Trip Style: Hidden Journey
Secrets of Ecuador
Ecuador’s colours and contrasts are featured on this incredible exploration from Otavalo’s outdoor market,
Cotopaxi National Park, Devil’s Nose Train and to UNESCO World Heritage sites like Quito and Cuenca.
Cuenca, Ecuador
The Trafalgar difference
Whether it’s hand-picked hotels or inspiring Optional
Experiences, we craft amazing trips. That’s why our review
ratings are so good. See for yourself our independent
guest reviews through Feefo at www.trafalgar.com/reviews
Your included sights
ŧřŧ ŧ²ǧǺŧǧÐéàŧ²ÈŧŧQuito, Guayaquil and Cuenca
ŧřŧ ŧƐ²ä²ǧŧŧOtavalo’s outdoor market, Equatorial Line
Monument, Riobamba and artisan villages near Cuenca
ŧřŧ ŧƐ²¡Ƕŧǧ¯¡ŧŧCotopaxi Volcano
ŧřŧ ŧ`–¡È²–ŧšà²ô¡äŧˆ¾ÐÈ­ŧǧ¯¡ŧŧ“Avenue of the Volcanoes”
and El Cajas National Park
ŧřŧ ŧ1–ÐȲ–ŧǧàˆ²ÈŧdžÐéàÈ¡Ǻŧˆ”Јàšŧǧ¯¡ŧŧDevil’s Nose Train
Your Insider Experiences
ŧřŧ Hidden Treasure Enjoy at least one surprise Hidden Treasure.
ŧřŧŧŧC
ŧ ultural Insight Traditional Andean flute-making and
weaving, candy making with a local candy maker, try
a delicious cinnamon rum drink and witness the art of
Panama hat weaving.
ŧřŧŧŧB
ŧ e My Guest Enjoy lunch at a rose plantation in Cayambe.
ŧřŧŧŧA
ŧ uthentic Accommodation Stay at Hacienda Cusin, a
restored 17th century Andean estate.
ŧřŧŧŧŧLocal Specialist Meet a chocolate maker at the El Cajas
National Parks and an expert in the city of Cotopaxi, as well
as Cuenca.
For more Insider Experiences, look for this symbol
You’ll enjoy Insider moments like…
taking in the dramatic architecture of Ecuador, from its
churches to its cobblestone streets. It’s where you’ll learn
all about the art of decadent chocolate-making and the
ancient weaving culture used to create Panama hats.
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A Day 1 Arrive Quito – Otavalo
(2 Nights)
Welcome to Ecuador, a local host will
greet you at the airport for a transfer to
your hotel in the village of San Pablo del
Lago, located just outside Otavalo and
ideally situated at the base of the Imbabura
Volcano. Hacienda Cusin, founded in 1602,
is one of the oldest haciendas in all of
Ecuador. Enjoy the rest of your day to relax
and get settled in. Hotel: Hacienda Cusin
Authentic Accommodation
A Day 2 Otavalo Sightseeing
Depart mid-morning to meet a local family
who introduces you to the Andean tradition
and Cultural Insight of flute-making,
including a musical interlude using the
handmade instruments. You’ll even get
the chance to try playing the instruments
yourself. Enjoy a Welcome Reception Lunch
with your Travel Director and fellow travellers
at a traditional hacienda. Visit the public
market alongside native Otavalenos and put
your bartering skills to the test. Stroll through
the different vendor stalls offering a variety
of handcrafted items in search of the perfect
keepsake. (FB, WR, D)
A Day 3 Otavalo – Cayambe – Quito
(2 Nights)
Your morning is at leisure before heading
to Cayambe where you will meet a local
family for a Be My Guest Lunch at Hacienda
La Compania, a beautiful home and rose
plantation. Tour the grounds, including the
charming chapel and learn about the roses
grown here before indulging in a meal of
Ecuadorian specialities. Arrive in Quito
and enjoy the evening to relax. (FB, BG)
Hotel: Hilton Colon
A Day 4 Quito Sightseeing – Equatorial
Line Monument
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Quito, Ecuador’s
capital city and a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. Learn all about the religious and
cultural influences of this bustling city,
located just 14 miles (22 kilometres) from
