Ecuador Incentive 1
Duration: 6 days
Highlights: Quito, Guayaquil, Otavalo
Incentive itinerary created especially for corporate groups.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Guayaquil
Arrival at Guayaquil Airport, you will be met and transferred to the Hilton Colon Hotel, only eight minutes from the airport in an exclusive residential area with an incredible
ocean view.
Guayaquil, Ecuador’s second city (although ‘guayaquileños’ would doubtless refute such a statement!), is the country’s largest in terms of population, the unofficial estimate
being over three million, making the city twice the size of Ecuador’s capital Quito. The spirit of this bold city has been forever immortalised in its name: a fusion of Guayas,
the Puna Chief who fought bravely against Inca and later against Spanish invasion, and his wife, Quill, who he is said to have slain before drowning himself rather than
letting her fall into the hands of the Spanish marauders.
The commercial heart of Ecuador has recently seen a series of vast urban renewal projects that have turned Guayaquil’s central waterfront into one of the most vibrant,
modern and trendy urban centres in South America.
Ecuador’s Pacific coastline is probably one of the least visited areas of the country, at least as far as foreign tourists are concerned. But this quiet and diverse area of the
country is the home to some of Ecuador’s finest hidden treasures: tropical dry forests, quaint fishing villages, and mile upon mile of beautiful palm-fringed Pacific beaches,
many of which are totally deserted.
Upon arrival in the hotel, a welcome drink and refreshing towels will be offered at the hospitality desk.
Overnight: Hilton Colon Guayaquil
Day 2 - Guayaquil
Our sightseeing starts along the main Avenue of Guayaquil to Centennial Park, that honours the heroes of Guayaquil´s Independence. A stop at Bolivar Park, also known as
the “park of the iguanas” as they roam around the park undisturbed and perch on the tree tops. Stroll along Guayaquil´s new and ravishing Malecon 2000 waterfront
featuring historical, cultural and entertainment areas.
To the north lies Santa Ana Hill and the oldest neighbourhood of Las Peñas, which has been beautifully restored with brightly coloured wooden constructions housing
galleries. This area of the city is home to various local artists, with whom the group will be able to interact. There will also be a chance to interview long-standing residents
and learn about the society and customs in Guayaquil in years gone by. Canapes and soft drinks will be served at Puerto Santa Ana – the newly refurbished area of Santa
Ana Hill which overlooks the Guayas River.
Lunch at Hacienda El Castill. This hacienda is located 55 kilometres west of Guayaquil (a 40 minute drive) on the road to the Pacific Coast. El Castillo is a contemporary
house in the countryside where you will enjoy a lunch of typical coastal dishes. A short tour of the hacienda will give you an insight into the importance of cocoa, mango and
banana production to the Ecuadorian economy. A folk ballet performing dances from the coast will entertain.
After lunch drive towards Samborondon, where Guayaquil’s Historical Park is located. It is a very interesting project managed by the Banco Central in an attempt to revive
and preserve Guayaquil’s culture and traditions for generations to come. This visit is an invitation to discover the profound sense of local identity and the traditions that make
up Guayaquil’s origins as a city and the roots of its culture. Once inside you will find yourself transported to a world where past becomes present to discover the way in which
the craftsmen used to work. You can watch or, if you are feeling lively, take part in the duties of the hacienda, and discover this unknown side of coastal life which has
remained virtually unchanged since the colonial era.
This evening the elegant terrace/restaurant of the Bankers Club will host you for cocktail and dinner as you enjoy the astonishing views of the city and the Guayas River from
the 30th floor. After dnner, one of the best DJs in town will entertain your party with live music.
Overnight: Hilton Colon Guayaquil
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 3 - Guayaquil - Quito
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Quito. Upon arrival at Quito Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This is a special
transfer as the group will be transported by “chivas”, or “festive” buses especially designed to drive around the city with a band and drinks. Check-in at Swissotel with
welcome drink.
Rich in history, Quito is the second highest capital city in the world, founded in 1534 by Spanish Conquistador Sebastian de Benalcazar. For nearly three centuries, the arts
and intellectual societies flourished under Spanish colonial rule until 1809, when Quito established the first self-governing junta in the colonies. Liberator Simon Bolivar led
the country as part of the Republic of Greater Colombia until 1830, when the Republic of Ecuador announced its independence with the adoption of the Constitution signed
in Riobamba. Due to the city’s preservation of its blended past, UNESCO declared Quito one of the "world's cultural heritage sites" in 1978.
