ECUADOR MAINLAND PACKAGE
BEST SELLER
9 DAYS/ 8 NIGHTS
Day 1: Arrival in Quito
After the arrival, our guide will welcome and transfer you from the airport to the hotel. Overnight
in Quito. -/-/Day 2: Quito City Tour, Chocolate Tasting and Middle of the World
Highlights: Culture & Chocolate
After breakfast we will visit the Independence Square
flanked by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the
Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace, after we
will visit the Compañía Church, it is the best known church
in Quito because of its large central nave, which is
abundantly decorated with gold leaves, it is one of the
most significant works of Spanish Baroque architecture in
South America. It is Quito's most ornate church and the
most beautiful in South America. Continue to the Church
of San Francisco, one of the greatest religious buildings of the New World. Its impressive facade and
atrium lead to its gold interior, a Baroque influence of Moorish style, with the winged Virgin of Quito
at its main altar.
Chocolate Tasting You can learn all about the necessary
processes to make a great chocolate. You will discover
why Ecuador is the best country in the world to grow fine
cacao as well as the country´s cacao history. You will be
able to taste a variety of chocolates.
Is it possible to experience anything better than the taste
of chocolate? Definitely! Combining a delicious tasting
session with a lively discussion about the history and
making of chocolate. We invite you to explore the real chocolate experience with the experts! From
the bean to the bar!
Then we will drive approximately 25 km north of Quito to the Middle of the World. Here at the 30
meter tall monument, we will learn about the French-Spanish geodetic expedition of 1736-1744
which determined the position of the Equator. You can stand and have your picture taken with one
leg in the northern hemisphere and the other leg in the southern hemisphere of the earth.
Overnight in Quito. B /- /-
GALACRUISES EXPEDITIONS: Address: 9 de Octubre N22-118 & Veintemilla. Telefax: (00593-2) 2509007 /
2523324 / 2224893 / 2556036 /2504002/2903391; 24/7: (00593) 998-563802 / 999-931606;
info@galacruises.com; www.islasgalapagos.travel / www.galacruises.com
Help Galacruises Expeditions reduce our Ecological Footprint – Please only print this document if necessary!
Day 3: Full Day Bombolí Cloud Forest
Highlights: Orchids, Ferns, Gastronomy
This adventure begins very early when our guide will
pick you up and take you to this paradise. Your first
adventure will be a two hour hike to an ancient fern
forest of indescribable beauty, filled with giant ferns
that are the main protagonists of this surreal landscape.
On the way, we will discover trails surrounded by over
200 species of orchids, begonias and countless other
species that grow richly in this area. Our final
destination is a waterfall and a small water spring of
about 5 meters in height located in the center of this forest. The vast ecosystem of natural richness
and breathtaking beauty is the result of years of care and conservation by the owners.
Lunch will be served in the mountain lodge that is built out of local materials. After lunch, we can
choose from some of the recreational activities offered here. One is the production of cheese which
has been prepared here with dedication for years, resulting in a product of excellent quality and
taste. A second option is to take a cooking class with Marianita preparing fresh cheese, sweetened
condensed milk or 1 of her 15 types of jams. Furthermore we can visit the garden where we will see
the bold “Bombolí” idea of reusing tires as pots, creating microclimates capable of giving life to sick
plants. We will also see a large variety of other plant species, such as lettuce, lemon, mint, onion,
lemon verbena, lavender, chamomile, lemon balm, leek, red alder, lemon, elderberry, and much
more.
Before continuing with your trip, you will have a delicious hot coffee around the fireplace where
you can share your experiences and listen to the anecdotes and tales of our hosts. Overnight in a
nearby Hacienda. B /L /Day 4: Cotopaxi National Park – Roses Trail
Highlights: Roses & Cotopaxi Volcano
This will be a spectacular day to discover the richness of the
Ecuadorian culture and nature. From Quito, early in the morning
our guide will pick you up from your hotel to begin your trip south
towards the Andes. On this amazing route we will see the most
authentic and colorful breathtaking Andean landscape. We will
arrive at the impressive active volcano Cotopaxi (5.897 meters
high). During our stay at the National Park we will visit the
museum and interpretation center to learn information about the surrounding flora and fauna.
