Excursion tour "Ecuador in September"

Breakfast in the hotel. Sightseeing tour of the city of Quito with a visit to the equator line. The duration of the excursion day including transfers is 8 hours. Height – 2800m. The average temperature is +20C during the day, +10C at night. During a sightseeing tour of Quito, you will see fascinating panoramas, churches, domes and rooftops that are historical relics, and learn about colonial art, architecture, culture, legends and traditions. Quito, the capital of Ecuador, was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Incan city and is located at an altitude of 2800 m. Despite the earthquake of 1917, the city has the best preserved and least altered historical center in Latin America. The architecture and rich interiors are examples of the Quito School of Art, which is a fusion of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish and indigenous art. Artists of this school worked in stone and wood to give shape to the most important religious events. After an hour and a half walking tour exploring the Old Town, you will understand why Quito was the first city in the world to be included in the UNESCO cultural heritage list. Quito takes its name from the Quitus tribe, which inhabited the region long before the Spanish conquest. In 1533, Sebastian de Benalcazar took possession of the city, which was first the capital of the Inca Empire, and in 1541 it was elevated to the rank of a Spanish city. Its full name is San Francisco de Quito. The city was the capital of the state of Quito until the end of Spanish colonial rule. The Franciscan Order was the first of the orders to establish itself in Quito. The Franciscans immediately began construction of the monastery, which became a center of education and art and had its own schools of painting and sculpture. Around the main square, Plaza Grande, are the main buildings of the country: the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Archbishop's Palace and the City Hall. We will visit the best example of colonial art in the city - a Jesuit temple, the facade of which is covered with intricate carvings. We will also visit the Gothic Basilica del Voto Nacional: This religious building was designed by a French architect, inspired by Notre Dame Cathedral. The Basilica of the National Vow is considered the most representative work of neo-Gothic architecture in the country and one of the most outstanding in Latin America. The Basilica of the National Obedience was founded in the 19th century and is considered unfinished, has gargoyles on the façade, as well as endemic animals of the country and region, such as caimans, turtles, gannets, monkeys and others. This religious temple is 140 meters long, 35 meters wide and has a central nave of 30 meters high. The two front towers are 115 meters high. The Basilica is one of the tallest buildings in the city! Quito is a capital city and has many contrasts, you can appreciate this by visiting the old city and new areas. You will get a beautiful view of the entire city from the Panecillo observation deck with a statue of the Virgin Mary with wings, the patroness of the city. We go to the “Middle of the World” (equator line). There are two places to visit the equator line, and we will visit both places: 1.) The city of Mitad del Mundo. The town of Mitad del Mundo is a tourist complex where tourists can discover a monument made in memory of the geodetic expedition of 1736 that established the location of the equator line in this place. The tourist complex "Middle of the World" belongs to the prefecture of the province of Pichincha, Ecuador. It is located in the parish of San Antonio of the metropolitan district of Quito, north of the city center of Quito. Between 1979 and 1982, a 30-meter-tall monument was erected to mark where the equator line was thought to lie. A line marking the equator extends from the center of the monument, and countless tourists have crossed it over the years. But in fact, the entire structure is located 240 m south of the real line, which was calculated correctly in the 20th century thanks to the advent of the GPS positioning system. 2.) Intignan Museum. In this museum we will be able to implement a series of experiments that explain the influence of the equator line on the natural forces of nature (twisting water, balancing a chicken egg, walking along the equator line). Also here you will receive information about the culture of ancient peoples, learn about the tsantsa ritual, and you will be able to see a series of totems from various cultures of South America. Here are traditional dwellings of different cultures existing in the country, for example, a house with objects that belonged to an Indian family that lived in this place many generations ago. Return to the hotel. Free evening. Stops: Basilica of the National Vow, Main Square, "Golden Church", San Francisco Square, Hill with the Virgin Mary, Intignan Museum, "Middle of the World". Accommodation at the Finlandia 3+* hotel www.hotelfinlandiaquito.com (breakfast)