After check-in, leave for a city tour of Quito. This morning sightseeing demonstrates some of the reasons why Ecuador's capital has earned its honour as a world cultural site.
Marvel at the city’s ornate churches such as the Cathedral, La Compañia de Jesus and San Francisco, and experience a long history of local culture in Quito’s “Old Town”.
Rich in art treasures, fine woodcarvings and altars of gold leaf, the churches are historical icons of Quito.
After your sightseeing of Quito, you will be invited to enjoy an exquisite lunch at one of the most historic properties in Old Town Quito. The San Agustin Monastery was the
place where the Independence Act was signed after Quito finally obtained independence from Spain back in 1810. The building is a typical Spanish-style monastery with an
interior patio and surrounded by magnificent frescos and ceiling paintings both along the corridors and inside the Sala Capitular, where the meeting to sign the Independence
Act was held.
Afternoon at leisure.
This evening you will be taken to Fundacion Humanizarte for a dinner of Ecuadorian delicacies. The Humanizarte Andean Ballet performs traditional dances from the Andes,
and although they stick to the most ancient traditions involved in traditional dancing, the group´s coreographies are blended with more contemporary styles. Their vision is
that art is in constant evolution and, therefore, dancing and music change as well. The group has attended several International Dance Festivals and performs weekly in Quito
at their own theatre. However, for special occasions it is possible to arrange for exclusive performances with their most varied choreographies.
Overnight: Swissotel Quito
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 4 - Quito - Antisana - Quito
After breakfast depart for a visit to the Antisana Natural Reserve. Your first stop will be Sangolqui, where you will visit the market - a very active and colourful market held
only on Sundays.
Continue via Pintag to Antisana. The reserve has an extension of 120,000 hectares and comprises several ecosystems that go from the high mountain habitats to the
rainforest. Some of the highlights of this natural reserve that you will see along the way are the Antisanilla lava flow, which did not emerge from the crater and once it dried
left behind these spectacular rocky waves. The Isco River was interrupted by the lava flow and several lakes were formed. The Isco rocky walls are still home to the Andean
condor and the vegetation in the bottom attracts hummingbirds. As you drive towards Micacocha Lake you will be able to observe Andean gulls, cara-caras, ducks and other
bird species. Micacocha Lake is the biggest in the reserve and is located right at the bottom of the Antisana peak.
For lunch you will go to the historic Hacienda Chillo Jijon located to the south of Quito. Ever since its construction around 1730 as the manor house of what was then a large
estate, Hacienda Chillo Jijón has always been a residence to the same family. Built by the Marquees of Miraflores and enlarged a century later by the Marquees of San José,
the hacienda has seen a lot of the country's history happen within its walls. For over 120 years, until 1975, the hacienda was also home to one of the largest and oldest textile
mills in the Andes. The Jijón family, who inherited the property on maternal line around 1850, has contributed, generation after generation, to the embellishment and
restoration of this unique country house. Today the hacienda warmly greets a limited number of selected guests, giving a unique insight into Ecuadorian aristocracy.
Back in Quito after lunch. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner in any of the hotel's restaurants.
Overnight: Swissotel Quito
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 5 - Quito - Otavalo - Quito
Departure for sightseeing of the Otavalo area. You will drive north from Quito along the Panamericana Road for your first stop at Hacienda La Compañía. This 16th century
property belonged to the Jesuit order and is now in private hands. It is still a lively family house, where a delicious home-made snack awaits you. Visit the rose plantation and
learn how Ecuador's famous roses are grown and shipped to the USA and Europe.
Continue on for your next stop at the Otavalo market. Besides the textile market, you can visit the produce market which is very colourful and will give you the opportunity to
see and smell many of the fruits you will taste during your stay in Ecuador.
Lunch will be offered at Hacienda Cusin, where you will also be able to see a textile demonstration which still uses the very ancient techniques of the pre-hispanic Indian
people of this region.
After lunch you will drive back to Quito with time to freshen up before your farewell dinner at the historic Theatrum Restaurant and Wine Bar on the second floor of the
Theatro Sucre – Quito’s first theatre that was built in the 18th century. The impressive restaurant is known for the quality of its food and spectacular surroundings, as it is
decorated with huge curtains in a representation of a stage, and the restaurant overlooks the Theatre Plaza – both in keeping with its ‘theatrical theme’. During dinner a tenor
opera singer will perform.Transfer to the hotel after dinner.
Overnight: Swissotel Quito
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 6 - Depart Quito
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.