Afterwards, we will stop at the Limpiopungo Lake.
GALACRUISES EXPEDITIONS: Address: 9 de Octubre N22-118 & Veintemilla. Telefax: (00593-2) 2509007 /
2523324 / 2224893 / 2556036 /2504002/2903391; 24/7: (00593) 998-563802 / 999-931606;
info@galacruises.com; www.islasgalapagos.travel / www.galacruises.com
Help Galacruises Expeditions reduce our Ecological Footprint – Please only print this document if necessary!
After this great experience, we are ready to visit a beautiful
rose farm. Here, we will learn about harvesting, post
harvesting and packing, and learn about this wonderful
natural product, so sublime, so perfect, full of beauty and
exquisite aromas. We will gain the knowledge to
understand why these roses can only be produced in the
Middle of the World. Overnight in Riobamba
B /- /Day 5: Devil’s Nose Train – Ingapirca Ruins - Cuenca
Highlights: Train / Culture /Ruins
After a good breakfast we will start the journey through
the Andean mountains south to the beautiful city of
Cuenca. From Alausi we will take the public train to the
famous Devil’s Nose area. Afterwards, we will continue to
Cuenca. On the way we will stop at the famous Ingapirca
ruins (Quechua for “wall rocks of the Inca”) which is the
most important and well preserved of Ecuador’s Inca ruins
situated to the north of Cuenca.
We can take a nice walk around the beautiful site and imagine the scenes prior to the Spanish
conquest. A visit to the museum will reveal further details of how life was at the end of the 15th
century. After the visit we will have time for lunch and then we will continue for about 2 hours down
to the city of Cuenca. Overnight in Cuenca. B /- /Day 6: Full Day Cuenca City and Museums
Highlights: Culture & Handicrafts
The beauty and atmosphere of colonial Cuenca is best
experienced on foot. Our walking tour of the Old Town
takes you through magnificent churches, beautiful old
buildings with wrought iron balconies and carved
wooden doors, flower and handicrafts markets, art
galleries, workshops and all the wonders that Cuenca
offers its visitors. Admire magnificent historic houses
perched on cliffs high above the rushing Tomebamba
River, which separates Old and New Towns. After that,
driving through some modern neighborhoods you will
be treated to an incredible panoramic view of the city from the vantage point of Turi. Depending on
personal preferences, your tour will conclude with a visit to a ceramic art gallery, a Panama hat
GALACRUISES EXPEDITIONS: Address: 9 de Octubre N22-118 & Veintemilla. Telefax: (00593-2) 2509007 /
2523324 / 2224893 / 2556036 /2504002/2903391; 24/7: (00593) 998-563802 / 999-931606;
info@galacruises.com; www.islasgalapagos.travel / www.galacruises.com
Help Galacruises Expeditions reduce our Ecological Footprint – Please only print this document if necessary!
factory or an artist’s workshop. After discovering this fantastic and enriching city, we will have a nice
lunch in a local restaurant.
Cuenca is a city of museums where we can see many cultural and artistic exhibitions. During our
walk in the city we will have opportunities to visit some of them such as: Museum of the Conceptas
which features an important Colonial art collection; the Remigio Crespo Toral Museum includes
archaeological relics and religious paintings and sculptures; the Museum of the Central Bank has an
interesting anthropological exhibition of the different Indian groups in Ecuador and an in-situ
archaeological collection. Overnight in Cuenca. B /- /-
Day 7: Gualaceo – Chordeleg – Sigsig
Highlights: Culture & Handicrafts
Near Cuenca we can visit the towns of Gualaceo,
Chordeleg and Sigsig. Visit the Sigsig fruit market (Sunday)
and the Women's Association where the well-known
Panama Hats are made. Then we will arrive to Gualaceo
where we will visit an embroidery shop. Time for the
lunch.