Breakfast in the hotel. Visit to Quilotoa Crater Lake. The duration of the excursion day including transfers is 11 hours. The duration of the trip from Quito to Quilotoa is 3.5 hours; Quilotoa-Baños – 3.5 hours. Excursion altitude – 3900m. Overnight altitude – 1800m. The average temperature during the excursion is +10C. We will travel from Quito along the Pan-American Highway towards the rose plantation in the Cotopaxi Valley. On the plantation we will see roses of different colors and sizes, which Ecuador exports to various parts of the globe. We will observe the processes of cutting, selection and packaging, which will convince us of the high quality of the exported goods. Note: the plantation is not visited on weekends and holidays! Continuation of the journey to the Quilotoa volcano. Along the way, we visit an artisanal workshop in the village of Tigua, where the Naive style of painting - Andean landscapes of Ecuador on sheep's clothing - originated. We will then continue our journey westwards towards the Central Andes of Ecuador. We will travel along the route known as the Puhili Path, passing through the village of Quilotoa. Arriving at Quilotoa Crater, we will visit an observation deck overlooking the crater lake and have the opportunity to walk through the Indian community. If desired (depending on the wishes of the whole group), we can go down on foot to the edge of the lake, go kayaking and return on mules. Kayak and mule rides are not included. The mule lift service is informal, offered by local residents and only until approximately 15:00. Stops: rose plantation, observation decks, gallery of Indian paintings, crater lake. Continuation of the journey to Banos. Free evening. Accommodation at the La Floresta 3* hotel www.laflorestahotel.com (breakfast)

Breakfast in the hotel. Sightseeing tour of the city of Banos and visiting the waterfalls. The duration of the excursion day including transfers is 7-8 hours. The tourist town of Baños is located in a valley with waterfalls and hot springs next to the 5016-meter-high Tungurahua volcano. Baños has a population of 20,000 inhabitants, the city is located at an altitude of 1826 meters, the average annual temperature is 20 °C. The city invites you to relax surrounded by beautiful nature and offers adventures for the whole family and extreme sports such as rafting, rock climbing, canyoning, canopy, trekking, mountain biking and bungee jumping. After breakfast at the hotel, we will take a short tour and visit the town center with a pleasant subtropical climate. Later we will begin our journey through the waterfalls: Agoyan, Bridal Veil (Manto de la Novia) and Devil's Cauldron (Pailón del Diablo). We will also be able to ride on the famous "End of the World" swing and do a canopy over Pastaza Canyon (canopy not included in the price - USD 15 per person). In the afternoon - free time to explore the city on your own and relax in the thermal springs (optional). Stops: “End of the World” swing, Agoyan waterfall, walk along the canyon, “Bridal Veil” waterfall with a cable car, “Devil’s Cauldron” waterfall, city tour of the city. Accommodation at the La Floresta 3* hotel www.laflorestahotel.com (breakfast)

3 Days / 2 Nights in an Amazonian lodge The duration of the excursion day including transfers is 4-5 hours. The altitude of the overnight stay is 400m. The average temperature is +25-28C. After breakfast at the hotel, we will head towards the Amazon rainforest towards the city of Tena. Along the way there will be several opportunities to stop and take good photos, while at the same time admiring the vast green valleys and beautiful waterfalls. The road ends at Punta Ahuano, a small port town on the north bank of the Napo River, where canoes will be waiting for us at the end of the day for the 15-minute paddle downstream to Casa del Suizo. After checking into the lodge, all tourists can enjoy the sunset and a refreshing cocktail near our swimming pool. Accommodation at Casa del Suizo Lodge 4* www.casadelsuizo.com (breakfast, dinner)

A whole day in the Amazon jungle. All tours at Casa del Suizo are led by a local guide with extensive knowledge of rainforest medicinal plants and other beneficial plants. A typical day starts after an early breakfast and there are a variety of activities to choose from: Misicocha Located 15 minutes upstream by boat. This is a private reserve with virgin forest that we would like to show you. All trails, of varying lengths and difficulty levels (from 1 hour to 4 hours), start from a thatched shelter hundreds of meters from the river bank. Your local guide will reveal to you the secrets of the tropical rain forest. The trail takes you through picturesque streams and hills to a scenic lookout point. Your guide will explain to you how the Quichua Indians use a huge variety of plants. The guide's extensive knowledge of medicinal plants is simply impressive. After our hike, we offer you a refreshing float down the river on a balsa raft. In about 30 minutes you will arrive back at Casa del Suizo. Cosano / AmaZoonico A 20-minute boat ride takes you to Casano, a private property with virgin forest on the Arajuno River. Hiking at different distances (from 1 to 3 hours). From two different viewing platforms you will have views of the village of Auano, the Napo River and several small rivers that flow into the Napo. Your local guide will show you the wonderful world of plants that you will encounter along the way. You will then be invited to raft down the Arajuno River on inner tubes. Also on the Arajuno River is the famous AmaZoonico rescue center. The center's mission is to care for injured or confiscated wild animals and, if possible, further reintroduce them into their natural habitat. This is a great opportunity for our guests to see animals that live in the region and are difficult to see in the jungle. A 15-minute boat ride will take you back to Casa del Suizo. Chicha, Air Weapons, Ceramics and Wood Carving A short boat ride downstream will take you to a Quichua Indian family who live just outside the village. You will be able to watch the making of the traditional chicha drink and, of course, will be invited to taste it. You will be told about aerial weapons - an important hunting tool for people who lived in the jungle in