the Equatorial Line. Visit a candy shop to
watch a third generation candy-maker
create a traditional Ecuadorian candy
called colaciones, a Cultural Insight. Eat
lunch at a local restaurant and try another
Cultural Insight, canelazo, a delicious
spiced cinnamon rum drink. Continue to the
Equatorial Line Monument and stand in the
Northern and Southern Hemispheres at the
same time. Later, meet a Local Specialist,
an Ecuadorian organic chocolate-maker,
who tells you all about the production
process and shares samples for you
to enjoy. Indulge in a Regional Meal this
evening featuring local cuisine. (FB, L, RM)
A Day 5 Quito – Cotopaxi National
Park – Riobamba
Travel south along the Panamerican
Highway, through stunning landscapes of
valleys and mountains before arriving at
Cotopaxi National Park, the site of an active
volcano standing 19,642 feet (5,987 metres)
high. Meet a Local Specialist who shares
his knowledge and passion for this
spectacular natural wonder. Continue on
to Limpiopungo Lake where you’ll observe
a great number of high-altitude birds, and
occasionally, wild horses. Return to the
valley where lunch is served at a 300-yearold hacienda. Venture back to the main
road and continue along the “Avenue of
the Volcanoes.” Riobamba awaits as you
continue alongside massive Chimborazo,
the highest mountain in Ecuador. (FB, L, D)
Hotel: Hacienda Abraspungo
Trip Style: Hidden Journey
ALL INCLUDED: INTERNAL FLIGHTS,
MEET AND GREET SERVICE, PRIVATE TRANSFERS
Secrets of Ecuador
4
GALAPAGOS ISLAND CRUISE
5 Day Optional Post-Itinerary Extension
OTAVALO
SOUTH AMERICA
COLOMBIA
9 days – 1 Country
HIGHEST ELEVATION POINT
3,850 m.
2
From:
US$2175 (per person twin share)
Cayambe
QUITO
Includes: 8 nights’ accommodation. 8 full
breakfasts. 6 lunches (including Be My Guest).
4 dinners. All transport shown (including train).
All transfers shown. All our featured inclusions
shown on page 10.
2
Cotopaxi
National Park
Price per Person
ECUADOR
RIOBAMBA 1
1
GUAYAQUIL
Sibambe
Alausi
2
CUENCA
Day 6 Riobamba – Alausi – Ingapirca –
Cuenca (2 Nights)
Head south to the train station in Alausi
where you board the Devil’s Nose Train,
an engineering feat of the late 19th and
early 20th centuries. The railway allows you
to discover the topographic obstacles of
Ecuador’s diverse landscape as you zigzag
down the steep mountainside. Disembark at
Sibambe to visit a local museum built and run
by the Nizag community. See displays of local
crafts, fruits, and medicinal plants. After your
train journey, enjoy a picnic lunch before visiting
the Inca ruins of Ingapirca. (FB, L) Hotel: Victoria
A Day 8 Cuenca – El Cajas National
Park – Guayaquil
Journey to Guayaquil through El Cajas
National Park. Watch the ever changing
flora and fauna as you travel through the
beautiful cloud forests to the coast for
a visit to a cacao plantation. Here, learn
all about growing and harvesting cacao
with a Local Specialist before a delicious
+X
18 Dec Sun
26 Dec Mon
2017
6 Mar Mon
Single
Twin Supp.
Share Option
2175
2175
625
625
2175
625
2295
595
X Crossovers
:
Start
Number of overnight stays
End
Sightseeing stops
Optional Extension
lunch. Arrive in Guayaquil and enjoy a short
city tour. Tonight, toast an unforgettable
holiday during a Farewell Dinner at a local
restaurant. (FB, L, FD) Hotel: Oro Verde
Day 9 Depart Guayaquil
Your Ecuadorian adventure comes to an
end with a transfer to the airport for your
flight home, or extend your stay at the
Hotel Oro Verde. (FB)
Price per Person
Starts
Quito
12 Mar Sun
Ends
Guayaquil
20 Mar Mon
17 Sep Sun
Single
Twin Supp.
