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Don’t head back to the states just yet… Take
4 fun filled days to explore the uniqueness of Quito and surrounding villages.
Wandering through downtown Quito, sampling local cuisine and shopping for the
perfect Alpaca sweater. Taking in the gorgeous views of the Andes Mountains and
wandering through the Otavala Indian Market is an experience you’ll never
forget. Then cap off the trip with awesome white water rafting!
- 4 nights accommodations
- Quito City Tour
- Otavala Indian Market w/lunch at hacienda
- Jungle White Water River Rafting
- All Transfers
Monday: Galapagos or US to Quito
If you're on the Humboldt Explorer yacht with our group you'll have breakfast, then depart the vessel by 9:00 am. You're free to visit the beach in town to see marine iguanas and sea lions in their natural habitat or take a short walk to the interpretive center. Transfer back to the airport for 1 pm flight back to Quito. At the airport in Quito we’ll be met and transferred to our hotel in the “fun” downtown section of Quito, with lots of shops, restaurants and bars! If you're arriving from the US, you'll be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Evening free for dinner at a great local spot.
NOTE: Depending on flight schedules, you may prefer to arrive in Quito a day early, on Sunday evening, especially if your flight arrives very late.
Tuesday: Quito City Tour
After breakfast this morning we'll spend a half-day with our local guide exploring the environs of Quito by bus and on foot. Quito is a fascinating city, former capital of the Spanish Empire in the New World. There are fascinating neighborhoods, incredible cathedrals and monuments, and tons of interesting sites that our guide will show us. This evening we can once again explore Quito by night to find some fun hot spots!
Wednesday: Otovalo Market and Andean Highlands Tour
Today our private bus and guide will take us on a fascinating tour of several of the small towns in the nearby mountains. Each town is reknown for some different type of craft…one for leather working, jackets, coats, etc. One for woodcarving, even one for making Christmas ornaments our of bread dough! We’ll cross the Equator and spend the morning wandering the famous Otovalo Indian Market. Hundreds of villagers from the surrounding mountains converge on Otovalo each week, bringing their wares to display and sell in the streets. You’ll find everything from chickens, grains, spices, alpaca sweaters, belts, pigs, blankets, wood carvings, and much more. A lively, fun atmosphere that is unlike anything you’ve probably seen! We’ll have a meal at a gorgeous hacienda on the way back to Quito.
Thursday: Whitewater Rafting
Early this morning we’ll get picked up at the hotel for our ride to the river. Our mountain/jungle road winds along sheer cliffs and breathtaking passes, itself a hair-raising ride! When we arrive at our departure point, we’ll be fitted with helmets, life jackets and paddles…then off we go! The day will be filled with periods of lazy drifting through rainforest scenery…punctuated with adrenaline-charged runs down wild whitewater-filled canyons! Lunch on the river and back to Quito for our final night of fun.
Friday: Depart for Home
This morning we say goodbye to Ecuador and transfer to the airport for our homeward bound flights.
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