ancient times. Take the opportunity and try to practice this difficult and very special hunting method. Returning to the village, along the way we will visit a ceramic workshop where a woman will show you the process of manual production of typical ceramic products of the Oriente region, for the production of which the inhabitants use only natural materials. Next, our next stop awaits us at a woodworking workshop, where the craftsmen will show us how pieces of wood turn into beautiful birds. Island You will cross the river towards the island that is opposite. The trail on the island is very flat and the hike will take 1 to 2 hours. Your guide will tell you about local agricultural products: cassava (locally called yuca), bananas, cocoa, coffee, various herbs and tubers, most of which are cultivated, but some are wild. Butterfly Farm About a 15-minute walk from Casa del Suizo is a butterfly farm. Designed as a living exhibition, the farm now successfully breeds over 20 native butterfly species! Guests will be shown how these beautiful insects reproduce and grow and are then released into a special room where hundreds of colorful butterflies, including the amazing blue morph, fly from flower to flower. Accommodation at Casa del Suizo Lodge 4* www.casadelsuizo.com (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Breakfast in the hotel. Thermal springs. The duration of the excursion day including transfers is 4-5 hours. Overnight altitude – 3300m. The average overnight temperature is +10C. After breakfast at the lodge, we will visit the Butterfly House and leave the lodge towards the Papayakta thermal springs (3 hours on the way). On our way we will also visit the Archidona market, a typical Amazonian market, where we can try traditional "chontacuros". Chontakuros is a Quechua word that means: "Worms of Chonta". This small caterpillar-like insect (weevil larva) plays an important role in the diet of indigenous peoples of the Amazon. It is considered to be rich in protein due to its natural fat. Arrival at the springs. Free time in thermal pools. These amazing springs are located along the Cinnamon Tree Road, the same route taken by Francisco de Orellana on his 1542 expedition that crossed the Andes mountain range in search of gold and other treasures, and which unexpectedly led him to the discovery of the Amazon River. Papayakta is located in the highlands of Ecuador, at an altitude of 3220 meters above sea level and is the gateway to the Amazon region of Ecuador. The climate is cool and humid with an average ambient temperature of 10 to 14 C depending on the season. Upon arrival in Papayaktu, you will immediately breathe in the clean air - the result of the collision of Amazonian winds with the rocks, forests and rivers of the Andean region. The Termas de Papallacta Resort guarantees its visitors HEALTH, RENEWAL and REST - three important reasons to visit and enjoy an environment that radiates harmony. Thermal pools are located on the banks of the Papayakty River: 9 pools with hot thermal water and 3 pools with cold water. The temperature of the thermal springs varies between 30 °C and 70 °C, and in the pools - between 36 °C and 40 °C. The springs are rich in sulfate, sodium, calcium and magnesium chloride. The water does not have any specific odor, is colorless and has a slightly salty taste. Staying in this water improves intestinal motility. The sources produce actions: antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, sedative, etc. Stops: butterfly house, Amazonian Indian market, thermal springs. Accommodation at the Termas de Papallacta 4* hotel www.termaspapallacta.com (breakfast)

Papayacta-Quito-Galapagos Islands-Guayaquil Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport (1 hour) - flight to the Galapagos Islands. Day 1 Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, your guide will meet you and help you with your luggage and escort you to the bus. Itabaca Canal, which separates Baltra Island from Santa Cruz Island, is a 10-minute drive away. Motorboat crossings across the canal to Santa Cruz Island take 5 minutes. From here we will travel by private transport (approximately 45 minutes drive) across the island to the town of Puerto Ayora and your hotel. Notice the change in environment from the red rocky surface in the north to the green wildlife in the highlands and south. On the way from the airport, the guide will go with the group to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. As we travel through the island's agricultural zones with the surrounding wild landscape and various species of flora and fauna, we will be able to see finches, which served as the basis for Darwin's theory of evolution, among other endemics. Today we will be able to observe the famous Galapagos tortoises in their natural habitat, and you will learn how private farms contribute to the conservation of these unique animals and their habitat. Here you can see turtles of different ages and sizes: young ones with sparkling shells and lazy old ones with partially cracked shells - traces of a long life. The well-known lava tunnels are another goal of our trip. The channels, resulting from the uneven cooling of lava flowing from the slopes of the volcano, extend from the highlands to the shores. The lava tubes have been destroyed by erosion in some places. However, there are well-preserved lava tunnels up to 1 km in length. You will be able to see and understand how they were formed, in some places difficult to pass, and in others with collapsed boulders. The guide will share a detailed history of the origin of these tunnels. Included lunch at the Highlands. Transfer to the hotel. A