country side on our way up and try to get a hold of Quilotoa lake with the afternoon sun. Blacksheep Inn.
Day 9:
In the morning we visit the view point at Quilotoa lake for some more good perspectives. In the afternoon we continue to Baños de Agua Santa. Gamboa Spa Hotel.
Day 10:
We visit Fincapalmonte, in the cloud forest close to Baños, incredible variety of orchids and typical flora wait for being captured by us. Rivers, birds and more will contribute to an unforgettable day. Gamboa Spa Hotel.
Day 11:
Stunning waterfalls and the famous swing at the end of the world at the Tree House are today‘s main attractions. With a bit of luck we will even see volcano Tungurahua overlooking the town. At night we continue to Quito. Hotel Vieja Cuba, Quito.
Day 12:
Flight from Quito to Galapagos. We visit Cerro Tijeretas and have the first opportunity to discover Galapagos wildlife. Some leisure time in the evening allows us to visit Darwin Bay and the Malecon. Hotel Cabanas Pimampiro.
Day 13:
By boat we go to Lobo Island and during the tour we have the chance to swim with the sea lions. In the afternoon the white sands of Ochoa Beach and its fauna await us in all its glory. Hotel Cabanas Pimampiro.
Day 14:
From San Cristobal we continue by boat to Santa Cruz today. Our main target is the famous Tortuga Bay. In addition to countless animals we see the impressive lava tunnels. Hotel Deja Vu.
Day 15:
An excursion to one of the following islands is our today’s program: Bartolome, Plazas, Seymour Norte or Santa Fe. Each of the islands offers breathtaking fauna and flora to create unforgettable photos. Hotel Deja Vu.
Day 16:
Departure from Galapagos and flight back to Quito (or Guayaquil). We enjoy a last day in Ecuador on Hacienda La Jimenita, with wonderful gardens, wildlife as well as some culinary highlights. Hacienda La Jimenita.
Day 17:
After breakfast we have some free time at the Hacienda for a wrap up of our photo tour through Ecuador. Transfer to the airport.