Share Option
2295
595
25 Sep Mon
2295
595
12 Nov Sun
20 Nov Mon
2295
595
3 Dec Sun
11 Dec Mon
2295
595
These departures will operate per the 2016
brochure. Hotels and inclusions may vary. Please inquire at
the time of booking.
+ Festive
Departures: We’ve arranged a Christmas celebration
for this departure.
BOOK & PAY EARLY
SAVE US$230 p.p.
UP
TO
For details on Trafalgar’s great
savings see pages 18 & 19.
^ For your chance to save, book by:
28 Feb 2017 save 10%
30 Mar 2017 save 7.5%
11 May 2017 save 5%
Past guest discount
Multiple trip discount
Other
SAVE up to US$115 p.p.
SAVE up to US$57 p.p.
savings
Young traveller discount US$230 Triple room discount US$95 p.p.
^ Limited availability by departure; check www. trafalgar.com
More about your trip
All prices are per person, twin share.
WI-FI: see page 66 for details.
Guaranteed Room Share is not available on this trip.
A Day 7 Cuenca Sightseeing and
Free Time
Discover the charm of Cuenca with a Local
Specialist and admire the red-tiled roofs,
cobblestone streets and flowery plazas.
Founded as a Spanish settlement in 1557, the
beauty of its landscape with the harmony of
old and modern architecture has prompted
UNESCO to name Cuenca a World Cultural
Heritage Site. Today’s highlights include the
Todos los Santos ruins, a flower market, and
the main square surrounded by the imposing
blue-domed Cathedral. Visit surrounding
communities including an arts and crafts village
for a Cultural Insight into the ancient weaving
process of Panama hats and other items made
of toquilla straw. Learn weaving methods that
date back to pre-Columbian cultures while
visiting a local pottery maker in action. The
evening is yours to explore. (FB)
X
Ends
Guayaquil
14 Nov Mon
28 Nov Mon
26 Feb Sun
Devil’s Nose
Train
Ingapirca
El Cajas
National Park
X
Starts
Quito
6 Nov Sun
20 Nov Sun
Code: LCTA
Join Me to We and extend your Trafalgar
trip of the Secrets of Ecuador with the
perfect volunteer Amazon experience.
Ecuador’s equally vibrant culture and
landscape are featured on this transformative
excursion. See page 19 to learn more and
visit www.metowe.com/trafalgar for the
trip overview.
How to Make Your Me to We
Reservations:
Q Select your Secrets of Ecuador
trip departure
Q Call Trafalgar or your Travel Agent to
make your reservation
Q Upon confirmation of your Trafalgar trip,
contact Me to We
Q Reserve your space with Me to We
pre-trip package
Q Upon confirmation of your Me to We
package, contact Trafalgar or your
Travel Agent
Q Make your air reservations with Trafalgar
for your Me to We and Secrets of
Ecuador vacation
Gratuities: Option to pre-pay gratuities for Travel Director
and Driver, US$91 per person.
For the best savings and to avoid disappointment book
early. For extra nights’ accommodation see page 65.
Hidden Journeys: These itineraries have a maximum of
26 guests.
Visit www.trafalgar.com for availability, up-to-date itineraries
and Optional Experiences.
A Authentic
Accommodation
Hacienda Cusin, Otavalo, Ecuador
Stay at this Authentic Accommodation, featuring beautifully
decorated guest rooms that carefully preserve the historic
ambiance, and be sure to stroll its lush gardens.
Extend Your Holiday
5 Day Galapagos Islands Cruise
See page 63 for more information on this post-extension.
KEY: A Insider Experience WR Welcome Reception FB Full Breakfast
BB Buffet Breakfast L Lunch D Dinner RM Regional Meal
FD Farewell Dinner BG Be My Guest Dining DW Dinner with Wine
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