Ecuador is a small country with a remarkable variet y of scenery and cultures. Travel past perfectly conical snow-capped peaks and rolling meadows to small Andean villages untouched by time.

• Amazing Andean scenery and culture
• Optional extension to the Galapagos Islands
• Devil’s Nose train journey

Detailed information

	Tour itinerary
	About the walks
	Dates and prices
	Temperatures
	Accommodation
	Flight Information
	What the holiday includes

2009 Tour Itinerary

Days 1-2: Arrival in Quito (2 nights). Explore the old town, and walk on the slopes of Pinchincha volcano, with its spectacular views and hummingbirds.	Download full 2009 itinerary here. If you require Adobe Acrobat Reader download here.
Days 3-4: Travel to Otavalo (2 nights), stopping at the Equator line. The mountains in this region are rolling and verdant and walks are taken around the huge ancient craters at the foot of the Cotocachi volcano. Otavalo has a strong Andean identity where you can see the colourful market and stay in a typical local hacienda.

Day 5: After a morning at Otavalo and a walk to Peguche waterfall, travel back to Quito (1 night).

Days 6-7: Take the Chiva Express, a specially renovated train, to the Cotopaxi National Park. After
an afternoon walk on Cotopaxi arrive at Hacienda La Cienega (2 nights), a charming 16th century country house. Visit the local markets and walk around the stunning caldera of the Quilotoa Crater Lake, with its emerald green colours and dramatic cliffs.

Days 8-9: Continue south past the active Tungurahua volcano and lively market towns towards Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest peak. Stay in Riobamba (2 nights) and enjoy full-day walks around Chimborazo, an area of dramatic peaks and stark Andean scenery.

Day 10: Take the Chiva Express on one of the world’s great railway journeys through the Devil’s
Nose Canyon on a dramatic series of switchbacks. We take a walk in the canyon before arriving in
Cuenca, (2 nights), one of South America’s most attractive colonial cities.

Day 11: Explore Cuenca and the Inca ruins of Ingapirca or the Cajas National Park for walks in the
high level Andean forest.

Day 12: Fly to Quito (1 night) and visit the Antisana reserve, for trails on the ecological reserve on
Antisana volcano, a refuge for the condor.

Day 13: Flight home.

Day 14: Arrive UK.

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	Galapagos Island Cruise option Extend your holiday with a cruise around the remarkable and unique Galapagos islands. The inspiration for Darwin’s Origin of the Species, this varied and spectacular archipelago offers remarkable wildlife encounters including albatross, blue footed boobies, frigate birds and tortoises; snorkelling with sea lions, penguins and sea turtles; dolphin and whale sightings and so much more. A cruise is the best way to see the remarkable variety of landscapes and wildlife. Supplement: £1,050 per person includes an extra night in Quito and a 3-night cruise on the luxury M/V Santa Cruz in a Standard Outside Cabin. Full board on the cruise, with services of a team of expert naturalist guides, daily visits and walks on the islands. Please enquire for an itinerary and more information. Single supplement: £430 Download full 2009 itinerary here. If you require Adobe Acrobat Reader download here

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About the walks

A mixture of part-day walks, getting gradually acclimatised to the altitude, with a number of full-day walks, sightseeing and train journeys.

Guided Walks: Distances are generally between 2-10 miles, generally through rolling terrain. There are a number of full-day walks at high altitude which are taken steadily.

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Dates and prices

Single room supplement: £285

# Land Itineraries finish on day 13.
* Internal flights are included.

Independent travellers who book the no flight option can join the HF Holidays' airport transfers for £20 per person return.

Airport Parking: To book secure airport parking throughout the UK visit Purple Parking or Holiday Extras to book on-line.

Airport Hotels: To book airport hotels throughout the UK visit Holiday Extras to book on-line.

Airport Lounges: To book airport lounges visit Holiday Extras to book on-line.

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Temperatures

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Accommodation

At Otavalo, Cotopaxi, Riobamba and Cuenca accommodation is in charming and comfortable Ecuadorian haciendas. In Quito stay in a modern five-star hotel.

Quito - 2 nights

Otavalo - 2 nights

Quito - 1 night

Cotopaxi National Park - 2 nights

Riobamba - 2 nights

Cuneca - 2 nights

Quito - 1 night

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Flight information

Latest HF Holidays Flight Information - updated 22.09.2008 (provisional)

Iberia
Heathrow - Quito (via Madrid)
Out 06:20 (Mon) - 16:15 (Mon)
Return 17:40 (Sat) - 16:45 (Sun)

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What the holiday includes

• Return economy class air travel UK / Ecuador on scheduled airlines, with appropriate in-flight meals.
• 12 nights' accommodation in twin en-suite rooms.
• Full Board from dinner on arrival to breakfast on day of departure.
• All internal flights.
• Services of an HF Holidays' leader and local tour guides.
• Walks, sightseeing, entrance fees and travel by minibus or coach.

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