welcome reception at the hotel will be followed by accommodation and relaxation. Next, you will have free time to explore the port city of Puerto Ayora with many souvenir shops, restaurants, and a beautiful promenade. Accommodation at the Fiesta 4* hotel www.galapagoshotelfiesta.com (breakfast, lunch) Day 2 Boat Excursion to Bartolome Island Early in the morning you will depart from the hotel by bus to the Itabaca Channel, where a pleasure yacht will be waiting for you, ready to sail. A day awaits you in a unique corner of the Earth with beautiful sandy beaches, an extraterrestrial surrounding landscape, a sea with crystal clear waters and some endemic species of flora and fauna. During the two-hour sail, you will have a unique opportunity to have breakfast and spend the morning at sea. Also in the early hours of the morning you can often see dolphins and other sea creatures very close to the yacht. Landing on the shore of Bartolome Island. You will have to hike up for about 30 minutes; You will cross an almost lunar landscape and reach the highest point of the volcanic island. From there you will have amazing views of the islands of Santiago, Seymour Norte, Baltra, Santa Cruz, Rabida and the island of Chinese Hat, as well as the famous Pinnacle Rock - the remains of an ancient collapsed volcano. This place is the habitat of some birds. The landscape opening from the top is the emblem of the Galapagos Islands, captured by many photographers. Next is a change of clothes for visiting the beach. During the boat ride, our guests will see Galapagos penguins (only 50 centimeters tall) standing at the foot of a cliff or swimming at the speed of a bullet in the clear waters of the ocean. Time for a beach holiday or snorkeling: The shallow sea gives you the opportunity to swim and snorkel alongside Galapagos penguins, reef sharks, starfish, stingrays, sea turtles and a variety of exotic colorful fish, and you will also be able to see several endemic species of the islands: marine iguanas, sea lions, pelicans among others. Lunch on board after this amazing adventure. Today will end with a return to the hotel in the evening. You will have a free evening to explore the city of Puerto Ayora. Accommodation at the Fiesta 4* hotel www.galapagoshotelfiesta.com (breakfast, lunch) Day 3 Boat Excursion to Seymour Island or Plaza (confirmed after booking; both islands are equally interesting): SEYMOUR ISLAND This excursion day will give you an amazing opportunity to visit Seymour North Island and Bachas beaches. We will travel by bus to our yacht in the Itabaca Channel and then sail for one hour to Seymour North Island. Landing on a rocky shore near a small forest of gray and silver palo santo trees, which are leafless most of the year. Seymour Island is famous for its numerous colonies of different species of birds. Particularly memorable are the male frigatebirds with their red crop, which they use to attract females during the mating season, and the famous blue-footed boobies. These seabirds have a wedge-shaped tail and long, pointed wings. During mating dances, males raise one wing and one blue paw and begin to dance in order to impress the females. The tour will continue to a beach with small cliffs where you can see sea gulls, many sea lions, marine iguanas and pelicans. Most animals can be observed at arm's length. Freshly prepared lunch is served on board the yacht. During the afternoon rest, the yacht will continue sailing to the beaches of Bachas on the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. First we will go to the lagoon behind the beach, often visited by flamingos. Next we will have a refreshing swim and snorkeling on a paradise uninhabited beach with white sand and turquoise water! Sea lions, different types of stingrays, sea turtles and tropical fish can join you on this underwater adventure! Return to Puerto Ayora at approximately 16:00. Free time to stroll along the pier, buy souvenirs or enjoy the sunset. PLACE ISLAND Departure from the hotel to the north, to the Itabaca Canal. Board the yacht and sail to the island of Plaza Sur. It is one of the smallest islands in the archipelago, located near the eastern tip of Santa Cruz Island. After an hour and a half of sailing, the Plaza welcomes guests with a red and green carpet of sesuvium, endemic plants scattered throughout the island, and the friendly barking of several families of sea lions that live here. The turquoise water of the ocean is in perfect harmony with the white sandy beaches and volcanic formations on the shore. The hike around the island is very easy - the trail passes sea lions and sea lions and reaches the highest cliff, where ragged gulls cut the air with their cries, and lonely male sea lions, who cannot resist their rivals in the fight for the harem, retire defeated, almost climbing to the top along a vertical wall. At the same time, tropical birds, blue-footed boobies and frigate birds glide softly through the air. We recommend bringing binoculars to see this extraordinary wildlife up close. The view from the highest point of the ocean and the mighty waves crashing against the cliffs is an unforgettable sight. Next, the journey will continue to Cape Carrion. Lunch on board. This is a unique place to snorkel and swim alongside stingrays, reef and Galapagos sharks and hundreds of colorful tropical fish. Return to the hotel. Free evening. Accommodation at the Fiesta 4* hotel www.galapagoshotelfiesta.com (breakfast, lunch) Day 4 Transfer to Baltra airport for return flight to Quito or Guayaquil. Arrival - independent transfer to the international flight terminal - check-in for an international flight. (breakfast)