During the route Cuenca – Santa Ana we will visit San
Bartolomé, where there is a handmade guitar workshop.
Then we will arrive to Chordeleg where some shopping of
handicrafts, gold and silver jewelry and much more can be done. Overnight in Cuenca. B/- /Day 8: Cuenca – Cajas National Park – Guayaquil
Highlights: Lakes (nature) / Culture
From Cuenca we will drive to the Cajas National Park
which is located to the west. In the park there are about
200 lakes, which are the remains of the last ice age. Small
rivers, whose crystal-clear waters flow into the Pacific,
connect the lakes. We will take a short hike through the
highlands of the park.
After, we will continue to the west to the city of
Guayaquil. It is Ecuador´s largest city situated at sea level
and its port “Puerto Maritimo” is the main sea port of the country. It is the commercial and
industrial center of Ecuador and lies on the west bank of the river Guayas about 60 km from its
outflow in the Gulf of Guayaquil. During our visit we can make stops at the Iguanas Park (Parque
Seminario), The Crystal Palace, the Integration Square, Bellavista Outlook point, pass by the Malecon
2000 or go to one of the many cultural and entertainment areas Guayaquil has to offer. B/-/-
GALACRUISES EXPEDITIONS: Address: 9 de Octubre N22-118 & Veintemilla. Telefax: (00593-2) 2509007 /
2523324 / 2224893 / 2556036 /2504002/2903391; 24/7: (00593) 998-563802 / 999-931606;
info@galacruises.com; www.islasgalapagos.travel / www.galacruises.com
Help Galacruises Expeditions reduce our Ecological Footprint – Please only print this document if necessary!
Day 9: Transfer Out International Flight
Our guide will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the airport for your international flight.
B /- /-
Package includes:
 Private transportation for
excursions
 All transfers in /out
 Bilingual guide (English / Spanish)
for excursions and transfers
 Accommodation in double room
with breakfast
 Meals as detailed in the itinerary
 Entrance fees and taxes
 All excursions and visits detailed in
the itinerary
Packages not included:




Additional meals
Tips
Personal expenses
VAT for Ecuadorian people and
local agencies
GALACRUISES EXPEDITIONS: Address: 9 de Octubre N22-118 & Veintemilla. Telefax: (00593-2) 2509007 /
2523324 / 2224893 / 2556036 /2504002/2903391; 24/7: (00593) 998-563802 / 999-931606;
info@galacruises.com; www.islasgalapagos.travel / www.galacruises.com
Help Galacruises Expeditions reduce our Ecological Footprint – Please only print this document if necessary!
BEST SELLER PROGRAM 9 DAYS / 8 NIGHTS
RACK RATES PER PERSON – 2015
TOURIST SUPERIOR CLASS
2 - 3 pax
4 - 5 pax
6 - 7 pax
8 - 9 pax
10 - 11 pax
12 - 13 pax
14 -15 + TL FREE
DOUBLE ACCOMMODATION
$ 1.925
$ 1.628
$ 1.408
$ 1.267
$ 1.218
$ 1.157
$ 1.195
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
$ 240
FIRST CLASS
2 - 3 pax
4 - 5 pax
6 - 7 pax
8 - 9 pax
10 - 11 pax
12 - 13 pax
14 -15 + TL FREE
DOUBLE ACCOMMODATION
$ 2.267
$ 1.957
$ 1.738
$ 1.597
$ 1.550
$ 1.487
$ 1.560
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
$ 478
LUXURY CLASS
2 - 3 pax
4 - 5 pax
6 - 7 pax
8 - 9 pax
10 - 11 pax
12 - 13 pax
14 -15 + TL FREE
DOUBLE ACCOMMODATION
$ 2.533
$ 2.205
$ 1.973
$ 1.822
$ 1.773
$ 1.705
$ 1.793
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Galacruises Expeditions
9 de Octubre N22-118 y Veintimilla
Teléfonos: 250 9007 – 222 4893 – 252 3324
E-mail: gerenciamarketing@galacruises.com
$ 525