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Classic Ecuador
Trip Valid:
01/01/2008 to 31/12/2008
Duration:
8 days (ex Quito)
Highlights:
Journey deep into the heart of the Amazon Jungle, Take a dawn soak in the thermal baths at Banos, Spot the magnificent wildlife of the Cajas National Park
Trip Code:
GKE
Guarantee:
Departure is guaranteed
Group Size:
Minimum 1, Maximum 12
Price:
Prices from USD $825
Optional single supplement USD $275
*(plus local payment USD $200)
pricing for United States: change country
Extras:
view 2008 airport transfers and pre- & post-trip accommodation prices
Discover the very best of Ecuador from highlands to jungle, cosmopolitan cities to market towns, and volcanoes to some of the most exquisite island wildlife on earth. Travel in comfort and miss nothing on this exceptional South American adventure.
is this trip right for you?
physical rating:
rating definitions
culture shock rating:
rating definitions
passenger feedback rating: N/A as this is a new trip.
meals included: 6 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 2 Dinners
transport: Plane, minibus, motorised canoe
accommodation: Hotels (5 nts), jungle lodge (2 nts)
budget: Allow USD $275 for meals not included.
departs: Selected Sat
important notes: Please note this trip finishes at the airport in Quito on day 8 to give you the oportunity to join one of our Galapagos trips (See trip code GSF)
we also recommend:
Please note this trip finishes at the airport in Quito on day 8 to give you the oportunity to join our Galapagos Adventure (GSF)
Day 1 Quito
Sitting beneath the gaze of Volcan Pichincha is Quito, a long and narrow city that winds its way down to the Amazon Basin. Acclimatise to the high altitude by sitting in a shady plaza or taking a quiet stroll around the quaint Old Town. The Museo Nacional de Arte, housed in a 17th century mansion, has a fine collection of Ecuadorean sculpture and painting.
Days 2-3 Amazon Jungle
Settle into a motorised canoe for a journey into the dense forest of the Amazon. Explore the jungle on guided walks to discover the rich variety of plantlife - the Amazon is home to an astonishing 500 species of tree per acre. Keep a lookout for the prehistoric hoatzin, with its brightly-coloured feathers and sharp talons, and other animals like tamarind, monkeys and the capybara - the world's largest, and cutest, rodent.
Days 4-5 Banos
Travel by minibus along one of Ecuador's most scenic drives to Banos, meaning 'hot springs' in Spanish. It's worth rising early to watch dawn creep over the mountains from the cosy comfort of one of these thermal baths. There is the option here to take a trip to the spectacular Devil's Cauldron waterfalls.
Days 6-7 Cuenca
Discover the best kept Incan site in Ecuador, Ingapirca, before arriving in Cuenca, a historic city with pleasant red-tiled rooftops and shady plazas. Enjoy a visit to Cajas National Park, home to over 250 lakes, interesting wildlife - including black frogs, hummingbirds and condors - and impressive views.
Day 8 Quito
Return to the capital of this small but captivating nation.
| start date | finish date | places available | bookings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 24 May 08 | Sat 31 May 08 | bookings closed | |
| Sat 21 Jun 08 | Sat 28 Jun 08 | 5 | book now |
| Sat 05 Jul 08 | Sat 12 Jul 08 | 6 | book now |
| Sat 19 Jul 08 | Sat 26 Jul 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 16 Aug 08 | Sat 23 Aug 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 30 Aug 08 | Sat 06 Sep 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 13 Sep 08 | Sat 20 Sep 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 04 Oct 08 | Sat 11 Oct 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 18 Oct 08 | Sat 25 Oct 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 01 Nov 08 | Sat 08 Nov 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 15 Nov 08 | Sat 22 Nov 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 29 Nov 08 | Sat 06 Dec 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 13 Dec 08 | Sat 20 Dec 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 03 Jan 09 | Sat 10 Jan 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 14 Feb 09 | Sat 21 Feb 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 14 Mar 09 | Sat 21 Mar 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 18 Apr 09 | Sat 25 Apr 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 02 May 09 | Sat 09 May 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 16 May 09 | Sat 23 May 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 30 May 09 | Sat 06 Jun 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 13 Jun 09 | Sat 20 Jun 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 27 Jun 09 | Sat 04 Jul 09 | 7+ | book now |
The Trip Notes provide you with detailed information about your trip.
This is where you will find everything you need to know... from what's included to suggestions about what to take. This is also where you will find the most up-to-date itinerary and any late changes.
The Trip Notes provide you with a detailed outline of your trip itinerary, and important information like where to meet your group, what to pack, what's included, estimates of spending money requirements and much more. They make great reading.
These documents have been prepared by Intrepid staff to give you a brief introduction to the places you are visiting. We think it's important to understand the culture you are visiting, and the expectations of their society.
Intrepid is committed to a style of travel that is environmentally, culturally and socially responsible - we call this 'Responsible Travel'. Download this document and visit the About Intrepid section of this site for more information about how to be a Responsible Traveller.
Please also read our safety guidelines for further information on the operational safety standards you can expect on every Intrepid trip.
On 07 June the Australian Government issued an updated travel warning for East Timor strongly advising against travel to East Timor because of the extremely dangerous security situation. Australians in the country are advised to leave. The Travel Warning remains at Category 5 - Do Not Travel.
On Tuesday 07 June we have taken the decision to cancel the remainder of our East Timor trips scheduled to depart in 2006. All travellers will be notified and given the opportunity to transfer to another trip or obtain a full refund (land content only). We very much regret having to take this action and our thoughts and sympathies are with the people of East Timor during this troubled time.
We are confident of being able to resume our normal schedule of trips to East Timor in 2007 and hope that those travellers who have had to cancel their plans this year will travel with us to East Timor in 2007.
For other safety updates, please see our general safety updates page.
Every day, hundreds of happy people return from Intrepid trips, and their comments are here for you to read. We do not screen the feedback on this site, all comments are posted here as they were written (unless they used inappropriate language).
A fantastic Ecuador tour combining both the magnificent beauty of the country, exciting activities, and great local interaction (taking a hot bath with 100 ecuardorians)
Elizabeth Thorpe-tracey
Sorry, only passengers from Australia, New Zealand or the United Kingdom are able to request flight quotes online at this stage.